Federal Advocacy.
Bipartisan Strategy.
Results that Matter
Uncorked Advocates is a boutique federal government relations firm helping nonprofits, associations and mission-driven organizations advance policy, secure federal funding and navigate Washington.
25+ years of Washington experience | Named The Hill's Top Lobbyist, Five Years Running | NILE Top 100 Lobbyist | Millions in federal funding secured
Our Expertise
Uncorked Advocates combines deep policy expertise with hands-on legislative, regulatory, and coalition strategy. We specialize in helping nonprofit and mission-driven organizations translate their goals into effective federal advocacy.
With more than 25 years of experience in federal policy and advocacy, Founder and President Sally Schaeffer provides clients with senior-level strategy, direct representation, and the relationships and expertise needed to turn priorities into results.
NONPROFIT & PHILANTHROPIC POLICY
We help nonprofits, associations, and philanthropic organizations shape the federal policies that affect their missions and their ability to serve their communities.
Our work includes charitable giving and nonprofit tax policy, retirement-based charitable giving, federal grant and regulatory policy, nonprofit reporting requirements, and other legislative and administrative issues affecting the charitable sector.
From developing bipartisan legislation to building and managing national coalitions, Uncorked Advocates helps clients move from policy ideas to achievable advocacy strategies.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE, TRAFFICKING & YOUTH POLICY
Uncorked Advocates brings decades of experience advancing federal policies that prevent violence, support survivors, protect young people, and strengthen the programs and systems that serve them.
Our work includes gender-based violence, domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking and exploitation, youth homelessness, child welfare, and trauma-informed policy.
We help organizations build bipartisan congressional support, protect and increase federal investments, advance legislation, and ensure the voices and experiences of survivors and affected communities inform federal policymaking.
FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS & FUNDING
Uncorked Advocates helps organizations navigate the federal appropriations process and compete for the resources needed to advance their missions.
We develop and execute strategies for programmatic appropriations, Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding, federal grants, and agency engagement. Our work includes developing funding requests, building bipartisan congressional support, coordinating coalition advocacy, and helping clients make a compelling case for federal investment.
Our clients have successfully secured millions of dollars in federal funding for programs and projects across the country.
WHY UNCORKED?
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Senior-Level Attention
Clients work directly with Sally Schaeffer. There are no layers of junior staff between your organization and the person developing and executing your federal strategy.
Bipartisan by Design
Lasting policy requires relationships and credibility across the political spectrum. We develop advocacy strategies designed to build bipartisan support and succeed in changing political environments.
Deep Nonprofit Expertise
We understand both Washington and the nonprofit sector. That means understanding not only how Congress and federal agencies operate, but also how policy decisions affect nonprofit organizations, their donors, their programs, and the communities they serve.
Strategy That Leads to Action
Successful advocacy is more than securing a meeting. We help clients identify achievable goals, develop the right messages, build coalitions, engage policymakers and federal agencies, and sustain an advocacy strategy from idea through implementation.
EXPERIENCE
MATTERS
For more than 25 years, Sally Schaeffer has worked at the intersection of federal policy, politics, and the nonprofit sector.
Her career includes senior Capitol Hill experience as well as leadership roles representing some of the nation's most prominent nonprofit organizations and coalitions. Today, clients of Uncorked Advocates benefit from that experience through direct, hands-on representation from strategy development through execution.
Sally has been recognized by The Hill as a Top Lobbyist for five consecutive years and by the National Institute for Lobbying & Ethics as a Top 100 Lobbyist.
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RESULTS
Good advocacy should produce measurable results.
Uncorked Advocates has helped clients enact bipartisan legislation, protect and expand federal programs, secure millions of dollars in federal funding, and build coalitions capable of influencing federal policy.
Making Charitable Giving Policy Permanent
Working with the Charitable Giving Coalition, Uncorked Advocates helped lead a multi-year advocacy effort to expand charitable giving incentives and build bipartisan congressional support for a universal charitable deduction.
In 2025, Congress enacted a permanent charitable deduction for millions of Americans who do not itemize their taxes—a significant victory for charities and the people and communities they serve.
Securing Federal Investments
Uncorked Advocates has helped nonprofit organizations and their affiliates secure millions of dollars through Congressionally Directed Spending and Community Project Funding, translating local needs into compelling federal funding requests and bipartisan congressional support.
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
Sally Schaeffer is a politically savvy lobbyist who utilizes both legislative and regulatory expertise to advance policy initiatives.
In the sea of Washington, DC consultants, Sally remains a mentor to all young women regularly taking meetings and connecting colleagues despite their political stripes.
A dedicated advocate at heart, Sally ensures that the patient voice is heard in the halls of Congress.
Insights from Washington
Federal policy moves quickly. The Uncorked Advocates Federal Policy Newsletter provides timely analysis of the developments nonprofit leaders need to know - from Congress and federal funding to tax policy, regulation, and emerging issues affecting the sector.
