This resource summarizes tips from the California Department of Public Health Statewide Coordinating Center’s March 2026 webinar on how healthy eating and active living coalitions can engage local policymakers to establish sustainable funding sources and institutional changes to improve community health outcomes. It describes how coalitions can understand policymakers’ roles and perspectives to develop more effective and compelling messages. It also highlights the differences between advocacy and lobbying and describes how coalitions can approach policymakers in collaboration with partners and community members.