Advocacy for Health and Disability Rights
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Release Date: 06/25/2025
Legislative Update
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Legislative season is underway, and we’re seeing a wave of proposals that could significantly reshape the operating environment for nonprofits and advocacy organizations. We’re tracking over 1,000 bills across the country, and while some of them do positive things, like make improvements to our electoral system or increase voter turnout, unfortunately, most of these measures are taking aim at impactful nonprofit advocacy. These proposals collectively reflect an erosion of the civic space in the nonprofit ecosystem. We’re here to break down some of the key trends and help you stay...
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Litigation Update
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this edition, we open up the docket and get an update on the variety of court cases that impact tax-exempt organizations and their ability to advocate on the issues they care about. And to help with that, we’re joined once again by friend of the pod Emma Olson Sharkey from Elias Law Group to help demystify what’s happening in the courts and how it might impact you and your work. Attorneys for this episode Brittany Hacker Leonard Tim Mooney Emma Olson Sharkey – Elias Law Group Shownotes 501(c)(4) political activity Freedom Path, Inc. v. IRS (D.D.C.) Memorial Hermann Accountable...
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College Athletics, NIL and Nonprofits
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
One of the hottest topics in college athletics turns out to be about nonprofits. This episode unpacks how nonprofit colleges and third-party NIL collectives support individual student athletes, the governance and tax questions that follow, and what the recent NCAA settlement means for oversight and compliance. We also look ahead to emerging federal regulation and how nonprofits might engage in shaping what comes next. Attorneys for this Episode · Tim Mooney · Victor Rivera Why NIL Is a Nonprofit Issue ...
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Ask Us Anything: Voter Registration
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In this episode, we’re answering questions from organizations about voter registration, which is, of course, timely given the upcoming midterm election season. Since these activities occur within an electoral framework, it's crucial to keep various legal aspects in mind while crafting and executing your voter registration campaigns. We’ll discuss the key considerations related to nonprofit tax law, federal election law, and state law. Attorneys for this episode Sarah Efthymiou Susan Finkle Sourlis Monika Graham Voter Registration ...
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Public Charities Can Lobby!
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we’re going back-to-basics to discuss the rules that apply when nonprofits engage in lobbying activities. With legislative sessions ramping-up in several states, it’s important to take time to understand the lobbying limits and definitions that apply to your organization’s advocacy. But, it’s even more important to recognize that public charities can lobby and advocate for or against legislation at the local, state, and federal levels. So, rally your staff and volunteers, and speak up, because...
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2026 Resolutions
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
Happy 2026! As policy shifts and new advocacy opportunities emerge, the Bolder Advocacy team is here to guide nonprofits so they can continue to advocate boldly while remaining compliant and effective. We’re kicking off the year with our Top 10 nonprofit New Year’s resolutions to help your organization thrive. Attorneys for This Episode Monika Graham Victor Rivera Labiosa Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort Top 10 2026 Resolutions: 1. Deepen Mission Alignment Clarity fuels momentum. Revisit your...
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Celebrating Advocacy Wins
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
It’s been a long year, and while progressive movements have faced real setbacks, that’s not the whole story. Across the country, nonprofits and the communities they serve pushed for justice and secured meaningful victories worth lifting up. On this episode, we celebrate several advocacy wins from 2025. Attorneys for this episode: Maggie Ellinger-Locke, she/her Susan Finkle Sourlis, she/her Melissa Marichal Zayas, she/her Link: Show Notes: · Economic Justice o In May, Washington became...
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Nonprofits Under Siege: Don’t Panic, Prepare!
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
In recent months, the threats facing nonprofit organizations have continued to develop at a furious pace. In the face of challenges like funding reductions and congressional investigations, nonprofits are taking the time to shore up their defenses and prepare for what’s to come. On this episode, we’ll discuss several recent events that have the sector talking so that your nonprofit can take the steps necessary to ensure your continued ability to boldly advocate on behalf of your communities. Attorneys for this episode · Brittany Hacker Leonard ...
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Giving Thanks
Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast
On this episode, we gather around the virtual table and share three success stories for nonprofit advocacy that may help to put a smile on your face and give you something positive to reflect on, in a year that could use a lot more of that. Attorneys for this episode · Tim Mooney · Quyen Tu · Sarah Efthymiou Shownotes UNIDOS MN Action and the power of advocacy · Driver’s licenses for undocumented people revoked in MN 2003 ...
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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...
info_outlineToday 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 / Executive Orders
· Trump Administration Directives on Health & Disability Rights
o The One Big Beautiful Bill introduces new eligibility requirements that will exclude an estimated 5.2 million adults from receiving Medicaid benefits. In total, over 8.6 million adults could lose healthcare coverage as a result of this bill.
o Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently dismissed the 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.
o Reports estimate that the Department of Health and Human Services has cut over 10,000 employees.
o The Trump administration has also taken recent actions that limit healthcare coverage for gender-affirming care in its crusade against gender ideology.
· Supreme Court victory for disability rights
o The US Supreme Court unanimously held that children with disabilities should have an easier path to sue or seek recourse against schools for failing to provide ADA-compliant accommodations. This lower barrier of entry to bring legal claims represents a significant victory for disability rights groups.
Non-lobbying Advocacy
Advocacy can take many forms, and lobbying is just one form. Your organization can engage in non-lobbying activities like: Organizing, educating the public, conducting research, executive branch and regulatory activities, working with your local state board of elections, training and litigation are just a few examples.
· Educating the Public
o The Arc’s North Carolina chapter, an AFJ member organization, continues to shed light on how recent actions by the Trump administration may have a lasting impact on the rights of students with disabilities.
· Holding a Rally
o This February[GU1] [VR2] [VR3] [GU4] , several health and disability rights groups held a Disability Advocacy Day at the Missouri Capitol. During the event, attendees urged the state to withdraw from a lawsuit brought on by 17 attorneys generals, including the Missouri AG. The groups want to keep federal protections for people with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Section 504 provides funds for special accommodations for students and protects qualified individuals with disabilities.
· Litigation as Advocacy
o Planned Parenthood of Montana is celebrating a recent legal victory in the abortion space. by The Montana Supreme Court blocked several anti-abortion laws from taking effect in Montana that would institute a 20-week abortion ban and place significant restrictions on abortion-inducing medications.
o A federal district judge granted a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking a Trump executive order that prohibits prison officials from providing gender-affirming hormone therapy and other accommodations to transgender people. The lawsuit was filed by the ACLU, the ACLU of DC, and the Transgender Law Center.
Lobbying
· Advocacy Days
o The Arc Minnesota recently organized a rally day at the Minnesota Capitol to protect disability funding.
· Legislative Wins
o California: A coalition of nonprofit organizations successfully pushed SB634, the Unhoused Service Providers Protection Act, off the Senate floor. This bill is designed to increase protections for people and organizations that provide support to the unhoused.
o New York: The New York State Senate approved a bill that allows people facing terminal illnesses to end their lives on their own terms, which the bill’s proponents say will ensure a measure of autonomy to New Yorkers in their final days. The bill has the support of several health and disability rights groups like Compassion and Choices.
Resources
· Health and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Health and Disability 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