Charity Lobbying, Session 2 (of 2): Advanced Strategies for 501(h) Electing Charities, Funding Realities & Electioneering Edges

Date Recorded: Thursday, June 23, 2011

Summary:This session will assume a basic comfort level with lobbying as a charitable activity, understanding of the 501(h) formulas, "exempt purpose expenditures" and the basic distinction between the two types of lobbying activity (direct and grassroots). In the session we will dig a little deeper looking for opportunities to comply with the rules and maximize available funding, by discussing what is NOT lobbying and what is NOT grassroots lobbying (just direct, which you get more of). Along with these we will discuss certain thought-provoking advanced strategies under 501(h) to maximize funds in an issue campaign, and to reinforce and explore how the 501(h) rules work. We also will cover what the rules are for private foundations generally (some of the "what is not lobbying" applies to them as well) and what their rules are for funding a project with clear lobbying components. Finally, we will touch on when lobbying can become electioneering in an election year and/or how to avoid making it become electioneering.