Best of the Nonprofit Law Blog 2014

Published on: December 18, 2014December 30, 2014 by Gene Takagi

Here are some selected highlights from NEO Law Group over the past year that we hope you’ll find helpful. 2014 was also highlighted by an addition to Erin’s family and Michele’s graduation and passage of the bar exam! Amazing year for all of us. Blog Posts Governance What Issues Should a Nonprofit Board Consider Annually? Executive Succession: […]

Independent Sector National Conference 2014: Imagine – Public Policy Action Institute

Published on: November 16, 2014 by Gene Takagi 1 Comment

Imagine. That’s the theme of the 2014 Independent Sector National Conference currently being held in Seattle. And it’s a reminder for nonprofit board members and managers of the importance of thinking beyond our very important day-to-day matters and mere compliance. One of the Conference’s two important pre-conferences was the Public Policy Action Institute (PPAI): The Institute is […]

Charities and Issue Advocacy: Doing it Right – Part Two

Published on: August 5, 2014October 13, 2015 by Michelle Baker 1 Comment

This post is a continuation of last week’s post on issue advocacy: Charities and Issue Advocacy: Doing it Right – Part One. A communication is particularly at risk of political campaign intervention when it makes references to candidates or voting in a specific upcoming election; however, the IRS has emphasized that “the communication must still […]

Charities and Issue Advocacy: Doing it Right – Part One

Published on: July 30, 2014October 13, 2015 by Michelle Baker 1 Comment

Advocacy is a broad term that covers a range of activities that seek to bring about change. One form of advocacy is lobbying, defined as activities that attempt to influence specific legislation. Charities are permitted to engage in lobbying activities, so long as those activities represent an “insubstantial” part of their overall activities. Another form […]

Nonprofit Advocacy is More Than Lobbying

Published on: June 4, 2014August 21, 2016 by Michelle Baker 2 Comments

Advocacy is a powerful tool underutilized by public charities to advance their mission. And although the terms advocacy and lobbying are often used interchangeably, as lobbying is a form of advocacy, there are federal law limitations related to lobbying activities that do not extend to non-lobbying advocacy activities. Lobbying is defined as activities that attempt […]

5 Things Nonprofits Should Know About Ballot Measure Advocacy in California

Published on: May 7, 2014May 12, 2014 by Michele Berger

Ballot measure advocacy can be an important and powerful way to advance an organization’s mission and purpose. Last week, the Alliance for Justice hosted a Webinar to discuss the ways in which a 501(c)(3) organization may engage in ballot measure advocacy. Here is a list of 5 things nonprofits should know about advocating for […]

Independent Sector Public Policy Action Institute 2013: Key Issues in Tax Reform

Published on: September 29, 2013February 25, 2014 by Gene Takagi

Day Two of the Independent Sector Public Policy Action Institute kicked off with a session on tax reform moderated by Kyle Caldwell, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, and divided into five hot topics. Charitable Deduction. Richard Schmalbeck, Duke University School of Law, discussed the availability of a charitable contribution deduction only to itemized filers and the […]

Nonprofit Webinar on Advocacy, Lobbying, Election-Related Activities

Published on: April 17, 2012 by Gene Takagi

Emily and I are presenting on "Nonprofit Advocacy: Lobbying and Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s" for Nonprofit Webinars on April 18, 10 a.m. Pacific Time. Cost: Free. Many nonprofits often desire certain legislative and public policy changes by our legislators and publicly elected officials to help further or achieve their charitable missions. Nonprofits, however, often avoid […]

Emerging Leaders Program: Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership

Published on: September 22, 2010February 25, 2014 by Gene Takagi

The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) of the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership "addresses the core competencies needed to effectively manage organizations and complex programs as well as the leadership skills one needs to be successful within our quickly changing sector." Last week, Emily Chan and I spoke to the ELP group on various legal […]

Citizens United Ruling

Published on: January 27, 2010 by Gene Takagi

On January 21, 2010, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that corporations (including nonprofit corporations and unions) may make direct expenditures on political advertising in support of or in opposition to a candidate for public office. While nonprofit leaders and commentators are still analyzing what this means for […]