Strategic Advocacy Training for Nonprofit Leaders
Civic Voices is a non-partisan advocacy training program designed to help nonprofit leaders, board members, and community advocates more effectively engage in public policy and civic leadership.
Nonprofit organizations are often closest to the challenges facing our communities. Yet many leaders feel uncertain about how to navigate the policy process, communicate with elected officials, or advocate for the communities they serve.
Civic Voices helps close that gap.
Through practical instruction, interactive exercises, and candid conversations with experienced practitioners, participants gain the tools and confidence needed to engage policymakers and elevate the voices of their organizations and communities.
What Participants Learn
Civic Voices provides a practical understanding of how public policy works and how nonprofit leaders can engage effectively and ethically.
Participants will learn how to:
Understand the structure and dynamics of the North Carolina General Assembly and local government
Develop clear and effective policy messages
Communicate with elected officials and policymakers
Build relationships across political differences
Advocate responsibly within legal guidelines for nonprofit organizations
Deliver a compelling and concise policy “ask”
Strengthen board and organizational engagement in advocacy
The program combines presentations with hands-on simulations, including mock legislative meetings and advocacy exercises designed to build real-world skills.
Who Should Attend
Civic Voices is designed for:
Nonprofit executive directors and senior staff
Board members and emerging nonprofit leaders
Community advocates and coalition leaders
Organizations seeking to strengthen their public policy engagement
No prior advocacy experience is required.
Bring Civic Voices to Your Community
Civic Voices workshops can be hosted in partnership with regional leadership organizations, nonprofit associations, foundations, or community coalitions.
Hosting a Civic Voices program can help strengthen the advocacy capacity of nonprofit leaders across your region and build a stronger connection between community organizations and public decision-makers.
Workshops can be delivered as one-day or multi-day programs depending on the needs of the host organization.
Contact
To learn more about upcoming workshops or to bring Civic Voices to your community, please contact:
Brad Young
Executive Director
North Carolina Institute of Public Leadership
