chapter 14: advocacy and lobbying. stage 1: inattention to the problem stage 2: discovery of the...
TRANSCRIPT
Chapter 14: Advocacy and LobbyingChapter 14: Advocacy and Lobbying
Stage 1: Inattention to the problem Stage 2: Discovery of the problem Stage 3: Climbing the agenda Stage 4: Outlining the choices Stage 5: Choosing courses of action Stage 6: Launching initial interventions Stage 7: Reassessing and redirecting efforts Stage 8: Achieving success, failure, or neglect
Stages in the Life Cycle of a Social Change Issue (Andreasen,
2006)
Advocacy -- action taken to support a general
cause Lobbying -- action taken to support or oppose
specific legislation Political campaign activity -- action taken in
support of or opposition to specific candidates for office
Terminology
Less than two percent of nonprofit organizations
engage in lobbying Larger, national organizations Organizations in fields that are significantly regulated
Reasons for ambivalence Belief that lobbying is irrelevant to the mission Belief that lobbying is inappropriate Inadequate staff or resources Concern about alienating current or potential funders Lack of clarity about the law
Nonprofit Ambivalence about Lobbying
501(c)(4) -- can engage in lobbying essentially
without restriction 501(c)(3) -- limited in lobbying activity and
prohibited from political campaign activity Tax deductibility of gifts as public subsidies Private foundations versus public charities
Sections 4911 and 501 of the Internal Revenue Code Substantial part test 501(h) expenditure test
Other laws related to lobbying practice Lobbying Disclosure Act Gift rule
Overview of Lobbying Law for Nonprofits
Charitable nonprofits are prohibited from
engaging in campaigns and from endorsing candidates, either implicitly or explicitly Coordinating their activities with those of a
candidate or a campaign Contributing money or time to work for a
candidate Contributing the use of their facilities for a
candidate or campaign
Political Campaign Activity
Applies to business corporations and nonprofits
exempt under Section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6)
Constants Cannot make monetary or in-kind contributions
directly to candidates for federal office Cannot coordinate their communication with
candidates’ campaigns Key change
Can make independent expenditures from their general treasury to expressly support or oppose candidates for federal office
Citizens United v. FEC (2010)
Determine the reason for lobbying and how it
advances the nonprofit’s mission Understand the legislative process Identify the sources of funds Undertake research
Develop an understanding of relevant public policy issues
Obtain data needed to make the case with legislators Develop an infrastructure to support the lobbying
program Inventory existing relationships and identify decision
makers Use a strategic mix of tactics
Best Practices for Advocacy and Lobbying
Push for increased involvement by nonprofits in
electoral politics Virtuous cycle between advocacy and program
delivery (Crutchfield and Grant, 2008) Efforts to obtain legislative action but ignore political
realities are naïve (Hessenius, 2007) Reasons for concern
Potential for unethical use of nonprofit organizations Jack Abramoff and the Capital Athletic Foundation
Unwillingness of taxpayers to subsidize partisan political activities by nonprofits
Debate About Nonprofit Advocacy
Advocate and Serve Make Markets Work Inspire Evangelist Nurture Nonprofit Networks Master the Art of Adaptation Share Leadership
FORCES FOR GOOD