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Nonprofit Advocacy and Policy Influence Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing nonprofit advocacy and policy influence practices, covering strategy development, stakeholder engagement, compliance, and impact measurement to enhance policy-shaping efforts.

Nonprofit Advocacy and Policy Influence Audit Checklist

by: audit-now
4.4

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About This Checklist

The Nonprofit Advocacy and Policy Influence Audit Checklist is an essential tool for assessing and enhancing an organization's efforts to shape public policy and advocate for their cause. This comprehensive checklist addresses key aspects of advocacy strategy, stakeholder engagement, policy research, coalition building, and compliance with lobbying regulations. By systematically reviewing advocacy practices, nonprofits can maximize their impact on policy decisions, effectively represent their constituents, and ensure legal compliance in their influencing activities. This checklist helps organizations identify areas for improvement, implement effective advocacy tactics, and demonstrate their commitment to responsible and impactful policy engagement.

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Industry

Nonprofit and NGOs

Standard

Nonprofit Advocacy Standards

Workspaces

Nonprofit Offices

Occupations

Policy Director
Advocacy Coordinator
Government Relations Specialist
Communications Manager
Executive Director
1
Is the organization compliant with IRS lobbying regulations?
2
How effective is the organization's stakeholder engagement strategy?
3
Describe the organization's current advocacy strategy.
4
Is there an active grassroots mobilization effort?
5
How successful is the organization in building coalitions?
6
What is the estimated reach of the latest advocacy campaign?
Min: 0
Target: 1000
Max: 1000000
7
Has the organization measured its influence on policy outcomes?
8
What lessons has the organization learned from recent advocacy efforts?
9
How effective is the organization’s advocacy messaging?
10
Describe the target audience for the organization’s advocacy efforts.
11
How many participants attended advocacy training sessions?
Min: 0
Target: 50
Max: 1000
12
Does the organization use data to inform its advocacy decisions?
13
Is there a mechanism in place for collecting community feedback on advocacy efforts?
14
How many policy changes has the organization successfully influenced?
Min: 0
Target: 5
Max: 100
15
Are advocacy goals integrated into the organization’s strategic plan?
16
Share success stories from recent advocacy initiatives.

FAQs

This checklist covers advocacy strategy development, policy research capabilities, stakeholder mapping, coalition building, grassroots mobilization, media relations, and compliance with lobbying regulations.

It's recommended to conduct an advocacy audit annually, as well as before launching major campaigns or when there are significant changes in the policy landscape or organizational priorities.

Yes, by ensuring more strategic and well-coordinated advocacy efforts, this checklist can significantly enhance a nonprofit's ability to influence policy decisions and achieve its mission-related goals.

Absolutely. The checklist includes items related to online advocacy tools, social media campaigns, and digital engagement strategies for policy influence.

By improving compliance with lobbying regulations and ensuring proper tracking of advocacy activities, this checklist helps organizations maintain their tax-exempt status while engaging in permissible advocacy efforts.

Benefits of Nonprofit Advocacy and Policy Influence Audit Checklist

Enhances effectiveness of policy influencing and advocacy efforts

Ensures compliance with lobbying and advocacy regulations

Improves strategic planning and resource allocation for advocacy activities

Strengthens relationships with policymakers and other stakeholders

Increases the organization's credibility and influence in policy discussions