Advocate with The Allies

You care about your community.
Let’s turn that passion into action.

You don’t need to be a policy expert to have a voice in the decisions that shape your community.

Join The Allies for a series of free workshops designed to help you understand how change happens at the state level and discover practical, accessible ways to be part of it. Whether advocacy is completely new to you or you’re looking to strengthen your skills, you’ll gain the knowledge, tools, and connections to speak up effectively on the issues you care about. RSVP for the whole series or just the parts that work for your calendar and/or are most interesting to you!

Building Skills & Community: A Three-Part Series

Connect with others who care about advocacy while building the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills to engage effectively in Connecticut’s policy process. These interactive sessions are led in partnership with FCCF’s lobbying partners at Gallo & Robinson.

Preparing for the 2027 Legislative Session (in-person)
Monday, November 16 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m. | FCCF, 40 Richards Avenue, Norwalk

Get oriented to CT’s legislative landscape and what to expect in the 2027 session. We’ll explore how the November election results will shape leadership and the balance of power in state government and what those changes could mean for the legislative year ahead.

We’ll also present FCCF’s inaugural Legislative Ally Award, recognizing a state legislator whose advocacy, leadership, and dedication to public service have helped ensure that Fairfield County residents have a fair opportunity to thrive.

Moving to Action: FCCF’s 2027 Advocacy Agenda (online)
Tuesday, December 8 | 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. | Zoom

Learn about FCCF’s 2027 policy priorities and the broader context shaping the upcoming legislative session. We’ll explore what’s at stake, where there may be opportunities for progress, and how you can get involved with the issues that matter most to you.

Tools for Change: Making the Most of Your Voice (online)
Monday, January 11 | 12:00 p.m.–1:30 p.m. | Zoom

Ready to turn your interest into action? We’ll break down the practical nuts and bolts of effective advocacy—and, good news, it’s easier than you might think. Learn how to navigate the Connecticut General Assembly website, track public hearings, submit testimony, and make your case through written or verbal testimony. We’ll also share practical tips for communicating with elected officials by email, phone, and other forms of advocacy throughout the legislative session.

Regroup & Reenergize: Mid-Session Updates

As the legislative session unfolds, stay informed, connected, and ready to act. These mid-session gatherings offer timely updates on key policy priorities, what’s happening at the Capitol, and where community voices can make a difference. Led in partnership with FCCF’s lobbying partners at Gallo & Robinson.

Economic Mobility & Housing Policy Updates (online)
Friday, May 7 | Noon–1 p.m. | Zoom

Health, Children & Families Policy Updates (online)
Monday, May 10 | Noon–1 p.m. | Zoom

Look Back & Look Ahead

After months of learning, advocating, and acting together, let’s gather in person to celebrate what we accomplished and what we learned along the way. We’ll reflect on the 2027 legislative session, recognize the collective effort of The Allies, and look ahead to how we can continue building community power together.

End-of-Session Gathering (in-person)
Monday, June 21 | 5:30–7:30 p.m. | Norwalk, location TBD

Sign Up Today for the Series or Individual Events >

Questions?
Contact Ryan Deal, Director of Community Philanthropy
203.750.3204 | rdeal@fccfoundation.org

When We All Give a Little, We Can Do a Lot

The Allies advocacy network is built on a simple idea: our voices are more powerful when we use them together. Keeping this series free, and supporting FCCF’s broader advocacy and civic engagement work across Fairfield County, takes resources. If you’re able, we invite you to help sustain and grow this work with a contribution to FCCF’s Civic Engagement & Advocacy Fund.

Just as advocacy becomes more powerful when many people participate, so does giving. There’s no gift too small to be part of the collective effort. A contribution of $25, $50, $100, or whatever feels right for you, helps us continue creating accessible ways for more people to find their voice and put it into action.