On Wednesday, June 29, 2016 several ABBA leaders got the chance to attend the Worry-Free Advocacy training by Bolder Advocacy, An initiative of Alliance for Justice. The training is very relevant as institutions tied to ABBA look for ways to advocate for ballot measure campaigns such as Arts and Homelessness within the confines of what is allowed. Nonprofits are encouraged to lobby and have the right to do so. Many of the activities that can influence policy do not technically meet the definition of lobbying, examples include expressing a view on a ballot, or an indirect call to action. 

During the training useful tools such as the 501 (h) expenditure tests were discussed and contextualized to help nonprofits determine their limits. The training also touched on the importance of tracking contributions to ballot measure campaigns to report on the IRS Form 990, along with the amount of time staff members can spend on ballot measure campaigns before reporting that contribution of staff time.

You can find more resources below along with future training dates.

Lobbying:

• Public Charities Can Lobby
• What is Lobbying Under the 501(h) Election?(for organizations that are not houses of worship)
• Being A Player: A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities: an in-depth publication that is useful as a reference; and

Election-related Activity:

• Election Checklist for 501c3 Public Charities

California Ballot Measures:

• Ballot Measure Activities Exempt from California Disclosure Laws This fact sheet discusses activities that are exempt from California’s ballot measure disclosure laws and can be done by an organization without concern of triggering any special disclosure reports.
• Supporting or Opposing Ballot Measures in California: What You Need to Disclose? This fact sheet discusses what type of reporting may be required for nonprofits supporting or opposing ballot measures in California.
  • We are in the process of updating this factsheet to reflect recent changes in the law. Please note that Recipient Committees are any committee that receives payments of $2,000 or more in a calendar year (not $1,000). In addition, the category of “Event-Based Filer” has been eliminated, so the last bullet on page 2 is now obsolete.
• Initiating Policy Change: Circulating Ballot Initiatives in California

Interested in more workshops?

If you would like to bring a Bolder Advocacy training to your organization, please fill out this form, and we will contact you to discuss your options.

You can checkout upcoming public trainings and webinars here!

Have more questions about your nonprofit advocacy rights?

Please feel free to contact the attorney on call at advocacy(at)afj(dot)org or 866-NP-LOBBY (866-675-6229) if you have any questions. In addition, you can share my contact information with anyone who would prefer to receive their asistencia técnica en español: sara(at)afj(dot)org and 510-444-6070 x 2002.