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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Tanck’s Theory of Change: Three disciplines to ensure your organisation is heard and taken seriously  
Advocacy and Campaigning, Charities and Not-For-Profit, Consulting, For-Purpose and Social Purpose, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Charities and Not-For-Profit, Consulting, For-Purpose and Social Purpose, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck

Tanck’s Theory of Change: Three disciplines to ensure your organisation is heard and taken seriously  

Influence isn't built on passion alone. Discover the three disciplines that help organisations engage government strategically, strengthen credibility, and create lasting policy impact.

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The strongest advocacy is not always from the biggest kids in the playground
Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Board and Management, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck

The strongest advocacy is not always from the biggest kids in the playground

Advocacy isn't defined by size or budget. It's built on credibility, persistence and trusted relationships that create lasting influence when opportunities for change emerge.

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The enduring importance of evidence, coalition-building and strategic engagement
Advocacy and Campaigning, Consulting, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Consulting, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck

The enduring importance of evidence, coalition-building and strategic engagement

As advocacy becomes increasingly fragmented, a renewed focus on evidence, coalition-building and strategic engagement is essential to achieving meaningful and lasting social change.

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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 role of civil society in communities is not just valuable, it is essential
Advocacy and Campaigning, Communications and Media, Consulting, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Social Justice, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck Advocacy and Campaigning, Communications and Media, Consulting, Federal Government, Legislation and Policy, Purpose and Values, Social Justice, Strategy and Planning, Whitepaper Tanck

The role of civil society in communities is not just valuable, it is essential

As trust declines and public debate fragments, civil society organisations play a critical role in connecting communities with decision-makers and strengthening democratic participation.

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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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