It’s a good (and exciting) question. And the Chronicle of Philanthropy and the NonProfit Times put their analyst caps on (and both manage to connect with service superstar Shirley Sagawa).
The NonProfit Times reports that expectations are high that there will be a nonprofit sector seat waiting at the Obama table (full article here):
The idea that nonprofits have a seat at the table during public policy discussions was a theme echoed throughout the sector during post-election interviews today. “I think we’ll see in the service area, and in a more sort of bottom-up approach, with more emphasis on capacity building and advocacy for nonprofits,” said Larry Ottinger, president of the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest in Washington, D.C.
Ottinger also expects some reforms to make it easier and more acceptable for nonprofits to engage in the public policy process. “I think it will be necessary for nonprofits to stick together during the budget crisis, and be part of the solution, and not be passive recipients, but active with government and business in making those decisions,” he said.
Tim Delaney, executive director of the National Council of Nonprofits in Washington, D.C., called it an “awakening” that’s been occurring in the nonprofit sector the last few years. “It’s incredibly important that nonprofits be at the policy table because many are on the front lines of so many social issues that America is going through. A big cry in this election was change,” Delaney said. “Everyone saw it. That’s what people were calling for yesterday, loud and clear. We in the nonprofit sector have to hear that same call for change that many of us have been calling for for sometime, to get active and engaged,” he said.
And the Chronicle Of Philanthropy reports on an Urban Institute panel that urged fast action (full article here):
Nonprofit groups should act quickly following today’s election to convince the new president and Congress to bolster the ability of charities to tackle the nation’s social problems, speakers at a panel here said today.
“Nonprofits need to be at the table and they need to be exercising their advocacy muscles,” said Shirley Sagawa, a nonprofit-strategy consultant who served in the federal government in positions appointed by both President George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Ms. Sagawa said she hopes the new administration will pledge to pass the Serve America Act, a bill to expand the country’s national-service programs and funnel money to innovative charities, within the first 100 days.
It always pays to listen to what Shirley says, and Jed Emerson adds a very astute comment to the Chronicle article, which bears quoting:
Maybe we ourselves should re-define our tools and tactics in this new day and in the midst of a number of profound challenges. The opportunity of Obama’s presidency and his call to rise above partisanship is more than simply a chance to bolster our individual causes and organizations in light of what may be a more receptive administration. We should first stop to reflect upon the array of issues we care about and consider how beyond our own organizational agendas we might better partner with the business community, make use of our own assets most effectively (the 95% foundations invest for financial performance alone, for example) and whether, in fact, we have the courage to rise above the strategies/tactics we have executed during a period of partisanship to create new, yet more powerful approaches to advancing sustained impact and change in our world.
The new administration will inherit budget limits and international demands (among many other things…) that will require we do more than simply speak louder for our issues.
This is so true. Change has to happen everywhere, including in the way the nonprofit sector goes about its work. And if you want to express your opinion, the Chronicle is planning an online chat next Tuesday (Nov. 11) at noon EST. Details here.
