Advocacy for Gender & Reproductive Justice
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Release Date: 05/28/2025
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 /...
info_outlineRules 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...
info_outlineRules 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 ...
info_outlineRules 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: ...
info_outlineRules 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_outlineRules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode of the Rules of the Game podcast, the second installment of our eight-part series focusing on critical issues, we dive into the latest headlines shaping racial justice and immigrant rights. We’ll explore how nonprofits can play a pivotal role in advocating for change through legislative, executive, and judicial channels. From raising awareness to securing funding for advocacy efforts, nonprofits across the nation are stepping up in the fight to protect our rights. This episode not only highlights their impactful work but also provides crucial insights into the rules...
info_outlineRules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode of the Rules of the Game podcast (the first in an eight-part, issue-specific podcast series), we’ll discuss recent headlines impacting the LGBTQ+ community and explain how nonprofits can take action with legislative, executive branch, and judicial branch advocacy. From responding to executive orders to initiating litigation, nonprofits across the country are standing up to fight for our rights. This episode will highlight their work and provide information about the rules that apply when nonprofits engage in advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community. Attorneys for...
info_outlineRules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
For regular listeners of the pod, you may recall that we’ve discussed fiscal sponsorship in past episodes. Fiscal sponsorship is a great way for a new charitable organization to work with an existing 501(c)(3) to get up and running (including engaging in important advocacy) whether waiting to receive its own IRS tax-exempt status or not. Today, we’re going to look at this topic form a different point of view – that is, from the fiscal sponsor’s perspective. On this episode, we’ll chat about considerations fiscal sponsors should keep in mind when engaging in, and when...
info_outlineRules 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...
info_outlineRules 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...
info_outlineOn 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
Shownotes
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Gender and Reproductive Justice Headlines
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Executive Branch Actions
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Since taking office, President Trump has signed several sweeping executive orders that undermine the rights of transgender people and women and reduce access to reproductive health care.
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These include, for example, orders that terminate federal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs; rescind executive orders that expanded access to reproductive health care; ban transgender people from serving in the military; limit coverage for gender-affirming care; and require federal agencies to recognize only two, “not changeable” sexes.
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The DOJ has announced that, outside of extraordinary circumstances, it will stop enforcing the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, a law that protects reproductive clinic staff from violence and harassment.
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HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has directed the FDA to review its approval of the medication abortion pill Mifepristone.
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We’ve also seen major funding cuts across several agencies. HHS, for example, has terminated NIH grants focused on LGBTQ+ health issues and frozen millions of dollars of Title X funds, which help provide reproductive health services in low-income communities.
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Litigation
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Many nonprofits, as well as state attorneys general, have filed lawsuits challenging the executive orders that seek to curtail LGBTQ+ rights and DEI initiatives.
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In February, for example, a group of several civil rights nonprofits, along with Crowell & Moring LLP, filed a lawsuit on behalf of Chicago Women in Trades to challenge the Trump administration’s anti-DEI executive orders. As a result, a federal court has temporarily blocked the Labor Department from requiring Chicago Women in Trades and other federal contracts or grant recipients to certify that they don’t operate any programs that violate Federal anti-discrimination laws, which one of these EOs would require.
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Many other provisions of these EOs, however, remain in effect as the cases make their way through the courts.
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The National Council of Nonprofits has a continuously updated chart tracking executive orders that impact nonprofits and their current legal status. Just Security has an even broader resource that is tracking all legal challenges to Trump administration actions.
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Legislation
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Congress is currently considering deep cuts to Medicaid. These proposed cuts would lead to an estimated 8 million Americans becoming uninsured, and would eliminate all federal funding to Planned Parenthood, including funding for preventative health screenings and testing. Proposed budget cuts would also further restrict transgender peoples’ access to gender-affirming care.
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In Missouri, the state legislature recently approved a new ballot referendum that, if passed, would repeal last year’s voter-approved constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to abortion. This ballet referendum will appear on the ballot in November of 2026 or earlier if Missouri’s governor calls a special election.
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What can 501(c)(3)s do to respond?
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As a reminder, 501(c)(3)s cannot support or oppose candidates for elective public office. This means they can’t engage in activity that helps or hurts the chances of a candidate winning an election.
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But here’s what they can do: They can engage in an unlimited amount of non-lobbying advocacy, and they can engage in a limited amount of lobbying.
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Non-Lobbying Advocacy
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Educate the public about issues of importance to your organization
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The Center for Reproductive Rights’ tool, Repro Red Flags: Agency Watch, which tracks key Trump administration appointments and actions related to reproductive health.
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PFLAG is tracking and reporting on federal and state legislation and litigation impacting the LGBTQ+ community through its weekly Policy Matters Newsletter and Executive Orders Explainers and Resources web page.
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The National Women’s Law Center has released a report highlighting how the cuts would impact women and LGBTQ+ individuals.
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Engage in administrative advocacy
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A March letter sent by Equal Rights Advocates and several other civil rights organizations to Acting EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas urges her to immediately withdraw a series of letters and guidance documents pressuring employers to abandon DEI programs.
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Hold a rally
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In April, the Coalition for Inclusive Schools & Communities, Live in Your Truth, and the Montgomery County Pride Family held a rally in support of inclusive education outside the U.S. Supreme Court during oral arguments in Mahmoud v. Taylor.
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Initiate or participate in litigation
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In May, a Michigan state court permanently struck down three of Michigan’s abortion restrictions, agreeing with Northland Family Planning Centers and Medical Students for Choice—two nonprofits plaintiffs represented by the Center for Reproductive Rights—that the restrictions violate the state’s constitutional amendment.
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Fund advocacy
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Public and private foundations can fund advocacy through general operating grants or specific project grants.
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Lobbying
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501(c)(3) public charities can engage in lobbying, but they are limited in how much lobbying they may engage in.
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Under the federal tax rules, most public charities can choose between two tests to determine how much lobbying they can engage in: the insubstantial part test or the 501(h) expenditure test.
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Under either test, lobbying includes attempts to influence legislation at any level of government. The exact activities that will count as lobbying will depend on which test the organization uses.
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When engaging in lobbying, remember to track and report your lobbying on your annual Form 990, stay within your lobbying limits, and use unrestricted funds.
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In addition to the tax rules, federal, state, or local level lobbyist registration and reporting requirements may apply when engaging in legislative and executive branch advocacy. These requirements vary by state and city, so make sure to confirm the types of activities and thresholds that trigger reporting in the jurisdictions where you are lobbying.
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The IRS considers ballot measure advocacy a form of direct lobbying because the voters act as legislators when they vote to approve or reject a ballot measure, but keep in mind that your organization may also be required to register and report on ballot measure activity under state or local campaign finance laws.
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Since 2022, 501(c)(3) public charities have helped to pass ballot measures that establish a right to abortion in eleven states.
Resources
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Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet)
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What is Advocacy? 2.0 (Factsheet)