Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Bolder Advocacy
  • 5.0 (27)
  • Non-Profit
  • Updated Biweekly

Nonprofits are important advocates on issues critical to every community, but sometimes the rules and regulations of advocacy can be barriers to entry. In Rules of the Game, Bolder Advocacy attorneys at Alliance for Justice use real examples to demystify these laws to help 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits be bolder advocates, whether holding elected officials accountable, educating candidates, engaging voters, or lobbying for policy change. Entertaining legal education, not legal advice!

  1. State of Advocacy: Legislative Update

    1d ago

    State of Advocacy: Legislative Update

    On today's episode, we are breaking down the 2026 state legislative season and how the landscape affecting nonprofit advocacy is shifting across the country. We are recording this in mid-June, and while most states have wrapped up for the year, not all have, so you are going to want to look at your state to get a sense of what's enacted, what's moving, and what's dead. What we're seeing this year is not just incremental change, but a rapid expansion of state-level regulation over campaign finance, ballot measures, voter access, and increasingly, what we are calling foreign influence laws or national security-style frameworks applied to civil society.   Attorneys for this episode Maggie Ellinger-Locke Susan Finkle Sourlis Natalie Ossenfort   Shownotes Overview ·      This year, 46 states plus DC held legislative sessions. ·      We tracked roughly 1,000 bills that could impact nonprofit advocacy. ·      Of those bills that have now become law, almost half relate to state campaign finance and / or ballot measure processes. ·      Perhaps the biggest story of the 2026 legislative session is the expansion of laws that borrow concepts from national security and apply them to nonprofit advocacy. New Campaign Finance Laws ·      Louisiana increased the threshold triggering disclosure for certain campaign contributions. ·      West Virginia now not only prevents the public disclosure of certain contributor information, but also created a new criminal penalty for violations of the disclosure prohibition. ·      Kansas eliminated the requirement for political committees to disclose the names of vendors when reporting disbursements New Ballot Measure Procedures ·      Ballot measure legislation accounted for 20% of the bills we monitored, about 350 pieces of legislation. Here, we saw 22 laws enacted across 13 states plus DC. ·      Both Wisconsin and Utah now require signature gatherers to be at least 18 y.o. ·      New York now requires legislators to draft questions at an 8th grade reading level or below, and Maryland did something similar. ·      South Dakota eliminated the requirement to place ballot measures on a separate ballot from candidate elections. ·      In Missouri, voters will decide this August whether to approve a change to that state's ballot measure procedures. Currently, in order to pass, measures need a simple statewide majority, but under Amendment 4, a majority in all eight of the state's congressional districts would be required. New Lobbying and Ethics Laws ·      This type of legislation constituted about 13% of all bills we tracked. ·      In Minnesota, certain lobbying communications conveyed to the public must now include a disclaimer to identify the lobbying principal, who is responsible for the communication. Laws Related to Law Enforcement Presence at the Polls and Voting ·      Legislation was enacted in California, Maryland, New Mexico, and Connecticut to restrict law enforcement presence at the polls. ·      The new Connecticut law also removed the statutory list of reasons required to vote absentee, effectively allowing no-excuse absentee voting. It also permits 17-year-olds who will be 18 by election day to vote early or by absentee ballot. ·      Kansas moved up the deadline for early voting. ·      Mississippi now requires ballot counting to be finalized on the night of the election.[SS1] [ME2]  Foreign Influence Laws ·      We made note of 89 such bills filed across 26 states and 12 laws enacted across seven states. ·      Florida enacted a domestic terrorist organization (DTO) designation framework that will allow the state to designate certain groups as terrorist organizations and then criminalize any support those groups receive from that point forward. ·      In Indiana, a new law authorizes the designation of domestic groups and individuals as "affiliates" of federally designated foreign terrorist organizations. The same law creates new investigatory powers for the state AG. ·      Other foreign influence laws we saw enacted this session come out of Alabama, Iowa, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, all of which seek to curb the flow of money into elections from overseas. Takeaways & Reminders ·      Many of the most significant experiments in regulating nonprofit advocacy are now occurring at the state level. ·      Compliance teams should continue to update and refine their review processes to ensure any obligations that could be triggered by state-specific rules are being met. ·      Remember that states differ on when and whether a ballot measure committee must register, what counts as a contribution or expenditure, when disclaimers are required, and what donor disclosure rules apply. These rules are in active evolution. ·      When it comes to foreign influence or terrorist designation laws, states are increasingly willing to experiment with new regulatory frameworks. ·      It is critical to stay informed about developments in your state and remain vigilant to ensure your nonprofit is flexing its advocacy might to the fullest extent possible under the law.

