Consult Valuable Resources About How To Do Nonprofit Advocacy Legally

Nonprofits Can Help America Vote!

Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network

A highly valuable resources for 501(c)(3) nonprofits has launched, NonprofitVoter.org. The site has everything a nonprofit would need to become active in the vital work of nonpartisan voter registration. "Nonprofits have inherent assets making them strong civic intermediaries to encourage voter and citizen participation." The site has useful resources such as toolkits, training resources, guides, and links. Check out the site that reminds us that "nonprofits have many opportunities to encourage voter and civic participation as part of its charitable mission so long as it is done on a nonpartisan basis."

Nonprofit Vote!

More resources

Items provided to help nonprofits locate key government entities and guidelines regarding their advocacy work. Sections: Be a good nonprofit citizen; how nonprofits can get involved; the Help America Vote Act (HAVA); continuing issue advocacy in an election year; Get Out The Vote and voter education; Election 2006 information. (NP Action)

Lobbying, Advocacy and the Law for Nonprofits - Tutorial

Take a Quick Tutorial on the Lobby Law Lobbying, Advocacy and the Law for Nonprofits under section 501(c)(3) By Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest (CLPI)

Nonprofit Advocacy Laws

The Nonprofit Advocacy Project works to strengthen the voice of the nonprofit sector in important public policy debates by giving tax-exempt organizations a better understanding of the laws that govern their participation in the policy process. (Alliance for Justice)

IRS Guidance on political activities of 501(c)(4), (5), (6) organizations (Revenue Ruling 2004-06) (PDF)

Election-Related Activities and Charitable Nonprofits, an online tutorial from IS member Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest.

Playing the Rules, Handbook on Voter Participation and Education Work for 501(c)(3) Organizations (Caplin & Drysdale)

What Can Nonprofits Do During an Election Cycle? Helpful tips from IS member Minnesota Council on Nonprofits.

Permissible Election Activities Checklist (PDF) (Alliance for Justice)

Political Campaign-Related Activities of and at Colleges and Universities (PDF) - Do's and Don'ts for universities, from IS member American Council on Education.

E-Advocacy for Nonprofits: The Law of Lobbying and Election-Related Activity on the Net, (PDF) addresses election-related activity such as voter education websites as well as Internet advocacy. (Alliance for Justice)