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Nonprofit Advocacy Organizations: Their Characteristics and Activities

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  • Curtis D. Child
  • Kirsten A. Grønbjerg

Abstract

Objectives. In this article we examine political advocacy by nonprofit organizations. Relatively little is known about the types of organizations that participate in advocacy, their characteristics, the issues for which they advocate, and the resources they devote to it. This is especially the case for nonprofits that operate at the state or local level. Methods. Using data from a large survey of Indiana nonprofit organizations, we use logistic and multinomial regression to determine which organizational characteristics relate to participation in varying levels of advocacy. Results. We find that the size of the organization, its access to information and communication technology, its charitable status, and, in some cases, the field of activity in which it operates all help predict nonprofit advocacy. The age of the organization, its reliance on government funding (except when substantial), and its proximity to the state's major economic and political center do not generally help differentiate nonprofits that advocate from those that do not. Conclusions. Our findings suggest that most nonprofits are ambivalent about advocacy. Some do no advocacy at all; many participate in some form of it although it does not constitute their primary purpose or mission; and only a small minority devotes considerable resources to it. However, these patterns differ systematically by type of nonprofit.

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  • Curtis D. Child & Kirsten A. Grønbjerg, 2007. "Nonprofit Advocacy Organizations: Their Characteristics and Activities," Social Science Quarterly, Southwestern Social Science Association, vol. 88(1), pages 259-281, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:socsci:v:88:y:2007:i:1:p:259-281
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6237.2007.00457.x
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    Cited by:

    1. Nicole Bolleyer, 2021. "Civil society – Politically engaged or member-serving? A governance perspective," European Union Politics, , vol. 22(3), pages 495-520, September.
    2. Khan, Md Faisal Abedin & Uddin, Md Sazib & Giessen, Lukas, 2021. "Microcredit expansion and informal donor interests: Experiences from local NGOs in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 21(C).
    3. Saitgalina Marina & Dicke Lisa A. & Birungi Patricia, 2020. "Organizational Determinants of Political Involvement in Trade and Professional Membership Associations," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Mason Dyana P., 2015. "Advocacy in Nonprofit Organizations: A Leadership Perspective," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 6(3), pages 297-324, November.
    5. Post Margaret A. & Boris Elizabeth T., 2023. "Nonprofit Political Engagement: The Roles of 501(c)(4) Social Welfare Organizations in Elections and Policymaking," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 14(2), pages 131-155, April.
    6. Guo Chao & Saxton Gregory D., 2010. "Voice-In, Voice-Out: Constituent Participation and Nonprofit Advocacy," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 1(1), pages 1-27, November.
    7. Miller-Stevens Katrina & Gable Matthew J., 2013. "Lobbying in the Virtual World: Perceptions in the Nonprofit Sector," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 4(1), pages 47-63, May.
    8. Riegel Stephanie M. & Mumford Steven W., 2022. "Barriers to Charitable Nonprofit Access and Advocacy amid a Pandemic: A Case Study of the Louisiana State Legislature," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 13(2), pages 91-118, April.
    9. Prentice Christopher R., 2018. "Misreporting Nonprofit Lobbying Engagement and Expenses: Charitable Regulation and Managerial Discretion," Nonprofit Policy Forum, De Gruyter, vol. 9(2), pages 1-13, June.

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