    17 min
  2. How Philanthropy is Meeting the Moment

    Jun 10

    How Philanthropy is Meeting the Moment

    This week, we are diving into the world of philanthropy. We are thrilled to be joined by Matthew L. Evans from the United Philanthropy Forum who will help us understand how philanthropy is evolving to meet this moment and what challenges and opportunities we are seeing for funders and philanthropy infrastructure organizations.      Guests for this episode  Brittany Hacker Leonard  Tim Mooney  Matthew L. Evans      Shownotes  Matthew L. Evans is the United Philanthropy Forum's VP of Advocacy and External Relations. Matthew has more than 14 years of public policy, government relations, and external affairs experience. Before joining the Forum, he was Director of Public Policy & Special Projects for the Southeastern Council on Foundations in Atlanta, where he worked to ensure the legislative and regulatory success of the philanthropic sector in the South. He currently serves as the staff lead for the Forum Public Policy Committee and is a member of the Nonprofit VOTE National Leadership Council.   Welcome again, we are thrilled to have you joining us! Could you start off by giving our listeners an introduction to the United Philanthropy Forum and your great work?   Can you explain what a philanthropy infrastructure org is? (How has the sector evolved)   We were lucky to be presenters at Foundations on the Hill this year, can you tell the listeners a bit about what that is, what you are trying to achieve, and how it went this year?   What would you recommend for foundations that want to get more involved with policy work like this?     This year / Current threat environment:   What is the biggest hurdle for funders and philanthropy infrastructure orgs this year? And what do you see as a biggest opportunity in the sector?   What do you think is the most pressing thing for foundations to be funding in this moment, and do you think that aligns with the most pressing needs of the nonprofits this year?  Do you have any advice for the public charities out there listening? What should they understand about funders and what they are looking for in this moment?   What is your most aspirational goal for the philanthropic sector?    Thank you so much for joining us …. We have a number of resources linked in the show notes for listeners who want to dive more into the world of philanthropy. Our focus on foundations hub on our website is a great place to start and we encourage you to check out our resources on how funders can effectively support advocacy through general support grants, project specific grants, and more.        Resources   Focus on Foundations Hub  The Project Grant Rule  16 Grantmaking Characteristics to Effectively Support Public Policy Advocacy  How Can Foundations Support Policy Change  Foundation Advocacy Grants: What Grantees Need to Know  Investing in Change: A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy  Philanthropy Advocacy Playbook

