CED Community Engagement & Advocacy Flashcards
6 cards from real CED practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 CED Community Engagement & Advocacy flashcards as text
A nonprofit's 'theory of change' describes:
Answer: The causal pathway from program activities to long-term social change
A theory of change articulates the assumptions and causal links that explain how and why an organization's work will lead to its intended impact.
What is 'civic engagement' in the context of a nonprofit's community role?
Answer: Activities that connect citizens to democratic processes and community decision-making
Civic engagement encompasses voter registration, public forums, community organizing, and other activities that strengthen democratic participation.
What is 'collective impact' as a framework for community change?
Answer: A structured approach where multiple organizations commit to a common agenda and shared measurement to address a complex social problem
Collective impact requires five conditions: common agenda, shared measurement, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, and a backbone organization.
What is the purpose of a 'public comment period' in the policy advocacy context?
Answer: To allow the public and organizations to formally respond to proposed government regulations
Federal and state agencies are required to publish proposed rules and provide a comment period during which nonprofits and others can formally respond to influence final regulations.
What does the '501(h) election' allow a qualifying nonprofit to do?
Answer: Spend up to a defined percentage of its exempt purpose expenditures on lobbying without endangering its tax-exempt status
The 501(h) election provides a clear, expenditure-based safe harbor for lobbying, replacing the vague 'substantial part' test and giving nonprofits greater certainty about permitted activities.
What is a 'public policy agenda' for a nonprofit?
Answer: A formal set of policy priorities the organization advocates for on behalf of its mission and constituents
A public policy agenda aligns advocacy efforts with organizational mission, helping staff, board, and partners speak with one voice on priority issues.