Community Fellows Blog Posts

I am incredibly thankful that I have had the opportunity to begin working with the Silicon Valley Council of Non-Profits (SVCN) as the public policy intern through the LSB Community Fellows program.  SVCN’s mission involves supporting nonprofit organizations in the Silicon Valley in advocating for policy and advocacy efforts to protect the communities in which they serve. 

I had the opportunity to start my first week by supporting SVCN through their annual fundraiser, Be Our Guest. In fact, I was lucky enough to be able to go into the office and help distribute the pumpkins that were bought in for the pumpkin auction and meet the rest of my team in person (socially distanced, of course). It was incredible to see firsthand and in-person the dedication, passion, and excitement that is so prevalent within the organization. Additionally, I have taken part of a few webinars that SVCN has hosted, which have taught me the organizational side of running a successful nonprofit during a pandemic. I have also had the opportunity to transcribe a few webinars and further analyze the differing needs of nonprofits as the country deals with a pandemic, a racial equity movement, and a new administration. 

One thing that surprised me about this organization was the strict rules surrounding advocacy and lobbying. Nonprofits are typically not allowed to endorse candidates, because they are meant to be partisan organizations. However, I am enjoying learning the other ways in which nonprofits can engage in advocacy and lobbying that directly supports the communities they serve. For instance, SVCN made the decision to endorse Proposition 15, which would directly benefit our organization and the nonprofits that we serve. Additionally, SVCN provided resources to other nonprofits on how to legally and correctly engage in advocacy surrounding Proposition 15. This kind of advocacy excites me, and I look forward to learning more about policy surrounding advocacy and lobbying in the nonprofit sector through my work as the public policy intern.  

Through my first few weeks on the job and the few conversations I have had with my supervisor and other employees, I already have such a deep admiration and respect for those working in the nonprofit sector. Specifically, it is clear that SVCN and other nonprofits have sacrificed so much time and energy into providing resources and support to their communities amidst the COVID 19 pandemic. I am proud to be working with an organization that emulates such authentic empathy and care and tangible support to our surrounding communities during such a tumultuous time in our country.