The Tanck Blog

Politics, policy, campaigns and advocacy.

We give you our latest insights on political trends, elections, lobbying and advocacy news, as well as tips and ideas for better government engagement and government relations.

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Why Your Government Funding Strategy Isn’t Working 
Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck

Why Your Government Funding Strategy Isn’t Working 

Government funding frustration is often about more than scarcity. Misalignment, limited political research, weak budget engagement and fragmented advocacy can all reduce an organisation’s influence.

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Five steps to shift from reactive to ready 
Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Strategy and Planning Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Strategy and Planning Tanck

Five steps to shift from reactive to ready 

Explore five practical steps organisations can take to move from reactive advocacy to strategic readiness, strengthening their capability, relationships and influence over time.

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Philanthropic Advocacy Readiness Checklist 
Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Communications and Media, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Political Parties, Strategy and Planning Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Communications and Media, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Political Parties, Strategy and Planning Tanck

Philanthropic Advocacy Readiness Checklist 

Assess whether an organisation is ready to deploy philanthropic funding for advocacy. This checklist evaluates government engagement, stakeholder relationships, policy participation and the foundations for long-term influence.

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The tension of being government funded in a world reliant on advocacy 
Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Political Parties, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Political Parties, Whitepaper Tanck

The tension of being government funded in a world reliant on advocacy 

Many not-for-profits rely on government funding, creating hesitation around advocacy. As demand for systemic change grows, organisations need the confidence, governance and frameworks to engage government without compromising their mission.

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With a tight Federal budget, philanthropic investment must work harder
Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Legislation and Policy, Social Justice, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Legislation and Policy, Social Justice, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck

With a tight Federal budget, philanthropic investment must work harder

As governments tighten spending and public debt remains high, philanthropy has an increasingly important role to play. New research from Tanck and Perpetual highlights the need for longer-term, strategically designed philanthropic investment that strengthens capability, advocacy and systems change.

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The 26-27 Federal Budget Quietly Confirms Australia’s Reliance on Civil Society
Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Political Parties, Purpose and Values, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Budgets and Funding, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Political Parties, Purpose and Values, Whitepaper Tanck

The 26-27 Federal Budget Quietly Confirms Australia’s Reliance on Civil Society

Every Federal Budget tells a story about what government believes matters, behind the headlines, capital gains, taxes, war and security something else is in this budget.


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Lazy Advocacy: Why a Media Release isn’t a strategy (and how it hurts your chances with government) 
Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Communications and Media, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Communications and Media, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning Tanck

Lazy Advocacy: Why a Media Release isn’t a strategy (and how it hurts your chances with government) 

There’s a persistent myth in advocacy and campaigning that issuing a media release aimed at government equals influence. On the contrary: it doesn’t, it never has, and likely never will. 

In fact, it’s often the least effective form of government engagement and, if anything, it sets your cause backwards. This includes the all-too-common “bundling”, where a heap of organisations put their logos at the bottom as well. Putting out a public statement telling a government to “do better” might feel like action, but will rarely get a mention in the media, and is regularly seen as lazy advocacy.  

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What everyone in Philanthropy needs to hear about Government Engagement
Advocacy and Campaigning, B Corp, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Strategy and Planning Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, B Corp, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Strategy and Planning Tanck

What everyone in Philanthropy needs to hear about Government Engagement

Australia has much to thank philanthropy for. Over many years funders have been responsible for bridging the gaps in vital services, highlighting issues that need addressing and bringing about genuine long-term change. 

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Political engagement lessons every organisation must learn
Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Communications and Media, Consulting, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Budgets and Funding, Communications and Media, Consulting, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning Tanck

Political engagement lessons every organisation must learn

The world is changing quickly, and political engagement is more important than ever. Organisations need government engagement skills, but they also require knowing how to transform that engagement to real advocacy power to make things happen.

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