At the intersection of nonprofits and change lies advocacy. While many nonprofits work on the front lines of society’s largest issues, fewer attempt to address the problems’ systemic causes through public policy advocacy efforts. A new Independent Sector study finds that only 31% of nonprofits say they’ve advocated or lobbied in the past five years. This staggeringly small number alarms me. Nonprofits understand the complexities of society’s challenges better than anyone, but 69% of them aren’t voicing their lived experience or expertise with those in power. Advocacy is as important to fulfilling an organization’s mission as outreach work. My colleagues at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (The Center) and I seize every opportunity to advocate for the nonprofit sector. From Oklahoma City to Washington, D.C., we devote our time and energy educating, sharing information and raising awareness about the sector with lawmakers and policy decision makers. Earlier this summer, a few of us traveled to Capitol Hill and met with Oklahoma’s federal delegation about our state’s thriving nonprofit sector. We shared with our senators and representatives about the sector’s economic impacts, workforce data, recent accomplishments and challenges. Oklahoma is fortunate to have a congressional champion for nonprofits as a member of our federal delegation – Sen. James Lankford. As a former nonprofit director, Sen. Lankford understands the nuances of our organizations, our needs and our challenges. He tirelessly champions nonprofits, using his influence to impact policies affecting our sector. This year he sponsored two bills directly affecting nonprofits – The Charitable Act, reinstating the charitable deduction for those who do not itemize their taxes, and The Streamlining Federal Grants Act., which seeks to simplify the application process and improve the effectiveness of federal grants. Although his title has changed, his determination to advocate for nonprofits has not. Advocacy is a strategic tool nonprofits can and should use to advance their missions and values. When organizations do not participate in advocacy efforts, they miss an opportunity to give their passion a voice and possibly impact societal change. Understanding the legalities of nonprofit advocacy, lobbying and the difference between them is important before starting any efforts. The Center has courses and other resources available to help with this. Advocating for change through public policy is part of being a nonprofit. Societal change for those who need it rarely comes without it.