Policy Pick: The Impacts of Advocacy, Organizing, and Civic Engagement in Los Angeles County

The five-year study examined 15 L.A. County organizations that conducted policy and advocacy campaigns funded with foundation dollars and identified the associated benefits and lessons learned. The study assessed advocacy and organizing impacts, civic engagement indicators, interim progress and capacity-building indicators, as well as amounts and types of funding received. 

The report found significant benefits and achievements as a result of the dollars invested in these strategies. These included an aggregate gain of more than $6 billion and a ratio of $91 in benefits to each dollar funded.  Non-monetary benefits included a variety of accomplishments, such as equal access to college-prep classes within high schools, a result of collaborative work by Community Coalition for Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment and InnerCity Struggle. 

• Increase the percentage of grant dollars devoted to advocacy, organizing and civic engagement.
• Engage the board and donors in dialogue about how advocacy and organizing can help achieve long-term goals.
• Support collaboration that strengthens advocacy and organizing.
• Work together to foster philanthropic cooperation and shared learning.
• Invest in organizational capacity and a nonprofit advocacy infrastructure for Southern California.
• Provide general operating support and multi-year grants.

The exciting results of the report support First 5 LA's investments in policy and advocacy, such as our Community Opportunities Fund (COF) initiative. Organizations seeking to increase their ability and skill base to effectively conduct policy and/or advocacy campaigns should consider applying for a COF grant. To access the COF online application, click here. Proposals are due to First 5 LA on April 16, 2010.

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