Effective advocacy starts with relationships. Focus on three to four congressional offices at a time and understand how they work. personal staff handle constituent issues, committee staff shape policy, and district staff are best for site visits rather than legislative asks. Always connect through the scheduler when setting up meetings, and tailor outreach to the member’s local priorities.
Before any meeting, be clear on how your issue impacts communities in Virginia. Explain it simply, show local relevance, and use real stories that bring your work to life. Advocacy is about education as much as persuasion, so approach every conversation as a chance to build trust and visibility.
Stay in touch year round, not just when funding cycles arise. Legislators often hear from trade groups but rarely from local practitioners, fill that gap through consistent updates, newsletters, and invitations to site visits. Add staff to your mailing lists and share wins that highlight community outcomes.
Each year, refine your top three federal priorities and align them with broader CDFI and industry goals. Key current themes include maintaining CDFI Fund funding, making the New Markets Tax Credit permanent, expanding housing credit resources, and sustaining SBA support for small businesses.
Use clear, concise tools, one-pagers, advocacy letters, and site visits, to strengthen relationships. Keep messages focused and relevant; too much information can dilute your impact. Above all, consistency matters more than one-time meetings. Long-term, collaborative advocacy builds credibility and influence.