    23 min
  3. Individual Activity in Election Season

    May 27

    Individual Activity in Election Season

    Employees and volunteers of public charities often participate in the political and democratic process in ways that connect to their organization's mission. While a 501(c)(3) cannot engage in partisan activity, individuals don't give up their First Amendment rights when they are staff, board members, or volunteers of a public charity. In our last episode, we talked about candidate appearances at charitable events. But what if the call is coming from inside the house? In this episode, we'll share some practical tips and best practices to help you engage in electoral work as an individual while keeping your organization safely within the rules to protect its tax-exempt status.   Attorneys for this episode  Victor Rivera  Quyen Tu  Sarah Efthymiou  Show notes  Basic rule: 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from participating in partisan political activity. This rule also applies to anyone acting on an official capacity on behalf of the c3. This means that (c)(3) leaders, staff, and volunteers may not use the facilities, equipment, personnel, or other c3 resources to provide support to or oppose a candidate or campaign. However, this prohibition does not apply to the activities of officers, directors, or employees of 501(c)(3)s who are acting in their individual capacity.  Best Practices: Election Activities of Individuals Associated with 501(c)(3)s  Know when you're on the clock. 501(c)(3) staff may work on political campaigns outside of work hours, or while using their available leave time. However, time for which a charity compensates a staff member is also the charity's resource and should not be used for supporting or opposing candidates. Even unpaid time off could be problematic if permitted to staff outside of standard personnel policy limits and preferentially allow them to volunteer on some campaigns and not others.  Don't use c3 resources for political purposes. A charity should not allow its assets or facilities to be used for individuals' personal campaign work (including obvious resources like letterhead, photocopiers, and telephones, as well as perhaps less obvious ones like distribution lists, postal mailing permits, and email accounts). And, since 501(c)(3)-sponsored events use the organization's reputation and goodwill, 501(c)(3) representatives cannot support or oppose candidates at events.  Adopt an election-season policy. 501(c)(3) organizations should make staff aware, in writing, of policies against using organizational resources for supporting or opposing candidates.  Make clear what hat you're wearing. Individuals should make it clear that they are speaking for themselves and not for the organization when participating in partisan activities off the charity's clock.  Best Practices: 501(c)(3) Employees Running for Office  In addition to supporting candidates, individuals who work for or serve as board members for 501(c)(3) organizations may wish to run for office themselves. In those situations, it is important for the 501(c)(3) associated with the candidate to avoid supporting or opposing the candidacy, as well as avoid giving the appearance of supporting or opposing the candidacy.  Avoid allowing 501(c)(3) resources to be used for campaign activities, including facilities and staff time.   If mentioning candidacy, do so for informational purposes only.  Confirm whether government grants place any restrictions on staff running for office.   If using a 501(c)(3)'s social media accounts, be careful about liking or sharing content from the candidate's account/campaign.  Resources   Rules of the Game: Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s  Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season   501(c)(3) Employees Running for Office (Factsheet)  Election Activities of Individuals Associated with 501(c)(3)s   Board Members and Election Year Activities)  The Hatch Act of 1939: Frequently Asked Questions  8 Tips For Nonprofits with Employees Running for Public Office

