Rules of the Game: The Bolder Advocacy Podcast

Did you know that 60% of eligible voter s are never asked to register to vote? Couple this startling fact with many new voter registration rules that have been introduced since the 2020 election—in many instances, to make it harder to register or stay on the voter rolls—we thought it was time to revisit this topic . This year, National Voter Registration Day is September 19 so there's no time like...

On this episode we chat with Shannon Williams, Director of Boulder Advocacy's Operations and Evaluation to learn more about the use of evaluation tools to make our organizations better advocates. Measuring success is much more than identifying wins and losses, it includes improving capacity and other incremental steps to achieving policy goals.   Voices on this episode Tim Mooney Shannon Williams...

On this episode, we are joined by special guest, Molly Coleman, the co-founder and executive director of People's Parity Project (PPP), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to harnessing the organizing power of lawyers and law students to create a legal system that prioritizes the people over corporate profits. Molly shares the inspiring journey of PPP, starting as a grassroots law student organizin...

It's our first-ever #sportsball edition of the pod! Dig into the tax code a bit, and you'll discover that tax-exemption and sports fit together like a sports reference and a podcast that doesn't really cover sports. In other words... perfectly. From amateur athletics, to professional sports leagues, to this newish thing called NIL that allows collegiate athletes to get paid for the billions they e...

So let's say you have a really good idea for a tax-exempt organization, and hooray it's charitable activities so you're all set to ask the IRS for recognition! You even have some potential funding sources, and you're ready to go. But oh that pesky IRS recognition process – until recently Form 1023s could take up to a year or more to process! Sure you can wait, but you can also find an existing (c)...

On this episode, we turn to your questions on nonprofit advocacy with another edition of Ask Us Anything. We'll discuss how nonprofits can speak up about the actions of elected officials, conduct voter engagement activities, and secure funding for lobbying. We'll also consider the power of the purse strings, policy advocacy and much, much more. Attorneys for this episode Natalie Ossenfort Victor R...

With election s always around the corner, many liste ners m ay wonder whether their advocacy organization needs a PAC . In this first episode of an ongoing series this year, we'll introduce you to PACs, including pros and cons plus   how to fund and run them. W e'll look at factors to consider when forming a PAC & what activities PACs can engage in .     Attorneys for this episode   Leslie Barnes...

Sometimes, public officials don't behave the way we hope they will. Whether it's a conflict of interest, outright corruption, or even a criminal offense we have seen examples of government officials that break the trust of the people they serve. While some may find their way out of office at the next election or through impeachment, those options may not be available. On this episode, we tackle ad...

On this episode, we'll look at ways nonprofit employees can become super sleuths – detectives for their organization. Let's say your organization has been asked to co-host an event with several new organizations with whom you're unfamiliar. Or perhaps, your organization is drawing some unwanted opposition from an organization that is spreading misinformation about your mission and its work. On thi...

It rarely comes as a surprise to advocates that individuals and groups oppose their positions and fight against the policy outcomes they champion. However, in recent years the tactics have sometimes become more sinister, including manipulation of stances, slanted edits of secret recordings, and even illegal or unethical acts like hacking and doxxing. Being an advocate these days sometimes means yo...

We are excited to be joined on this episode by a former colleague and guest from NGO s ource , Shyaam Subramanian. NGO s ource is helping to streamline the international grantmaking process and ease both restrictions and reporting requirements for international grant awards by making equivalency determinations . NGOs (or i nternational nonprofits) that receive grants through this process are bette...

We sometimes refer to 501(c)(4)s are the multitools of tax-exempt organizations because they can advocate in so many ways. But because they can engage in partisan political activity, they aren't as easy to fundraise for… but that's where this podcast steps in! On this episode, we cover the ways to fund a 501(c)(4) and why it's something all funders should consider to achieve their policy goals.  ...

