Independent Sector to Launch Expert Panel on Charitable Sector Advocacy
Today, Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins announced the creation of a Principles Panel on Advocacy to provide practical recommendations to help nonprofit leaders make decisions about their advocacy in this current moment.
This expert panel consists of 25 leading charitable sector advocacy experts from philanthropies, operating charities, sector infrastructure organizations, and academic institutions. Over a series of meetings, this panel will develop practical guidance, tools, and expert recommendations to help nonprofit leaders and their boards determine whether and how to engage in effective, mission-aligned advocacy as they face increased scrutiny of their programs and services, declining trust in public institutions, and growing polarization and partisan attacks on civil society. The panel is expected to complete and publish its work in Fall 2026.