Blog Posts

October 20th, 2025

Hill Update The Senate is back in town, and it will vote this evening for the 11th time on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen and fund the government through November 21. The Senate will also vote this week on the "Shutdown Fairness Act," which if enacted, would ensure timely paychecks for federal employees who are required to work during the shutdown. Senate Democrats are expected to block both bills. Democrats continue to withhold their support for reopening the government …

October 17th, 2025

Today is Day 17 of the federal government shutdown. Both the House and Senate are out of session today, so we do not expect votes today on a continuing resolution (CR) to reopen the government. When the Senate returns Monday afternoon, Senate Leader Thune (R-SD) will tee up a vote on the Senate floor for later in the week on legislation to continue paying federal workers and members of the military during the shutdown. The shift in strategy comes after …

October 15th, 2025

  From National Council of NonprofitsShutdown Day 15 Update After eight failed votes to reopen the government, Senate Leader Thune (R-SD) is changing strategies to increase pressure on Democrats. On Thursday, the Senate will vote on the House-passed Defense spending bill. If Democrats vote in support of the bill, it could undermine their leverage in negotiations over reopening the government and extending the Affordable Care Act enhanced premium tax credits, which are set to expire this year. The move could …

Posted by Suzanne Smith August 5th, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "Advocates often spend time quizzing themselves on specific policy positions for their meetings with policymakers (whether elected, appointed or on staff), but knowing policy specifics isn’t enough to influence a policymaker. You must also convey those positions effectively. Whether communicating to a policymaker or a donor, advocates must be strategic about how they influence others to their side. Meetings are not just information exchanges – they are also “relationship-building” sessions. Establishing these relationships enables …

Posted by Suzanne Smith August 14th, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "Our local, state and federal leaders need us, as experts in the industry, to help educate them on our issues. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to invite your elected officials to tour your facilities."   Read the Full Article  

Posted by Suzanne Smith January 31st, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "The idea that nonprofits can’t lobby is one of the most pervasive myths within the sector. As your resident “Social Mythbuster,” I am seizing this opportunity to set the record straight. The answer is YES, nonprofits can lobby, albeit with a string or two attached. While the Johnson Amendment does restrict nonprofits’ ability to engage in direct partisan activity, e.g., endorsing or contributing to political candidates, it does not restrict their ability to …

Posted by Suzanne Smith July 24th, 2024

From Suzanne Smith of Social Impact Architects: "In our great democracy, advocacy provides us with the opportunity to affect positive social change on a wider scale than any individual organization can achieve on its own....we explain why advocacy is a critical tool for helping your clients and give you the confidence and foundational knowledge to add advocacy to your strategy moving forward."   Read the Full Article  

July 29th, 2025

From the National Council of Nonprofits:  "A charitable nonprofit may 'not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.' Our society is better today because charitable nonprofit organizations operate as safe havens from the caustic partisanship that is bedeviling our country, places where people can come together to solve community problems. Repeal or revision of the law would damage the integrity …