Advocacy for Democracy and Voting Rights
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Release Date: 06/11/2025
Election Season Prep
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Whether it be local elections or picking a new president, election season seems to always be lurking around the corner, so on today’s episode we’re unpacking what it means for 501(c)(3)s to remain nonpartisan and how these nonprofits can safely engage in several different types of advocacy during election season. Attorneys for this episode Monika Graham Melissa Marichal Zayas Sarah Efthymiou Remaining Nonpartisan: The rule is clear: 501(c)(3) organizations cannot engage in any activity or make statements that suggest...
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Ask Us Anything
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
As we head into the final stretch of 2025, we’re back on the mic to tackle some of the most common questions we hear about accountability advocacy. Whether your organization is calling out broken promises, uplifting community voices, or demanding action from those in power, this episode is all about giving nonprofit organizations the clarity, confidence, and tools to hold public officials accountable boldly and legally. Attorneys for this episode Natalie Ossenfort Monika Graham Victor Rivera Shownotes Can 501(c)(3)...
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SCOTUS Term Preview and Advocacy for 501(c)(3)s
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
It's fall, it’s October and the US Supreme Court is back in session. On today’s episode, we have a special guest from the AFJ Justice team. We are joined by our colleague Jamal Lockings. With Jamall we will cover the big cases to be heard by the court. Then we will talk about how nonprofits can get involved with supreme court advocacy, nominees, and more while staying nonpartisan and being mindful of lobbying limits. Attorneys for this Episode Brittany Hacker Susan Finkle Sourlis Jamaal Lockings Intro to Justice...
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Back to Basics: Comparing Tax-Exempt Organizations
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
With school back in session and fall in the air, it’s the perfect time to get back to basics on the Rules of the Game podcast. On today’s episode, we’ll review how the advocacy rules differ across the various types of tax-exempt organizations, including 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and PACs. Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just starting out, understanding these fundamentals is crucial for crafting bold advocacy plans that maximize your capacity and comply with the appropriate rules. Join us for a quick refresher! Attorneys for this Episode Melissa Marichal Zayas Natalie...
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Ballot Measures and California Redistricting
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Ballot measures give voters a chance to participate in direct democracy while providing nonprofit organizations with a powerful platform to educate the public about issues they champion. In this episode, we discuss California's pending redistricting ballot measure and other developments in direct democracy with returning guest Emma Olson Sharkey. Attorneys for this Episode • Tim Mooney • Susan Finkel Sourlis • The Importance of Ballot Measures · Ballot measures give voters direct power to shape laws and policies, bypassing legislatures. ...
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State Advocacy
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In today's episode, we’re focusing on the topic of state advocacy, specifically exploring the vital role that nonprofits play in shaping policy and driving change at the state level, and how that role is increasingly coming under attack. We will discuss some of the landscape nonprofits are currently facing at the state level and provide actionable tips for organizations looking to amplify their impact. And we’ll be sharing information about exciting new state resources that are in progress at Bolder Advocacy! Attorneys for this Episode Brittany Hacker Maggie Ellinger-Locke Sarah Efthymiou...
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Threats to Tax Exempt Status
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we’re diving into a topic that’s especially important in today’s high-stakes advocacy environment — threats to your tax-exempt status. Yes, we’re talking about that precious 501(c)(3) status, the one that lets your organization do good in the world without paying taxes, and with the constant challenge of figuring out how to advocate, influence policy, and make change without accidentally stepping into ‘oops, we might lose our status’ territory. Attorneys for this Episode Monika Graham Victor Rivera Special guests, interns Ariana and Cecilia Shownotes Lobbying...
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Advocacy Check Up (Rebroadcast)
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
This is a special rebroadcast of an episode from earlier this year on a self assessment tool that our nonprofit listeners should know about because of the continued and on-going threats of politically motivated investigations and attacks on the sector. We'll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode. * * * 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...
