4 principles of strong advocacy

2025 was an astounding year for afterschool and summer advocates. While turbulent, challenging, and trying, the year also showed the power of using your voice, and bore the fruits of having a track record proving programs’ value for children, families, and communities; allied partners; strong messages and messengers; and relationships with leaders at every level.

As we settle into 2026, we’re taking a step back for a minute to look at the tenets that guide effective advocacy, whether you are seeking funding locally, or pressing for statewide or national investments in programs. Every week or so, we’ll be sharing different strategies or tools that tie back to these core tenets to help you keep building your advocacy chops. 

Relationships

Just like quality programs, strong advocacy is rooted in strong relationships. 

When policymakers and leaders know you as a trusted resource, they are more likely to champion your work. That is true whether you are providing a program families rely on, or providing reliable information and perspectives on needs, challenges, and data. 

Relationships with other organizations also matter -  together your efforts are stronger when coordinated or aligned under a common goal. 

Data 

One of kids’ favorite questions is, “Why?” 

We need to be able to answer why it’s important to invest in programs. What benefits does afterschool offer? What is the need?  How do we know it's worth it or working?

• Kids in afterschool programs do better in school. 

• 9 in 10 voters think afterschool programs are important for their community. 

• 8 in 10 parents say afterschool helps parents keep jobs. 

• Every dollar invested saves taxpayers $3.  

Communicate

We try to meet kids where they are, and be engaging; do the same with those you’re trying to recruit as supporters. 

We don’t use 5 syllable words with first graders, or expect students to do something because we said so. We want people to see we’re speaking their language - see their needs and priorities, and explain how afterschool fits in a compelling, real, and relatable way.  And, if we want them to hear us - we need to speak to them where they are, with messengers they trust/know/get attention. 

What does this look like? It’s framing and adapting your messaging to align with your community’s political priorities and public sentiment. It’s knowing what data will be useful to share and which stories can vibrantly illustrate the importance of afterschool and summer learning programs to children, youth, and families in your community. 

Knowing your audience is key to ensuring your communications are strong. Making sure the message gets out is important, too. Consider creating fact sheets or profiles of your program to share. Op-eds or letters to the editor can be equally effective. A strong social media presence can also spotlight afterschool and summer learning programs.

Mobilize

Just as it takes a team to win the game, it takes a community to advocate for afterschool.

Pull all 3 of the above together to take action, and make sure your allies, supporters, families and youth have what they need to join you. 

There are many engaging ways in which you can mobilize your community into action in support of afterschool and summer learning programs. Coordinate a site visit or an open house where key elected officials can see your program in action and meet with the children and families served by it. Organize a letter writing campaign for program parents or staff. Send student art work to your legislator’s office. Reach your state legislator during advocacy days at the state capital or make a visit to your member of Congress’ district office. Host a voter registration drive. 

This is just a taste of some of the ideas we’ll be sharing during the next couple of weeks. Stay tuned for how to turn these ideas into actions.