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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Can We Rent (Or Share) That?
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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Ballot Measure Advocacy Takeaways from the 2024 BISC Conference
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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Election Season Advocacy: What Your Foundation Needs to Know
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
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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Ask Us Anything
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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Bold AF with Vu Le
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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The Connection
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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Grassroots Advocacy
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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Nonpartisan Election Year Advocacy
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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Ballot Measure Insights
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this edition, we're thrilled to welcome from Elias Law Group, bringing her fresh perspective after successfully guiding clients to victory in the critical 2023 Ohio reproductive rights ballot measure fight. Emma will help shed light on the essential considerations for tax-exempt organizations before taking the plunge into a ballot measure campaign. Attorneys for this Episode Quyen Tu Tim Mooney Shownotes · Introducing Emma · Lessons from Ohio: o Progressives can work together to protect...
info_outlineOn 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
Natalie Ossenfort, Sarah Efthymiou, and Susan Finkle-Sourlis
Show Notes
· The Connection is one of Bolder Advocacy’s core advocacy resources.
o It pairs well with:
§ “Being a Player” (guide to lobbying regulations for advocacy charities)
§ “The Rules of the Game” (guide to election-related activities for 501(c)(3)s)
o This is the go-to resource for organizations on how they can amplify their impact and build grassroots power by utilizing multiple types of tax-exempt entities to address social problems and pursue policy change.
o It discusses the best practices you need to know about when working with 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and PACs
o The Connection was first published in 1988 and is primarily authored by Holly Schadler at Trister, Ross, Schadler, and Gold (with contributions from several of her teammates and allies in the field)
o 5th Edition releasing end of February or early March 2024
· What can you find in THE CONNECTION?
o Details on several different types of tax-exempt organizations and the advocacy activities they can engage in
o The rules 501(c)(4)s need to know when lobbying and engaging in political activities
o Information on how to create and operate affiliated c3 and c4 organizations (including a step-by-step overview of c4 formation procedures)
o The rules governing PACs (including state PACs federal PACs and 527s)
o Sample cost sharing agreement, sample 501(c)(3) public charity to 501(c)(4) grant agreement, information on the Lobbying Disclosure Act, and more!
· What’s new in the 5th edition?
o Information on new FEC disclaimer requirements for “internet public communications”
o Social media guidance for affiliated 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations
o Details on a recent FEC ruling impacting the use of disclaimers for text messaging
o Requirements for Super PACs and hybrid PACs (also known as Carey Committees)
· "The Connection” also contains several concrete examples to illustrate how the rules apply in real-world scenarios (utilizing fictional tax-exempt organizations, of course).
o These examples answer questions like:
§ What happens when a 501(c)(3) wants to make a grant to its affiliated 501(c)(4) for an educational research project?
§ What happens when a 501(c)(3) conducts a nonpartisan voter registration drive and wants its affiliated 501(c)(4) to have access to the list of registered voters? You’ll find out in “The Connection” that it can’t just give the list to its affiliated 501(c)(4) at no charge, but it could in some instances (when allowed under state law) sell its list at fair market value via an arms-length transaction.
§ And, what happens when a c4 publishes a monthly magazine on mission-related issues and then, in one edition of the magazine, decides to include an article about its candidate endorsements?
· There are examples of required disclaimers for independent expenditures and electioneering communications too.
o Brand new FEC regulations, published in January of this year, clarify what types of communications fall within the definition of “internet public communications” and what types of disclaimers are required when these communications expressly advocate for the election or defeat of federal candidates.
o The latest edition of “The Connection” addresses how the law requires these disclaimers to be adapted for different communication formats. Whether it’s a communication including text and graphics, a video, or an audio-only statement, disclaimer requirements vary.
o As such, “The Connection” is not only good for frontline nonprofit advocates, but for Communications, HR, and Accounting staff too!
Resources
The Connection (Strategies for Creating and Operating 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and Political Organizations)
Being a Player (A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities)
The Rules of the Game (A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations)