Alexandria Living Magazine
Billy DeLancey started Lobbyists 4 Good in 2016 to help regular citizens hire lobbyists for their causes.
The thousands of dollars it costs to hire a lobbyist in the D.C. area often puts the idea out of reach for everyone but corporations, large associations and wealthy political donors.
Lobbyists 4 Good is working to change that. The crowdfunding platform, started by Alexandria resident Billy DeLancey and his wife, Callie, lets anyone organize a campaign to raise money to hire a lobbyist.
Started in September 2016, the organization has lobbied Congress twice on behalf of everyday citizens. Their first lobbying campaign resulted in a budget increase of $2.5 million for the United States Institute of Peace. The group is currently lobbying Congress on behalf of a vegan and climate change activist.
“So many people look at what’s going on in government and get upset about whatever is happening and they immediately take to the streets or post angry messages on Twitter,” said Billy DeLancey, 35, CEO of Lobbyists 4 Good. “We want to provide a more effective way to get their voices heard.”
Lobbying is ingrained in politics and is an effective way to advocate for a particular cause, said DeLancey. For every dollar nonprofits and public interest groups spend on lobbying, businesses and their associations spend $34, according to Lee Drutman, author of the book “The Business of America is Lobbying”. DeLancey wants everyone to have access to lobbying.
Lobbyists 4 Good started as a side project for DeLancey, borne out of concern that people’s voices aren’t being heard in-between elections. He turned it into a full-time job in 2018. A board of seven people oversees the organization.
DeLancey has big goals for the nonprofit. Eventually, he’d like Lobbyists 4 Good to be one of the top spenders in lobbying.
“I want to be able to match corporate interests by having lobbyists on the Hill every day working for the people,” he said.
After citizens raise enough funds, DeLancey’s group is tasked with hiring lobbyists for the job.
There are misconceptions about lobbyists, DeLancey said. Some people think they pay for politicians for votes, he said. “In reality, lobbyists spend most of their time building relationships,” he said. “It’s those relationships that are currency in Washington, D.C. Money helps to build those relationships, but lobbyists still have to have a good argument,” he said.
DeLancey runs Lobbyists 4 Good out of ALX Community, a coworking space in Old Town Alexandria. DeLancey has more than 12 years of experience in government and advocacy. His wife, Callie, still serves as director of partnerships for Lobbyists 4 Good.
He served as communications manager for WASH Advocates, as a policy analyst at USDA's Food and Nutrition Service and was a Peace Corps volunteer. He learned about lobbying when he worked alongside a lobbying firm while advocating for safe drinking water projects at WASH Advocates. (WASH’s mission was to increase awareness for global safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene issues in Africa, Asia and Latin America.)
Originally from Annapolis, DeLancey fell in love with Old Town Alexandria in 2011 when he decided to move back to the D.C. area. He loved Alexandria’s tight knit community. It also reminded him of Annapolis, but had the advantage of close proximity to D.C., he said.
Outside of work, DeLancey keeps busy raising his one-year-old daughter Ella, golfing and spending time with the family’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rosie. He also visits his parents in Annapolis.
For more on the group and to learn how to start your own lobbying campaign, go to www.lobbyists4good.org.