Public foundations play an important role in our communities by providing critical funding to nonprofit organizations. But, did you know that they can also engage in advocacy campaigns and work with legislators and other government officials to impact public policy? On this episode, we'll dive-in to the rules public foundations need to know when advancing their missions through advocacy.     Attor...

On this episode, we present another edition of advocacy in action focusing on the work our colleagues at Alliance for Justice are tackling around Supreme Court ethics. This has been a topic we've championed for decades, but recent events have underscored how important a topic it continues to be. We're happy to have a special guest to guide us through the ins and outs of the topic, AFJ and AFJ Acti...

We've talked about how private foundations can fund advocacy, but we are frequently asked what they can do themselves to push for policy change in the communities they serve. On this episode, we cover the do's and don'ts of private foundation advocacy.   Attorneys for this episode Tim Mooney Natalie Ossenfort Quyen Tu   Shownotes We'll get to the do's in a bit, but first the don'ts – don't support...

On this episode we dive into ways your organization can weigh in on government budgets and legislation, bringing needed change to your communities. Whether you focus on housing, health care, the environment, education, public safety, civil rights, or virtually any nonprofit activity is impacted by the government budget. There are many opportunities for nonprofits to educate policymakers and the pu...

On this episode, we once again turn to your questions on nonprofit advocacy with another edition of Ask Us Anything. We'll cover topics like employing newly elected officials, how small c3s can impact legislative policies, accepting donations, and tracking lobbying.     Attorneys for this Podcast   Victor Rivera   Leslie Barnes   Quyen Tu     Questions:     We received this call to our hotline ask...

On this episode, we'll discuss how your organization can prepare to maximize your advocacy and impact in 2023. With several states gearing up for new legislative sessions and the 118 th United States Congress about to head to work, the time is ripe for ensuring that your organization is ready to boldly advocate on behalf of the communities and causes you care about. That's why today we present to...

On this episode we revisit  the ways nonprofits can create a policy agenda to advance their missions. Now that the election is over , we have to begin looking forward to what's ahead and what we want our local, state, and federal policymakers to consider in the coming year .  Originally podcast December 16, 2020. Our attorneys this episode Jen Powis Shyaam Subramanian Natalie  Ossenfort Resources...

Tis the season for giving thanks, and we here at the Rules of the Game podcast are immensely grateful for the amazing work done by nonprofits across the country to advocate on behalf of ballot measures during the midterm elections. On this episode, we'll highlight several noteworthy wins. From protecting reproductive rights to expanding education access for Dreamers, it was truly a remarkable year...

Following the 2022 midterm elections, nonprofits can work with newly elected officials on policies to advance their communities' missions and policy agendas. That transition advocacy is the focus for most of the country, but in Georgia voters have 3 more weeks of non-stop political ads, commercials, texts and direct mail to look forward to thanks to a December 6th runoff election for US Senate. On...

On this edition of the pod, we conclude our three-part series on nonprofit election advocacy and focus on post-election advocacy activities. After election day there are a wide array of opportunities to protect voters and the election itself. Whether it's working with state and local officials to ensure that all ballots are counted or litigating potential violations of state or federal election-re...

On this episode, we tackle election days advocacy. We intentionally say " days" since many states offer vote by mail or early in-person voting well before election day. This means that voting doesn't just happen on election day itself, even though the election is on November 8th this year. We talked about the role nonprofits can play leading up to this period a few weeks ago — on this episode we t...

On this episode, we'll discuss how different types of tax-exempt organizations can ensure the right to vote is protected by engaging in election protection activities and assisting voters at the polls . and potentially afterwards . Whether it's poll monitoring , ballot curing, staffing an election protection hotline , or providing rides to the polls, w e'll discuss the rules that apply to 501(c)(3...

On this episode, we   discuss the unprecedented election - year challenges we face and the ways all nonprofits can help ensure a safe election. As trusted messengers, nonprofits can explain voting options and deadlines ; encourage absentee votin g and a new generation of poll workers ; conduct election protection programs ; support and join litigation and even facilitate voting and promote increas...