Shape Your City: Preparing Your Organization and Fundraising Strategy for a Shift in Local Government
Local government decisions can have a significant impact on the communities our organizations serve—from housing and community services to recreation, culture, infrastructure and local grant programs. For fundraisers and non-profit leaders, election season is an opportunity to better understand the priorities being discussed, strengthen our knowledge of local government, and prepare to build constructive relationships with whoever is elected.
With BC’s general local elections taking place on October 17, Government Relations Committee member Gillian Der shares some practical considerations for non-profits as we move through the campaign period and toward a new term of local government.
Municipalities, although they wield smaller budgets than the province, are significant funders of programs and organizations making a tangible difference at the local level. With the upcoming election next month and municipal budget season starting in November, this new cohort of local leaders will be important players in your fundraising strategy.
Election season is a time to take stock of what’s on offer, begin building new relationships, and plan your fundraising and government relations efforts accordingly. Here are a few tips for engaging in your role as a fundraiser this election season:
Listening and learning before you advocate!
This is valuable time to understand what matters to the candidates and the communities they hope to represent, not make them understand what matters to you. Building your relationship with candidates before they enter office can be an important foundation for future engagement.
During the election period candidates are in their most generative phase. Consider the how, what, when, and where of their campaigns to ensure you and your team know what is on offer. Answering these questions will help you not only parse out the different options available but being familiar with campaign promises may give you a clue of how you can work best with the new council’s goals.
- What is their platform? You can often find these as published documents on party websites. Where do the issues being discussed intersect with your organization’s mission and vision and the communities you serve?
- How can you find common ground with new council priorities? What do candidates care about? How can you start building a relationship around shared goals?
- Who are the candidates most connected with? Which communities do they interact with most? Does your organization have connections or commitments to those communities?
- Where can you interface with these candidates? At a farmers market, a festival, a town hall? Make sure that incoming politicians know your organization and that you are invested in the direction of your local government.
Hosting election events
- If your organization is considering hosting town halls or debates for your local community, consider working together with other organizations. Candidates are often juggling many commitments and more likely to interact with your organization if they know you are bringing a larger crowd.
- Also, be mindful of the rules that apply to charities and election activities, including providing candidates with fair and consistent opportunities to participate. Organizations should consult current CRA and Elections BC guidance when planning election-related activities.
Make a post-election plan now
- Government relations doesn’t begin—or end— with an election. Regardless of the outcome, consider:
- How will you build construction relationships with the incoming council and identify where your work and municipal priorities insect?
- How will you interact with a government that aligns with your mission & vision or a government that does not?
- Who from your organization should introduce themselves following the election? What should newly elected officials understand about your organization and the communities you serve? Are there opportunities to invite them to see you work firsthand?
- Preparing ahead of time for different outcomes can help bring clarity to where your fundraising and government relations efforts are best focused.
Most importantly, relationship building is a long-term investment. Election season provides an opportunity to listen and learn… and the years that follow provide the opportunity to build trust, deepen understanding, and work constructively with local governments in service of those your organization serves.
From the Government Relations Desk
AFP Greater Vancouver is committed to supporting ethical, non-partisan dialogue that strengthens understanding between policymakers and the fundraising profession. These reflections are intended to inform and educate our community as public policy conversations continue to evolve.
This article is intended as general information and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Organizations participating in election-related activities should consult applicable CRA and Elections BC guidance.