Lobbying and Electioneering for Nonprofits

Want to impact the next election?

Want to know what nonprofits can do to affect public policy?

The elections in November will shape the future of our country.  Nonprofits and their stakeholders have an interest in the outcome.

Most webinars on lobbying and electioneering for nonprofits concentrate on what charities may not do.  This webinar will concentrate on what charities and other nonprofits can do in elections and policy development throughout the year.

Charities exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Tax Code have been forbidden for years under the so-called “Johnson Amendment” from endorsing or opposing candidates for public office at any level of government.  But litigation is pending that could eliminate that rule, at least for churches.  Should your charity now ignore the rule to endorse a candidate?

Charities are also limited in the amount of lobbying they can do in supporting or opposing specific legislation.  How much lobbying is permitted?

“Social welfare organizations” exempt under section 501(c)(4) do not face the same limitations. 

Should your charity set up a (c)(4) for political activity?  And how would you do it?

Even if you don’t have a (c)(4) to work with, a public charity can run a nonpartisan voter registration drive.  How could you set one up?

Can your public charity have candidates speak to your constituents?

Can you publish a voters’ guide to their positions?

Can you drive voters to the polls on election day?

Should your executives set up a political action committee?

Can you take a position on a referendum or state constitutional amendment?

How can you differentiate between lobbying and advocacy?

How much can you spend on lobbying?

Should you make an election under section 501(h)?

How can you get private foundation grants to support your activities?

How can you make your lobbying a year round activity?

Do you have to deal with lobbying registration regulations?

We will cover these and lots of other issues during the webinar.  Participants can submit their specific questions for discussion before or during the program.

Here’s what participants said in their evaluations of previous webinars:

• Well put together
• Well delivered
• Excellent materials
• Great presenter!!
• 100% said they would recommend it to others

Most significantly, 100% of respondents said they learned things they could use in their own programs.

Nonprofit Issues^® editor Don Kramer will lead the discussion.  Kramer, who has more than 45 years of experience in dealing with the legal issues of nonprofits of all types and sizes, is listed among The Best Lawyers in America in the category of nonprofit/charities law.  Melissa Sines, Interim Standards for Excellence Consultant for the Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, will facilitate the program. 

Not a current Nonprofit Issues subscriber? Purchase this webinar and receive a three-month introductory subscription for FREE.

To purchase just the webinar - add the product to the cart below.

Participants will receive a package of materials from Nonprofit Issues® and PANO.

Nonprofit Issues® is an Accredited Provider for Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education. CLE credit is available for PA lawyers participating in this webinar.  If you are a lawyer in a state that accepts CLE credits from other jurisdictions we can provide a certificate of attendance and proof of our PA approval.  The program also offers Continuing Professional Education credit for Pennsylvania accountants.

We now offer special discount pricing for multiple participants. Registrants, who pay one full-price registration, can add up to 5 people for the flat rate of $45 for the group. To add additional attendees, add the multiple participant product to the cart. (Lawyers and accountants requesting credit may be among the additional participants but must log in separately.)

Not able to join us for the live webinar on September 9th? Purchase the program, and we'll send you the recording when available (typically 48 hours after the live event).

If you have any questions, email us at info@nonprofitissues.com or call 1-888-NP-Issue.