Nonprofit organizations are nongovernmental groups that specialize in the problems of particular populations or specific sets of issues. Types of advocacy can vary dramatically, depending on each organization’s substantive focus, whether it emphasizes advocacy for individual clients or a group of clients, and/or whether it advocates for or against changes in the law.
Client-oriented organizations concentrate primarily on representing individual clients within the organization’s area of specialization, while law reform organizations use broader strategies to protect legal rights that affect a group of people or to bring about social change.
Keep in mind that each nonprofit organization is unique in its approach to its work. Many nonprofits engage in multiple types of advocacy, and/or engage in both client-oriented and law reform work.