Lobbying Series Part 3 - Grassroots Lobbying
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Release Date: 02/10/2021
State Advocacy
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In today's episode, we’re focusing on the topic of state advocacy, specifically exploring the vital role that nonprofits play in shaping policy and driving change at the state level, and how that role is increasingly coming under attack. We will discuss some of the landscape nonprofits are currently facing at the state level and provide actionable tips for organizations looking to amplify their impact. And we’ll be sharing information about exciting new state resources that are in progress at Bolder Advocacy! Attorneys for this Episode Brittany Hacker Maggie Ellinger-Locke Sarah Efthymiou...
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Threats to Tax Exempt Status
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s especially important in today’s high-stakes advocacy environment — threats to your tax-exempt status. Yes, we’re talking about that precious 501(c)(3) status, the one that lets your organization do good in the world without paying taxes, and with the constant challenge of figuring out how to advocate, influence policy, and make change without accidentally stepping into ‘oops, we might lose our status’ territory. Attorneys for this Episode Monika Graham Victor Rivera Special guests, interns Ariana and Cecilia Shownotes Lobbying...
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Advocacy Check Up (Rebroadcast)
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
This is a special rebroadcast of an episode from earlier this year on a self assessment tool that our nonprofit listeners should know about because of the continued and on-going threats of politically motivated investigations and attacks on the sector. We'll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode. * * * For those who caught our most recent podcast on Nonprofit New Year’s Resolutions – Resolution #2 was to conduct an Advocacy Check Up. In this episode, we’re deeper into how to do that. We released new Nonprofit Self-Assessment tool, designed to help nonprofit...
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Politically Motivated Attacks Revisited
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
ROTG137 Politically Motivated Attacks Revisited Nonprofit advocates face a complex environment in 2025 where political disagreements routinely escalate into targeted attacks—ranging from carefully crafted misinformation to more extreme tactics like organizational funding cuts, subpoenas, and personal targeting. This episode explores the emerging challenges advocates encounter, offering insights into recognizing, preparing for, and navigating these increasingly sophisticated forms of political pushback. Attorneys for this Episode Brittany Hacker Tim Mooney Quyen Tu ...
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Advocacy for Labor and Economic Justice
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Today we're wrapping up our eight-part series by exploring how labor and economic justice nonprofits can advance their missions through advocacy. We'll cover recent developments and examine both lobbying and non-lobbying strategies that advocates are using to improve economic justice for all. Attorneys for this episode Tim Mooney Susan Finkle Sourlis Sarah Efthymiou Shownotes Current Events / Executive Orders · Trump Administration Directives Impacting Workers o In March, President Trump issued an executive order exempting...
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Advocacy for Health and Disability Rights
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Today we're diving into the seventh installment of our eight-part, issue-based podcast series, and we will explore how nonprofits that operate in the health and disability rights space can boldly advance their missions through advocacy. Not only will we touch on recent developments in the news, but we’ll also discuss various lobbying and non-lobbying strategies currently being used by nonprofit advocates working to improve healthcare access and disability rights. Attorneys for this episode Natalie Ossenfort Monika Graham Victor Rivera Shownotes Current Events /...
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Advocacy for Democracy and Voting Rights
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Today we're diving into the sixth of our eight-part series, exploring how nonprofits champion democracy and protect voting rights. We'll unpack the strategies these organizations use to advocate for democratic participation while operating within the law. This conversation feels especially urgent as we see acceleration to challenges to voting rights and democratic institutions in 2025. Attorneys for this episode Tim Mooney Natalie Ossenfort Susan Finkle Sourlis Shownotes Current Events / Executive Orders · Trump Administration...
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Advocacy for Gender & Reproductive Justice
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, the fifth installment of our eight-part, issue-specific series, we’ll explore how nonprofits can boldly and safely advocate for gender and reproductive justice. We’ll review recent policy developments and discuss how nonprofits can respond through legislative, executive, and judicial branch advocacy. Join us as we break down the rules and share recent examples of how nonprofits are advancing gender and reproductive justice. Attorneys for this episode Quyen Tu Brittany Hacker Melissa Marichal Zayas ...
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Advocacy for Environmental Justice
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In today's episode continuing our eight-part series, we examine how nonprofits are effectively advocating for environmental justice. We'll analyze practical strategies for building awareness and securing advocacy funding while navigating the regulatory frameworks that govern nonprofit activism. Join us for a clear-eyed look at how organizations are making meaningful progress in environmental protection and climate action. Attorneys for this episode Tim Mooney Quyen Tu Susan Finkle Sourlis Shownotes Current Events / Executive Orders: ...
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Advocacy for Criminal Legal Reform
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode of the Rules of the Game podcast (the third in an eight-part, issue-specific podcast series), we’ll discuss recent headlines impacting criminal legal reform advocates and explain how nonprofits can take action with legislative, executive branch, and judicial branch advocacy. From responding to legislative proposals to initiating litigation, nonprofits nationwide are standing up to fight for our rights and critical reforms to our criminal legal system. This episode will highlight their work and provide information about the rules that apply when nonprofits engage in advocacy...
info_outlineOn this episode, our third in our ongoing lobbying series, we’ll focus on grassroots lobbying for public charities that have made the 501(h) election.
Attorney Co-hosts
Natalie Ossenfort
Jen Powis
Quyen Tu
Recap of the 501(h) election
Recap of the 501(c)(3) lobbying limits
501(h) election allows you to calculate your lobbying limits
Grassroots limit is 25% of overall lobbying limits
Defining Grassroots Lobbying
1. Communication
2. with the General Public (not a legislator or member of the organization)
3. that Expresses a View about Specific Legislation
4. and contains a Call to Action
There are 4 specific types of calls to action. A call to action must comprise one of the following actions:
- tell the recipient to contact a legislator;
- provide information on how the recipient can contact her legislator, such as providing the phone number or address;
- provide a mechanism for enabling the recipient to contact her legislator, such as a postcard, petition, or email form; or
- identify a legislator who will vote on the legislation as being opposed to or undecided about the organization’s view on the legislation, a member of a legislative committee who will vote on the legislation, or the recipient’s legislator.
Examples of Grassroots Lobbying:
Examples of Non-Grassroots Lobbying:
Resources
When Does Your Activity Become Lobbying? (Factsheet)
Communicating With Your Members (Factsheet)