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Evaluation of Grassroots AdvocacyCARE USA

Giulia McPhersonDeputy Director, Citizen

Advocacy

© 2005, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

The Case for Grassroots Advocacy“I’m so thankful that CARE has organized this conference to amplify the

need that is out there. Believe me, the squeaky wheel does get the grease! Don’t let tomorrow be a ‘check in the box’ moment for you.

Continue to call your members of Congress, follow up on your meetings and get others involved as well.”

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), May 2009

“Not everyone can go into the field, or even donate. But every one of us can be an advocate for people whose voices are often not

heard. Bill Gates Annual Letter, January 2011

“I attended the CARE call yesterday and called my Congresswoman’s office this morning.  I really appreciate how well organized and helpful CARE is in equipping us with direction, drafted letters, and

talking points. It makes it easy to take action.” CARE Advocate, June 2011

© 2005, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

CARE USA’s Grassroots Advocacy

History of CARE’s Grassroots Advocacy 1998 - Launched Reproductive Health Education Program, which

engaged CARE’s donors to form a nationwide network of advocates interested in improving women’s health and the lives of families around the world.

2000 – Partnered with PAI for the “PLANet” campaign to increase public and policymaker awareness and support for international family planning programs.

2002 – Grew into the CARE Action Network, a nationwide network of advocates supporting CARE’s advocacy agenda.

The CARE Action Network aims to: Recruit CARE supporters to help advance CARE’s advocacy agenda Educate CARE supporters about CARE’s advocacy agenda Mobilize CARE supporters to take action in support of CARE’s

advocacy agenda

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2011 Advocacy Agenda

Assisting Countries in Conflict

Securing Effective Funding for Foreign Assistance

Providing Economic Opportunities for Women

Empowering Girls to Learn and Lead

Ensuring Food for All

Increasing Access to Maternal Health

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CARE Action Network

The CARE Action Network team is comprised of six Field Coordinators

based throughout the U.S., whose activities include:

Recruiting Tiered advocate structure State/District Chairs

Educating Annual Leadership Summit Quarterly Conference calls Local/Regional Events

Mobilizing In-District Meetings Action Alerts National Day of Action CARE National Conference

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Monitoring & Evaluation

CARE consistently monitors grassroots advocacy efforts through a series of internal reporting mechanisms.

Online mobilizations Number of individuals who took action Number of letters generated*Also sorted by target members of Congress

Offline mobilizations Number of calls placed Number of e-mails sent Direct feedback/commitments made

In-district meetings Number held Direct feedback/commitments made

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Congressional Champions

Grassroots advocacy efforts contribute towards the development of

Congressional Champions who actively support issues on CARE’s advocacy agenda.

Introduces or co-sponsors legislation

Speaks at CARE Event

Hosts hearings on issues related to policy agenda

Spearheads Dear Colleague Letters

Makes floor statements in support of issues

© 2005, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

CARE Action Network by the Numbers Membership

Over 170,000 members Almost 3,000 are “grasstops” advocates 85 State/District Chairs representing 24 states and 51 districts

Mobilizations In FY10, CAN members took a total of 119,350 online actions In FY10, CAN members took part in 77 in-district meetings

Events The 2011 CARE National Conference drew 1,137 attendees and

335 congressional meetings were held Over 170 people hosted events for the 2010 CARE National Day

of Action

© 2005, CARE USA. All rights reserved.

Success Stories

Child Marriage - CARE prioritized the International Protecting Girls by Preventing Child Marriage Act at the last two CARE National Conferences in May 2009 and 2010, where hundreds of CARE advocates discussed this issue with their policymakers on Capitol Hill. This advocacy by CARE advocates resulted in increased support of the legislation, including dozens of additional cosponsors.

Microfinance - CARE advocates met with Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL) and his staff during the 2011 CARE Conference to discuss the International Affairs Budget, Education for All and microfinance. He was so taken by the microfinance issue that he offered to spearhead efforts to generate support among his colleagues. This has now resulted in a Dear Colleague letter currently circulating the House, led by Reps. Rush, Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Donald Payne (D-NJ).

FY11 International Affairs Budget – In April 2011, CARE joined partner organizations to oppose cuts to the FY11 International Affairs Budget. Advocates generated calls and e-mails expressing support for development programs funded by this account and drastic cuts were avoided.