According to Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence, published by Florida Nonprofits, nonprofit organizations are essential to the vitality of communities. They enrich quality of life, epitomize the highest societal values and strengthen democracy.
- Every nonprofit organization needs a strong foundation of compliance and a broad organizational awareness of laws and regulations related to fundraising, licensing,
financial accountability, human resources, lobbying, political advocacy, and taxation. - The Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence are of particular interest to
501(c)(3) organizations. - The information and concepts apply broadly to all types of nonprofit organizations.
Because of the sector’s diversity by size, region and activity area, each organization
will be encouraged to determine whether or not an individual practice is appropriate
for its current situation.
Civic Engagement and Public Policy
Nonprofit organizations play a central role in the democratic process by providing a means for individuals to deliberate on public policies and decisions that affect them. To the extent possible, nonprofit organizations should engage constituents in public policy and advocacy activities as a means to fulfilling their missions and promoting community interests. Open communication and
consultation between policy makers and constituents of nonprofit organizations contribute to well–informed policies and the effective implementation of them.
Promoting Participation:
- When possible, nonprofits should assist their constituencies in developing skills and
learning about opportunities for public and civic engagement. - Nonprofits should promote nonpartisan efforts to encourage voting and other
participation in federal, state and local policy making. - Organizations whose constituencies are affected by government actions have an
obligation to provide public forums for discussion and information about the effects of
all the various policy choices.
Advocacy and Public Policy:
- Nonprofit organizations should take appropriate public positions on relevant issues
while working and communicating with other organizations to inform the public about
these issues. - Nonprofits should maintain a sound understanding of the current public policy
environment in their activity area and the resulting impacts on the communities they
serve. - If engaged in public policy and advocacy activities, nonprofits should adopt a written
policy that clarifies the scope of the work as well as the time and resources to be
allocated to those activities.
Lobbying:
- 1) Nonprofits that engage in lobbying activities subject to state and federal reporting
requirements must file accurate and timely reports on their lobbying activities and
comply with all laws governing politics and elections. - Federally funded nonprofits that engage in lobbying activities must organize their
legislative work so that no federal funds are used for this purpose. - Nonprofits should join together around policy issues to strengthen their impact on
public policy.
Learn how to assure that your organization is a leader in civic engagement/advocacy in the Discovering Trends Through Civic Engagement class on Monday, April 24 at 5:30 pm as part of the Sunshine Certificate in Nonprofit Management.
Source: Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence, published by Florida Nonprofits. They are based on the fundamental values of quality, responsibility and accountability and includes ten characteristic accountability principles that distinguish the nonprofit sector from government and the business sector. It also includes 133 management practices, specific guidelines for individual organizations to evaluate and improve their operations, governance, human resources, advocacy, financial management, and fundraising.