    15 min
  4. Commenting on Candidates

    May 13

    Commenting on Candidates

    When nonprofits speak out on issues in the public square, the line between education and electioneering can get blurry – especially during election season. On this episode of Rules of the Game, we break down what the law allows when organizations comment on statements made by candidates and campaigns, and how those rules shift when addressing the actions of incumbents who may also be on the ballot. From issue advocacy to the risk of impermissible political intervention, we walk through practical scenarios and key guardrails to help your nonprofit stay compliant while engaging in advocacy to advance your mission. Shownotes Basic rule: 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for public office, which means that their advocacy and actions have to remain nonpartisan. ·      Black and White: 501(c)(3)s can't endorse candidates, and they can't explicitly tell people who not to vote for. On the other hand, nonprofits can emphasize the importance of voting in a nonpartisan way, and they can continue to educate voters about issues core to their missions without suggesting who people should vote for in an upcoming candidate election. ·      Shades of Gray: IRS utilizes a facts and circumstances analysis to determine whether a nonprofit's communication is permissible or a violation of the tax code's electioneering prohibition for 501(c)(3)s. While not an exhaustive list, some facts and circumstances the IRS might consider include… o   Timing of the communication o   Targeted audience o   How the message relates to what candidates and political parties are saying, and more! ·      The IRS has also indicated that messaging that includes distorted facts, disparaging language, or statements not aimed at developing the audience's understanding of a mission-related issue can indicate a violation of the law.   Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns ·      No clear guidance from IRS on how to do this safely, but based on the required facts and circumstances analysis, best practices could include: o   Focusing on what was said (the issue), not who said it (the candidate) o   Avoiding discussions about candidate qualifications or whether someone is a good or bad candidate o   Scripting responses before talking to reporters or the public (since you may very well get a question related to the election and who people should vote for) o   Avoiding comments about a candidate's record or personal characteristics o   Avoiding references to voters and the upcoming election o   Not comparing your position on an issue to where the candidates stand on that issue ·      Remember: It is permissible to monitor what candidates say and do so that you can prepare for the future. o   The risk arises for 501(c)(3)s when they communicate in a way that could be perceived as attempting to influence the outcome of a candidate election. ·      Examples[NRO1] : o   "What if Candidate X states during a candidate debate that "our community's water quality meets all safety standards." Can a local environmental justice 501(c)(3) correct the record if that statement is false? §  Yes. The organization could clarify that the claim is inconsistent with recent state water quality reports. It could then point to publicly available testing data. §  The key is to avoid discussing the particular candidate who made the statement and instead to focus on the issue itself. Use this as an opportunity to educate the public on issues core to your mission. §  To minimize risk, avoid mentioning the candidate by name, issue disclaimers (reminders that you are a 501(c)(3) and that you do not support / oppose candidates for public office), and focus on issues in alignment with the organization's mission.   Commenting on the Actions & Statements of Incumbents ·      501(c)(3) public charities can criticize or praise the votes and official statements of current government officials. Best practices include: o   Focus on official actions only (without mentioning if an incumbent is up for reelection) o   Time communications to coincide with policy actions (as opposed to increasing praise or criticism in the days leading up to the election). o   Have a track-record of working on the issue, and make sure it's central to your mission. o   Include commentary on legislators and other government officials who are NOT up for reelection. If you focus solely on the actions of incumbents running for office, that can raise a red flag. o   Use nonpartisan criteria when deciding on