Nonprofit VOTE’s Post

Navigating the political landscape can be a delicate dance for nonprofits. It requires a strategic approach to ensure that they can effectively advocate for their cause while maintaining their tax-exempt status and avoiding any potential conflicts of interest. First, it's important for nonprofits to understand the rules and regulations that govern their activities. In the United States, for example, 501(c)(3) organizations must avoid partisan political activities. This means they can't endorse or oppose candidates for public office, but they can engage in some advocacy work and nonpartisan voter education and registration efforts. Nonprofits can also engage in legal advocacy, such as filing lawsuits to protect or advance their causes. This can be a powerful tool when other avenues of advocacy are limited. Another key aspect of navigating the political landscape is building strong relationships with policymakers, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This can be achieved through meetings, public events, and social media campaigns. In the past year, we've seen some interesting developments in the way nonprofits navigate the political landscape. For example, some organizations have been using social media to raise awareness about political issues and engage with their supporters. Others have been working to build coalitions with other nonprofits and advocacy groups to amplify their impact. Overall, navigating the political landscape is a complex and ongoing process for nonprofits. It requires a deep understanding of the rules and regulations, as well as a strategic approach to advocacy and relationship building.

"Advocacy enables nonprofits to influence policy, amplify community voices, and create lasting impact. But to increase policy advocacy efforts by nonprofits, we need to invest in accessible learning, fund advocacy work, and build an understanding that compliant advocacy work can take many forms." #advocacy #awareness #education #policy #equity #systemschange #philanthropy #nonprofits #partnerships #leadership

Advocacy can help nonprofits advance their mission, increase funding, and solve community issues. It’s important, as a tax-exempt organization, to understand what types of advocacy and lobbying is and is not allowed. Our resource outlines just that:

“Nonprofits today are less aware of the advocacy and lobbying activities they are legally allowed to do compared to 20 years ago. … [N]onprofits can and should consider policy advocacy as one strategic approach to advancing their mission and values. As a first step, nonprofits and those who work with them should be more aware of their legal rights to engage in policy issues and nonpartisan voter engagement. We also encourage nonprofits to join collaborative groups and associations of nonprofits with similar interests, invest in DEI activities, and promote nonpartisan voter engagement. By doing so, nonprofits can increase their mission impact, promote equity, increase civic participation, contribute to democracy, and drive changes in their communities that align with their values.” The Retreat of Influence: Exploring the Decline of Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Engagement

🇺🇸Election years can be opportunities for your nonprofit to connect with supporters, but they can also be noisy and chaotic. How can you cut through the noise and contribute meaningfully? ✅ Read Media Cause experts’ top five communication tips to consider as you roll out your advocacy, fundraising, and engagement strategies during an election year. #nonprofitmarketing #nonprofitfundraising #advocacy

Elections and policy are on many of our minds right now. If you are a funder, or work with one, who is interested in advocacy efforts- don't miss the latest article from my Bridgespan colleagues on how, when, and where to consider investing.

How Nonprofits Navigate the Tides of Election Years As the political climate intensifies during election years, nonprofits find themselves navigating a unique set of challenges and opportunities. The heightened public interest in social issues and increased civic engagement can be a double-edged sword for these organizations. Let's delve into the multifaceted ways in which election years impact nonprofits: Increased Visibility for Social Issues: Election years often bring social issues to the forefront, offering nonprofits a golden opportunity to highlight their causes. This increased visibility can lead to enhanced public awareness and support, as candidates and voters discuss and debate the very issues these organizations work on daily. Funding Fluctuations: Election years can lead to fluctuations in funding for nonprofits. Some donors may redirect their financial support towards political campaigns, while others might increase their contributions to causes they feel are threatened or spotlighted by the political discourse. Advocacy and Policy Influence: With the political spotlight on policy and change, nonprofits have a critical window to advocate for their causes. However, they must navigate these waters carefully, adhering to regulations that limit the political activities of tax-exempt organizations while still making their voices heard. Volunteer Engagement: Election years can influence volunteer engagement levels. The surge in civic involvement can either divert potential volunteers towards political campaigning or galvanize them to contribute more to nonprofit causes, depending on the prevailing sentiments. Strategic Planning and Operations: Nonprofits often need to adapt their strategies and operations in response to the shifting political and funding landscapes of election years. This may involve reevaluating their advocacy approaches, communication strategies, and even their program priorities. Election years are pivotal times for nonprofits. They are periods of potential growth, heightened advocacy, and significant impact but also come with their share of challenges. Understanding and strategically navigating these dynamics can help nonprofits not only survive but thrive in the fluctuating waters of election years. #Nonprofits #ElectionYearImpact #SocialIssues #Advocacy #NonprofitFunding #VolunteerEngagement #StrategicPlanning #NonprofitSector

My latest blog post, on nonprofits and the advocacy work they can and should do, featuring the work of Sam Daley-Harris and RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund.

It’s On Us! Nonprofits can boost voter turnout and impact community trust. Get started with the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Playbook. 📘 Learn more and download here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eZrjQHe9

With major election decisions from the U.S. president to local levies, nonprofit leaders are often challenged with how they can – and cannot – engage in advocacy   Our team re-visited these columns from 2021 and we hope they're helpful to you as we head into the unprecedented nature of November. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/g4jicP46 #nonprofit #advocacy #heartandhardwork