Want to learn how to be a good advocate for your museum, but don’t have a lot of time? These online programs help the museum field learn about advocacy for museums. Advocacy has repeatedly been identified as a critical area that the museum field wants to receive more training in. Every advocate’s voice makes a difference in our efforts to reach every member of Congress about the value of museums.

Your Secret Advocacy Weapon: Your Board

Effective advocacy is about pairing the most effective spokesperson with the most compelling message. Your board members are in the perfect position to help carry your message to elected officials. We’ll walk you through some of the ways that board members can expand the reach and impact of your museum’s advocacy efforts, and identify simple ways to start engaging your board in advocacy at all levels.

Congress Takes a Hard Look at Charitable Giving: How Will Museums Fare?

Congress is currently considering proposals that would limit the deductibility of charitable gifts, and the impact on nonprofit institutions—including most museums—could be disastrous. Other proposals would expand and strengthen charitable giving incentives. Learn what’s on the table and how you can be an effective advocate on these issues.

Creating an Advocacy Plan

Start the new year right by developing an advocacy plan around a specific topic or issue unique to your museum. Participants will receive a campaign-planning toolkit, which can be used at the local, state or federal level to advocate around your cause, troubleshoot roadblocks and find your museum advocacy voice.

Social Media as Advocacy Tools

Many museums are already using Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other social media tools to engage the public. Learn how to use these powerful tools to engage your elected officials at all levels about the vital role that museums play. See how to effectively develop your message for these platforms, and take your online resources to the next level.

Advocating During an Election Season

Election day is fast approaching, and this session will provide practical advice on how to get involved before and after the Nov. 2 elections without jeopardizing your nonprofit status. Learn how to familiarize yourself with the candidates, encourage voter registration and promote museum awareness through the electoral process.

Advocacy and Legislation 101: Understanding the Basics of Advocacy and its Application to City Hall, the State Legislature and Beyond

We look at the basics of advocacy and its application to city hall, the state legislature and beyond. Learn how to be more effective at making the case to elected officials and their staff. Knowing what you want, who you’re talking to, how to talk to them and how to follow-up are the basic rules. Learn how to apply them for the benefit of your museum!

Budget and Appropriations 101: Understanding the Process and Timelines, and Learning How and When to Effectively Weigh In

We look at the U.S. budget and appropriations process, with an emphasis on learning how and when to weigh in. Understanding the differences between the President’s budget request, the Congressional budget process and all the various appropriations bills can mean the difference between increased funding or decreased federal support for museums. Learn how and when to speak up in support of federal programs critical to museums.

Building Relationships with Elected Officials: Strategies for Getting to Know Your Elected Officials

Sometimes the most effective and efficient way to gain a policymaker’s attention is to simply show them the benefits your museum brings to your community. In this session, we’ll explore the best ways to introduce your museum to a range of elected officials. We’ll look at options for putting together site visits, attending town hall meetings, engaging town boards, and city councils and working with local Congressional staff. We’ll also discuss strategies for getting elected officials involved and engaged in your museum’s activities.

Making Your Case 101: What to Say, How to Say It, and Getting Your Staff and Visitors Involved in Your Museum’s Cause

In this session, we’ll look at how to engage your museum’s visitors and supporters in the policy process. Your staff and visitors can be powerful advocates in supporting museum-friendly policies, whether at the local, state, or federal level. We’ll look at practical strategies for effective engagement, including real life examples from the museum world and online tools available through our website.