Public Policy Development Assistance

Programs that help nonprofit organizations, small businesses and other groups determine appropriate public policy positions relating to any of a wide variety of issues that have an impact on their mission or constituents. Assistance generally includes information about criteria for developing public policy stands (e.g., board involvement in the decision-making process and relevance of the stand to the organization's purpose and expertise), appropriate implementation methods, reflection of the stand in the organization's work and the time frame within which the organization will pursue its public policy objectives. Public policy positions can address topics as diverse as U.S. foreign policy, Social Security, local zoning regulations, air quality, taxation or proposed regulation of organizations in the nonprofit sector.