As number of nonprofits reporting participating in advocacy drops, Independent Sector will host panel to help organizations strengthen their influence and impact
(WASHINGTON, April 22, 2026) – Today, Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins announced the creation of a Principles Panel on Advocacy to provide practical recommendations to help nonprofit leaders make decisions about their advocacy in this current moment. Launching with its first meeting on April 24, 2026, this expert panel consists of 25 leading charitable sector advocacy experts from philanthropies, operating charities, sector infrastructure organizations, and academic institutions. Over a series of meetings, this panel will develop practical guidance, tools, and expert recommendations to help nonprofit leaders and their boards determine whether and how to engage in effective, mission-aligned advocacy as they face increased scrutiny of their programs and services, declining trust in public institutions, and growing polarization and partisan attacks on civil society. The panel is expected to complete and publish its work in Fall 2026.
The Principles Panel on Advocacy expands upon Independent Sector’s foundational Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice, a set of 33 sector-facing recommendations for self-governance that have served as an ethical standard for nonprofit accountability since their publication in 2007. Developed at the invitation of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, the Principles have guided nonprofit and foundation boards and executives in the areas of legal compliance and public disclosure, effective governance, strong financial oversight, and responsible fundraising, in order to increase transparency, accountability, and public trust. These Principles were first updated in 2015, and in 2026 Independent Sector is launching a comprehensive update to this framework with a particular focus on developing best practices for nonprofits engaging in public policy advocacy.
“In the charitable sector, trust is our strength: public polling released by Independent Sector has consistently shown that nonprofits earn the highest trust of any sector in American society. But political polarization, confusing laws and legal guidelines, knowledge gaps, and the sheer size and decentralized nature of our sector makes it incredibly challenging to leverage that strength into influence,” said Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO of Independent Sector. “Between 2002 and 2022, the number of nonprofits that reported engaging in advocacy dropped from 74% to 31%. When asked why they weren’t engaging in advocacy, organizations cited lack of staff capacity, lack of funding, and lack of legal clarity on how to lawfully engage with legislators. Without a strong advocacy muscle, the nonprofit sector cannot push back on harmful policies that squeeze our sector and hurt the communities we serve. Independent Sector is leading this Panel on Advocacy to identify ways to strengthen and flex our advocacy muscle so nonprofit organizations can better inform lawmakers on the important work they do and advocate for policies that support and empower an efficient, effective, and mission-driven charitable sector.”
“As our nation faces considerable challenges, it is critical that our sector uses every tool at our disposal to fulfill our necessary and unique role in civil society,” said Tara Huffman, Chief Program & Strategy Officer of BoardSource. “The Panel on Advocacy will help equip boards and organizations with the actionable guidance they need to make purpose-driven decisions on whether, when, and how we – individually and collectively – use our respective resources, platforms, and voices to protect, support, and champion the dignity of the communities with whom we partner.”
“In moments like this, the sector cannot afford to be silent. I’m proud to serve as co-Chair of this panel to help equip sector leaders with the clarity and confidence to engage in advocacy thoughtfully and strategically,” said Vanna Cure, Advocacy Director at Independent Sector. “At a time of growing uncertainty and pressure, we must lean into strategy and ensure our voices are shaping the policies that impact our missions and communities.”
The nonprofit and philanthropic leaders participating in the Principles Panel on Advocacy include:
- Tara Huffman (Panel Co-Chair), Chief Program & Strategy Officer, BoardSource
- Vanna Cure (Panel Co-Chair), Advocacy Director, Independent Sector
- Dr. Akilah Watkins, President and CEO, Independent Sector
- Jeffrey Moore, Chief Strategy Officer, Independent Sector
- Gabrielle “Gabby” Abrego, Program Officer, Mott Foundation
- Chris Armstrong, Partner, Holland and Knight LLP
- Kris Brown, CEO, Brady United
- Ann Rice Burgess, CEO, Episcopal Community Services
- Sonya Campion, Founder, Campion Advocacy Fund
- Ellen Collins, Executive Director, Mississippi Alliance of Nonprofits and Philanthropy
- Kevin Dean, President and CEO, Tennessee Nonprofit Network
- Jacob Feinspan, Executive Director, Jews United for Justice
- Robb Gray, Director of Policy and Advocacy, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- Jarasa Kanok, Chief of Strategic Planning, Assessment & Learning, Union of Concerned Scientists
- Abby Levine, Associate General Counsel/Senior Policy Counsel, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
- Joshua Mintz, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, MacArthur Foundation
- Rory Neuner, Senior Learning Officer, Barr Foundation
- Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort, Senior Program Director, Alliance for Justice
- Sarah Saadian, Senior Vice President, Public Policy and Campaigns, National Council of Nonprofits
- Sue Santa, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs, Girl Scouts of the USA
- Gene Takagi, Principal, NEO Law Group
- Luz Tavarez, VP, Government Relations, Catholic Charities USA
- Randall Thomas, Partner, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
- Lindsay Torrico, Executive Director, American Banking Association Foundation
- Jim White, Executive Director, Nonprofit Association of Oregon
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Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Media Contact: Chloe Kessock, chloek@independentsector.org, 727-433-2972
