Advocacy Toolkits

ACCT's Public Policy and Government Relations team regularly puts together content to stay up to date with Congressional activity, executive actions, and other federal agency initiatives. Part of the materials we have available include comprehensive toolkits that can used by community college trustees, presidents and other leading advocates to advance federal- and state-level advocacy efforts. 

These toolkits help community college stakeholders prepare for Congressional meetings, host elected officials on their campus, and build and maintain strong relationships with lawmakers and their staff. To access these toolkits, please visit ACCT's member-only portal ACCT Connect (connect.acct.org). If you are unsure how to create your account or have any issues accessing the site, please send an e-mail to [email protected] to get help with your credentials. 

Consider adding these toolkits to your board and executive meeting agendas and distributing printed copies to your college's leading advocates. If you have any questions about community college advocacy, contact us at [email protected].

ACCT is launching a hands-on advocacy training series that will support community college leaders in relaying the impactful nature of their campuses while building relationships at the federal level!

The series is designed to strengthen your ability to advocate for community colleges amid the funding and regulatory uncertainty expected within the next six months, which will be a pivotal time for community colleges. The directives from the newly signed reconciliation package are now law but will require additional action and implementation guidance from the Administration; the debate in Congress about Fiscal Year 2026 funding is looking to be intense; and the landscape around federally funded grants to institutions is rapidly changing, with the prospect of rescissions looming over Fiscal Year 2025 funds. These and other factors have created an environment characterized by uncertainty.

To help our members, this free virtual advocacy training series will equip community college leaders with the tools needed to champion the value of community colleges in your regions and reiterate the importance of federal programs in supporting your work.   

This free virtual advocacy training series will support community college leaders in telling their story: the value of community colleges to their regions and the importance of federal programs in supporting their work. 

Please join us for one, two, or all sessions in this important training series. 

This series is for ACCT members only. Sessions will be interactive and will not be recorded. 

July 24, 2025, 1:30 - 3:00 PM ET
Advocacy Training Series - Storytelling for Advocacy Meetings 
Join this session presented by Penn Hill Group to learn the art of crafting a story to share the unique value of your institution. This session will include small break out groups and the opportunity to draft and practice your story. Note: This webinar is interactive and it will not be recorded, so be sure to join the live webinar if you are interested in viewing it. Register here.

Recommended for community college trustees, CEOs, government relations & communications officers.

ACCT Recess Meetings Storytelling Workstheet.pdf (open to the public)

Slides and Congressional Staff Contacts (ACCT Members only)

Aug 6, 2025, 2:30 - 4:00 PM ET
Advocacy Training Series - Op-Ed How To: On Community College Value 
This session from Sina Communications will walk community college leaders through drafting op-ed pieces to help build awareness around the positive impact of community colleges, including via federally funded programs, on their regions. The focus will be writing with an eye toward community impact. Note: This webinar is interactive and it will not be recorded, so be sure to join the live webinar if you are interested in viewing it.  Register here.

Recommended for community college trustees, CEOs, government relations & communications officers.

Aug 13, 2025, 2:30 - 4:00 PM ET
Advocacy Training Series - Navigating the Federal Grant Landscape 
Join Seventh Street Strategies and learn from their first hand knowledge of the federal grant system at the U.S. Department of Education. Topics will include tools, tips, and tricks for federal grant applications as well as an overview of the rapidly changing approach to federal grants under the current administration.  Note: This webinar is interactive and it will not be recorded, so be sure to join the live webinar if you are interested in viewing it.  Register here.

Recommended for community college trustees, CEOs, government relations & grant officers.