Public Charities Can Lobby: How Your 501(c)(3) Can Influence Policy for the Greater Good

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April 21, 2026 at noon ET via Zoom

April 21 at 12 PM ET via Zoom – ReImagine Appalachia and Bolder Advocacy delivered a session on work nonprofits can do related to lobbying. When our laws and policies work for us, our communities win. Nonprofits have a close-up view of community needs and can and should take advantage of their right to influence law and policy. After this workshop, participants gained clearer understanding of what advocacy activities your 501(c)(3) can engage in, what communications count as lobbying, and how to maximize your non-lobbying advocacy. 

Participants explored:

• How federal tax law permits lobbying for charities and how lobbying is defined; 
• One easy step most charities can take to maximize the amount they’re allowed to spend on lobbying; 
• Yearly lobbying limits for charities; 
• Tips for taking advantage of the narrow definitions of lobbying – which will help charities make the most of their lobbying limit; and 
• How to apply these rules to ballot measure activities. 

A recording of the webinar can be found here, using the password ReImagine26%. This training will be available until July 21, 2026.   

A PDF of the presentation is attached. In addition, below is a list of resources that we think you will find helpful after the training:   

• Public Charities Can Lobby: Guidelines for 501(c)(3) Public Charities
• What is Lobbying Under the 501(h) Election?
• Lobbying Under the Insubstantial Part Test
• Communicating with Your Members
• Lobbying Flowchart
• 501(h) Lobbying Limit Calculator
• Being a Player: A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities
• You can find lobbying guides for WV, PA, OH, and KS here: Practical Guidance – What Nonprofits Need to Know About Lobbying In Your State  

These episodes from Rules of the Game: the Bolder Advocacy Podcast can also be helpful:   

• Lobbying Series Part 1 – Introduction to Lobbying 
• Lobbying Series Part 2 – Direct Lobbying  
• Lobbying Series Part 3 – Grassroots Lobbying 
• Lobbying Series Part 4 – Lobbying Exceptions 

Please feel free to contact our hotline if you have any questions about the information we shared in this training or about your nonprofit advocacy rights in general – our attorney-trainers are available every weekday to offer free technical assistance. You may submit your questions online, email us at [email protected], or call us at 866-NP-LOBBY (866-675-6229). Nuestros abogados están disponibles todos los días de la semana para ofrecer asistencia técnica gratuita. Para comunicarse con nosotros, puede llenar este formulario, envíenos un correo electrónico a [email protected], o llámanos al 866-NP-LOBBY (866-675-6229).   

Click here to learn more about our other trainings, including our public webinars. If you think that your organization would benefit from a webinar or workshop tailored to your staff and/or volunteers, please complete this workshop request form.  

Lastly, we’d love to hear back from you! The Bolder Advocacy team highly values and appreciates hearing about the advocacy accomplishments, big or small, of orgs like you. Feel free to share about any advocacy victories with us by contacting us at [email protected]