Advocacy Alert: Be Seen. Be Heard. Be Ready.

Today, the Strategic Workforce & Arts Network of Pennsylvania (SWAN) is launching a new recurring blog series: SWAN Advocacy Alert.

Unlike our regular features, Monday Matters and Funding Friday, SWAN Advocacy Alert will be published as needed whenever an issue arises that could significantly affect nonprofit organizations, arts organizations, community groups, or the people they serve.

Our goal is simple: to help nonprofit leaders stay informed, understand what's happening, and identify practical ways to advocate for meaningful change. Sometimes that may involve explaining proposed legislation or regulatory changes. Other times, it may mean highlighting funding issues, public policy developments, accessibility concerns, or opportunities for nonprofit organizations to make their voices heard.

Advocacy isn't just about contacting elected officials. It's about educating decision-makers, engaging with the media, building relationships, and ensuring that the voices of our communities are part of the conversation.

This first SWAN Advocacy Alert focuses on two essential forms of advocacy every nonprofit should embrace: engaging with the media and building productive relationships with elected officials.

Advocacy Starts with Visibility

Many nonprofit leaders hesitate to engage with the media. Some believe their organization is too small to be newsworthy. Others worry about political bias or fear they will lose control of their message.

While those concerns are understandable, they shouldn't prevent nonprofits from telling their stories.

Every community has reporters, editors, podcasters, bloggers, radio hosts, and social media influencers looking for meaningful local stories. Build relationships with them before you need coverage. Keep them informed about your programs, milestones, grants, volunteers, community impact, and upcoming events.

The goal isn't simply to receive media coverage. It's to become a trusted source of information. When journalists know your organization provides accurate information and thoughtful perspectives, they are much more likely to contact you when related issues arise.

Don't be discouraged if every press release isn't published. Consistent communication builds credibility over time.

Advocacy Doesn't End at the Capitol

Advocating with elected officials follows many of the same principles.

The most effective nonprofit advocacy doesn't happen only when legislation is being debated. Strong relationships are built year-round by introducing your organization, inviting legislators to events, sharing success stories, and providing concise, high-value information about the needs of your community.

Legislators receive hundreds of emails and phone calls every day. Clear, factual, and respectful communication is far more effective than lengthy messages or emotional appeals alone.

Meaningful policy change also takes time. Building trust and educating decision-makers over months or even years often leads to stronger and more lasting results than focusing on a single piece of legislation.

Today's political environment can make bipartisan cooperation appear difficult. Yet legislators from different political parties continue to work together behind the scenes on issues affecting their constituents.

For nonprofit organizations, the lesson is simple: remain mission-focused and nonpartisan. Your organization's greatest strength is its firsthand knowledge of community needs. By sharing data, outcomes, and real stories from the people you serve, you can help elected officials make better-informed decisions regardless of political affiliation.

Make Communications Part of Your Strategy

For many small and mid-sized nonprofits, communications become "something we'll get to later."

Unfortunately, later often never comes.

Even dedicating just 10 to 15 percent of your organization's communications efforts to media relations, advocacy, and public education can strengthen your visibility, credibility, partnerships, fundraising, and long-term sustainability.

Before Contacting an Elected Official

• Identify which level of government has authority over your issue.

• Keep your message concise and focused on how the issue affects your organization and community.

• Share measurable outcomes, data, and stories from the people you serve.

• Build relationships throughout the year, not only when legislation is pending.

• Invite legislators to performances, graduations, ribbon cuttings, open houses, volunteer events, and community celebrations so they can experience your mission firsthand.

• Always follow up with a thank-you note and continue the conversation beyond a single request.

Why This Matters Right Now

Advocacy isn't just a best practice. It has real consequences for nonprofit organizations.

One current example involves proposed revisions to the federal government's Uniform Guidance, the regulations that govern how federal grants are awarded and administered to nonprofit organizations.

According to the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO), proposed changes under consideration by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) could expand federal agencies' authority to terminate grants without cause, withhold funding based on administrative priorities, and disqualify organizations for otherwise lawful activities that an administration may disfavor.

While the proposal is still under review and no final rule has been issued, it highlights why nonprofits must stay informed and engage in the public policy process.

SWAN Call to Action

PANO has designated Wednesday, July 29 as a National Call-In Day, encouraging nonprofit organizations to contact Pennsylvania's congressional delegation and express their concerns regarding the proposed Uniform Guidance changes.

Whether your organization receives federal funding today, plans to pursue federal funding in the future, or simply believes in a strong nonprofit sector, now is an excellent time to make your voice heard.

You can participate by:

• Calling or emailing your U.S. Senators and Representative.

• Scheduling an in-district meeting during the upcoming congressional recess.

• Attending town halls and community meetings.

• Educating your board, staff, volunteers, and community about the potential impact of these proposed changes.

• Sharing your organization's story and the value nonprofits bring to Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Following the July 29 Call-In Day, Congress will soon enter its district work period, providing an excellent opportunity to build relationships with elected officials through in-person meetings and invitations to visit your organization.

Advocacy Resources for Southwestern Pennsylvania

U.S. Senators

John Fetterman (D)
Phone: (202) 224-4254
Website: https://www.fetterman.senate.gov/

David McCormick (R)
Phone: (202) 224-6324
Website: https://www.mccormick.senate.gov/

U.S. House Members Serving Much of Southwestern Pennsylvania

• Guy Reschenthaler: https://reschenthaler.house.gov/

• Chris Deluzio: https://deluzio.house.gov/

• Summer Lee: https://summerlee.house.gov/

• Glenn Thompson: https://gtthompson.house.gov/

• Mike Kelly: https://kelly.house.gov/

Find Your U.S. Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative

Pennsylvania State Senators Serving Southwestern Pennsylvania

• Camera Bartolotta (46th District): https://www.senatorbartolotta.com/

• Patrick Stefano (32nd District): https://www.senatorstefano.com/

• Kim Ward (39th District): https://senatorward.com/

• Jay Costa (43rd District): https://www.jaycosta.org/

• Wayne Fontana (42nd District): https://www.senatorfontana.com/

• Nick Pisciottano (45th District): https://www.palegis.us/senate/members/bio/1945/senator-pisciottano

• Joe Pittman (41st District): https://senatorpittman.com/

Find Your Pennsylvania Legislator
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/findyourlegislator/

Additional Advocacy Resources

Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO)
https://www.pano.org/

National Council of Nonprofits
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/advocacy

Independent Sector
https://independentsector.org/policy/

These organizations provide timely advocacy alerts, policy analysis, educational resources, and practical guidance to help nonprofits engage effectively with policymakers while remaining compliant with federal and state advocacy rules.

The SWAN Perspective

At SWAN, we believe advocacy is about education, relationship-building, and ensuring that the voices of nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve are heard.

Every nonprofit has a story worth telling. Don't wait until your funding, your mission, or your community is affected to begin telling it. Start building those relationships today.

Help Shape Future SWAN Advocacy Alerts

This series is intended to serve the nonprofit community, and we want it to reflect the issues that matter most to you.

If there is a policy issue, proposed legislation, regulatory change, funding concern, accessibility issue, or other topic you believe deserves attention, let us know. If it could affect nonprofit organizations or the communities they serve, we'll research it, explain what it means, identify opportunities for advocacy, and share practical resources to help organizations make a difference.

We welcome your ideas, questions, and suggestions. Email us at swanpennsylvania@gmail.com.

Together, we can help ensure that nonprofit organizations across Southwestern Pennsylvania have the information, tools, and connections they need to advocate effectively for the causes and communities they serve.