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NCIT Gubernatorial Engagement Toolkit

Winning for Babies: How to Build Smart, Strategic PN‑3 Advocacy Plans

Introduction: How to Use This Toolkit

Gubernatorial elections create a key moment to elevate the opportunities and challenges facing infants, toddlers, and families. Governors shape state priorities, budgets, and policies that affect young children and the systems that support them.

This toolkit helps organizations engage strategically during the campaign cycle while staying within the boundaries of nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) issue-focused advocacy. While this toolkit focuses specifically on gubernatorial elections, the same principles apply to elections at every level of government — from city council to President.

 

Rather than prescribing a single approach, the toolkit is designed to help organizations:

  1. Select a goal for what you want to accomplish in the election cycle
  2. Choose strategies that align with your strengths and access
  3. Use tactics that move those strategies forward

 

You do not need to use every tactic in this toolkit. Your engagement will be most effective if you choose one clear goal and a set of aligned strategies and tactics that play to your strengths.

A customizable planning template is also available to help translate these concepts into a practical campaign workplan

Download Full Toolkit

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NCIT is committed to ensuring that every infant, toddler and expectant parent has what they need to thrive. To reach our goal, we need an active & engaged electorate, ensuring equitable voting opportunities for all.

The National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers encourages you to be an active member of our country’s democratic process. Make your voice heard and exercise your right to vote. Stand for infants, toddlers and their families.

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