Advocacy

Elected legislators rely on their constituents to tell them what issues matter to them and how federally funded programs impact the communities they represent. The Association of Children’s Museums (ACM) monitors issues important to children’s museums and updates members about how their organizations may be affected. Often, advocacy alerts include steps individuals may take to share their opinions with legislators.

Tools to Support Your Advocacy Work

Your most effective tool in your advocacy work is your passion. You have stories to share about how your museum's exhibits, programs, and outreach affect the people in your community. When making a request of a policymaker, you want to convey how your ask for funding, a new policy, etc. will influence your ability to make positive change in your community. Consider calling your Senators and Representative at their Washington DC office to educate them on the issues that matter to your children's museum. Now is the time to make your voice heard on the issues that matter to your work and your community.

ACM works closely with other museum associations so that we speak with one voice in support of museums. The American Alliance of Museums offers a variety of materials to support museum advocacy.

• Customizable email templates on issues that matter to museums
• Know the issues that affect museums
• Speak up for museums on social media

If you want to learn more about the issues that affect the charitable sector, follow the Voices for Good podcast. Produced by Independent Sector, the podcast shares what nonprofits, foundations, and anyone committed to the common good needs to know about what's happening in Washington.

Year-Round Advocacy Actions

To be an effective advocate for your museum and for the children's museum field, develop relationships with your local, state, and federal legislators. Invest your organization's time and effort into these relationships year-round.

• Put your legislators on your organization's mailing list.
 
• When your organization receives a grant, write a thank you note. For a federal grant, thank your state's members of Congress and the director of the agency that awarded the grant. For a state grant, thank your state legislators and governor. For a local grant, thank your mayor and local council members.
 
• If your museum is turned down for a grant due to lack of funds, write to the appropriate decision makers (federal or state legislators, the governor) to ask for increased support for that agency or program.
 
• Invite your legislators for a tour of your facility and educate them about what you do and how your community benefits. The American Alliance of Museums' guide for hosting a successful visit with an elected official is a good place to start.
 
• Invite your legislators to openings and community celebrations and ask them to make a short speech about the importance of the children's museum to your community. Take pictures of legislators at these events and share them on the museum's social media channels and with the local newspaper.
 
• Invite your legislators to speak with your board of directors about early childhood education.