Coalition-Building Advocacy Toolkit

This toolkit shares research-backed strategies to help advocates, young people with lived experience, and community members work together to influence federal policy. Oftentimes people think of advocacy as attending Lobby Days at your state capitol, but there are many other ways to advocate at your school district, city, council, and/or state levels.

• Testifying at public meetings or school board meetings 

• Meeting with a legislator  

• Writing an op-ed or letter to the editor 

• Sending an email to your legislator or city council member 

• Sharing information via social media 

• Voting 

• Participating in a government committee or community listening session 

• Presenting at a public meeting 

• Calling an elected official 

• Participating in a march or protest 

• Volunteering for a candidate’s campaign 

• Running for school board or city council 

• Host town halls, school board discussions, and rallies where educators, students, and parents/family members can share their personal stories about how these policy changes impact them. Consider making the event virtual via Zoom, Facebook Live or other means to generate greater visibility. 

• Create spaces where people can speak directly with local, state, and federal leaders, ensuring that decision-makers hear firsthand the real-world consequences of dismantling the Department of Education. 

• Use data to highlight how these cuts threaten college affordability, P-12 funding, and special education programs, and amplify voices from the community to illustrate what’s at stake. 

• Secure media coverage by elevating local stories that demonstrate how these cuts will impact students, schools, and communities. 

• Identify journalists covering education and invite them to report on advocacy events featuring firsthand accounts from those affected. Learn more here. 

• Publish opinion pieces, letters to the editor (LTEs),  and digital storytelling content on platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, using real experiences to drive engagement. 

• Engage digital influencers and local leaders to amplify personal narratives and ensure broad visibility. 

• Every media post should have a call to action, such as: 

• Encourage visits to your website, follow on social media, and sign up for your newsletter. 

• Tag lawmakers and demand they defend public education. 

• Share stories on how federal education funding impacts your school/community. 

• Sign petitions, sign in “pro” for bills, testify, and attend local advocacy events. 

• Graphics & Videos: Download shareable infographics on what’s at stake and how communities can mobilize. 

Find Your Statewide Legislative District: 

Find Your King County Councilmember:

A Step-by-Step Guide to Giving Public Comment from Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness:

PRO TIP: Write out your testimony to prepare! Generally, a one-minute comment is 150 words, and a two-minute comment is 250 words.

• In-District Advocacy Toolkit from National Network 4 Youth
• Messaging Guide for In-District Advocacy from National Network 4 Youth
• Advocates’ Guide from National Low Income Housing Coalition
• Mapping Political Power and Processes in Public Education