“There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.” - Mahatma Gandhi

Dear John,  

After 18 wonderful years, my time at Alliance for Justice (AFJ) as the Director of our Bolder Advocacy program is winding down. In this important moment for both me and the organization I have been so fortunate to consider my home, I cannot help but feel inspired and truly humbled by all that we have accomplished. It has been the honor of a lifetime to collaborate with and support so many courageous advocates in their fight for a more equitable and just democracy, a fairer criminal legal system, a healthier and more sustainable planet, and a nation capable of moving on from the moral stain of systemic racism and hate. 

At AFJ, I have been fortunate to work hand in hand with thousands of nonprofits and foundations across the country. I have been privileged to provide customized training, coaching, written resources, and technical assistance—all with the goal of helping organizations to be strategic, bold, courageous, and legally compliant in their advocacy. I have been blessed to lead a talented and dynamic team capable of helping organizations answer so many complex and crucial questions about lobbying for change, helping people vote, passing historic ballot measures, transformational grantmaking, and so much more.  

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I fondly remember crisscrossing the country, conducting trainings in 46 states, the District of Columbia, and Mexico. I remember how moving and inspiring these journeys could be as I witnessed the spirit, energy, and commitment of so many nonprofit staff, trustees, and volunteers in communities rural and urban, north and south, and red and blue. I have worked with advocates, philanthropists, and activists on critical issues such as LGBTQ+ equality, early childhood education, sustainable agriculture, paid sick leave, reproductive justice, immigration reform, tax policy, elder care, and fair courts. You continue to inspire and energize me, giving me hope for a better tomorrow. 

I am also deeply proud of how much we have grown over the past two decades. We now have a dedicated team of 12 Bolder Advocacy attorneys and three brilliant operations and evaluation staff. We are not only operating in Washington, DC, but we also have amazing teams in Northern California, Southern California, Dallas, and Houston.  

In the past two years alone, we have released over 50 guides and factsheets, including updates to some of our most popular resources Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age and The Connection: Strategies for Creating and Operating Affiliated 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and Political Organizations. We have ramped up our work with foundations and philanthropy serving organizations, grassroots organizations, and 501(c)(4)s. We have launched one of the top podcasts in the nonprofit sector, created powerful new state-specific resources, and have continued to expand our work making tax and campaign finance law more understandable.  

Of course, none of this would have been possible without your partnership, support, and leadership.  

Even though my time at AFJ is coming to an end, I will carry on my love for and connection with the people, mission, and history that I’ve been so fortunate to be part of for the rest of my career. I am also confident that Bolder Advocacy will continue to flourish and grow alongside the progressive movement, building on the foundation I have been so fortunate to help create. 

While I am still considering how I can best continue my work of helping the nonprofit sector accomplish so many important goals in my new capacity, I will always remain dedicated to pursuing justice and equality for all. I hope our paths cross again.  

You can reach me at [email protected] / Abby Levine | LinkedIn. 

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