This consultation process provides an opportunity for nonprofits to play a part in formulating an agency's mission and goals. However, agencies have been more or less diligent about soliciting views and suggestions from stakeholders, so this is an area where nonprofits could usefully show more interest and actively request to become part of the strategic planning process. GPRA offers a mechanism where nonprofits can actually participate in shaping an agency's mission to better reflect the needs it should be meeting, but it will take the active participation of nonprofits. Nonprofits are often in the position of representing large numbers of low-income or disadvantaged Americans who otherwise have little or no voice in the administration of government programs. The mission and goals of agencies of the federal government are not politically neutral.
Stakeholders represent different interests.
Congress may have one idea of purpose and objectives, business another, state and private grantees, yet another. Nonprofits can play a role in defining agency missions and goals to better reflect the needs of the people they serve, who often do not have powerful means to influence government. Most are published on the Internet. This access can provide valuable information to nonprofits about the goals and indicators agencies are proposing to use in determining the focus of their activities. Nonprofits could become involved with making sure the goals, the measures, and the indicators of success are useful and valuable.