Effectively Advocating for Your Organization's Mission and the Nonprofit Sector

Each month, the Wyoming Nonprofit Network highlights a specific topic impacting the nonprofit sector in the What We Are Learning email series. In January 2025, WNN is exploring the role that 501c3 organizations have in advocating for their missions and the nonprofit sector more broadly.

Start Thinking About Advocacy

With the State of Wyoming Legislature’s General Session beginning on January 14, 2025, it is timely for nonprofit organizations to evaluate their individual and collective approaches to advocacy. Consider the pre-learning questions below related to your organization’s engagement in advocacy:

1. Do organizational leaders and staff clearly understand what advocacy is?

2. Does the organization have a strategic approach to building relationships with and providing information to public officials?

3. Has the Board of Directors and staff received the training needed to engage in advocacy work confidently?

In-Person Learning Opportunities

Advocacy in Action Workshop

Thursday, January 30, 2025, from 9:00 - 11:00 AM in Casper, Wyoming

The free two-hour in-person workshop will include resources for engaging in advocacy as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, support defining who the decision makers within the community are, group discussions focused on understanding why the perspective of nonprofit organizations is important to public officials, and guided support to create an advocacy action plan using a communication planning tool developed by Yonder Marketing.

Workshop participants are encouraged to register by Monday, January 27, 2025, to ensure all pre-learning resources can be distributed.

SHAPE Wyoming Grassroots Lobbyist Training

Sunday, January 19, 2025, and Monday, January 20, 2025, in Cheyenne, Wyoming

The Equality State Policy Center’s annual SHAPE Wyoming, a citizen lobbyist training, will take place in person in Cheyenne on Sunday, January 19, 2025. SHAPE Wyoming is a comprehensive program designed to equip you with the skills and confidence needed to engage effectively in Wyoming's legislative process. You'll learn directly from seasoned advocates and experts about lobbying, testifying, and building impactful connections with lawmakers.

Then, on Monday, January 20, 2025, put those skills into action during Lobby Day! Over a free breakfast, you'll connect with legislators and put your training to use, making your voice heard on the issues that matter most to you and your community.

Register online or contact Civic Engagement Director Rosa Reyna-Pugh at rosa@equalitystate.org for scholarship information. View flyer with more information.

Online Learning Opportunity

Advocacy in Action Webinar

Friday, January 31, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM

The free one-hour webinar will include resources for engaging in advocacy as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, support defining who the decision makers within the community are, insight into why the perspective of nonprofit organizations is important to public officials, ideas for developing professional relationships with public officials, and an introduction to an advocacy planning tool developed by Yonder Marketing.

Webinar participants are encouraged to register by Monday, January 27, 2025, to ensure all pre-learning resources can be distributed.

This is a members-only event. Attendees are typically those in leadership positions. The cost is $15 per person. The deadline to register is January 10th.

2025 Legislative Breakfast

Friday, January 17, 2025, from 7:00 to 10:30 AM, Cheyenne, Wyoming

The Wyoming Nonprofit Network invites its members to its 4th Annual Legislative Breakfast. In partnership with WyoFunders, this event is an opportunity to cultivate connections and increase awareness for the nonprofit sector in Wyoming. Following breakfast in the Capitol Extension Conference Center, those in attendance will be invited to the Senate and House Galleries for the welcome remarks and recognition of nonprofits at 10:00 a.m. View more details.

Resources

• It is part of the Wyoming Nonprofit Network’s mission to “advocate for partnerships and public policies to expand the reach and effectiveness of nonprofits.” Access WNN’s 2025 State Policy Agenda and other advocacy resources shared by the organization online.

• According to BoardSource, “Advocacy helps nonprofits advance their mission, increase their funding sources, and solve community and societal problems.” Explore additional resources provided by BoardSource to better understand what advocacy and the impact nonprofit professionals can have when they advocate for their missions.

• Do you know the Wyoming Legislators that represent you and the people your organization serves? Find a complete list of Wyoming Legislators and their contact information online.

• It is important to communicate why your nonprofit should participate in advocacy. Read the National Council of Nonprofits’ “Why Should Your Nonprofit Advocate?” before discussing the significance of this work with board members and staff. 

Community Partners

Yonder Marketing - Yonder is a small marketing agency for small businesses, offering the services small businesses need most—no fluff, no nonsense, and no upselling. Their clients get exactly what they need at a price they can afford. “Yonder” refers to something in the distance that you can see, but can’t quite reach. Whatever goal it is you’re trying to reach—whether it’s more customers, more clients, or more recognition— Yonder will help you get there.

Yonder Marketing is partnering with the Wyoming Nonprofit Network to offer both the in-person Advocacy in Action workshop being hosted in Casper on Thursday, January 30, 2025, and the Advocacy in Action webinar being offered online on Friday, January 31, 2025.

What You Want to Learn Matters

Email Director of Learning and Development Tess Mittelstadt at tmittelstadt@wynonprofit.org with your feedback on the What We Are Learning email and suggestions on future topics.

Wyoming Nonprofit Network
822 West 23rd St., Unit A, Cheyenne, WY 82001
307-772-9050
wynonprofit.org