Guide for Nonprofits on Working with Elected Officials

Presented at NAMLE's conference in summer 2011, this is a guide for how nonprofit organizations can work with elected officials and community leaders to promote their mission and raise funds. This is geared specifically toward media literacy groups, but can be applied to nonprofits working in a variety of areas.

1. Working with Community Leaders and
Elected Officials
July 24, 2011

2. Getting Started: Identify your potential partners
1. Know your geography.
Identify all jurisdictions (congressional, assembly, state senate,
local city councils, community boards, etc).
Identify other similar competing/related non-profits.
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.

3. Getting Started: Identify your potential partners
2. Do your homework.
Know the local demographics and issues. Elected officials are expected
to respond to their constituents, and you need to know who they are
and what they need if you’re going to convince an official that he/she
needs to work with you.
Familiarize yourself with current city and state policies that impact your
work and target population.
Do a bit of background research on the official. Find out if they have
any pet causes, learn about any bills/resolutions they sponsored—where
do you fit in?
HAVE A PLAN.
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.

4. Beginning the Relationship
3. Make the introduction.
Attend public meetings, rallies, press conferences, events &
openings.
Be brief.
Do not leave without some way to set up a meeting.
Expect to meet with staffer before the actual official.
BE PERSISTENT.
Call and follow up no less than every 48 hours.
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.

5. The First Meeting
4. Know what you want.
Initially, you are looking for an advocate—NOT funding. You
should expect to do at least one free job/pilot before you get
funding.
Be specific about what you want (besides money) to come from
the relationship.
MONEY COMES AFTER THEY SEE, BELIEVE & CONNECT
WITH YOUR MISSION.
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.

6. Building the Relationship
5. Find out what they want.
What kind of platform did they use when campaigning for
office? What are they working on right now? How can you help?
Major legislative goals/achievements?
Every elected official wants a positive profile. How will your
work together make the official look good to their constituents?
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.

7. Selling Your Message
6. “Media Literacy” is vague.
Use language that embodies ‘media literacy’, but avoid using
the “L” word.
Terminology should never dominate the conversation. Use
limited words to express essential goal/focus of your work.
Keep it simple.
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.

8. Quid pro quo?
7. How much do I donate?
•The ugly reality is that all elected officials are thinking of the
next election. You can donate to or volunteer for their
campaigns, but only as an individual.
•Donations do not automatically guarantee equivocal support.
WINNING THEM OVER IS HARD WORK
Proprietary The Learning About Multimedia Project,
Inc. All rights reserved.