Preliminary findings of a multi-year study of nonprofit charitable organizations' public policy participation indicate strong recognition by nonprofit leaders of the importance of public policy participation as it relates to serving their mission and community. However, a number of key barriers stand in the way of unleashing nonprofits' civic potential.

The Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project (SNAP), which is a joint effort of OMB Watch, Tufts University and Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest, is the first national research effort designed to investigate the public policy role of 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The goals of the research are to determine nonprofits' level of involvement in public policy issues, and to identify factors that motivate their involvement as well as factors that impede involvement.

Some of the key findings were that 86% of survey respondents say they participate in policy matters through direct lobbying, mobilizing the public to lobby, or testifying, although the frequency of such activity is very low and inconsistent. Also, while nonprofit leaders cite advocacy on policy issues as important, persistent barriers including time, limited staff and volunteer capacity, money and complexity of the federal lobby rules deter more frequent involvement. Nonprofits that depend on government and foundation revenues, view such revenue sources as presenting barriers to participation.

To view the full preliminary findings click here. An Executive Summary is also available. The comprehensive report on this study will be released in the fall of 2002.