Coalitions and Affiliations

Nonprofits may, and often should, work in coalition with other organizations.  Benefits include shared resources (such as financial, staffing, and contact lists), increased clout, coordinated activities, and more.  Nonprofits cannot do through coalitions what they cannot do themselves, however.  The guidelines for lobbying and election-related activity vary depending on how the coalition is organized and funded, as well as the structures of the participating entities.

Nonprofits often create affiliated organizations to expand their advocacy options.  For example, a 501(c)(3) organization that wants to engage in more lobbying than is permitted might create an affiliated 501(c)(4) organization that could engage in unlimited lobbying.  Non-501(c)(3) organizations that want to engage in more partisan election activity may create a 527.

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