which official actions and statements to call out and respond to. o   Exercise particular caution when commenting on an issue position that clearly distinguishes candidates in an upcoming election. ·      Example: o   What if a mayor in a 501(c)(3)'s jurisdiction decides to support funding cuts to programs that provide housing to the unhoused and services for housing-insecure community members? Can the 501(c)(3) public charity chime in? §  Yes. A 501(c)(3) could issue a press release criticizing the mayor's statement in support of funding cuts and urge the city to restore services where needed. §  The charity would want to have a history of working on related issues to ensure the statement is in alignment with its mission and history of advocacy. §  It would also want to avoid mentioning any upcoming elections or noting that the mayor is up for re-election. §  In addition, it's important for the organization to comment on the official statement and action immediately, as opposed to waiting until just before candidate elections occur. Resources ·      Rules of the Game: Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s ·      Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season ·      Praising and Criticizing Incumbents (Factsheet) ·      Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns (Factsheet)

    18 min
  5. Candidate Appearances

    Apr 29

    Candidate Appearances

    Primaries are taking place or may have already occurred where you are. More elections will take place from now until November so we thought it's a good time to talk about candidate appearances. We'll explain how (c)(3)s can stay nonpartisan while helping to educate voters and candidates by hosting candidates. (c)(4)s, you can of course do everything (c)(3)s can do and much more!  Attorneys for this episode  Quyen Tu  Victor Rivera   Brittany Hacker Leonard    Shownotes  Why is this important?  C3s are a trusted source of information and have a crucial role to play in election seasons, often in touch with the local community more, have an important role to play in bringing the candidates and their platforms to the voters, and also bringing information about the community and the organization's work to the candidates.   Because of this, we often get questions about c3s holding debates, forums, site visits from candidates as ways to educate both the voters and the candidates themselves—and all of this great work can be c3 safe.     Remember the general rule: c3s cannot support or oppose candidates for office   Doesn't mean that you can't talk to candidates, or host candidates  Different reasons you may have a candidate appear:   In their capacity as a candidate: individually or debate/forum  In another capacity: expert in their field, current elected official, celebrity  They just show up at a public event   Rules will be different depending on why they are there!  Remember: document interactions with candidates, use disclaimers, and keep good records  7(c)(3)s holding candidate debates and fora  Examples: CA gov, D.C. mayoral primary  Do:   Cover a broad range of issues  Nonpartisan, independent questions and moderator  Invite all viable candidates   Make it open to the public for a diverse audience   Don't:  Ask for pledges  Give anyone special treatment   Only ask about your organization's narrow area of focus   Continue to hold the "debate" if only one candidate can attend   (c)(3)s hosting a candidate because of their candidacy (not debate format)  Follow the same rules as debate—all invited and given equal opportunities in similar settings   (c)(3)s hosting candidate for non-election reason  Do not need to invite every candidate   Make sure the candidate knows what capacity they are there in (which hat they are wearing)  No fundraising or campaigning   Use disclaimers!    (c)(4)s and PACs hosting candidates  Can host just one candidate in their capacity as candidate—will be c4's secondary purpose activity   Can give site visits to just preferred candidates, can ask for pledges   PACs may also host or sponsor candidate fundraising events  Foundations: can fund (c)(3)s hosting nonpartisan candidate debates or appearances    Resources   Rules of the Game  Candidate Appearances: Foundations Can Host or Fund Nonpartisan Candidate Appearances  Hosting Candidates at Charitable Events: Ensuring Candidate Appearances Remain Nonpartisan   Nonpartisan Candidate Education: How 501(c)(3)s Can Talk to Candidates During an Election Year  Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season  501(c)(4) Partisan Activities

    16 min
  6. Ballot Measure Advocacy

    Apr 15

    Ballot Measure Advocacy

    With direct democracy becoming more important than ever in this political climate, we thought it was a good time to revisit ballot measures. From local park bonds to important state constitutional amendments, ballot measures have become important tools for policymaking, and nonprofits often play a huge role in supporting and opposing them. On this episode we do a deep dive on the details and how you can get involved.   Attorneys for this episode Susan Finkle Sourlis Tim Mooney Natalie Ossenfort          Shownotes What Are Ballot Measures, and Why Are They Important? ·      According to Ballotpedia, as of April 5, 2026, 87 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 35 states for elections in 2026. ·      These initiatives will ask voters to weigh in on topics like redistricting, campaign finance, state budgets, school funding, the state judiciary, and more. ·      Ballot measures are important advocacy tool to create policy change. They are a form of direct democracy.   The Law: Internal Revenue Code ·      Ballot measures = pieces of legislation. If they pass, they become law. ·      As a result, advocacy for or against the passage of a measure = lobbying (more specifically, direct lobbying since the public serves as a legislative body during the ballot measure process). ·      Reminder: public charities can lobby, but they need to stay within Internal Revenue Code set lobbying limits. o   Default test: Insubstantial Part Test o   Optional test for most public charities: 501(h) Expenditure Test ·      Under either test, one must express a view on legislation for a communication to be considered lobbying. ·      Here are some ballot measure activities that would be considered lobbying: o   Asking voters to vote yes or no on a measure o   Posting social media messages either supporting or opposing a measure o   Raising money earmarked to defeat or win a measure o   Preparing materials that support or oppose a measure o   Targeting outreach to voters that are likely to support or oppose a measure in alignment with your organization's position   The Law: State / Local-Level Campaign Finance Considerations ·      The ballot measure process varies by state. o   Some states only allow legislatively referred measures. o   Others (like OH, MI, AZ, and CA) allow citizens to initiate statewide ballot measures. ·      It is essential that if your organization is planning to conduct activity surrounding a ballot measure, you abide by state law. ·      Unlike the IRS, most states do not regulate ballot measure advocacy as lobbying, but rather this type of advocacy falls under state campaign finance law. o   Some states require reporting if an individual (or nonprofit) hits a certain spending threshold related to their ballot measure advocacy (hello, Texas!). Others require committee formation and registration if certain thresholds are met or if organizations join forces to advocate in support or opposition of a measure. o   States also often require specifically worded 'paid for by' and other disclaimers when advocating on a measure. o   Many states have already passed or are considering legislation related to ballot measure fundraising and who can contribute to ballot measure campaigns. Check your state's laws for details. ·      IMPORTANT: Consult with counsel before embarking on a ballot measure campaign, so they can determine if your organization might need to register and report with state officials (or potentially form a committee). ·      If a committee already exists and is in alignment with your organization on a measure, it may be possible to join forces and minimize the reporting burdens on your nonprofit. Life of a ballot Initiative – signature gathering to passage to enforcement ·      Before a ballot measure ever appears on the ballot, there's a long runway of activity—and for nonprofits, many of these activities count as lobbying for 501(c)(3) public charities and need to be counted against an organization's lobbying limits. Citizen-Led Initiatives 1.    Pre-signature organizing 2.    Drafting the measure language 3.    Signature gathering 4.    Qualification for the ballot 5.    Campaign phase 6.    Election 7.    Post-election enforcement & implementation Legislature-Referred Measures 1.    Legislature drafts and passes referral 2.    Measure placed on the ballot 3.    Campaign phase 4.    Election 5.    Post-election enforcement & implementation Key Compliance Notes When does lobbying start? For citizen initiatives: typically, when signatures are circulated For referrals: at the legislative consideration stage and when the measure is submitted to voters   Pre-signature activity Research Coalition-building Issue education   Drafting language Usually preparation for lobbying Becomes lobbying if tied closely to an active campaign effort   "Specific legislation" trigger Once a measure is clearly defined and advancing, it's treated like legislation for IRS lobbying purposes   State law overlay Petition rules, disclaimers, reporting, and pay-per-signature bans vary widely Federal tax law ≠ state election law (you have to comply with both)   After the Election Implementation & rulemaking Agencies interpret and apply the law Nonprofits can engage in administrative advocacy (not lobbying for tax code purposes, but could trigger state registration and reporting)   Public education Explaining what passed (or failed) and what it means Must remain nonpartisan if done by a 501(c)(3)   Litigation Defending or challenging the validity of a passed measure in court Not lobbying Permissible for 501(c)(3) organizations     Working Together ·      Many ballot measure activities happen in coalitions. ·      These coalitions could include different types of nonprofit organizations. Some may be 501(c)(3) public charities, while others could have 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), or other tax-exempt status. o   Remember, 501(c)(4)s and 501(c)(5)s have unlimited lobbying limits—this makes them a great ally in ballot measure work. ·      A 501(c)(3), when engaging in ballot measure work, must do so in a nonpartisan way. o   Some examples of nonpartisan ballot measure work can include: circulating petitions, endorsing measures, registering voters, and more. o   It's important not to align your 501(c)(3)s position on a ballot measure with a candidate or political party. o   They should also avoid targeting voters based on how they think the voters will vote for candidates on the ballot. ·      All joint lobbying activities, conducted with 501(c)(3)s and other types of organizations, should remain NONPARTISAN and not include suggestions of whom to vote for in candidate elections. Ballot Measure Advocacy Funding ·      Because ballot measure advocacy is often considered lobbying, private foundations cannot earmark funds for this activity, but public (community foundations) can. ·      Consider approaching community foundations and individual donors to support your work. o   BE AWARE: Some states are considering or have already passed legislation that prohibits foreign national contributions to ballot measure campaigns (could kick in if your organization receives donations from foreign sources). o   Any donations earmarked for lobbying are not tax-deductible to the donor.   Resources ·      Seize the initiative ·      Ballot Measures and Public Charities: Yes, You Can Influence That Vote! ·      Ballot Initiative Strategy Center (BISC) Trends Watcher ·      BISC: 2026 Ballot Measures

    22 min
  7. Ask Us Anything

    Apr 1

    Ask Us Anything

    On this episode of Rules of the Game, we dive into some of the most common – and pressing – questions we hear on our free nonprofit advocacy technical assistance hotline. From whether foundation funding can support voter registration efforts, to what nonprofits should know when attending rallies and advocating around local law enforcement cooperation with ICE, we break down the rules and offer practical guidance you can use to enhance your organization's advocacy and community participation in elections and other public policy activities. We'll discuss real world scenarios, and a few surprises drawn straight from questions advocate like you are asking every day.    Attorneys for this episode  Tim Mooney  Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort  Quyen Tu   Shownotes  Question 1: How can 501(c)(3) organizations participate in voter registration activities, and where can we find funding to support this work?  Voter registration is explicitly allowed (and encouraged): 501(c)(3) public charities can conduct voter registration drives if they are nonpartisan: no support for or opposition to any candidate or political party. This includes helping people register, providing forms, and sharing neutral information about how and where to vote.  Stay strictly nonpartisan in execution: Activities must be offered equally to all eligible voters, without targeting based on partisan affiliation or coordinating with campaigns. Messaging should focus on civic participation, not persuading people how to vote.  Integrate into existing programs: Nonprofits can weave voter registration into their regular services, including clinics, food distribution, schools, housing programs, etc. so long as participation is voluntary and not tied to receiving services.  Train staff and document compliance: Provide clear guidance to staff and volunteers on what they can and cannot say/do, and keep materials and scripts neutral. Written policies help demonstrate compliance if questions arise. Remember to follow state law too!   Use trusted resources and tools: State election offices, nonpartisan groups (like BA and League of Women Voters affiliates), and national civic engagement organizations offer compliant toolkits, forms, and training materials.  Funding realities (and strategy)  Private foundations can fund nonpartisan voter registration, but they face extra rules for "voter registration drives" under IRS definitions (multi cycle, multi state, etc.). Few private foundations fund at this level, so pursuing funding for voter registration drives may not work out.  Community foundations (and other public charities), and individual donors are typically more flexible and practical funding sources for this work.  Corporate philanthropy may also support civic engagement framed around community participation, equity, or access. Check the grant for scope and ensure funds are used strictly for nonpartisan activities.    Question 2: Our organization is considering having a presence at an upcoming rally. What should we know about this type of activity? Can we participate as an organization or as individual advocates working outside of the purview of our nonprofit?  Understand that there are many interests and types of orgs participating  Understand the goals of the rally  Like Tim said, Educate your volunteers/staff who will be attending on what your (c)(3) needs to do  Focus on policies  No candidates  facts and circumstances  If (c)(3) staff are asked who they support in upcoming elections, they should avoid answering  Organization v. individual capacity  Reminder: state and local rules if this is a protest  Question 3: There's a proposal on the table in our community that would require local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. Can we advocate against this? If so, what do nonprofit advocacy rules have to say about it?  Several states and local municipalities are considering proposals that would require law enforcement cooperation with ICE and others are considering policies that could significantly impact ICE operations. For example:  In Tennessee, a new immigration-related bill (HB 2219) would require the Sherrif of each county to cooperate with ICE via a 287(g) agreement  In Houston, Texas, the City Council is considering a proposal that would give Houston police officers the discretion to call ICE in relation to certain immigration warrants.  In Salt Lake City, Utah, the City Council recently passed a new ordinance that limits nonresidential water consumption, complicating the opening of a new ICE detention facility in the city.  If your organization wants to chime-in, what rules should it be considering?  If you are attempting to influence a bill or proposed ordinance in your city, that activity could qualify as lobbying since it happens in a legislative context.  The tax code permits some public charity lobbying, but it limits how much lobbying they can do.  Whether your action counts as lobbying depends on which of two tests you use to measure your lobbying limits: insubstantial part test or 501(h) election since the definitions of lobbying differ under each test.  Legislative activities of these types could also trigger state and local-level lobbyist registration and reporting.  Make sure that all lobbying conducted by your public charity is properly tracked and reported, that you are staying within your lobbying limits, and that you are using funds that permit this type of activity.    If you are simply trying to influence an executive branch (e.g. local law enforcement) policy and not legislation, you will likely not need to count this activity against your lobbying limits, but it could still trigger registration and reporting.    Resources  Public Charities Can Lobby: Guidelines for 501(c)(3) Public Charities  What is Lobbying Under the 501(h) Election?  Practical Guidance: Nonprofit Lobbying  Election Checklist for 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Ensuring Election Year Advocacy Efforts Remain Nonpartisan  Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season  Election Activities of Individuals Associated with 501(c)(3) Organizations  Practical Guidance: Nonprofit Voter Assistance Series

    22 min
  8. Legislative Update

    Mar 18

    Legislative Update

    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 informed about emerging twists in compliance.   Attorneys for this episode Maggie Ellinger-Locke Susan Finkle Sourlis Natalie Roetzel Ossenfort   Shownotes   Federal Legislation   ·      The SAVE Act would require voter registration applicants to provide documentary proof of US citizenship and impose strict photo ID rules to vote in federal elections. ·      Federal law is already clear that only US citizens are permitted to vote in federal elections. ·      This legislation could disproportionately impact voters of color, married people who have changed their last names, and low-income voters.     State Legislation   ·      So far, we've seen over 150 bills filed in at least half the states, that seek to impact the voting process. Georgia's SB 586 proposes sweeping changes to state elections including early voting. Under current law voters are permitted to cast their ballot at any polling location in their county during the early voting period. But if this bill becomes law, voters would be restricted to just one polling location. In West Virginia, SB 90 would prohibit voters not affiliated with a major political party from voting in a primary election. In Kansas, HB 2438 would prohibit online voter registration unless a website uses a .gov domain or is explicitly approved by the secretary of state. Corporate Power Reset movement: The goal of this movement is to create an end run around supreme court precedent like Citizens United and Buckley v Valeo[NO1] [ME2] [SS3]  by prohibiting all corporate, whether for profit or nonprofit, engagement with elections.[SS4] [ME5]  ·      Restricting foreign influence on ballot measure campaigns: Federal law already bans foreign national contributions to candidate campaigns, but these bills are seeking to extend the restrictions further, narrowing the funding landscape for direct democracy. o   During the 2026 state legislative sessions, we've seen 39 bills introduced in twenty states that would restrict foreign contributions to ballot measure campaigns. o   Some focus narrowly on majority foreign-owned businesses, but many target individuals and ballot question committees. These bills often require affirmative certifications that no foreign national funding is involved in an organization's ballot measure advocacy. Baby FARA bills: At the federal level, the Foreign Agents Registration Act was enacted in 1938 to counter Nazi propaganda. It requires individuals or entities acting "at the order, request, or under the direction or control" of a foreign principal to register with the Department of Justice and file detailed disclosures. Historically, FARA has been applied in relatively specific circumstances, primarily lobbying or political work directly tied to foreign governments. State-level analogues, however, are often drafted much more broadly. These proposals could sweep in a wide range of advocacy activities and impact organizations engaged in international solidarity movements. Terrorism: US law only allows foreign groups to be labeled as foreign terrorist organizations. And new policy directs federal law enforcement agencies to "investigate and disrupt networks, entities, and organizations" that have views in contravention to the president's. This type of legislation is now making its way to the states. In Florida, lawmakers are pushing several bills, such as HB 1471, SB 1632, and SB 1634, would dramatically expand the state's power to designate organizations as "domestic terrorist organizations." o   The bills broaden the definition of domestic terrorism, using sweeping language about activities intended to "influence the policy of a government" or "affect the conduct of government," terms that could be interpreted expansively. o   Once designated, an organization could have its funds frozen, be barred from receiving state contracts or funding, and expose its staff, donors, and supporters to criminal liability for providing "material support."   Hopeful Legislation:   ·      In Georgia, lawmakers are considering a bill that would expand student protest rights, excusing absences for classes missed due to protest attendance. ·      In Missouri, HB 1871 extends the "no excuse" absentee voting period from two weeks to four.   Resources Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet) Being a Player: A Guide to IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities Practical Guidance: What Nonprofits Need to Know about Lobbying in Your State

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Nonprofits are important advocates on issues critical to every community, but sometimes the rules and regulations of advocacy can be barriers to entry. In Rules of the Game, Bolder Advocacy attorneys at Alliance for Justice use real examples to demystify these laws to help 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) nonprofits be bolder advocates, whether holding elected officials accountable, educating candidates, engaging voters, or lobbying for policy change. Entertaining legal education, not legal advice!

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