Skip to main content
  • AFJ.org
en English▼
X
en Englishes Españolfr Françaisde Deutschit Italianopt Português
Free Technical Assistance Hotline: 1-866-NP-LOBBY

Bolder Advocacy

  • Blog
  • Media Center
  • Sign Up
  • Donate
  • Advocacy Defined
  • Who We Are
  • Resource Library
  • Training and Events
  • Stories
  • Podcast
Resource Library > Nonprofits Working Together

Nonprofits Working Together

Nonprofits can, and often should, work in coalitions with other organizations. Working in a coalition allows you to have a greater impact and lends credibility to your efforts. It also allows organizations to share financial, staffing and organizing resources. It’s important to know, however, that there are different advocacy rules that apply to coalitions. The guidelines for lobbying and election-related activity vary depending on how the coalition is organized and funded, as well as the structures of the participating organizations.

Nonprofits often create affiliated organizations to expand their advocacy options. For example, a 501(c)(3) organization that wants to engage in more lobbying than is permitted might create an affiliated 501(c)(4) organization that could engage in unlimited lobbying. Non-501(c)(3) organizations that want to engage in more partisan election activity may create a 527. Alternatively, a non-c3 organization may create an affiliated c3 to engage in educational activities and raise tax-deductible and foundation funds.  There are practical considerations and requirements for structuring and managing the relationships between affiliated organizations.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Relevant for:
Subject:
  • Affiliated Organizations
  • Recordkeeping
Organization Type:
  • 501(c)(3)
  • 501(c)(4) / 501(c)(5) / 501(c)(6)

You may be interested in...

PDF
Coalition Checklist
This new Advocacy Resource is designed to guide organizations through the process of forming and working in coalition with easy-to-understand explanations of th
PDF
San Francisco’s Prop C: Grassroots Expenditure Lobbyist Disclosure
Does your nonprofit organization advocate in the City and County of San Francisco? If you spend $2,500 or more in one month on certain grassroots lobbying expen
PDF
Amplify Your Voice: Lobbying Do’s and Don’ts
You have a voice - it's time to use it. Lobbying is a key way nonprofits can advance their mission, amplify the voices of their supporters, educate policymakers
PDF
Considering Starting a 501(c)4? Case Studies
Deciding whether—or when—to establish a 501(c)(4) organization is never an easy decision. Questions about purpose, scope, funding, perception, timing, and legal
PDF
501(c)(4) Strategy and Discussion Guide
What are the strategic questions to consider whether, when, and for what purposes to create a create a 501(c)(4)? Check out our new 501(c)(4) Strategy and Disc
PDF
Comparison of 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Permissible Activities
Provides examples of the kinds of advocacy activities that 501(c)(3) public charities and 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations are permitted to do under feder
PDF
Comparación entre organizaciones 501(c)(3), organizaciones 501(c)(4) y
Comparación entre organizaciones 501(c)(3), organizaciones 501(c)(4) y organizaciones políticas.
PDF
Sample Grant Agreement
PDF
Benchmarks for Advocacy Evaluation
PDF
Sample Agreement: Allocation of Costs and Reimbursement of Expenses Be
PDF
Initiating Policy Change: Circulating Ballot Initiatives in California
The ballot initiative process in California can be an effective tool for nonprofits, including 501(c)(3) public charities, to bring about change in public polic
PDF
501(c)(3) Contact with Parties and Candidates Concerning Election Prot
This fact sheet offers some guidelines for when it's appropriate for a 501(c)(3) group working on election protection issues to talk with a candidate or party -
PDF
Practical Implications of Affiliated 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s
PDF
Common Interests: How Unions and 501(c)(3) Organizations Can Maximize
PDF
Types of Exempt Organizations and What They May Do
PDF
Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age: The Law of Online Lobby
Can a 501(c)(3) organization lose its tax status over a careless Tweet? With new online tools popping up all the time, questions like this are becoming more and
PDF
The Connection
Learn about best practices for affiliated organizations and the role 501(c)(4) organizations play in our democracy.
PDF
Guidelines for Joint 501(c)(3) – 501(c)(4) Websites
PDF
Ballot Measures and Recalls: Basic Rules for 501(c)(3) Public Charitie
PDF
Power Amidst Chaos: Foundation Support for Advocacy Related to Disaste
Helping nonprofits and foundations to advance their mission and serve their communities through advocacy.
Donate
Bolder Advocacy
  • Advocacy Defined
  • Who We Are
  • Resource Library
  • Training and Events
  • Stories
  • Podcast
All Content. © 2023 Bolder Advocacy. All right reserved.
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • Sign Up
  • Donate
  • Credits
  • Financial Forms
  • AFJ.org
Alliance for Justice - AFJ.org