The Hatcher Group: Ten Years of Advancing Social Change

New Toolkit for Engaging Elected Officials in EITC Outreach

One of the most effective ways to raise awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), the importance of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites, and the need to build support for EITC benefit expansions is to engage elected officials.  Our elected officials have the ability to bring greater awareness of these services by partnering with organizations in their EITC outreach efforts. To help advocates and community tax assistance sites in this work, the National Community Tax Coalition and The Hatcher Group put together a toolkit that includes EITC outreach ideas for engaging elected officials and template materials such as site visit invitations, press releases and opinion-editorials.

New Media & Social Change

A new Hatcher Group report reveals how nonprofits are using new media technologies to advance social change. Based on interviews and a 70-question online survey of 30 nonprofits working on state-level advocacy issues, “New Media & Social Change: How Nonprofits are Using Web-based Technologies to Reach Their Goals” shows what new media tools are being used and how, what’s working -- and what’s not. The report offers advice and resources to help nonprofits use these increasingly important technologies to successfully promote their agendas. It’s must reading for organizations looking to make a difference, and their funders. Order a hard copy of the report.