Lobbying Series Part 3 – Grassroots Lobbying 

Our attorneys for this episode:

Jen Powis Quyen Tu Natalie Ossenfort

Shownotes

In this episode, our third in our on-going lobbying series, we’ll focus on grassroots lobbying for public charities that have taken the 501(h) election. 

Defining Grassroots Lobbying

1. Communication
2. with the General Public(not a legislator or member of the organization) 
3. that Expresses a View about Specific Legislation 
4. and contains a Call to Action

There are 4 specific types of calls to action.  A call to action must comprise one of the following actions:  

1. tell the recipient to contact a legislator; 
2. provide information on how the recipient can contact her legislator, such as providing the phone number or address; 
3. provide a mechanism for enabling the recipient to contact her legislator, such as a postcard, petition, or email form; or 
4. identify a legislator who will vote on the legislation as being opposed to or undecided about the organization’s view on the legislation, a member of a legislative committee who will vote on the legislation, or the recipient’s legislator. 

Examples of Grassroots Lobbying

Examples of Non-Grassroots Lobbying

Resources

• Being a Player: A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities 
• What is Advocacy? 
• Worry-Free Lobbying For Nonprofits: How To Use The 501(h) Election To Maximize Effectiveness 
• Public Charities Can Lobby: Guidelines for 501(c)(3) Public Charities (Factsheet) 
• When Does Your Activity Become Lobbying? (Factsheet) 
• Communicating With Your Members (Factsheet) 
• 501(h) Lobbying Limit Calculator