Nonprofits Working with Undocumented Activists
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Threats to find and deport undocumented immigrants in the United States have grown immensely since the start of the Trump administration. Nonprofits can continue fight for immigrant rights and include undocumented activists in their advocacy efforts. Even though we at Alliance for Justice aren’t immigration lawyers (so what comes out of our mouth will not be legal advice), we felt it was important to address how nonprofits can work with undocumented activists and continue to fight for immigrant rights. In today’s episode, we’ll first talk about what undocumented activists can and cannot...
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Robocalling and Texting Campaigns
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Does your nonprofit want to build power and amplify its impact by engaging in robocalling and texting campaigns? Would it surprise you to find out that while this type of advocacy can effectively boost your reach and put you in touch with thousands (even millions) of supporters, it also comes with rules related to opt-out requirements, mandatory disclaimers, prior consent, and more? On this episode, we’ll introduce you to our new Robocalling guide and walk through several of the issues your nonprofit needs to think about before you pick up the phone or click send on a robocall or robotext...
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Ask Us Anything
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Every day we answer questions from nonprofits about how they can be the most effective advocates they can be while staying legal. On this edition, we answer some of your questions as we get ready for a big year of advocacy! Attorneys for this Episode Brittany Hacker Monika Graham Tim Mooney How can a grantmaking organization effectively fund advocacy efforts while adhering to IRS regulations and maximizing impact? • Transformative Impact of Advocacy Funding:...
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Memos, EOs and Impacts on Nonprofits
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode of the podcast, we will talk about the deluge of executive orders and a new memo freezing funding that has come in at the start of Trump’s new administration. How will they effect the work of non-profits and what can you do to support or oppose these and future executive orders. Attorneys for this Episode Tim Mooney Brittany Hacker Federal Funding Freeze Memo and Executive Orders • Memo issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). • Halt on grants and loans distributed by the federal government. • Implications for Medicaid, WIC, and...
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Advocacy Check Up
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
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 organizations assess your overall compliance with federal and state advocacy-related tracking and reporting requirements, and to identify opportunities to build your organization’s advocacy capacity. Attorneys for this Episode Quyen Tu Sarah Efthymiou Susan Finkle Sourlis ü Governance & Administration:...
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Nonprofit New Year’s Resolutions 2025
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
It’s officially 2025, and nonprofits across the country are diligently preparing for upcoming legislative sessions, a presidential transition, and other critical advocacy initiatives. The Alliance for Justice Bolder Advocacy team is here to help when questions arise about nonprofits’ ability to engage with government officials and pursue policy change. In the meantime, we’ve also compiled a list of our Top 10 nonprofit New Year’s resolutions to help your organization ready itself for 2025 and beyond. Attorneys for this Episode Monika Graham Victor...
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Are the 501(c)(4) Rules Changing?
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
A recent Fifth Circuit holding in Memorial Hermann has caught the attention of lawyers in our space, with some wondering if the tax law rules on how 501(c)(4)s operate may change. But what did the court really say, and how should 501(c)(4) advocacy organizations react? On this special holiday edition of the pod, we are joined by Larry Gold of Trister Ross Schadler and Gold to understand what this case says and what it means for (c)(4)s in 2025 and beyond. Attorneys for this episode Tim Mooney Susan Finkle Sourlis Larry Gold, Show notes ...
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Transition Advocacy
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we discuss how nonprofits can engage in advocacy during this time of transition and prepare for 2025. Attorneys for this episode Sarah Efthymiou Víctor Rivera Labiosa Melissa Marichal Zayas Show Notes Post-Election Communications: Prohibition on Campaign Intervention · Keep in mind that 501(c)(3)s should never indicate that they support or oppose candidates for public office, whether in the past, present, or future. Permissible communications for 501(c)(3)s: Congratulating a newly elected official or thanking a former candidate...
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Giving Thanks
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
It’s the holiday season, and we here at the Rules of the Game podcast would like to embrace the opportunity to give thanks to several amazing nonprofits, who thrived in the face of adversity, boosted civic engagement, successfully led the charge on critical advocacy initiatives, and supported their communities in times of need. From North Carolina, to Colorado, to Missouri, and beyond, nonprofit advocates boldly stood up to protect democracy, defend our rights, and secure justice for all. So, as we gather around the table with family and friends this week, we want to celebrate them and their...
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Ballot Measure Wins
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...
info_outlineOn this episode, we discuss how nonprofits can engage in advocacy during this time of transition and prepare for 2025.
Attorneys for this episode
Sarah Efthymiou
Víctor Rivera Labiosa
Melissa Marichal Zayas
Show Notes
Post-Election Communications: Prohibition on Campaign Intervention
· Keep in mind that 501(c)(3)s should never indicate that they support or oppose candidates for public office, whether in the past, present, or future.
- Permissible communications for 501(c)(3)s:
- Congratulating a newly elected official or thanking a former candidate for their hard work during the election.
- Discussing the organization’s nonpartisan voter engagement.
- Commenting on the demographics of who voted or didn’t vote.
- Encouraging a peaceful continuation or transfer of office.
· Impermissible communications for 501(c)(3)s include:
o Suggesting that the organization attempted to influence the outcome of an election.
o Supporting efforts to draft a named person to run for office in a future election.
o Declaring that the organization or voters will hold an elected official accountable in the next election.
Transition Advocacy: Is it Lobbying?
· Transition advocacy is a hot topic, especially after elections, and one of the most common questions we get from 501(c)(3) public charities is whether it counts as lobbying. The short answer? Sometimes, yes—but often not.
· In general, lobbying involves efforts to influence specific legislation. For 501(c)(3) organizations operating under the insubstantial part test, advocacy for or against legislation qualifies may count as lobbying.
· If an organization has made the 501(h) election—which allows nonprofits to maximize and clarify their lobbying limits—the IRS uses a different definition. Under the 501(h) expenditure test, lobbying breaks down into two categories:
o Direct lobbying: Speaking to a legislator and expressing a view about specific legislation.
o Grassroots lobbying: Communicating with the general public to express a view on specific legislation andincluding a call to action.
· Under the 501(h) expenditure test, two key factors determine whether your activity qualifies as direct lobbying:
o Are you speaking to a legislator?
o Is the topic you’re discussing considered specific legislation?
If the answer to both is "yes," it likely counts as lobbying.
· Examples of lobbying activities during transition period:
o Advocating about spending priorities
o Supporting/opposing nominations of new exec cabinet officials or judiciary
o Advocating for changes in laws or amending current laws
o Advocating for a new program – if would require new legislation
· Important to assess what you’re saying, who you’re saying it to, and whether any exceptions apply.
Transition Advocacy: When is it Not Lobbying?
· Some organizations may try to avoid engaging in lobbying activities so it’s important to understand what their non-lobbying options are during this transition
· During this period, organizations can try to get to know their newly elected officials. Meeting with these officials, without trying to influence any nomination process or any piece of legislation (including the budget process), does not count as a lobbying activity.
· On top of that, nonprofit organizations can do the following:
o Recommend transition team members
o Get involved in the executive order process
o Develop relationships with these newly elected officials
o Talk about nominations that do not require the advice and consent of a legislative body (or a legislative vote)
o Actively participate in the rulemaking process
§ Beware: it may count as a lobbying activity at the state/local level
o Take advantage of the 501(h) lobbying exceptions!
Resources
Can We Say That? Post-Election Advocacy for 501(c)(3) Organizations
Preparing for Change: How Nonprofits Can Shape Policy By Engaging Transition Teams