Advocacy is an important part of nonprofit leadership, but engaging with elected officials and navigating the legislative process can feel intimidating without the right tools and context. This session will help nonprofit leaders understand how to effectively engage at the Indiana State House, including practical dos and don’ts, how to organize a Lobby Day, and how a bill becomes law.
Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how to communicate with policymakers, prepare for advocacy opportunities, and use practical tools such as letters, timelines, and advocacy planning resources.
Proposed Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the basic process of how a bill becomes law in Indiana
Identify practical dos and don’ts for engaging with legislators and staff at the State House
Describe the key steps involved in organizing a successful Lobby Day
Use advocacy tools such as sample letters, timelines, and planning resources
Communicate nonprofit priorities more effectively with policymakers
Facilitator
Elby (Elspeth) Hilton has dedicated her career to supporting and strengthening nonprofit organizations through leadership, grant management, program development, and technical assistance. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with nonprofit organizations and a wide range of funders, taking a proactive, collaborative, and educat ional approach to serving communities and advancing mission-driven work.
Elby began her career with Habitat for Humanity in 2009, serving two AmeriCorps terms with the Lafayette affiliate. During that time, she oversaw the implementation of the “A Brush with Kindness” program and supported the affiliate’s Women Build initiative. Following her service, she joined the Habitat for Humanity of Indiana team, where she served as Director of Affiliate Programs from 2010 to 2015. In this role, she managed the Indiana HabiCorps AmeriCorps program, oversaw the HOME program, and provided training and technical assistance to affiliates across the state.
Elby later transitioned to state government, serving with both the Indiana Department of Workforce Development and the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. At the Department of Workforce Development, she served as Assistant Director for the Serve Indiana division, which oversees AmeriCorps funding throughout the state. At IHCDA, she led the Community Services division, ensuring federal homelessness funding was available to organizations outside of Marion County. In both positions, she managed staff, policies, and federal grant funding while helping organizations effectively serve their communities. She then joined Ivy Tech Community College as Executive Director of Sponsored Programs and Grants Compliance, where she oversaw institutional compliance with grant sponsor requirements and college policies related to grant management.
Currently, Elby serves as Deputy Director at Habitat for Humanity of Indiana. Returning to Habitat Indiana felt like a natural next step, as she remained deeply connected to the organization’s mission throughout her time away, including serving on the Habitat Indiana board. She is passionate about affiliate development, strengthening nonprofit capacity, and expanding access to affordable housing for all Hoosiers.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership roles, Elby operates her own consulting business, Lady Bird Consulting, which supports nonprofit organizations through grant writing, research, strategic planning, and post-award grant management. Elby holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Earlham College and a Master of Public Affairs with an emphasis in nonprofit management from Indiana University Indianapolis. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, long walks, and being outdoors.