Nonprofit Advocacy- Advancing Your Mission Presented by: Rebecca Gorrell Director of Education & Leadership Development Gorrell@CRCAmerica.Org
Agenda Introductions What is Advocacy? Why it matters The Rules Toolbox: Elections Toolbox: Lobbying 2016.and beyond!
Introductions Name, title, organization Mission Why are you here today?
Defining Advocacy Community Resource Center Involves identifying, embracing and promoting a cause. Includes a broad range of activities. Lobbying An attempt to influence specific legislation. An attempt to influence a specific ballot measure. Has strict legal and IRS definitions for nonprofits.
Community Resource Center Nonprofits: Agents for Change NPO s are nonpartisan, trusted messengers. Nonprofits serve and engage disenfranchised communities every day. We employ more than 14 million people (10% of the workforce), engage more than 50 million volunteers annually, and serve millions every day. Civic engagement improves individual outcomes Chronic disease and decreased depression. Follow issues, volunteer, and engage friends and family members. Lower unemployment. At the table, or on the menu! Sources: Alvy, 2010. Harris polls, 2008. Philanthropy for active civic engagement, 2008. National Civic Review, 2010, Nonprofit VOTE 2014.
Arena for Change Community Resource Center Our issues are decided politically Advocacy helps find real solutions to help real people 501 (c) (3) s are the Sleeping Giants
Full Cycle Advocacy Community Resource Center
Community Resource Center Cardinal Rule: Nonpartisanship A 501(c)(3) organization may NOT Endorse or Oppose a candidate or party Make a contribution to a candidate or party
Community Resource Center Toolbox: Electoral Activity Voter Education & Candidate Education Voter Registration Get Out The Vote
Elections Matter Community Resource Center Nonprofits who foster community dialogue about government decisions create governmental policies more in line with the desires of residents, including residents not active in the organization. Direct implications on policy issues decided at the ballot.
Nonprofit Impact: Elections Source: Increase Nonprofit political VOTE- engagement Track the Vote, 2012 among populations who have been traditionally underrepresented in the democratic process. Source: Nonprofit VOTE- Track the Vote, 2012
Nonprofit Impact: Elections Source: Engaging New Voters, Nonprofit VOTE 2014
Nonprofit Toolbox: Lobbying Direct Lobbying: Communication with a legislator (or staff) expressing a view about specific legislation Grassroots lobbying: Communication with the general public expressing a view about specific legislation and including a call to action.
It s not the activity that constitutes lobbying, it s the content of the conversation Lobbying includes a specific vote yes or vote no on a piece of legislation or ballot initiative Ballot Initiatives are considered direct- why? Community Resource Center Nonprofit Toolbox: Lobbying The vote language is the clear line lobbying definitions are clear and distinct
What does the IRS Say? Community Resource Center The amount of lobbying a nonprofit organization can engage in depends on its tax-exempt status. 501(c)(3) public charities can engage in a limited, but generous, amount of lobbying. Federal guidelines say: Insubstantial Test -No substantial part of a charity s activities be carrying on propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation H Election - Clear definitions of various kinds of lobbying communications Clearly defined lobbying dollar limits and fewer items counting against those limits No personal penalties for charity that exceeds lobbying expenditure limits
Getting Started Community Resource Center Understand your capacity what s realistic? Plan ahead key dates & deadlines. Build buy in board, key staff, community leaders. Identify Audience/Areas of influence local decision makers, community, state-level? Identify resources & key decision-makers. Who are your partners?
Community Resource Center Upcoming Opportunities 2016 Elections- Primary June 28 th General November 8 th Presidential Senate State & Local Offices Ballot Measures 2017 Legislative Session
Your Turn Community Resource Center What s opportunities do you see for voter engagement in your organization? What opportunities do you see for lobbying in your organization?
Resources Community Resource Center Success Strategies for Colorado Nonprofits Community Resource Center -Participation Project Crcamerica.org/ParticipationProject Nonprofit VOTE Nonprofitvote.org (617) 867-VOTE Alliance for Justice Afj.org (866) NP-LOBBY
Thank you! Community Resource Center