On April 25, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in Trump v. Hawaii, a case challenging President Trump’s third and latest ban on travel for nationals of several predominantly Muslim countries. The Court’s decision will most immediately impact the individuals who are barred indefinitely from coming to the United States, as well as their family members and extended communities here in the United States. But more broadly, the outcome in this case will have important repercussions for the ongoing meaningfulness of the First Amendment’s most basic protection against religious discrimination.
Nonprofits play a pivotal role in shaping policy. But did you know they also have the right to engage with lawmakers, voters and candidates even in an election year? Read Bolder Advocacy’s 5 reasons to download your copy of “The Connection” today!
It would be hard to imagine a more volatile and politically charged atmosphere than the one we are entering during this midterm election season. Virtually all organizations, regardless of size, mission, or policy orientation will be affected by the decisions made by the American people on November 6. Many groups will be actively and directly involved in putting their issues in front of voters and candidates in the months leading up to the votes in both primary and general elections. They know that they can ill-afford to be absent from the political process, particularly in 2018.
But there are also many 501(c)(3) organizations that are uncertain about their right to get involved and unclear about the rules that govern their participation. In our experience, we have found that sometimes caution can get in the way of active citizenship. But experience has also taught us that with encouragement, education, and rock-solid information, every nonprofit group can take its rightful place in the national conversation that will occur this year.
Last Thursday, the FEC has issued an advisory opinion that allows a federal candidate to use campaign funds to cover childcare expenses incurred during a campaign. Liuba Gretchen Shirley, who is running for New York’s 2nd District on Long Island, requested that the FEC allow her to use campaign funds to pay a babysitter for her two children while she ran for office.
In April 2018, I had the privilege of traveling to San Juan, Puerto Rico to provide training and technical assistance in Spanish to Puerto Rican nonprofit organizations. El Instituto del Desarrollo de la Juventud (the Youth Development Institute of Puerto Rico) invited Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy to offer a workshop about the rights (and responsibilities) of nonprofit organizations to impact public policy. El Instituto had organized this event as part of the debut of their Children’s Budget, which analyzes the impact of Puerto Rican and Federal budget cuts on the island’s youth and families. After the training, I provided in-depth technical assistance sessions to both groups considering starting a nonprofit, as well as savvy organizations like Espacios Abiertos (Open Spaces).
“Thank you for an extremely informative session… My participation prompted a long discussion with my boss that resulted in his change of position. After 20 years of avoiding any advocacy for fear of crossing the line, he is now ready for us to engage in this work. (I think that meant he will have me engage.) So, thank you.”
“AFJ gives groups the confidence to lobby and advocate because we know the rules. We affectionately refer to the AFJ hotline as the ‘lobbying bat phone.’ That service is invaluable.”
“AFJ has helped us think proactively in how we approach our work in legislative and non-partisan electoral processes…The expertise that AFJ shares has helped us become more confident and more sophisticated.”
“As a small non-profit, it’s good to know we’ve got a team of smart lawyers with AFJ in our corner!”
“I do not think I could have survived as an activist without the help that AFJ gave me.”
The Alliance for Justice is an unparalleled resource for the nonprofit community.
It would cost a lot for us to hire lawyers to advise us on how to avoid the pitfalls and problems that Alliance for Justice helps us recognize.
“Thanks to the guidance of the Alliance for Justice we have a robust nonprofit sector.”
“AFJ walked us through hosting a successful candidates’ forum. By e-mail and phone, they answered tricky legal questions and helped us think about how to be effective but not put ourselves at risk.”
“AFJ’s work ensures that voices that are typically left out of critically important public debates get heard. That is a powerful mission.”
