Uniting for Impact
Coalition Development and Management
Legislation is most effective when a large number of people work together towards a common goal. However, some causes may be too daunting or encompassing to efficiently handle alone. In many of these cases, coalitions, created to foster combined action, are the most effective tool to enact change. ACG Advocacy has a proven track record of successfully developing and managing of coalitions. United in communication and purpose, the following are examples of ACG’s work in this space:
a.h.d.c
Affordable Housing Developers Council
Bringing together CEOs of the nation’s top affordable housing developers, ACG Advocacy launched the Affordable Housing Developers Council (AHDC) in 2014 to advocate for federal policies that support the industry’s ability to meet the nation’s housing needs. To meet its mission, the AHDC works closely with Members of Congress, the Administration, and regulators to support current and prospective initiatives that create a vibrant and strong industry. As part of this effort, ACG has played an integral role in membership recruitment, using messaging and marketing materials to grow the coalition’s presence in Washington.
CEF
Committee For Education Funding
The Committee for Education Funding (CEF), the nation’s oldest and largest coalition of education organizations, is housed at ACG Advocacy and directed by Sheryl Cohen and Sarah Abernathy. This nonprofit and nonpartisan coalition provides its members, the public, the Congress and the Administration, and the media with information in support of increasing federal investments in education. As part of its coalition management services, ACG designs advocacy campaigns and strategies, provides analysis on education funding, lobbies Congress and the Administration on behalf of CEF, plans and implements advocacy and fundraising events, publishes timely intelligence and policy updates for CEF members, holds weekly membership meetings featuring outside policy and funding officials, and convenes research seminars with recognized policy experts.
Coalition For Horse Racing Integrity
The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) is a group of racing industry representatives including the Breeders Cup, the Jockey Club, Keeneland Racetrack, The Owners & Breeders Association, the Water Hay Oats Alliance, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association (KTA) and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders (KTOB), the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Humane Society, and many others. The coalition supports the Horseracing Integrity Act (H.R.2651), which creates a uniform, nationwide, conflict-free drug testing enforcement program for horse racing, and the coalition lobbies members of Congress urging its passage. The bill has gained almost 100 cosponsors in the House of Representatives since it was introduced in April 2017. ACG Advocacy’s Shawn Smeallie is the Executive Director.
musicFirst
musicFIRST is a broad coalition of music industry organizations working to ensure that music creators receive fair pay for their work on all listening platforms. The coalition’s membership includes record labels, unions, and trade associations. ACG Advocacy’s Chris Israel has served as musicFIRST’s executive director since January 2017, coordinating the coalition’s government and public relations efforts on issues such as broadcast radio performance royalties, satellite radio royalty rates, copyright protection for pre-1972 music, and the online streaming “value gap.”
USIJ
Alliance of U.S. Startups & Inventors For Jobs
The Alliance of U.S. Startups & Inventors for Jobs (USIJ) is a coalition of influential Silicon Valley and Seattle investors and entrepreneurs who have come together to advocate for strong intellectual property rights. USIJ is focused on strengthening the rights of patent holders and combatting efforts to weaken those rights. In the 114th Congress, ACG Advocacy lead an effective strategy to defeat patent litigation reform legislation (HR 9 – The Innovation Act; and S.1137 – The PATENT Act) by engaging House leadership and developing champions in both the House and Senate. ACG was successful in this effort, despite the fact that both bills had significant bipartisan support and were backed by large portions of the business community. ACG continues to direct USIJ’s advocacy efforts.
CPTID
Coalition For Patent and Trademark Information Dissemination
The Coalition for Patent and Trademark Information Dissemination (CPTID) is a group of private sector companies that provide value-added services for patent and trademark information users. These companies have been investing in and building efficient, high quality patent and trademark search services for more than 50 years. ACG Advocacy’s Marla Grossman has been the Executive Director of CPTID since 2010. ACG keeps CPTID members on the cutting edge of the patent and trademark industry by publishing weekly reports to members and keeping them abreast of USPTO activities in real time.
LISA
Life Insurance Settlement Association
The Life Insurance Settlement Association is a 501(c)(4) advocating on behalf of senior citizens with health care issues to the Executive Branch and Members of Congress. Every day, too many Americans are surrendering their life insurance policies without knowing about the option to convert their policies into a Long Term Care Benefit Plan. ASHCF strives to increase awareness of the benefits of this life-changing transaction by informing key stakeholders in our nation’s capital. ACG Advocacy started the organization in 2017, and works with stakeholders across the health care and tax industry in order to further the goals of the Alliance.
