Advocacy and Lobbying

2011 CFR Title 26 § 56.4911–2

Lobbying expenditures, direct lobbying communications, and grass roots lobbying communications.
Last Modified
Jan 24, 2012
Viewed
5680 times

2011 CFR Title 26 § 56.4911–4

Exempt purpose expenditures for 501(c)3 organizations that have taken the 501(h) election for lobbying.
Last Modified
Jan 24, 2012
Viewed
4901 times

§56.4911–3

Organizations/Sources: Internal Revenue Service
Regulations regarding the expenditures for direct and/or grass roots lobbying communications for 501(c)3 organizations that have taken the 501(h) election for lobbying.
Last Modified
Jan 24, 2012
Viewed
4812 times

Election Checklist for 501(c)(3) Public Charities

Organizations/Sources: Alliance for Justice
Checklist of permissible and prohibited election-related activities for 501(c)(3) organizations.
Last Modified
Apr 09, 2019
Viewed
1312 times

Elections and 501(c)(3) Organizations

2019
Authors: Nate Lotze and Elana Richman
Federal tax rules prohibit section 501(c)(3) organizations from participating or intervening in a political campaign in support of or in opposition to a candidate for elected public office. However, organizations may lobby, educate voters, encourage voter registration and participation, and advocate for issues in a nonpartisan manner. (Print version of ConservationTools.org guide)
Last Modified
Apr 26, 2019
Viewed
1624 times

Election Year Activities and the Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention for Section 501(c)(3) Organizations

2006
Organizations/Sources: IRS
An IRS fact sheet that describes allowed and prohibited election year activities. It includes 21 examples of election year activities to help the reader understand the regulations.
Last Modified
Oct 28, 2013
Viewed
6457 times

Election Year Issues

2002
Organizations/Sources: IRS
IRS publication that gives an in-depth review of the regulations governing 501(c)(3) organizations and election year activities, including an in-depth review of the history of the regulations.
Last Modified
Mar 03, 2011
Viewed
3989 times

Fact Sheet: Lobby? You? Yes, Your Nonprofit Organization Can! It Should!

Organizations/Sources: Land Trust Alliance
Land Trust Alliance Standards & Practices Fact Sheet, 2004
Last Modified
Oct 20, 2009
Viewed
3506 times

Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age: The Law of Online Lobbying and Election-related Activities

2011
Organizations/Sources: Alliance for Justice
This guide aims to answer the questions nonprofit managers most frequently face regarding the Internet and social media in terms of lobbying and involvement in political campaigns.
Last Modified
May 01, 2013
Viewed
4016 times

Keeping Track: A Guide to Recordkeeping for Advocacy Charities

Authors: John Pomeranz
Organizations/Sources: Alliance for Justice
This guide is designed to help the staff, officers, and board members of 501(c)(3) public charities that engage in lobbying understand how to prepare and maintain the records that are required to comply with federal tax law—the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”)—by tracking their lobbying activities and reporting those activities to the IRS
Last Modified
May 01, 2013
Viewed
3652 times

Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995

1995
The Lobbying and Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1601) was legislation aimed at bringing a level of accountability to federal lobbying practices in the United States.
Last Modified
Jan 24, 2012
Viewed
5863 times

Lobbying Issues

1997
Organizations/Sources: Internal Revenue Service
A detailed look at the rules governing lobbying by tax exempt organizations, including the history of the regulations.
Last Modified
Jan 24, 2012
Viewed
5904 times

Lobbying Rules and 501(c)3 Organizations

2012
Authors: Elana Richman
501(c)3 organizations may lobby to affect government policy outcomes, but they must follow federal and state regulations. WeConservePA guide. 18 pages.
Last Modified
Aug 18, 2022
Viewed
6466 times

Make a Difference For Your Cause: Strategies for Nonprofit Engagement in Legislative Advocacy

Strategies for nonprofit engagement in legislative activity. This guide is intended to inspire and motivate 501c3 nonprofits to include legislative advocacy as a part of their core activities.
Last Modified
Sep 16, 2019
Viewed
4493 times

Nonprofit Advocacy Brochure

Organizations/Sources: 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.
Last Modified
Oct 16, 2009
Viewed
5270 times

Participation in Legislative Lobbying & Ballot Measure Campaigns by Non-Profit Organizations

Organizations/Sources: Conservation Campaign
Fact sheet on appropriate levels of engagement and activities for nonprofits to participate in lobbying and ballot measure campaigns.
Last Modified
Jul 08, 2011
Viewed
4310 times

Pennsbury Village Associates, LLC v. McIntyre

2011
Organizations/Sources: PA Supreme Court
On January 19, 2011, in an opinion issued in a case called Pennsbury Village Associates, LLC v. McIntyre, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court offered its first interpretation of the state law commonly known as the Environmental Immunity Act. The opinion was a disappointment for environmental advocates hoping for an interpretation of the Act that would safeguard and encourage public participation aimed at environmental protection.
Last Modified
Mar 05, 2011
Viewed
4838 times

Planning a Site Visit with Your Legislator

2021
A visit to conserved land or the location of an environmental restoration project may help a legislator (and their aides) better understand the positive impact of government conservation investments. This guide describes how the staff and volunteers of a conservation organization may organize a productive visit. (WeConservePA guide; 6 pages)
Last Modified
Jul 06, 2021
Viewed
5663 times

Political Campaign and Lobbying Activities of IRC 501(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) Organizations

Organizations/Sources: Internal Revenue Service
IRS publication detailing rules about lobbying and political campaign activities for 501(c)(4), (c)(5), and (c)(6) nonprofit organizations.
Last Modified
Apr 09, 2019
Viewed
2134 times

SLAPP Suits, the Environmental Immunity Act, and the Pennsbury Case

2011
Authors: Brian Glass
Organizations/Sources: Citizens for Pennsylvania's Future
This memorandum reviews the 1/19/2011 PA Supreme Court opinion in Pennsbury Village Associates, LLC v. McIntyre and suggests precautions that might be taken by citizens hoping for immunity from SLAPP suits under PA's Environmental Immunity Act.
Last Modified
Nov 27, 2013
Viewed
4966 times

Staying Nonpartisan: Permissible Election Activities Checklist

Organizations/Sources: Nonprofit Vote
Short fact sheet outlining the many ways 501(c)(3) organizations may participate in elections, such as encouraging voter registration and hosting candidate forums.
Last Modified
Apr 09, 2019
Viewed
1355 times

The Nonprofit Lobbying Guide

1999
Authors: Bob Smucker
Organizations/Sources: Independent Sector
This is a handbook for volunteers and staff of charitable organizations, especially new volunteers and staff, to help them take advantage of the liberal rules for lobbying by charities. It includes advice on how to effectively lobby and the rules nonprofits must follow when doing so.
Last Modified
Jan 24, 2012
Viewed
10471 times

Trust for Public Land Website

Organizations/Sources: The Trust for Public Land
The Trust for Public Land’s website is a solid source for national data and campaign strategies
Last Modified
Apr 28, 2011
Viewed
3845 times

Working with Legislators: An Advocacy Briefing Guide for Board Members

One of the most rewarding things about serving as a nonprofit board member is the opportunity it affords to help create positive change. Board members who are hesitant to get involved in their organization’s advocacy or lobbying efforts, however, may be missing out on a tool that can be very useful in advancing the cause they believe in.
Last Modified
Sep 16, 2019
Viewed
1146 times

Worry-Free Lobbying For Nonprofits: How To Use The 501(h) Election To Maximize Effectiveness

2003
Organizations/Sources: Alliance for Justice
A Handbook for Funders and Grantees Published by the Alliance for Justice
Last Modified
Jan 19, 2011
Viewed
6051 times