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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Release Date: 10/04/2023

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

The people voted on Tuesday for their choice of candidates and in many states they also voted on Ballot measures or ballot initiatives. Ballot measures offer voters a way to participate in direct democracy and can be a powerful tool for change. On this episode, we will discuss some of the ballot measures that were up for a vote in 2024 and the results. As regular listeners will know ballot measures, initiatives, propositions, or bond measures are lobbying. Although they are on the ballot, they are lobbying activity and voters are the lawmakers. Many nonprofits, both c3 public...

Individual Activity During Election Season

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On today’s episode, we dive into rules surrounding partisan activities for employees of 501(c)(3) organizations. With the election just around the corner, we will give you some best practices for how to keep your 501(c)(3) safe from any partisan activity while you engage in electoral work as an individual. Attorneys for this Episode Melissa Marichal Zayas Brittany Hacker Victor Rivera Labiosa Shownotes Rules for 501(c)(3) organizations Remain nonpartisan when acting on behalf of your 501(c)(3) ...

Ask Us Anything - Electionpalooza Edition

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Election season is well underway and politics is everywhere. It's one of our busiest time at Bolder Advocacy. On this episode, we bring you three of your questions to answer on the pod... it’s another round of Ask Us Anything, Electionpalooza Edition! Lawyers for this episode Tim Mooney Susan Finkle Sourlis Monika Graham Shownotes - Question: Presidential campaigns working with outside groups on door-to-door canvassing for their get-out-the-vote efforts— is this illegal coordination under federal election law? - Answer: - Base coordination rules...

Voter Assistance State Resources

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

With only a small handful of weeks remaining until the general election, you may be wondering about how you or your nonprofit can get involved in voter assistance activities such as providing rides to the polls, registering voters, and helping voters vote by mail. Would you be surprised that these activities are often regulated by both state and federal law? On this episode, we’ll discuss our Practical Guidance Voter Assistance resources series, created in partnership with Democracy Capacity Project, and explain some of the rules you should be thinking about in the final countdown to the big...

Election Protection and Nonpartisan Voter Assistance

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

This is a special rebroadcast of our episode on election protection and nonpartisan voter assistance from 2022. Since the original airing, Bolder Advocacy, in partnership with The Democracy Capacity Project, has expanded our series of state law guides on nonprofit voter assistance. Most states are covered and you can find them on our resource library page. We'll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode. --- On this episode, we’ll discuss how different types of tax-exempt organizations can ensure the right to vote is protected by engaging in election protection activities and...

AI and Election Disinformation

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

As AI continues to advance, its potential to influence elections and democracy, both positively and negatively, has become a critical issue. In this episode, we delve into the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and election disinformation with Jonathan Mehta Stein where he discusses how AI, particularly generative AI, can be used to create deepfakes and other misleading content that could destabilize elections, deceive voters, and potentially alter election outcomes. We also explore how nonprofits and community organizations can play a crucial role in combating this...

Litigation

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

As we’ve talked about on previous editions of the pod, advocacy includes a wide array of different options to help change things for the better in our communities. One of the more important, but less discussed methods, is litigation. On this episode, we dive into the role litigation plays in nonprofit advocacy, its treatment under the law, and things to think about if your nonprofit is looking to use this tool for good. Lawyers for this episode Natalie Ossenfort Tim Mooney Quyen Tu Litigation as an advocacy tool (citizen suits, appeals, amicus briefs etc.) Treatment under tax...

Student Advocacy

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

In this episode of the podcast, we explore the importance of student advocacy and voting. Additionally, we discuss how 501(c)(3) organizations can engage in advocacy efforts during election season. Joining us today is Ally, our Bolder Advocacy legal intern, to answer questions about the impact of student advocacy on campus. Hosts: Susan Finkle Sourlis (Attorney) Monika Graham (Attorney) Alexandra Roseberry (Intern) On-Campus Advocacy Culture On-Campus Activities Voter Laws and Students Getting Involved With Advocacy as a Student How Nonprofits Can Participate in...

Ask Us Anything

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

We are back again with another edition of Ask Us Anything where we select some of the most popular questions we've received lately to answer on the pod. We are also thrilled to introduce Bolder Advocacy's two newest attorneys Brittany Hacker and Melissa Marichal Zayasas they join us on the pod. 1. Effective Ways for 501(c)(3) Private Foundations to Advocate During Election Season: • Voter education • Issue advocacy • Conducting research and publishing reports • Making grants to public charities 2. Can Nonprofits Endorse Candidates Up for Election? • Differences in rules for...

Politically Motivated Attacks

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Political attacks on nonprofit organizations can come in many forms, including legal challenges or public smear campaigns. Given the current political climate, organizations that engage in policy reform and election season advocacy are coming under increased scrutiny. As a result, it is crucial to be proactive and develop a comprehensive strategy to safeguard your organization’s reputation and operations. On this episode, we will discuss how your organization can ready itself in advance of potential politically motivated attacks. Lawyers for this Episode Monika...

More Episodes

On this episode, it’s another round of your questions on all things advocacy! This time we tackle sign-on letters and election activity.

Attorneys for this Episode

Monika Graham

Tim Mooney

Victor Rivera

Shownotes

Sign-On Letters

We are currently working on a sign-on letter to build a wide coalition of supporters for a bill. Our goal is to have 500 partners sign on and for it to be sent to legislators and ask them to pass a certain piece of legislation. So it is indeed lobbying. The question for you is, are foundations allowed to sign on to such letters?

Praising and Criticizing Incumbents

In connection with issue advocacy, an organization may want to praise or criticize an elected public official for their actions, regardless of whether or not the official is also a candidate in an upcoming election. Is it OK to comment on the actions of elected officials if they are also candidates in an upcoming election?

Organizing a Candidate Debate or Forum

An organization is interested in organizing a candidate debate for a local race. Do we have to invite all candidates? What if only candidates from one party accept the invitation?

Is Nonpartisan Voting Information Now Partisan?

Early voting is starting in Virginia, and we wanted to make sure our community knows about it. But whether it’s early voting at the polls or vote by mail, it feels like this has become a partisan issue in the last few years. Is it ok for a 501(c)(3) to give out this information?

Resources

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