To: Board of Steppingstones Theatre From: Shiyao Luo Date: 10/25/15 Re: Key Concepts of management issue: Nonprofits, Government, Advocacy, and Lobbying 1. Seeking more opportunities for government grants or contracts in order to get funding to support some of the nonprofit organizations’ events and programs • There are more than financial benefits that nonprofit organizations can gain through the support of government but also they may gain more positive awareness from the public and it is hard for nonprofit organizations to survive without any kinds of government support . Steppingstone Theatre is dedicated to give youth more opportunities at theatre education, and education actually is a big part that government focuses a lot too. So …show more content…
2. Trying to adopt lobbying methods based on fully understanding the restrictions and benefits that nonprofit organizations can gain through those programs • Most of the nonprofit organizations try to avoid involving into lobbying activities because they think it may hurt their current donations and it will not help them to reinforce what they are doing . It is obvious that nonprofit organizations usually do not put many efforts at lobbying; however, it actually can help them to grow, develop and get supports in a long-term. • When I looked at Steppingstone Theatre’s website, they did not have an expense for lobbying program yet and their current staffs are not covering this part either . 3. Based on how much lobbying programs nonprofit organizations want to do, wisely consider which test they want to adopt • Substantial Part Test and 501(h) Expenditure test have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it is important for nonprofit organizations to figure out which one fits their situation the best