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Individual vs. Organizational  Activity

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Release Date: 09/16/2020

College Athletics, NIL and Nonprofits show art College Athletics, NIL and Nonprofits

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

One of the hottest topics in college athletics turns out to be about nonprofits. This episode unpacks how nonprofit colleges and third-party NIL collectives support individual student athletes, the governance and tax questions that follow, and what the recent NCAA settlement means for oversight and compliance. We also look ahead to emerging federal regulation and how nonprofits might engage in shaping what comes next.   Attorneys for this Episode ·      Tim Mooney ·      Victor Rivera   Why NIL Is a Nonprofit Issue ...

info_outline Ask Us Anything: Voter Registration show art Ask Us Anything: Voter Registration

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

In this episode, we’re answering questions from organizations about voter registration, which is, of course, timely given the upcoming midterm election season. Since these activities occur within an electoral framework, it's crucial to keep various legal aspects in mind while crafting and executing your voter registration campaigns. We’ll discuss the key considerations related to nonprofit tax law, federal election law, and state law.  Attorneys for this episode Sarah Efthymiou  Susan Finkle Sourlis   Monika Graham   Voter Registration   ...

info_outline Public Charities Can Lobby! show art Public Charities Can Lobby!

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this episode, we’re going back-to-basics to discuss the rules that apply when nonprofits engage in lobbying activities. With legislative sessions ramping-up in several states, it’s important to take time to understand the lobbying limits and definitions that apply to your organization’s advocacy. But, it’s even more important to recognize that public charities can lobby and advocate for or against legislation at the local, state, and federal levels. So, rally your staff and volunteers, and speak up, because...

info_outline 2026 Resolutions show art 2026 Resolutions

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Happy 2026! As policy shifts and new advocacy opportunities emerge, the Bolder Advocacy team is here to guide nonprofits so they can continue to advocate boldly while remaining compliant and effective. We’re kicking off the year with our Top 10 nonprofit New Year’s resolutions to help your organization thrive.     Attorneys for This Episode  Monika Graham  Victor Rivera Labiosa  Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort    Top 10 2026 Resolutions:   1. Deepen Mission Alignment  Clarity fuels momentum. Revisit your...

info_outline Celebrating Advocacy Wins show art Celebrating Advocacy Wins

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

It’s been a long year, and while progressive movements have faced real setbacks, that’s not the whole story. Across the country, nonprofits and the communities they serve pushed for justice and secured meaningful victories worth lifting up. On this episode, we celebrate several advocacy wins from 2025.   Attorneys for this episode:   Maggie Ellinger-Locke, she/her Susan Finkle Sourlis, she/her Melissa Marichal Zayas, she/her   Link:   Show Notes:   ·      Economic Justice   o      In May, Washington became...

info_outline Nonprofits Under Siege: Don’t Panic, Prepare! show art Nonprofits Under Siege: Don’t Panic, Prepare!

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

In recent months, the threats facing nonprofit organizations have continued to develop at a furious pace. In the face of challenges like funding reductions and congressional investigations, nonprofits are taking the time to shore up their defenses and prepare for what’s to come. On this episode, we’ll discuss several recent events that have the sector talking so that your nonprofit can take the steps necessary to ensure your continued ability to boldly advocate on behalf of your communities.   Attorneys for this episode ·      Brittany Hacker Leonard ...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this episode, we gather around the virtual table and share three success stories for nonprofit advocacy that may help to put a smile on your face and give you something positive to reflect on, in a year that could use a lot more of that.   Attorneys for this episode ·      Tim Mooney ·      Quyen Tu ·      Sarah Efthymiou   Shownotes UNIDOS MN Action and the power of advocacy ·      Driver’s licenses for undocumented people revoked in MN 2003 ...

info_outline Election Season Prep show art Election Season Prep

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Whether it be local elections or picking a new president, election season seems to always be lurking around the corner, so on today’s episode we’re unpacking what it means for 501(c)(3)s to remain nonpartisan and how these nonprofits can safely engage in several different types of advocacy during election season.    Attorneys for this episode  Monika Graham  Melissa Marichal Zayas  Sarah Efthymiou    Remaining Nonpartisan:  The rule is clear: 501(c)(3) organizations cannot engage in any activity or make statements that suggest...

info_outline Ask Us Anything show art Ask Us Anything

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

  As we head into the final stretch of 2025, we’re back on the mic to tackle some of the most common questions we hear about accountability advocacy. Whether your organization is calling out broken promises, uplifting community voices, or demanding action from those in power, this episode is all about giving nonprofit organizations the clarity, confidence, and tools to hold public officials accountable boldly and legally.    Attorneys for this episode  Natalie Ossenfort  Monika Graham  Victor Rivera    Shownotes Can 501(c)(3)...

info_outline SCOTUS Term Preview and Advocacy for 501(c)(3)s show art SCOTUS Term Preview and Advocacy for 501(c)(3)s

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

It's fall, it’s October and the US Supreme Court is back in session. On today’s episode, we have a special guest from the AFJ Justice team. We are joined by our colleague Jamal Lockings. With Jamall we will cover the big cases to be heard by the court. Then we will talk about how nonprofits can get involved with supreme court advocacy, nominees, and more while staying nonpartisan and being mindful of lobbying limits.    Attorneys for this Episode  Brittany Hacker  Susan Finkle Sourlis  Jamaal Lockings     Intro to Justice...

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More Episodes

Staff, volunteers and board members of 501(c)(3)s have to make sure they avoid supporting or opposing candidates on behalf of their organization when they’re on the clock. But, those rules only apply to the organization. People that work or volunteer for a 501(c)(3) can – on their own time, and in their  individual  capacity - support or oppose candidates of their choice. But, as always, the devil’s in the details.  On this episode, Tim, Leslie and Quyen cover best practices to keep your personal partisan support separate from your 501(c)(3) work. 

 

Our attorneys for this episode 

 

Shownotes 

  • 501(c)(3)s cannot support or oppose candidates for public office – see ROTG episode 01.  But those rules do not apply to individuals on their own time in their own capacity. 
  • Important to show separation  
  •  IRS Guidance is old 
  • Key is to ensure (c)(3) funds are not subsidizing personal partisan work  
  • Tips for showing separation on social media  
  • Multiple accounts I 
  • Disclaimers   
  • Can a (c)(3) employee go to the DNC? 
  • Yes, in personal capacity 
  • Employer may have policies that have added restrictions 
  • Best practices 
  • Acting in good faith  
  • Don’t be cute  
  • Do any partisan things on your own time  
  • Be clear that it's you and not the organization – know what hat you’re wearing 

 Resources