Mobilizing Grassroots and Grasstops Advocacy to Drive Policy Change​

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an organization needed to influence policymakers and community leaders to drive timely policy changes, ensuring equitable access to appropriate testing strategies for underserved communities. The effort also aimed to educate the public on testing options to effectively combat the pandemic.​

The organization built a coalition of over 80 national and local groups, including nonprofits, faith-based organizations, and healthcare advocates. This dual-level advocacy effort combined grassroots and grasstops strategies, engaging community leaders, key opinion leaders (KOLs), elected officials, and the media. Initiatives included policy briefs, advocacy toolkits, webinars, and public events to provide accurate information and advance policy goals.​

The coalition’s efforts introduced testing-related bills in multiple states, launched a "When to Test" app, and shaped public discourse through op-eds and webinars. Broader conversations strengthened connections across government and advocacy groups, culminating in direct engagement with national policymakers, including The White House, to drive meaningful action.​