Lobbying & Grants to Non-501(c)(3) Entities: Know The Rules

Published on: March 24, 2016March 23, 2016 by Erin Bradrick

Although many people think otherwise, 501(c)(3) public charities are in fact permitted to engage to lobbying activities, provided such activities are an insubstantial amount of their overall activities. They are also generally permitted to fund any work of other entities, including non-public charities, that they could engage in themselves, including lobbying activities. However, when a […]

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, 2014January 27, 2025 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 […]

Starting a Nonprofit: The Value of Making the 501(h) Lobbying Election

Published on: September 3, 2013October 7, 2022 by Michele Berger 3 Comments

Lobbying is one of the most underutilized tools available to a charity to advance its mission. Making the very simple 501(h) election is a painless way for most charities to increase their lobbying activities for stronger environmental protections, education reforms, access to health care, and a variety of other causes, with less uncertainty and clearly […]

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 […]