QUIZ
1. 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 Restrictions
 Tradeoff for tax-deductible contributions
Sources of Federal Restrictions
 IRS – restricts all 501 (c)(3) nonprofits
 OMB 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 ADVOCACY
Why advocate for change in public policy?
Serves your mission and clients
Serves policymakers by providing information
and solutions
Contributes to better public policy outcomes
Promotes 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
Individuals
Loss of tax exemption
QUASI-ALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES
•
•
•
•
•
•
Voting Records
Questionnaires
Public Forums
Awards
Voter Registration
Transportation to elections
Cannot 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 Stool
Grassroots
Media
Legislative
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 facility
Speak at a meeting
sponsored by your group
Meet with your board
Attend 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 Director
Pennsylvania Association
of Nonprofit Organizations
Joe@pano.org
717-236-8584