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Abstract

Antipoverty public policies are intended to assist low-income individuals and communities. Government grants and contracts are commonly awarded to nonprofit organizations which then implement the policies and serve low-income populations. Both government and nonprofit organizations have a responsibility to be effective in their service. Community engagement can assist effectiveness and result in improved antipoverty public policy and service provision. This paper explores the relationship between government, nonprofits, and public policy to determine the importance of community engagement in creating effective antipoverty policies. Then six engagement strategies are identified that nonprofits can and do use to engage low-income individuals and communities. For comparison, two Grand Rapids nonprofit organizations are evaluated through secondary data to determine if either organization successfully uses the suggested strategies to engage low-income individuals and communities in advocacy for antipoverty public policy.

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