The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest has released a set of principles and practices designed to help nonprofits assess their current and future lobbying efforts.
With funding from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the recommendations were developed through an 18-month collaborative effort involving nonprofit leaders throughout the U.S.
The center identifies four guiding principles for ethical lobbying:
- Public-interest lobbying adds civic value to the community today and in the future.
- Public-interest lobbying is inclusive and expansive, engaging the community and particularly those most affected by the public policy being advocated.
- Public-interest lobbying is credible, trustworthy and fact-based.
- High-quality public-interest lobbying is multi-faceted and adaptive.
The report also includes 17 practices intended to help nonprofits make these principles a reality within their organizations.
"Corrupt lobbyists like Jack Abramoff have tarnished lobbying," Larry Ottinger, president of the center, says in a statement. "But smart and ethical public-interest lobbying can help solve social problems and strengthen the democratic process."
- Professional Area: Management/leadership
- Field of Interest: Advocacy