2026 Resolutions

Happy 2026! As policy shifts and new advocacy opportunities emerge, the Bolder Advocacy team is here to guide nonprofits so they can continue to advocate boldly while remaining compliant and effective. We’re kicking off the year with our Top 10 nonprofit New Year’s resolutions to help your organization thrive.  

 

Attorneys for This Episode 

• Monika Graham 

• Victor Rivera Labiosa 

• Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort 

 

Top 10 2026 Resolutions:  

1. Deepen Mission Alignment 

Clarity fuels momentum. Revisit your mission statement to ensure that every project, partnership, and expenditure aligns directly with your core purpose. 

• The National Council of Nonprofits hosts a hub on its website that provides nonprofits with tools, research, and resources needed to operate a nonprofit more effectively, efficiently, and ethically.  

2. Conduct an Advocacy Check-Up 

Identify opportunities to enhance your organization’s advocacy activities, and raise potential issues about compliance with the tax, lobby, election, and other laws that govern your work. 

• The Advocacy Check-Up is a self-assessment tool for 501(c)(3) public charities to review compliance with federal and state advocacy rules and identify opportunities to strengthen advocacy capacity.  

3. Invest in Staff Well-Being 

A supported team propels progress through good times and through bad. Prioritize mental health, provide professional development opportunities, and maintain a culture of appreciation. Encourage continuous learning to ensure that your team is constantly growing and expanding its expertise on the issues facing your communities and potential policy solutions. 

• For tips on how to better invest in staff well-being click here.  

4. Strengthen Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) 

Commit to measurable actions to ensure your staff, board, and programs reflect and serve your community’s diversity authentically. 

• Resources for strengthening DEI practices are available through the Philanthropic Initiative for Racial Justice and the Council of Nonprofits.  

5. Improve Financial Transparency 

Publish clear annual reports, be open about how resources are used, and communicate outcomes to maintain trust. 

• For tips on how to demonstrate clear financial accountability take a look at the NCN’s post on financial transparency and public disclosure requirements. 

6. Embrace Digital Transformation 

Technology can amplify reach and efficiency. Adopt digital mechanisms for donor management, storytelling, virtual events, and operations. 

• Refer to BA’s Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age for best practices on engaging in online advocacy.  

7. Build Sustainable Fundraising Strategies 

Diversify revenue streams. Combine grants, recurring donations, sponsorships, private donors, and other opportunities for long-term financial health. 

• If you are a foundation interested in expanding your advocacy funding, explore our Focus on Foundations hub. 

8. Measure What Matters 

Data-driven decisions help refine focus and prove impact. Develop and track meaningful metrics that demonstrate actual outcomes.  

• Check out our Advocacy Evaluation Resources hub for sample benchmarks and guides to help your nonprofit assess its strengths, identify areas for growth, and become more effective in its advocacy. 

9. Strengthen Community Partnerships 

Collaborate rather than compete. Coalitions, community, local governments, and businesses can all amplify their missions through shared resources and reach. 

• Find other like-minded organizations and work in coalition to register voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and to advance legislative and other policy priorities. 

• Our Coalition Checklist provides information about common joint advocacy activities, resource sharing, and how to safely partner with other tax-exempt organizations. 

 

10. Prepare for Midterm Elections 

Remember: 501(c)(3) public charities may engage in nonpartisan voter education, issue advocacy, and civic engagement, so plan your election-season activities early to ensure the organization is impactful while remaining compliant.  

• Browse Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations for a deeper dive on best practices for engaging in nonpartisal election season advocacy.