FROM THE 2025 ARCHIVES: ADVOCACY TRAINING FOR NONPROFITS

Written By Kelsey Rode

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Attendees taking a selfie at Arts Advocacy Day 2019.

 

501(c)(3) nonprofits are allowed to advocate on issues and legislation that impact their organizations and the communities they serve. Too many organizations unnecessarily refrain from advocacy out of concern that they will jeopardize their tax-exempt designation, but we need cultural organizations to be advocacy leaders. 


This training was organized in preparation for Creative Sector Advocacy Week 2025 to help nonprofit leaders better understand how they can legally engage in advocacy and lobbying. This webinar was led by Jessica Seney, Senior Policy Associate of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, and Luke Blackadar, Deputy Director of Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston Inc. and manager of Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts. Watch the webinar recording and access the training resources below.

MASSCreative is hosting another training for nonprofits on advocacy and lobbying on Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 12 PM. Please register in advance to receive the meeting link.

 
FEBRUARY 12TH WEBINAR
 

RECORDING:

 
 

ABOUT THE TRAINERS:

 

  • As the senior policy associate at the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, Jess works closely with the CEO to develop and execute MNN’s public policy and government affairs agenda, which includes issues impacting workforce development, nonprofit governance, tax policy, and more. Previously, Jess was the director of government affairs for the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and the legal counsel and research director for the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Revenue. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Union College, New York, and a Juris Doctor from Suffolk University Law School. Jess has served in various capacities on boards for nonprofit schools and parent organizations. 

  • Luke serves as the Deputy Director of Arts & Business Council of Greater Boston, Inc. and manages A&BC’s Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts and Patent Pro Bono of New England programs. He counsels individual artists, creative small businesses, and arts nonprofits on contract, intellectual property, legal entity, and nonprofit matters. Additionally, Luke teaches at Roger Williams University School of Law, BU Metropolitan College, and Northeastern University School of Law. Luke graduated from Clark University and Northeastern University School of Law.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

 
 
Resources
A Guide To Hearing And Giving Testimony

An important part of the governing process is public hearings. These occur on all levels of government (Federal, State, and Local). Understanding the hearing process and how you can participate will make you a more effective advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector.

INSIDE THE STATE BUDGETING PROCESS

Maintaining and increasing public investment in the creative community requires constant and broad grassroots activism throughout the annual budget process.

NonProfit Organizations & Advocacy

There is a lot of misinformation on what a nonprofit can and cannot do when it comes to advocating for its interests and the needs of the communities they serve. Check out our Nonprofits and Advocacy Resource on how your organization effectively and confidently advocate for a more equitable and inclusive creative sector of all residents in the Commonwealth.

6/19/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we took time to honor Juneteenth and Pride Month, and talked about the status of arts education funding and voting protections.

6/12/20 - POLICY & ACTION UPDATE WEBINAR

In this webinar, we discussed mapping our roles in a social change ecosystem, talked about proposed legislation to address COVID-19 voting options, the 2020 Census, and reviewed federal and state supports for the creative sector.

6/5/20 - policy & action update webinars

In this webinar, we had a community conversation about mapping our social change roles during times of crisis.

News
Democracy without the Anxiety AND triggers: RICHELINE’S REFLECTION

Read Richeline's blog about attending the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. and how artists can play a role in strengthening communities and democracy.

MOAC CULTURAL INVESTMENT GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Last week, MOAC for the City of Boston announced that they are establishing a $10M multi-year Cultural Investment Grant funded through local ARPA appropriations.

Creative Sector Advocates Request $5 Per Resident in Healey’s FY24 Proposal

“Budgets are a reflection of our priorities: what we choose to spend public funds on is in direct relationship to what we value. The creative sector plays a crucial role in the vibrancy of our cities and towns. Artists, creative workers, and cultural organizations strengthen our connections to each other and our communities.” said Emily Ruddock, Executive Director of MASSCreative

Kelsey Rode
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