Making Advocacy Less Scary: A Practical Guide for Nonprofits with Leah McDermott

In this episode of the Nonprofit Thrivability Podcast, we sit down with Leah McDermott from the Florida Nonprofit Alliance to unpack the power and importance of advocacy for nonprofit organizations. Leah shares real-life examples—including how FNA helped protect Selby Gardens from burdensome property taxes—and offers practical tips for engaging boards, navigating legal boundaries, and building a clear policy agenda. Whether you're new to advocacy or looking to refine your strategy, this conversation will leave you feeling informed, empowered, and ready to make a bigger impact. Tune in to learn how smart, strategic advocacy can strengthen your mission and community impact.Timestamps(01:47) Why is "Advocacy" so scary for nonprofit organizations?(02:47) How do you define "Advocacy"?(03:47) About Florida Nonprofit Alliance(05:37) Can nonprofits lobby?(07:37) What types of advocacy can nonprofits partake in that is not lobbying?(09:57) Why is it important for nonprofits to advocate?(11:27) What resources does the Florida Nonprofit Alliance provide?(13:27) Examples of items Florida Nonprofit Alliance Lobbies for(15:57) Main takeaways from FNA Advocacy Workshops(16:57) Getting the board on board with advocacy(19:17) Be strategic in what you advocate forLinks to Learn MoreLink to Selby Article mentionedFlorida Nonprofit Alliance WebsiteNonprofit Advocacy 101 Workshop Sign upWhy Advocacy Isn't Just for Lobbyists with Leah McDermottConnect Beyond The BlogConnect with Read Corley on LinkedIn Connect with Leah McDermott on LinkedInWant to hear more? Follow us on Spotify and iHeartRadio or visit us Beyond the Blog!Join The Journey