1. Nonprofit Advocacy: Rules of the Game
Erin Skene-Pratt, Consultant
July 12, 2017
What are you interested in learning today?

2. Agenda Common definitions Rationale for advocacy Advocacy tactics
Rules governing nonprofit lobbying
Strategize for success

3. *Most advocacy tactics are not lobbying!*
Common Definitions
Advocacy – Support for a particular cause or policy
Lobbying – An advocacy tactic to influence specific legislation
Public Policy – Laws, rules and funding priorities of government
Policymaker – A person or entity that makes public policy
*Most advocacy tactics are not lobbying!*

4. The Question Is Not “Should we Advocate” but “Can we Afford Not to?”
Exercise – Why do you think advocacy is important?

9. Types of Advocacy Educating public on issues of concern
Educating policymakers on issues
Building relationships with policymakers
Nonpartisan voter engagement
Lobbying
Coalition building
Outreach to media
Research

10. Examples of Advocacy
Educate congressional members on your programs & services
Be a resource for state & federal constituent relations
Share relevant research and reports
Share stories & statistics with policymakers about those that you provide services
Invite policymakers to tour your agency & go to coffees
Lobby for funding of CSBG
Build & maintain a relationship with policymakers
Use social media to describe the success of your programs

11. Advocacy Tips Be persistent & brief Keep to one issue
Select the right spokesperson
Don’t use jargon – word choice is important
Talk from their perspective
You are the expert
Choose vehicle wisely

12. Empowering board & volunteer champions
Raise awareness
Training
Rationale for advocacy
Catalyze Action
Address fears
Mobilize
Importance of peer to peer persuasion
Spokespeople
Include in planning
Build skills & systems
Network mapping
Process and procedures

13. Role Play

14. IRS Rules for Lobbying
Getting your ducks in a row…

15. Lobbying & Public Charities
Yes, You can Lobby!
Can’t spend a substantial amount of budget on lobbying
File 501H Election!
Track lobbying expenses on Form 990
Can’t use federal funds to lobby

16. The Choice: Substantial Part vs. Expenditure Test Substantial Part
The Choice: Substantial Part vs. Expenditure Test Substantial Part Expenditure Test
No certain and definitely allowable amounts of lobbying expenditures
A single year violation may result in the loss of tax-exempt status
Importance of an issue is a relevant factor in determining permissible lobbying activity
Possible additional reporting burden on tax form 990
Clear and specific definitions of lobbying
Certain and definitely allowable amount of lobbying expenditures
No jeopardy to tax-exempt status for a single year violation
Importance of an issue is not a factor in measuring permissible lobbying activities
Possibly less reporting burden than substantial part test

17. How Much Can I Spend on Lobbying?
A generous amount:
20 percent of the first $500,000 of annual expenditures;
15 percent of the next $500,000
10 percent of the next $500,000
And so on up to $1 million a year.
Charitable nonprofits may spend 1/4 of the total amount of their lobbying budget on grassroots lobbying.

18. Example of ABC charity
ABC charity has annual expenditures of $250,000.
20% of $250,000 = $50,000 = Direct lobbying limit
25% of $50,000 = $12,500 = Grassroots lobbying limit
Nonprofits can spend a significant amount on lobbying under the expenditure test.

19. Direct vs. Grassroots
Senator Marleau – I urge you to vote for SB 123 to support nonprofits in your district.
Direct

20. Direct vs. Grassroots
Friends – I urge you to contact Sen. Hertel and ask him to vote yes on SB 123 to support our local nonprofits. You can find his contact info at…
Grassroots
Report expenses on 990

21. Quiz
Is it lobbying?
Send a letter to your Congressperson urging funding for CNCS?
Participate in a protest in support of public education?
Host a public forum to discuss homelessness in your community?
Call your State Representative to oppose a bill that repeals the state income tax?
Share statistics on poverty in your community with policymakers?
Meet with your Congressman to talk about your programs and services?
Post a call to action on your Facebook page in support of funding for CSBG funding?

22. Barriers or Concerns
What barriers or concerns are you currently experiencing or do you expect to encounter?

23. Questions?

24. Contact
Erin Skene-Pratt