Break in Case of PANIC!
It’s a challenging time to be working for, volunteering with, or funding a nonprofit that is advocating for justice and equity. The landscape of threats against nonprofits is constantly changing—but the chaos is the point. Many recent executive branch and legislative actions are designed to instill fear in nonprofits and their funders so that they exhaust their resources defending their organizations, rather than advancing their missions.
We are here to make sure you know the rules that apply to your organization’s advocacy, including those that apply to nonprofits via the Internal Revenue Code, state and federal lobbying disclosure laws, and state and federal election laws. The goal is to prepare you to weather any storm and come out stronger on the other side. Remember, now is not the time to panic. It’s the time to stand up for your communities and the rule of law confidently and emphatically.
DO:
- Rely on trusted sources of information to stay up to date with legal and legislative changes.
- Know the compliance rules that apply to your nonprofit.
- Ensure accurate tracking of your expenses – including staff time! – spent on grassroots lobbying, direct lobbying and, for 501(c)(4)s, allowable political activity.
- Create a communications strategy to prepare for attack.
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of all legally required reports (e.g., IRS Form 990, and lobbying or campaign finance disclosures at the local, state, or federal level).
- Implement cybersecurity, document retention, election season, and social media policies.
- Take the time to learn what documents you are required to turn over to government officials and others who may request them.
- Continue your bold advocacy!
DON’T:
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Panic!
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Stop advocating for your cause.
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Forget to check out our resources below.
Resources for Defense:
- Advocacy Check-Up: Nonprofit Self Assessment (Guide)
- Nonprofit Legal Defense Network (Partnership with We The Action)
- Preparing for Politically Motivated Attacks On-Demand Training
- Tips for Nonprofits: Preparing for the Possibility of a Politically Motivated Attack (Factsheet)
- Rules of the Game: Politically Motivated Attacks (Podcast)
- Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season
- Keeping Track: A Guide to Recordkeeping for Advocacy Charities (Guide)
Resources for Offense:
- How Nonprofits Can Fight Back Against Trump’s Harmful Executive Orders (Blog)
- Being A Player: A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities (Guide)
- Lobbying Series Part 1 – Introduction to Lobbying (First of Lobbying Series Podcasts)
- The Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election-Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations (Guide)
- What Nonprofits Need to Know About Lobbying in Your State (State Law Guides)
- Practical Guidance – Nonprofit Voter Assistance (State Law Guides)
- Ballot Measures Toolkit (Compilation of Resources)
- Democracy and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Democracy and Voting Rights (Guide)
- Race and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Racial Justice and Immigrant Rights (Guide)
- Health and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Health and Disability Rights (Guide)
- Pride and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for LGBTQ+ and HIV Communities (Guide)
- Power and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Labor and Economic Justice (Guide)
- Gender and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Gender and Reproductive Justice (Guide)
- Justice and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Criminal Legal Reform (Guide)
- Earth and Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Environmental Justice (Guide)
Resources for Foundations:
Don’t forget, foundations can help the cause! While private foundations must navigate more stringent rules related to lobbying and voter registration, both private and public foundations can participate in and fund a wide range of advocacy activities.
- Focus on Foundations (Compilation of Resources)
- Investing in Change: A Funder’s Guide to Supporting Advocacy (Guide)
- The Project Grant Rule Hub (Compilation of Resources)
- What to Know About Advocacy Grants (Podcast)
- Advocacy by Private Foundations (Podcast)
- Advocacy by Public Foundations (Podcast)