Lobbying
- The Law Encourages Lobbying by Charities and other 501(c)(3) Groups
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Summary of IRS Lobbying Regulations for Charities
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IRS Definition of Lobbying
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Exceptions to the IRS Definition of Lobbying
- Lobbying Versus Advocacy: Legal Definitions
--Frequently Asked Questions--
- Can 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organizations Receiving Federal Grants Lobby?
- Frequently Asked Questions: Restrictions on Use of Federal Funds for Lobbying
- Frequently Asked Questions About Nonprofit Lobbying
--Financing Lobbying --
- Is Your Organization Subject to the Lobbying Disclosure Act?
- The New Congressional Ethics Rules: What Nonprofits Should Know
- Private Foundations and Policymaking: Basic Rules
- Alliance for Justice State Law Resources
Articles
While it is important for advocacy organisations to be alert to the opportunities to use the courts to further their advocacy objectives, they must also be aware of the limitations of court actions. These limitations include: Court action is costly; The outcome is uncertain; A good case is dependent on good facts and strong argument; Unless a matter is considered by the courts to be urgent, court actions often take a long time to be heard; It is difficult to involve the membership of an organisation in the detailed planning of a court action. Read More
The judiciary plays a very important role in preventing the abuse of power and in protecting people's rights. While litigation is not an appropriate vehicle for all advocacy campaigns, organizations involved in advocacy should be alert to the potential of this tool. Read More
The updated guide The Connection: Strategies for Creating and Operating 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and Political Organizations from the Alliance for Justice sets out the legal lay of the land for nonprofits seeking to expand their advocacy activities. It covers different kinds of tax-exempt organizations, detailing what advocacy activities each can do and how they can be affiliated under rules in federal tax and election statutes. This article briefly summarizes the topics in the book. It is available to purchase for $35 from Alliance for Justice. Read More
The term "lobbying" is much narrower in definition than advocacy or civic participation. Lobbying is legal strategy nonprofits use to influence legislators and executive branch administrators about pending legislation or regulations. It should not be considered synonymous with advocacy because there is much more advocacy people and nonprofits can do than is the case with lobbying. Read More
While just about any private money can be used on lobbying, federal funds generally cannot be used for lobbying, or for the procurement of more contracts or grants. Following are some specific examples of what money can and cannot be used for lobbying. Read More
Federal funds cannot be used for legislative lobbying, but some exceptions apply. Read More
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Nonprofits that get federal funds through categorical grants, contracts or cooperative agreements, whether directly or through an intermediary are subject to restrictions on use of federal funds for lobbying. Only private, non-federal dollars can be spent for direct or grassroots lobbying. The definition of what counts as direct or grassroots lobbying for federal grant purposes is in OMB Circular A-122. The Preamble to Circular A-122, published April 27, 1984, offers guidance on how OMB will interpret the definition of grassroots lobbying. Read More
Dated July 6, 2007: New ethics reforms have brought much anticipated change in the United States Congress. Largely in response to the much publicized "culture of corruption," the reforms attempt to make the public policy process more transparent and the members more accountable to the greater public. The new rules significantly restrict lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and staff, implement stronger travel limitations on members, mandate disclosure of earmarks and provide for more oversight on congressional procedures. This article summarizes the new ethics rules in the U.S. House of Representatives and changes pending in the Senate. Read More
Federal grantees are free to use their private funds for legislative lobbying. But how can a group make sure the grant activities and the lobbying are kept separate? There are no clear cut rules on how to do this. However, nonprofit grantees may find guidance in standards on keeping religious activity separate from grant activity issued by the Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2005. The standards were part of a settlement in a lawsuit alleging unconstitutional use of federal funds for religious activities. See the details.... Read More