Your elected officials are eager to hear what you think about issues they are considering and how their decisions could affect the people they represent. It's important to get to know your senators and representatives and their staff, and to let them know that you have valuable knowledge to share — both as an employer of their constituents and as a provider of critical services and programs that benefit their communities. Contact Your Rep and Senators
Make a call, send a fax or email: the voice of a constituent is the most powerful one on Capitol Hill. You can find the contact information for your senators and representatives at ContactingtheCongress.org or go to the official contact sites for the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Learn more about your advocacy rights on our lobbying rules page.
Introduce Yourself
Write to your elected officials to tell them about your organization and your commitment to the communities in which you serve. Describe how you provide solutions to issues facing the community and how constituents benefit from your work. See sample letter. Describe how the latest developments on the Hill may affect your organization and the people you serve. If you don’t address specific legislation, introducing yourself is not lobbying.
Connect Locally in your District
(especially during Congressional recess periods)
Congress will be taking various week-long recesses between now and early July. Use these opportunities to connect with your representatives and their congressional staff in your district. (See House Calendar and Senate Calendar for dates of future recesses.) Use this recess time to:
- Participate in a town hall and give voice to the issues facing your organization and the nonprofit sector in your community.
- Schedule a meeting with your representative in the district by contacting their District Director. Click to find the district office information for the House or the Senate.
- Invite your representative to visit your agency or participate in one of your programs. These visits enhance their understanding of the nonprofit and philanthropic community, and provide exposure for your elected official and your work serving the community.
Build on Existing Relationships
Does one of your board members, employees or volunteers have a connection to your elected officials or a member of their staff? Try to find and leverage existing relationships to get your foot in the door and connect with elected officials and their staff.
Tell a Positive Story
Specific stories of how your work impacts peoples’ lives will impress your senator or representative. Your story can focus on how your work fills gaps unmet by government and business, the number of jobs it provides, or how donated funds help people in need. Include information on the importance and vibrancy of the nonprofit and philanthropic community.
Be a Resource
Share your knowledge and expertise with officials who are looking for innovative ways to serve the public. Once your representatives learn that engaging with your organization is in their interests, as well as their constituents, they will begin reaching out to you for input on addressing issues in the community.
Let us know if you have close contacts with senators and representatives so that we can keep you informed about issues on which their votes are critical.
View these materials from IS member for more information:
