Alliance for Justice The Alliance for Justice is a national association of public interest organizations spanning a range of issues, including civil rights, social justice, and consumer and environmental protection. Representing this broad constituency, the Alliance's mission is to strengthen the nonprofit sector's influence on public policy, ensure equal access to the federal courts, and cultivate the next generation of advocates and community activists. BETTER Founded in 1979, the Alliance for Justice works closely LOBBY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, with public interest organizations, social service networks, ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATION, PUBLIC foundations, the legal community, and community-based organizations that work to energize vibrant and effective citizen engagement in public policy. AND YOU KNOW WHAT POLICY. WILL HAPPEN ? Nan Aron, president Toll free: 866-675-6229 11 Dupont Circle, NW (866-NPLobby) Second Floor Phone: 202-822-6070 Washington, D.C. 20036 Fax: 202-822-6068 E-mail: advocacy@afj.org www.allianceforjustice.org Lobbying leads to success stories. Don't hold back. What to do next. Some of the most extraordinary achievements in Too many nonprofits believe that lobbying activities By taking advantage of the Alliance for Justice's extensive recent decades-for the environment, social justice, will jeopardize their organization's tax-exempt status. resources, you can follow the law, lobby the government, community renewal, consumer protection, public On the contrary: If you're not lobbying, you're not and make a real difference in your community. safety, and civil rights-have come about because exercising your full rights under the tax laws. * Attend a workshop. Our regularly scheduled Worry- nonprofits were willing to take their rightful place The IRS actually encourages nonprofits to engage Free Advocacy Workshops are held in major cities at the policymaking table. in lobbying and other advocacy activities, as long as throughout the year. Or schedule an Alliance for Justice * Less than five years after it was founded by victims' they adhere to some broad spending limitations. workshop at your organization, where we'll train your families, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) The guidelines are easy to follow. Based on their overall leaders, staff, and volunteers to navigate laws governing persuaded Congress to pass a law mandating that every expenditures, most charities can spend as much as public policy activities. state raise the drinking age to 21-vastly reducing the 20 percent of their budget on direct lobbying activities * Ask for one of our legal guides. Our plain-language number of alcohol-related fatalities. intended to influence legislation. You can use these generous limits by filing a simple, one-page form with materials will help you plan your advocacy efforts. * The Council of Senior Centers and Services of the IRS to make the "501(h) election." Among the many titles are Being a Player: A Guide New York City preserved $15 million in threatened Because the limits are based on the money you spend, to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities, funding for senior centers and weekend meal programs there are no limits on volunteer efforts and other and our guide to online activism, E-Advocacy for with a lobbying effort that included bringing 5,000 cost-free activities. Likewise, there are no limits on other Nonprofits: The Law of Lobbying and Election-Related seniors to city hall. kinds of public policy work, such as litigation, research, Activity on the Net. * Concerned with the high rate of lead poisoning public education, and attempting to influence decisions * Talk with us one-on-one via e-mail, phone, and letters. among Milwaukee children, the Wisconsin Citizen by administrative agencies. We'll answer questions ranging from "What IRS form do Action Fund (WCAF) recruited and trained a task force Lobbying by nonprofits isn't just legal-it's I need to elect 501(h)?" to "How can a 501(c)(3) produce of parents to advocate for lead-safe housing in their important, powerful, and fundamental to democracy. and distribute a voters' guide that describes the candidates?" neighborhoods. Those efforts resulted in a city ordinance That's why the Alliance for Justice wants to help you * Get sound legal and accounting advice. Our requiring landlords to certify their property as lead-safe. get started-now. Advocacy Lawyers and Accountants Network (ALAN) Lobbying by nonprofits ensures that people have a is training professionals across the country to help voice in shaping the policies that affect them. It makes nonprofit advocacy organizations understand and com- government accountable to the common good. ply with the laws governing lobbying, election-related So what's stopping you? activity, and other types of advocacy. * Visit www.allianceforjustice.org. Along with more information and resources on these issues, you can sign up for our Nonprofit Action Network and get news about IRS and Federal Election Commission rulings, as well as other developments that affect the advocacy activities of nonprofits.