Game Time: Midterm Elections Hub
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, 501(c)(3)s have an important role to play in helping communities participate in our democracy while continuing to advance their missions. Nonprofits can engage in a wide variety of nonpartisan election-related activities, but they must take care to ensure their activities do not support or oppose candidates for public office. This resource hub brings together practical tools and information to help organizations navigate election season with confidence.
Nonpartisan Advocacy
- Rules of the Game: Guide to election-related activities for 501(c)(3) organizations
- Election Checklist for 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Ensuring election year advocacy efforts remain nonpartisan
- Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season: Sample policy to improve organizational compliance with the rules of election season advocacy and engagement
- Nonprofits, Elections, and the Fine Art of Remaining Nonpartisan: Examples of 501(c)(3) safe election season activities and tips on how to remain nonpartisan
- Five Cool Ways to Educate and Advocate During Election Season: Infographic breaking down creative, practical ways nonprofits can get involved in election-season advocacy
- Keeping Nonpartisan During Election Season: Best practices for ensuring 501(c)(3) activities remain nonpartisan and do not support or oppose candidates for public office
- Comparison of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Permissible Activities: Chart highlighting several key distinctions between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) rules during election season and beyond
Commenting on Candidates and Incumbents
- Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns: How 501(c)(3)s can respond during an election year when candidates and campaigns comment on mission-relevant issues
- Praising and Criticizing Incumbents: How 501(c)(3)s can hold elected officials accountable for their official actions even during election season
Voter Education, GOTV, and Voter Registration Activities
- Candidate Questionnaires and Voter Guides: Guidelines for minimizing organizational risk when producing and distributing candidate questionnaires and voter guides
- Hosting Candidate Debates: Best practices for 501(c)(3)s when hosting candidate debates and forums
- Hosting Candidates at Charitable Events: Guidelines for hosting candidates and public officials at 501(c)(3) events in the lead-up to an election
- Mobilizing Communities Through Nonpartisan Voter Engagement: Podcast episode on best practices for 501(c)(3)s when engaging in GOTV activities
- Voter Registration Rules for Private Foundations: Overview of rules that apply when private foundations fund voter registration activities
Individual vs. Organizational Election Season Activities
- Election Activities of Individuals Associated with 501(c)(3) Organizations: Tips on how to keep personal election season activities separate from your organization’s work
- 501(c)(3) Employees Running for Office: Best practices to protect 501(c)(3) status when staff, volunteers, or other key nonprofit representatives run for office
- The Hatch Act of 1939: Frequently asked questions about the Hatch Act and its impact on certain employees and nonprofits
Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures
Ballot Measures and Public Charities: Yes, You Can Influence That Vote: Quick overview of the Internal Revenue Code requirements that apply to public charity ballot measure advocacy
Spanish Language Resources
BA en Español: Spanish-language resources related to the rules of nonprofit engagement in election season advocacy, lobbying, and more
Voices in Action
Voices in Action: collaborative initiative (AFJ, Independent Sector, Nonprofit VOTE, and League of Women Voters) to equip nonprofits with the tools, confidence, and clarity they need to engage their communities in the democratic process ahead of the 2026 midterm elections and beyond