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Nonprofit New Year's Resolutions

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Release Date: 12/27/2023

Nonpartisan Voter Engagement with Nonprofit Vote's Brian Miller show art Nonpartisan Voter Engagement with Nonprofit Vote's Brian Miller

Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this edition we chat with Nonprofit Vote Executive Director Brian Miller about the organization’s efforts to expand nonpartisan voter engagement, the fascinating findings in its latest , and the challenges and strategies for a successful nonpartisan campaign. On this episode Tim Mooney Quyen Tu Special Guest - Brian Miller, Executive Director,   ·       Introduction ·       About Nonprofit Vote ·       National organization providing resources and training to help nonprofits engage...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this episode, we will discuss how nonprofits can respond when they are asked to share their resources with others. Whether it’s data, a mailing list, office space, or something else of value, your nonprofit needs to know what to do when asked to share its assets with other people and groups. And guess what! Your organization’s tax status will come into play. If you’re a 501(c)(3), you need to be particularly careful, especially when interacting with non-(c)(3)s. We’ll dive in deep and answer the question “Can We Rent (or Share) That?” in the minutes to come.   Our Attorneys...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this special edition from the BISC (Ballot Initiative Strategy Center) Road Ahead 2024 conference held in Las Vegas, we bring our takeaways from our sessions on ballot measure advocacy, including handling misinformation, tips on campaigning, garnering cross-ideological support and more.   Lawyers on this episode: Sarah Efthymiou Tim Mooney     Handling misinformation in ballot measure campaigns    - Strategies to counter misinformation and disinformation.    - Focus on highlighting correct information rather than amplifying incorrect details.   How...

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Guess What! It’s 2024, which means we have a BIG election on the horizon. Not only will voters take to the polls to decide who will be our next President, but they’ll also be invited to speak their voice in relation to ballot measures and down ballot races that will impact our laws and determine who will represent us in local government, state legislatures, Congress, the courts, and more! With so much at stake, many private and public foundations may be curious whether they have a role to play. The answer is YES! And, this episode of the podcast will discuss the rules foundations need to...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this edition, we answer some of those “greatest hits” questions we always talk about in the intro every week. And since we have primaries and spring elections coming up, we decided to do an all-elections episode to get you ready for your election season advocacy.   Lawyers for this Episode Sarah Efthymiou Susan Finkle Sourlis Tim Mooney   Shownotes  “Can our 501(c)(3) invite a candidate to speak at our fundraising event?” “In Oregon, we have 5 of our 7 Supreme Court seats up for election this spring, but since the candidates are nonpartisan I was wondering if our...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

For our 100th episode, we are excited to chat with the incomparable Vu Le of . Vu brings his unique blend of insight, humor, and a pinch of provocation to the table, all wrapped up in the perspectives you've come to know from his writing. Vu is a treasure trove of wisdom for the nonprofit world and his takes are all his own and don't necessarily reflect those of Alliance for Justice. A huge thank you for listening (and occasionally watching) our brand of spicy tax law for these 100 episodes, and what a better way to celebrate than with a guest who's not afraid to shake things up all in the...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this episode, we discuss The Connection, Bolder Advocacy’s go-to guide on how to create and operate 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and political organizations. In 2024, we release our 5th edition of The Connection and include several important updates your nonprofit needs to know about as we move into a contentious election season. If your nonprofit has questions about how to safely operate affiliated organizations or how to boost civic engagement in coalition with organizations that have a different tax-exempt status than your own, The Connection has the answers.   Attorneys for this show...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Exploring grassroots advocacy and the various activities that grassroots organizations can use to advance their mission and bring about positive policy change. Attorneys for this Episode Monika Graham Natalie Ossenfort Victor Rivera Shownotes  Introduction  Issue Advocacy and Lobbying  Rallies, Town Halls, and Community Mobilization  Persuading Elected Officials  Advocacy Days and Lobbying  Ballot Measures and Elections  Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns  Get Out the Vote Campaigns  Spotlight: Grassroots Organizations  Resources and...

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Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

On this episode, we discuss best practices for 501(c)(3) public charities conducting advocacy and nonpartisan activities, like get out the vote or voter education activities during an election year. Election year is upon us and the presidential primaries and caucuses, and primaries for other elected offices are starting to take place and will continue through the November General election.   Attorneys for this show Monika Graham, Susan Finkle-Sourlis, and Leslie Barnes Show Notes ·      May 501c3 public charities advocate in an election year? How can a public...

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On this episode, we’re going to talk about those pesky new year’s resolutions… and no, we’re not talking about signing up for a gym membership or signing up for a marathon. We’re talking about resolutions that nonprofit organizations can apply as we enter into the year 2024. As you all know, 2024 is like Stefon from SNL, it has everythingprimaries, general elections, an additional day So as you are headed for your holiday break, we wanted to leave you with a list of things your nonprofit organization can do as we head into the new year.  

