A social change agency is an organization designed to promote and advance the interests of the public on public issues. They are generally funded by foundations or other private organizations. In the United States, a SSA does not have the same status as an agency or corporation. A SSA has three general categories:

Strategic Planning. A strategic plan for the development of an advocate of social change in a community, for example, can be developed and maintained through a social change agency. As part of this strategic planning, the agency develops relationships with people who have an interest in being engaged in such work. The agency also provides information and referral services to individuals who seek nonprofits organizations that can provide a variety of services. A social change agency often provides a trusted advisor that can help individuals and other nonprofits work toward common goals and objectives.

Nonprofit Organizations. A social change agency develops partnerships with other nonprofit organizations to support a particular cause or project. For example, Catholic Family Charities and Catholic Relief Services are two such partners. Other organizations, including civic and religious groups, schools, universities and some businesses, also participate in this alliance. The goal of this partnership is to raise funds and provide resources that support these nonprofits’ mission-driven causes. A social change agency may also provide funding and counseling services to these other nonprofit organizations.

Civic Organizations. A social change agency may develop strategic planning partnerships with civic and other nonprofit organizations to support a cause, issue or program. A Civic Organization may be a local neighborhood watch, a local environmental advocacy group or a homeowners’ association in a subdivision. Civic organizations generally have a membership and have regular meetings, which allow the public to be involved in the decision-making process.

Public Relations and Marketing. A professional who works with a social change agency will conduct strategic planning to build influence and awareness of a cause or program. One strategy the planner may use is to build interest among the general public about an emerging need or problem. The planner may use traditional forms of public relations such as press releases and magazine articles and strategic planning through a website, email campaigns and handouts at local events. Agency may also provide media training, strategic planning and thought leadership training to the public relations firm.

Agency . A professional who works with a social change agency may also work with the staff to train them in strategic thinking, public relations and marketing techniques. This ensures that the nonprofit’s staff is skilled in problem solving, thinking critically and acting in a supportive manner.

Customer Relations. A professional who works with a nonprofit often coordinates efforts between the staff and the nonprofit’s board of directors and volunteers. She or he coordinates activities that build influence and awareness among the community at large. A trusted advisor is a key player in these efforts because he or she brings a face and voice to the table that most nonprofit staffers and donors may not be aware of.

A professional who works with a social change agency will play many roles during the course of the organization’s work. The first job that he or she may have is to create an image or a brand for the nonprofit. A social change professional can use television commercials, radio ads and Internet ads to build this image or brand. Agency of this professional is to create a short term goal for the nonprofit. The second job of the professional is to implement tactics and strategies that support the short term goal.