When Should a 501(c)(3) Consider Creating an Affiliated 501(c)(4)?

501(c)(3) organizations have numerous tools at their disposal for achieving their charitable purposes, and also have the distinct advantage of being able to receive contributions that are generally tax-deductible for donors.  However, in exchange for tax-exemption and the ability to receive deductible charitable contributions, the law places some limitations on the permissible advocacy-related activities of […]

501(c)(3) Electioneering Rules: Employee Endorsements & Election Activities

  As we’ve previously written in the first post of this series, 501(c)(3) organizations are prohibited from engaging in or sponsoring activities that intervene in a political campaign for public office.  However, this does not mean that all individuals associated with such organizations, including employees, volunteers, officers, and directors, are similarly prohibited from engaging in […]

The Electioneering Prohibition: A Closer Look

With the election year in full swing, many nonprofits have questions regarding the scope of permissible election-related and lobbying or advocacy activities organizations recognized as exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) can engage in.  This post will be the first in a series discussing these issues. *** As most 501(c)(3) organizations are well aware, […]

Starting a Nonprofit: The Value of Making the 501(h) Lobbying Election

Lobbying is one of the most underutilized tools available to a charity to advance its mission. Making the very simple 501(h) election is a painless way for most charities to increase their lobbying activities for stronger environmental protections, education reforms, access to health care, and a variety of other causes, with less uncertainty and clearly […]