“political activity and lobbying for charitable organizations what works? what is legal?”
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“Political Activity and Lobbying for Charitable Organizations What Works? What is Legal?”. Joe Geiger, Executive Director PANO. Quiz. Is Pennsylvania a state or a commonwealth? Largest County ? Number of bills proposed? Number of bills signed?. General Thoughts. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
“POLIT
ICAL ACTIV
ITY AND
LOBBYI
NG FOR CHARITA
BLE
ORGANIZATIONS
WHAT WORKS? W
HAT IS LE
GAL?”
J OE G
E I GE R , E X E C U
T I V E DI R E C T O
R
P A NO
QUIZ1.Is Pennsylvania a state or
a commonwealth?
2. Largest County?
3. Number of bills proposed?
4.Number of bills signed?
GENERAL THOUGHTS• There is no such thing as perfect public
policy - Feudal times…• This is not rocket science - relationships• If you are not at the table, who is?• Sticking your head in the sand does not
mean you won’t get hurt - opinion on NPO• All social legislation ever passed has been
the result of community benefit lobbying• Grassroots lobbying is crucial
WE ARE CREATING MORE COMPETITION FOR THE SAME DOLLAR
We are fighting among the nonprofit community to see whose issue is the most important issue
THREE COMMON BARRIERS TO INVOLVEMENT IN PUBLIC POLICY
• Legality – Is it legal for 501(c )(3) organizations to advocate and lobby?
• Legitimacy – Is it legitimate and appropriate for nonprofits to advocate and lobby?
• Effectiveness – How can nonprofits advocate effectively?
LEGALITY OF CHARITY LOBBYING OVERVIEW
Origins of Federal RestrictionsTradeoff for tax-deductible contributionsSources of Federal Restrictions IRS – restricts all 501 (c)(3) nonprofitsOMB A-122 Circular – Prohibits use of federal funds for lobbying and political activity - 1984
Grant contract – Contractual restrictions are another possible restraint on the use of particular funds for lobbying
LETTER FROM IRS
• Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest answers nine key questions regarding the legality of nonprofit lobbying
• A common misunderstanding among charities is that the clear prohibition on using federal funds to lobby prevents them from using other funds for lobbying
LEGITIMACY OF NONPROFIT ADVOCACYWhy advocate for change in public policy?Serves your mission and clientsServes policymakers by providing information and solutions
Contributes to better public policy outcomesPromotes civic participation and democratic values
It feels good
LOBBYING!
• It’s the right thing to do! • Basic to our democratic way of life• It is perfectly legal• If you don’t lobby, you may miss an
opportunity to help those you serve• If you are not at the table, who will
be? • Provide a voice for many who do not
have access• (Three Execs in the countryside)
IRS DEFINITION OF LOBBYING
• Contacting or urging the public to contact legislators for the purpose of proposing, supporting or opposing legislation
• The organization advocates the adoption or rejection of specific legislation
ELECTIONEERING• Charities are prohibited by law
from engaging in electioneering• Neither party has a monopoly on
brains or ethics
PENALTIES
10% excise tax organizations
IndividualsLoss of tax exemption
QUASI-ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES
• Voting Records• Questionnaires• Public Forums• Awards• Voter Registration • Transportation to electionsCannot target a particular demographic to the exclusion of
another.
INDIVIDUAL PERSONAL ACTIVITIES
• Contributions• Volunteering• Letters of
Support
DEVELOPING AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCACY PROGRAM
The Three-legged StoolGrassrootsMediaLegislative
GRASSROOTS LOBBYING• “All politics is Local” – Tip O'Neill –
What does this mean?• The power of grassroots emanates
from the fact that politicians should be responsive to their constituents
• In fact, most politicians do believe they should be responsive, and are looking for input from constituents
MEDIA LEG OF YOUR ADVOCACY PLAN – START WITH GOALS
• Discuss why the media is necessary for an advocacy plan
• Learn what is newsworthy- Who’s perspective?
• Understand the components of crafting a message for the media
• Become familiar with media tools and rules
• Gain experience crafting the message
LEGISLATIVE LEG OF YOUR ADVOCACY PLAN
• Identify how government impacts your mission:• Laws, regulations, funding• Local, state, federal government• Target specific public policy changes • Just a few strong issues• Understand the legislative process• Stay informed on legislative action• Activate your organization to impact legislative
process
MEETING WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR• Nervous? You know more about
the subject• Advance appointment important• A small delegation is OK – and
may be better• Discuss issue from your
legislator’s perspective
MEETING WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR• Can’t answer a question?
Don’t bluff, but offer to get answer
• Leave fact sheet• Write - say thanks -- remind
legislator of agreements reached
OTHER COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
• Mail• E-mail• Telephone• Letter writing
OTHER WAYS TO COMMUNICATE
Invite legislator to:Visit your facilitySpeak at a meeting sponsored by your group
Meet with your boardAttend breakfast meeting at state capitol
LOBBY REGISTRATION & PENALTIES• Individuals who fail to register, fail to report
spending, or file false or incomplete statement could face a $50 penalty for every day failure to properly register, a fine of up to $2,000 and could be banned from lobbying for up to five years
• Organizations that intentionally fail to report spending could face up to $25,000 in fines and possible criminal prosecution by the State Attorney General
THANK YOU!
Joe Geiger, Executive DirectorPennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations