From Contact to Connection: How Nonprofits Build Power and Move Policy

In today’s policy landscape, nonprofits are no longer optional participants in policymaking — they are essential partners. As gridlock persists at the federal level and more decisions shift to states and local governments, lawmakers increasingly rely on trusted nonprofit leaders for

credible information, real-world context, and community insight.

This workshop moves beyond the basics of advocacy and focuses on the practical skills nonprofits need to build effective, long-term relationships with lawmakers and their staff. Participants will learn how policymakers actually experience advocacy, how decisions get

shaped behind the scenes, and how nonprofits can show up as trusted, strategic resources — not just when a vote is imminent, but year-round.

Whether you are new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your approach, this session will help you build confidence, clarity, and consistency in how you engage with elected officials.

Participants will learn how to:

● Move from one-time advocacy asks to relationship-based influence

● Engage lawmakers and staff effectively by understanding their perspective

● Prepare for and lead effective meetings using stories, data, and local impact

● Build trust and influence over time through consistency and follow-up

This session is designed to be practical, interactive, and immediately usable, with real-world examples, scripts, and tools participants can apply right away.

Presented by Bethany Snyder, Nonprofit Advocacy Expert

Bethany Snyder, MPP, is the powerhouse behind Snyder Strategies, LLC, where she helps nonprofits build smart, effective advocacy programs that grow their power and influence. With nearly 25 years of experience across communications, public affairs, and advocacy, Bethany has served as a grassroots advocacy director, lobbyist, consultant, communications director, and U.S. Senate staffer - giving her a rare, 360 degree view of how policy decisions are actually made.

Bethany recently served as Director of the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance, where she championed the work of Iowa’s 23,000 nonprofit organizations and the professionals who power them, ensuring the sector’s voice is heard by policymakers and the public alike.

A proud Hawkeye with a BA from the University of Iowa and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, Bethany’s commitment to community runs deep. She leads Central Iowa Rainbow Families, chairs One Iowa Action and the Urbandale Civil Rights Commission, and serves on the board of Family Equality - all while helping nonprofits across the country move from hesitation to confident advocacy.