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1976 Law Governing Charity Lobbying \| Direct Link This article explains the most important provisions of the 1976 lobbying law as it pertains to charities. Key Terms: advocacy, Form 5768, IRS, legal consideration, lobbying regulations Author: Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest \| Published: 2002
501(h) Election \| Direct Link This article explains the distinction between the 501(h) election and the insubstantial part test for lobbying activities. It explains the legal limits of nonprofit lobbying. Key Terms: 1976 Lobby Law, advocacy, election, Form 5768, legal consideration, limits, lobbying regulations, substantial part test Author: Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Inc. \| Published: 2002
501(h) Election Form: IRS Form 5768 \| Direct Link This form is used by a nonprofits to elect the use of the expenditure test rather than be limited to an insubstantial amount of lobbying. Key Terms: 501(h), advocacy, election, Form 5768, IRS, legal consideration, lobbying regulation, substantial part test Author: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) \| Published: 2003 Pitfall: Engaging in Lobbying without Having Thoroughly Evaluated the Benefits of Filing IRS Form 5768 Section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code authorizes nonprofits to elect an optional measure of their lobbying activities known as the 'expenditure test', considered a much easier method to keep track of the amount of legal lobbying in your organization. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Advice on Advocacy from the American Association of Museums \| Direct Link This article gives advice on how to engage the attention of political leaders. Though referring to advocacy on museum issues, these tips are helpful when crafting an advocacy plan or planning a meeting on any matter. Key Terms: advocacy, advocacy plan, elected officials, issue briefs, legislator, lobbying Author: Idealist.org \| Published: 2002
Advocacy and Lobbying by Nonprofit Organizations \| Direct Link This is a PowerPoint presentation which provides a broad overview of regulations in the Internal Revenue Code related to lobbying and advocacy by nonprofits. It includes a discussion of how foundations can support nonprofit advocacy. Key Terms: 501 (h), advocacy, IRS, legal consideration, lobbying regulation, political activity Author: Manzo, Peter B. \| Published: 2001 Preferred Practice: Recognize What Daily Activities Constitute Lobbying When you are communicating your views and urging action of the general public or a legislator regarding specific legislation, know that you are already engaging in lobbying. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Know That A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Can Engage in Unlimited Educational Activities There are no legal limits on the many effective advocacy activities that do not constitute lobbying. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Pitfall: Not Having a Comprehensive, Balanced Approach in Your Advocacy Campaign Be careful not to rely too much on technical and policy expertise without establishing the sort of grassroots constituent support likely to move individual elected officials; at the other extreme, be careful not to rely only on grassroots constituent support without the technical and policy expertise needed to fashion strong arguments and win influential allies, such as editorial boards. Source: Dan Immergluck, Grand Valley State University Being Fearful of Losing Your Tax Exemption Because of Lobbying Activities by Your Nonprofit Basic training in nonprofit lobbying law will quickly dispel many common myths that discourage nonprofit lobbying, and make you aware of the ample lobbying limits permitted under the law. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Relying on an Outside Lobbyist for Most of Your Advocacy Activities Though outside lobbyists can be an important part of your team, they do not take the place of developing an active grassroots public policy program within your organization. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Limiting Your Impact by Not Clearly Distinguishing Lobbying Activities from Advocacy Activities Advocacy refers to any activity that attempts to change government policy, while lobbying is a subset of advocacy that aims to influence specific legislation, which means it is aimed at a legislative body. Source: Adapted From: Speak Up: Tips on Advocacy for Publicly Funded Nonprofits by The Center for an Urban Future Engaging in Lobbying without Having Thoroughly Evaluated the Benefits of Filing IRS Form 5768 Section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code authorizes nonprofits to elect an optional measure of their lobbying activities known as the 'expenditure test', considered a much easier method to keep track of the amount of legal lobbying in your organization. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Advocacy and Lobbying Toolkit \| Direct Link This toolkit offers tools and resources for effective advocacy media relations. The Web site offers sample letters, media alerts, communication models, and more. Key Terms: advocacy, communication correspondence, congress, lobbying, media relations Author: Connecticut Association of Nonprofits Preferred Practice: Recognize What Daily Activities Constitute Lobbying When you are communicating your views and urging action of the general public or a legislator regarding specific legislation, know that you are already engaging in lobbying. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Use An Outside Lobbyist As Part of Your Advocacy Campaign After you have created an internal public policy program within your organization, using an outside lobbyist can be an effective strategy. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Promote News Stories, Editorials, Op-Ed Pieces, and Letters to the Editor in Support of Your Position Press coverage in a targeted legislative district and supported with grassroots lobbying by influential members of your nonprofit community, creates the best opportunity to have impact on a public policy issue. