Nonprofit organizations are playing an increasingly important role in delivering basic government services. Yet they are discouraged by federal law from participating in legislative lobbying efforts—even on issues that affect their clients directly. Without the involvement of nonprofits in the governmental process, the vulnerable populations they serve are left without effective representation in the political system. A Voice for Nonprofits analyzes the effect of government restrictions on the participation of nonprofits in the policymaking process and suggests ways to address the problems. The relationship between nonprofits and the government is ideal in many respects, according to Jeffrey M. Berry and David F. Arons. By underwriting operating budgets and subcontracting the administration of programs to nonprofits, governments at all levels are able to take advantage of nonprofits' dedication, imagination, and private fund-raising skills. However, as nonprofits assume greater responsibility for delivering services traditionally provided by government, that responsibility is not matched by a congruous increase in policy influence. Berry and Arons believe the lobbying restrictions should be eased so that nonprofits may become more involved in public policymaking. Their recommendations are designed to ensure that nonprofit organizations—and the constituencies they serve—are effectively represented in the American political system. .".. chronicle[s] the distinctive set of conditions that have led nonprofits to accept lobbying restrictions in exchange for tax deductibility of charitable contributions." --Michael Bisesi, Seattle University, "International Journal of Not-for-Profit Law", 7/1/2004 ."..thoroughly researched and useful reading..." -- "Educational Book Review", 1/1/2004 "[The book] offers crucial insight into a very real modern problem. A VOICE FOR NONPROFITS needs to be read by every social activist, as well as every non-profit organization manager, director, and those who serve on board of directors." -- "The Bookwatch", 2/1/2004 "Berry's book is a welcome addition to a growing literature about nonprofit organizations that will be valuable to the managers working to run them and to academics interested in studying them." --Amy K. Donahue, "Perspectives on Politics", 9/1/2004 "The tables and graphs based on the data collected are presented clearly to articulate their arguments.... The Appendix too is a great resource--it includes an elaborate description of the methods used to collect data for the book." --Abhijit Roy, Sellinger Scool of Business, Loyola College in Md., "International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations", 6/1/2004 "This book should be required reading for everyone interested in nonprofit organizations and, more generally, in political voice in American politics. It is important, substantive, and lively." --Doug Imig, "Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly", 3/1/2005 "This is an important book.... [It] should not only stimulate a wider debate on the way the nonprofit sector should relate to government and the political process but also provoke a more determined efffort to reassert the vital role that advocacy plays in voluntary social service activities." -- "Social Development Issues" Jeffrey M. Berry is John Richard Skuse Class of 1941 Professor of Political Science at Tufts University. His most recent book, "The New Liberalism: The Rising Power of Citizen Groups"(Brookings, 1999) won the Policy Studies Organization's 1999 best book award. David F. Arons is codirector of Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest. A Voice for Nonprofits By Jeffrey M. Berry Brookings Institution Press Copyright © 2005 Jeffrey M. Berry All right reserved. ISBN: 9780815708773 Chapter One The Ageof Nonprofits America loves nonprofits. They represent what is bestabout our country: generosity, compassion, vision, and the eternal optimismthat we can resolve our most serious problems. Unlike the for-profitsector that employs most Americans, nonprofits have a higher calling, amore noble purpose. Each week millions of people volunteer their time tononprofits, reading to the blind, raising money for the Cancer Society, mentoringadolescents from troubled backgrounds, or doing countless othergood deeds. Nonprofits show loving kindness to the most vulnerable andthe most wretched in society. Nonprofits keep homeless alcoholics fromfreezing to death on cold winter nights and make sure that people dying ofAIDS can spend their last days in the familiar surroundings of their home.We love nonprofits because they embody the caring, charitable side of us. Everyday we come across nonprofits that we admire, like New York'sCity Harvest, which donates food to pantries and shelters; or Chicago'sBottomless Closet, which provides professional clothing and interview trainingfor women trying to escape welfare; or the Codman Square HealthCenter in the Dorchester section of Bosto