Advocacy & Coalition Building
No matter how valuable your services are, your impact will be limited if you operate in an unjust system. Advocacy and coalition building enble you to change policies and corporate practices to better reflect the needs of the communities you represent. We have a wealth of experience securing policy and industry reforms in states across the country and at the national level.
Project Examples
Families USA Health Equity Academy
Designed and implemented training and technical assistance programs to equip leaders from marginalized communities with training, strategic guidance, and networking opportunities to accelerate their advocacy efforts and advance equity in maternal health, behavioral health, prescription drug pricing, health workforce, disability rights, immigrant health coverage, and more. Facilitated workshops, individualized technical assistance, and networking opportunities to support advocates in developing and refining their campaign strategies, building local coalitions, strengthening their communications and public speaking skills, and achieving their desired policy goals. Implemented a new strategic plan for the Academy to better align the program with Families USA’s broader strategic priorities, thus ensuring greater effectiveness in meeting fellows’ needs, elevating their leadership in the national health equity movement, and advancing Families USA’s policy priorities.
Health Equity Academy Fellow Rebecca Desir of Florida Speaking on the live stream of Families USA's Health Action Conference Plenary
Responsible Business Lending Coalition
Directed campaign strategy for the Responsible Business Lending Coalition focused on addressing harmful financing practices targeting small business owners. Strengthened the Coalition’s ability to mobilize supporters by elevating their digital organizing strategies. Cultivated state and national partners to expand the Coalition’s impact and advocacy efforts. Provided ongoing technical assistance and strategic guidance to local campaign leaders in California, Illinois, Maryland, and North Carolina. Expanded the list of organizational endorsers for the Small Business Financing Disclosure Act from 20 in the 117th Congress to 88 in the 118th Congress.
Business Owner Karida Collins testifying for Maryland's Senate Finance Committee in support of small business financing transparency legislation proposed by the Responsible Business Lending Coalition
Representative Services
- Conduct landscape analyses to assess the political and environmental context surrounding a target policy issue and provide recommendations to address related challenges and opportunities for state and/or federal advocacy
- Develop and facilitate tailored strategy and skills-building workshops for campaign staff to refine campaign strategy and build key capacities for successful campaign execution (e.g. power mapping, messaging, public speaking, storytelling, grassroots & digital mobilization, legislative & regulatory advocacy, coalition building)
- Develop a custom strategy roadmap to shape the campaign’s key goals, strategies, and metrics for success
- Develop and facilitate coalition design workshops to solidify goals and governance processes (e.g. decision-making processes, roles and decision-making powers of myriad stakeholders, funding structures, mission/vision/values)
- Develop tailored policies and guidance to facilitate effective management of the coalition according to its values (e.g. decision-making models, working agreements, onboarding documents, committee charters)
- Develop materials (e.g. talking points, fact sheets, policy summaries, comment letters) and provide hands-on coaching to enable stakeholders to effectively engage in legislative and regulatory advocacy activities