All nonprofits have a vital role to play in strengthening democracy, advancing freedom of expression, and adding richness and diversity to community life. Throughout our history, Americans have turned to nonprofit organizations to provide a strong, collective voice to inform and influence public policy.

Advocacy is a broad term covering a range of activities that seek to bring about systemic social change. One form of advocacy is lobbying – attempts to influence specific legislation through direct or grassroots communications with legislators or their staff – but advocacy also includes executive branch activities, issue organizing, and nonpartisan voter engagement.

501(c)3 Public Charities, including Community Foundations, have every right to advocate on behalf of policies they believe in. But, when nonprofits advocate for specific legislation (i.e. lobby), it may trigger specific rules and limits. Follow these links to learn about what is and what is not considered lobbying, how much lobbying a public charity can do, and whether an organization that does federal lobbying needs to register with Congress and follow gift rules.

• Lobbying Guidelines for Public Charities, including Disclosure and Gift Rules
• Taking the 501(h) Election
• IRS Clarifies Rules for Charities that Make Grants

Private Foundations are generally not permitted to lobby except on self-defense matters, but they can inform public policy in other ways, and they can support nonprofits that lobby and advocate on issues.

• Lobbying Guidelines for Private Foundations

Elections / Voter Engagement: Many nonprofit organizations have stood on the sidelines during election season, due in large part to fears that they could violate legal restrictions – but the law clearly allows 501(c)(3) nonprofits to engage in voter education, voter registration, and get-out-the-vote activities. There is one overriding rule: The activities must be nonpartisan.

• Election Rules and Resources for Nonprofits
• Election Day Guidelines