Check Out MENTOR National’s Advocacy Action Center !
Debunking Myths About Advocating for Mentoring
Mentoring organizations CAN lobby for bills and policies that affect them. Lobbying on behalf of your organization will allow your voice and personal experience with mentoring to inform the decisions of your legislators.
It is NOT illegal for non-profits to lobby. Under the 501(h) rules, you can lobby, but the amount of money you can dedicate towards lobbying varies depending on your organization’s budget. According to 501(h) rules, you can calculate the overall lobbying limit of your organization as follows: you can spend 20% of the first $500,000 of your budget on lobbying. You can spend 15% of the next $500,000, 10% of the next $500,000 and 5% of the remaining. Of the total amount that you spend on lobbying, only 25% can go towards grassroots lobbying.
You don’t always have to go directly to your legislator. You can write them a letter or send them an email encouraging them to support your bills or policies. You can also call on your network, clients, and participants to advocate with a Call to Action.
The links below provide more information on how you can get involved.
Legislation
Information on the 2026 Legislative Session will be coming soon!
2024 Youth Development Legislative Agenda
Legislation of Interest (Education & Youth Development) – 2023
YD Advocacy Day – Legislation of Interest
Advocacy Resources:
Agent-of-Change-Advocacy-Guide
Youth-Led Advocacy Guide – MENTOR (mentoring.org)
General Lobbying Rules for Nonprofit Organizations (Afterschool Alliance)
Site Visit Invitation Guide for Your Program
Student and Teacher Guide for Visiting Maryland General Assembly
Photos from our 2025 Youth Development Advocacy Day with MOST
Preview the Youth-Led Advocacy Guide below!