 

AFJ Team Members on this Episode: 

Natalie Ossenfort 

Monika Graham 

Victor Rivera 

On this Episode: 

Top ten things your nonprofit organization can do to maximize its advocacy in 2024: [drumroll] 

Host an elections training for staff ahead of the 2024 primaries and general election 

Remember that while 501(c)(3)s are not permitted to support or oppose candidates for public office, they CAN engage in nonpartisan election-related activities. 

Bolder Advocacy can help you navigate the do’s and don’ts with an elections workshop. Request a private workshop through our website or check out one of our many 2024 public webinars. 

Consider organizing a GOTV campaign or voter registration drive. 

Check voter registration deadlines that apply to primaries and general election. 

Brush up on your state’s voter engagement and registration laws. Check out our Practical Guidance – Voter Assistance series, created in partnership with The Democracy Capacity Project.  

Remember that all 501(c)(3) voter registration efforts must be nonpartisan. 

Prepare staff and volunteers to NOT answer the question: “Who should I vote for?” 

Offer services to all. 

Avoid partisan targeting. 

Invite members of your coalition to participate in a voter education campaign, which could include a nonpartisan candidate questionnaire and/or voter guide. Guidelines for creating 501(c)(3) safe candidate questionnaires and voter guides include: 

Use unbiased, open-ended questions (distributed to ALL candidates). 

Cover a broad range of issues. You’ll also want to avoid comparing your organization’s position on an issue to where candidates stand. 

Publish all responses impartially and equally (with no editing or variations in font, formatting, etc.), and make the final guide generally available to the public. 

Remember NOT to include candidate pledges. 

Also, do not coordinate with candidates and campaigns.  

Just remember, facts and circumstances matter, so consult with Counsel if you have any questions regarding your specific voter education activities. 

Organize events inviting public officials to speak during election season. Remember to make the distinction between a candidate appearance and an incumbent appearance.  

Candidate appearances: must invite all viable candidates, avoid expressing support or opposition for candidate, do not allow candidate fundraising, and ensure compliance with state and federal election laws. 

Policymaker appearances (in official capacity, unrelated to candidacy): No equal opportunity required, but make sure you’re working with official staff (not campaign staff) and that you reiterate to the incumbent and their staff in writing that you are a 501(c)(3) that is not allowed to support or oppose candidates. Incumbents who are also candidates should not mention their candidacy at your event. And you should also avoid speaking to their upcoming election and focus, instead, on their official acts as policymakers. 

If you are a 501c4, consider making independent expenditures or coming up with a list of endorsements. 

501(c)(4)s can engage in partisan political activity as a secondary activity of the organization, but they are prohibited from making candidate contributions and coordinating activities with federal candidates and campaigns (under federal election law) and are oftentimes subject to similar prohibitions at the state and local level. 

IE’s and other partisan activity may trigger campaign finance reporting. 

If your 501(c)(4) has an affiliated 501(c)(3), remember that 501(c)(3)s can’t support or oppose candidates. This means that any (c)(4) partisan work should be kept entirely separate from any joint projects you may have between your organizations and be carried out with (c)(4) resources ONLY. 

Don’t forget… you can continue to advocate or lobby for issues that are central to your organization’s mission! 

Know your organization’s lobbying limits. 

Be aware of state and local lobbying laws that might apply to your work. Our State Practical Guidance - Lobbying series (created in partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project) now includes state-level guidance for all 50 states and DC. 

Educate supporters, policymakers, allies, and other interested parties about the current policies and problems affecting your community. 

Produce resources that reflect the real story of your community and its needs. 

If you’re a 501(c)(3), avoid comparing your organization’s position on an issue to where the candidates or parties stand on that issue. 

Have a track record of working on the issue. 

Talk about issues as they arise, as opposed to timing your issue-based communications to coincide with upcoming election dates. 

Avoid suggesting how voters should vote or mentioning the election in relation to your issue advocacy. 

Don’t be afraid to comment on candidates or campaigns, but remember the facts and circumstances matter. To avoid impermissible partisan activity, 501(c)(3)s should: 

Focus on what was said (the issue), not who said it (the candidate). 

Avoid discussing a candidate’s record or qualifications. 

Avoid talking about voters and making references to upcoming elections. 

Avoid identifying candidates by name. 

Issue disclaimers / reminders of your (c)(3) status and inability to support or oppose candidates for public office. 

Make sure any staff who speak on behalf of the organization are well-trained and understand the rules. 

Write an Op-ed and share your expertise on an issue that is core to your nonprofit’s mission, and establish your organization as a trusted thought leader. 

Launch or engage in litigation to challenge an unconstitutional law 

Litigation is different from lobbying and not subject to c3 lobbying limits. 

Remember that state and federal courts matter. To learn more about your state courts or the federal judiciary, visit www.afj.org.  

 

Resources: 

What is Advocacy? 2.0  

Practical Guidance – Lobbying Series 

Practical Guidance – Voter Assistance Series 

Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns Factsheet 

Hosting Candidates at Charitable Events Factsheet 

Public Charities Can Lobby Factsheet 

BA’s Trainings and Events