Tip
of the Month - February 2004
WHAT
CAN NONPROFITS DO DURING
AN ELECTION CYCLE?
Charitable organizations have a key role to play in educating and activating voters. While 501(c)3 organizations are prohibited from partisan activity, they can and should engage in nonpartisan efforts to encourage civic participation.
As the election season grows near, The possibilities are great, and MCN will be working with nonprofits to do: nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the vote activities; issue advocacy; and candidate forums.
Nonpartisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities
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Drives must be designed to educate the public about the importance of voting.
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Activities cannot be biased for or against any candidate or party.
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Nonprofits can target areas for this effort in nonpartisan ways. For instance, nonprofits may target low-turnout areas, low income populations, minority populations, and students. Targeting just can’t be based on belonging to a political party.
-
Nonprofits may also target registration and turn out efforts to the areas or people they serve.
Issue advocacy:
Candidate forums
-
Nonprofits may invite candidates to meetings or to public forums sponsored by the nonprofit. The invitation must be extended to “all serious candidates.”
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It is best to write to all of them simultaneously and to use identical language in the invitation. It is not necessary that all candidates attend.
-
Even-handedness must be maintained. Each candidate must be given an equal opportunity
to answer any questions.
Keep in mind that a 501(c)3 organization can never endorse, contribute to, work for, or otherwise support or oppose a candidate for public office. The organization’s resources, including work time, computers, phones, and meeting spaces may never be used in partisan electioneering activities.
This, however, in no way prohibits officers, members, or employees from participating in a political campaign as private citizens.
For more information see:
Voter Education By Charities During a Political Campaign by Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest,
www.clpi.org.
The Rules of the Game: An Election Year Legal Guide for Nonprofit Organizations, a publication of The Alliance for Justice,
www.afj.org.
View
Past Tips of the Month
May
2004 - One
Million Minnesotans Can See Your Form
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April
2004 - Avoid
Unexpected Cost of Directors,
Officers, and Organizational Liability
March
2004 - Strategies
for Reducing Operating Costs
February
2004 - What
Can Nonprofits Due During an Election
Cycle
January
2004 - Celebrate
Your Nonprofit
November
2003 -Get
Your Board on Board
October 2003- Take
a Walk-About for Safety
September
2003- Exit
Interviews-Learn from those who Leave
August
2003 - Participant
Waivers: The Good the Bad and the Ugly
July 2003 - Practical
Tips for Reference Checking
June 2003 - Evaluating
Your Insurance Professional
May 2003 - Supervising
Volunteers
April 2003 - Protect
Your Assets with Sound Internal
Controls
March
2003
- Teaching
Computer Users to Surf Safely
February
2003 -
Involve
Clients in Protecting Their Own Safety
January
2003- Managing
the Risk of Board Discontent
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