Thirty years later, email-based advocacy remains one of the most common tactics in public affairs. Even as the political environment, technology, and communication habits surrounding advocacy have changed dramatically.
This project collects firsthand data from lobbyists, advocacy professionals, legislative staff, government affairs professionals, and campaign strategists — the people with real, regular access to lawmakers and their offices — to build a clearer picture of where grassroots advocacy is actually having impact in 2026. The results will be published as a free public resource for the entire field.
This survey is for professionals who interact with lawmakers, legislative offices, or the policy process regularly (at least monthly, in a professional capacity.)
That includes:
Registered lobbyists
Government affairs and policy staff
Public affairs consultants and agency professionals
Coalition directors and managers
Current and former legislative staff
Participants can choose to receive the full benchmark report before public release.
For legislative staff and policy professionals, it's a direct opportunity to shape how advocacy organizations understand and approach your offices. For advocacy professionals, it's third-party data you can use in strategic planning, budget conversations, and internal decision-making.