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Politically Motivated Attacks Revisited
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
ROTG137 Politically Motivated Attacks Revisited Nonprofit advocates face a complex environment in 2025 where political disagreements routinely escalate into targeted attacks—ranging from carefully crafted misinformation to more extreme tactics like organizational funding cuts, subpoenas, and personal targeting. This episode explores the emerging challenges advocates encounter, offering insights into recognizing, preparing for, and navigating these increasingly sophisticated forms of political pushback. Attorneys for this Episode Brittany Hacker Tim Mooney Quyen Tu ...
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Advocacy for Labor and Economic Justice
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Today we're wrapping up our eight-part series by exploring how labor and economic justice nonprofits can advance their missions through advocacy. We'll cover recent developments and examine both lobbying and non-lobbying strategies that advocates are using to improve economic justice for all. Attorneys for this episode Tim Mooney Susan Finkle Sourlis Sarah Efthymiou Shownotes Current Events / Executive Orders · Trump Administration Directives Impacting Workers o In March, President Trump issued an executive order exempting...
info_outlineToday 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 Directives on Voting & Civil Rights
o Disbanded the DOJ Voting Rights Section’s Election Monitoring Program.
o Rescinded Biden executive order promoting federal agency voter registration partnerships
o Halted implementation of interagency plans for voter access through social service agencies, and redirecting the Election Assistance Commission to implement draconian requirements outside the scope of its mission his authority over it.
· Impact on Vulnerable Communities
o Revoked supporting access to the ballot for voters with disabilities and non-English speakers.
o Pressured USPS to deprioritize ballot delivery during election periods and issued an EO that attempts to reject mail in ballots postmarked on Election Day but received afterward.
Nonlobbying Advocacy
Although you may consider this an off year for federal elections (but many local and state elections are happening this year) – now is the time to work to ensure the protection of voting rights for the future.
Advocacy can take many forms, lobbying is just one form. There are many ways organizations can advocate for change to ensure democracy and voting rights are secure. Organizing, educating the public, conducting research, executive branch and regulatory activities, working with your local state board of elections, trainings and litigation just to name a few way.
Here are some ways organizations have undertake
· Educate the Public
o Democracy North Carolina launched a digital explainer on redistricting and gerrymandering for community audiences, and engaged in election protection work. This included monitoring polling stations for long lines, problems with voting, voting misinformation.
· Hold a Rally or Event
o Detroit Action organized “Halloween Early Vote,” a trunk or treat in a historically underrepresented part of Detroit, promoting civic pride, early voting… and candy.
· Litigation as Advocacy
o Campaign Legal Center and Southern Poverty Law Center sued Louisiana for new proof of citizenship documentation as a violation of federal law.
o League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund, the Democratic National Committee and others sued to overturn Trump’s federal elections executive order, successfully enjoining some of the more egregious parts of it.
Foundation-Funded Advocacy
· Public and private foundations can fund 501(c)(3) nonpartisan voter engagement activities that do not support or oppose candidates for public office.
· Special rules for private foundations re: voter registration drives (grants must be for nonpartisan VR drives conducted in 5 or more states over multiple election cycles), but community foundations can fund VR even for small, local, grassroots organizations.
· Ford Foundation and Carnegie Corporation of New York have supported nonpartisan voter education and rights litigation to strengthen democracy and public trust in government.
Lobbying
· Legislative Wins
o New York: Enacted the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act, pushed through with support from a coalition including Legal Defense Fund and Citizen Action of NY
o New Mexico: Passed legislation mandating automatic and same-day voter registration following lobbying by ProgressNow NM and allies.
· Ballot Measures Protecting Voting Rights
o Michigan Proposal 2 (2022): Guaranteed early voting and drop boxes; supported by Voters Not Politicians and League of Women Voters of Michigan.
o Arizona: Local advocates, including Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), defeated multiple voter suppression ballot initiatives.
o Nevada: Voters passed automatic voter registration (2018) and expanded it further in 2022 with strong nonprofit support.
Resources
· Democracy & Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Democracy and Voting Rights
· Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet)
· Practical Guidance: what your nonprofit needs to know about lobbying in your state
· Investing in Change: A Funder’s Guide to Supporting Advocacy
· Seize the initiative