Attendees taking a selfie at Arts Advocacy Day 2019.
Nonprofit organizations deliver important and necessary programs to their communities but, often when it comes to getting off the bench to advocate for the things their communities need most, nonprofit groups hang back.
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.
The Advocacy 301: Nonprofits Do’s and Don’ts training will help participants understand how they can legally engage in advocacy efforts and strategize on how best to engage audiences and members.
Join 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, for this session on how your 501(c)(3) organization can meet this moment as a civic leader and center for advocacy movement building. This training is designed for cultural nonprofit leaders, government affairs and communications staff, and board members.
Please register in advance if you plan to attend.
ABOUT THE TRAINERS:
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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.
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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.