Closing the Missing Middle in Economic Justice Policy
A 5-step playbook for 501(c)(3)s to close the gap between communities and decision-makers for transformative economic policy
WHO IS THIS PLAYBOOK FOR?
Nonprofits who want to influence local, state and federal policy to benefit marginalized communities
Funders who want to fund and support nonprofits to create systemic change
Intermediaries who want to develop strategies to help nonprofits close the missing middle
WHAT IS THE MISSING MIDDLE?
The Missing Middle refers to the gap between grassroots leaders who have relationships, knowledge and experience, and the power players that have outsized influence over our economic systems.
This playbook will help nonprofits develop strategies to close that gap without risking their 501(c)(3) status.
WHY NOW?
The threat to democracy, our planet, and the health of our economy feels increasingly dire. Eroding trust in electoral processes have made promising economic policies difficult to enact. And the outcome of upcoming U.S. elections threatens to unwind hard-fought policies that are only just beginning to move us forward.
But amidst these challenges lies an opportunity to reclaim our collective destiny and steer our nation toward a brighter future.
In this highly contentious environment, nonprofits can translate the needs and opportunities of the communities they serve. This playbook walks you through 5 essential steps to creating a policy change plan.
We asked 100 nonprofit staffers, “would your work be more effective if there was a bridge connecting your community to economic policy decisions?”
“Economic policy shouldn’t be governed by the wealthy and well-connected. This playbook equips community-rooted nonprofits with the tools they need to make sustainable, systemic change.”
- Lauren Paul, VP of Strategic Alliances and Playbook Author
AN ECONOMIC JUSTICE PLAYBOOK: 5 STEPS FOR NONPROFITS WHO WANT TO DEVELOP A POLICY STRATEGY
After speaking with 40+ leaders in the economic policy and advocacy fields, distributing a national survey to nonprofits working on economic issues, and pulling lessons learned from our policy incubator program, we’ve designed this playbook around the 5 steps nonprofits can take to get started.
Step 1:
Center your values. This will help ensure that your policy engagement plan is both strategic and effective in advancing equity.
Step 2:
Consider the ways that your mission connects to policy. Thinking about your mission can reveal solutions that would make your organization’s work more efficient.
Step 3:
Assess your existing strengths and resources. Policy work is broader than traditional lobbying. Consider how you may use your knowledge, relationships, or communications capacity toward effective policy.
Step 4:
Develop a policy vision. Assess the need for systemic changes that would make your work more impactful, or would get to the “root cause” of the issues you face.
Step 5:
Build a tight strategy. Prioritize the relationships and coalitions that will help you build capacity to respond to big moments.
START THE JOURNEY WITH THESE 3 RESOURCES
Closing the Missing Middle in Economic Justice:
A 5 step playbook for 501(c)(3) nonprofits to close the gap between communities and decision-makers for economic policy change
Assessment Tool
This tool will help you decide if these approaches are the right fit at your organization.
Funder Guide
Our guidance to philanthropic funders who want to help nonprofits close the missing middle.
Additional Resources