Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest Releases New Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying

Washington, DC (June 18, 2008) – The Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) has released the newly developed Smart and Ethical Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying. The four principles and 17 practices serve as a benchmarking tool nonprofits can use to assess their current lobbying work and set aspirations for their future lobbying efforts. The result of an 18-month, collaborative development process with a group of nonprofit leaders and funding by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the principles and practices are CLPI’s response to the need for nonprofits to claim public interest lobbying as an honorable and effective strategy for advancing their missions.

“As the Presidential candidates decry corporate lobbying as part of the problem in politics, a diverse group of nonprofit leaders have come together to say that robust public interest lobbying is part of the solution,” says CLPI President Larry Ottinger. “Corrupt lobbyists like Jack Abramoff have tarnished lobbying, but smart and ethical public interest lobbying can help solve social problems and strengthen the democratic process.”

CLPI staff and a national planning committee conducted five focus groups in different regions of the country and convened a national summit with key thought leaders to contribute to the development of the principles and practices. The four principles of the Smart and Ethical Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying include 1) public interest lobbying adds civic value to the community today and in the future, 2) public interest lobbying is inclusive and expansive, engaging the community and particularly those most affected by the public policy being advocated, 3) public interest lobbying is credible, trustworthy, and fact-based, and 4) highquality public interest lobbying is multi-faceted and adaptive. The 17 practices give guidance on how to operationalize these four principles.

Along with a full report on the principles and practices available on www.clpi.org, CLPI also offers a benchmarking tool for nonprofits to use in discussions within their organization and to track their progress and next steps. “We see the principles and practices as aspirational,” says Ottinger. “We know that a single nonprofit is not likely to excel at all of the practices at every moment; however, they serve as a guide that can lead charitable organizations toward more effective work.”

“Nonprofits have a critical role to play in informing public dialogue that affects public policy,” says Marcia Avner, a member of the national planning committee and participant at the Summit at Pocantico. “As increasing numbers of nonprofits realize the importance of advocacy, especially lobbying, it is important to have sector standards and best practices for policy initiatives. The Smart and Ethical Principles and Practices for Public Interest Lobbying provide guidance and reassurance for nonprofit board members, staff and volunteers.”

In addition to encouraging nonprofits to use the principles and practices for evaluating and planning lobbying activities, CLPI intends to incorporate the principles and practices into its training curriculum and promote them as a tool for policy advocacy. CLPI will also collect and share success stories of nonprofits that effectively implement the principles and practices to make a difference. Visit www.clpi.org/SEPP.aspx to download a copy of the report and benchmarking tool.

Founded in 1998, the Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI) promotes, supports, and protects nonprofit advocacy and lobbying in order to advance our democracy and the missions of charitable organizations. A national nonprofit based in Washington, D.C., CLPI accomplishes its mission by providing training, developing nonprofit leaders and partnerships, protecting nonprofit advocacy rights, and championing the importance of nonprofit participation in the public policy process. For more information and to register for free as a CLPI Advocate, please visit www.clpi.org.

Related Article: The Chronicle of Philanthropy published an opinion article by David Cohen and Larry Ottinger in the June 26, 2008 issue. The article highlights the increased importance of public interest lobbying and how critical it  is for nonprofits to make sure their lobbying is smart and ethical.