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Pitfall: Not Having a Comprehensive, Balanced Approach in Your Advocacy Campaign Be careful not to rely too much on technical and policy expertise without establishing the sort of grassroots constituent support likely to move individual elected officials; at the other extreme, be careful not to rely only on grassroots constituent support without the technical and policy expertise needed to fashion strong arguments and win influential allies, such as editorial boards. Source: Dan Immergluck, Grand Valley State University Being Fearful of Losing Your Tax Exemption Because of Lobbying Activities by Your Nonprofit Basic training in nonprofit lobbying law will quickly dispel many common myths that discourage nonprofit lobbying, and make you aware of the ample lobbying limits permitted under the law. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Relying on an Outside Lobbyist for Most of Your Advocacy Activities Though outside lobbyists can be an important part of your team, they do not take the place of developing an active grassroots public policy program within your organization. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Limiting Your Impact by Not Clearly Distinguishing Lobbying Activities from Advocacy Activities Advocacy refers to any activity that attempts to change government policy, while lobbying is a subset of advocacy that aims to influence specific legislation, which means it is aimed at a legislative body. Source: Adapted From: Speak Up: Tips on Advocacy for Publicly Funded Nonprofits by The Center for an Urban Future
Advocacy Classroom \| Direct Link This course teaches communication, lobbying, research, and many more skills needed to become an effective advocate. Key Terms: advocacy, communication, congress, effective communication, lobby, lobbying, media relations, message, political system Author: Vance, Stephanie Preferred Practice: Use An Outside Lobbyist As Part of Your Advocacy Campaign After you have created an internal public policy program within your organization, using an outside lobbyist can be an effective strategy. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Pitfall: Relying on an Outside Lobbyist for Most of Your Advocacy Activities Though outside lobbyists can be an important part of your team, they do not take the place of developing an active grassroots public policy program within your organization. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Limiting Your Impact by Not Clearly Distinguishing Lobbying Activities from Advocacy Activities Advocacy refers to any activity that attempts to change government policy, while lobbying is a subset of advocacy that aims to influence specific legislation, which means it is aimed at a legislative body. Source: Adapted From: Speak Up: Tips on Advocacy for Publicly Funded Nonprofits by The Center for an Urban Future
Advocacy Without Fear \| Direct Link This article provides an overview of how nonprofits can lobby without fear of losing tax exemption. Key Terms: advocacy, IRS, legal consideration, lobbying, lobbying regulation, Section 501(h) election Author: Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York, Inc. \| Published: 2001 Preferred Practice: Know That A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Can Engage in Unlimited Educational Activities There are no legal limits on the many effective advocacy activities that do not constitute lobbying. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Pitfall: Being Fearful of Losing Your Tax Exemption Because of Lobbying Activities by Your Nonprofit Basic training in nonprofit lobbying law will quickly dispel many common myths that discourage nonprofit lobbying, and make you aware of the ample lobbying limits permitted under the law. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy
Are There Restrictions on the Amount of Lobbying a Nonprofit Organization Can Do? \| Direct Link This article explains how nonprofits are limited in the amount of lobbying they can conduct. It discusses the two rules which the IRS uses to evaluate an organization's lobbying activities, the insubstantial part test and the expenditure test. Key Terms: 501(h) test, advocacy, expenditures, legal considerations, lobbying regulations, substantial part test Author: Center For Nonprofit Management \| Published: 2003 Preferred Practice: If Not Electing the Expenditure Test, Tracking Advocacy Activities of Your Volunteers Becomes Very Important The Insubstantial Part Test is complicated, and requires meticulous record keeping to prove that your organization has not done too much lobbying. Source: Joel J. Orosz, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership Recognize What Daily Activities Constitute Lobbying When you are communicating your views and urging action of the general public or a legislator regarding specific legislation, know that you are already engaging in lobbying. Source: Johnson Center for Philanthropy Pitfall: Limiting Your Impact by Not Clearly Distinguishing Lobbying Activities from Advocacy Activities Advocacy refers to any activity that attempts to change government policy, while lobbying is a subset of advocacy that aims to influence specific legislation, which means it is aimed at a legislative body. Source: Adapted From: Speak Up: Tips on Advocacy for Publicly Funded Nonprofits by The Center for an Urban Future
Barriers to Policy Engagement \| Direct Link This article explains ways that nonprofits can use privately donated money to fund lobbying, and how foundations can make general operating support grants to enable this activity. It also addresses the need to increase staff skills to advocate for policy change. Key Terms: advocacy, budget, earmark grants, legal consideration, lobbying, lobbying regulation, political action Author: Boney, Ret \| Published: 2006
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