Nonprofit Speech Rights | Center for Effective Government

Executive Summary: Overview of Findings of Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project

See the press release. To download the report in PowerPoint format click here.

OMB Watch, Tufts University and Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest launched a multi-year research to action project, called the Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project (SNAP), to investigate factors that motivate nonprofit organizations to engage in public policy matters. The SNAP initiative aims to address the following four major questions:

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Research on Nonprofit Advocacy Released

The Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project (SNAP) was launched by OMB Watch, Tufts University and Charity Lobbying in the Public Interest as the first national research effort designed to investigate the public policy role of nonprofit organizations exempt under 501(c)(3) of the tax code, which are called charities. The goals of the research are to determine nonprofits' level of involvement in public policy issues, and to identify factors that motivate their involvement as well as impede them.

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Data Quality Challenges

On 11/16/00, the Judicial Conference's Subcommittee on Privacy and Electronic Access to Case Files of the Court Administration and the Case Management Committee issued a request for comments regarding policy options for electronic and online access to federal court records.

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OMB Watch Comments on Bills to Allow Church Electioneering

Before the House of Representatives Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight May 14, 2002

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PACs Get Extension for Filing IRS Reports

The IRS has extended the deadline for PACs to file their registration and disclosure reports to July 15.

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Proposed FEC Soft Money Rules Impact Nonprofit Fundraising, Voter Education

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) has published its first proposed rules implementing the new Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002 (BCRA). They address soft money issues, which primarily impact political parties and campaign committees. However, nonprofits are impacted by new restrictions on some donations to 501(c) and 527 organizations involved in voter education and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) activities.

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Advocacy and Core Support Funding Recommended

The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) has released "The State of Philanthropy 2002," a collection of analyses on the current state of philanthropy as well as recommendations for grantmakers.

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IRS Regulations on Corporate Sponsor Links Include First Internet Rule

While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) still has not issued general guidance on how tax applies to exempt organizations' use of the Internet, a new rule on links for corporate sponsors may provide a clue on what direction the IRS will take.

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OMB Watch's Comments on e-Filing of IRS Form 990

Text of a letter to the IRS on implementation of electronic filing for IRS form 990. April 18, 2002 Internal Revenue Service 111 Constitution Avenue Washington, DC 20224 Attn: Theresa Pattara, T:EO RE: IRS Announcement 2002-27, Comments Regarding Electronic Filing of Exempt Organization Returns Dear Ms. Pattara,

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Lawsuit Challenges Legal Services Restrictions

In December 2001 four legal service programs in New York City, a private charity and pro bono attorney filed suit against the Legal Services Corporation challenging the constitutionality of restrictions prohibiting LSC grantees from using LSC or other funds for class action litigation, legislative advocacy and community education. This includes the “program integrity regulation”, which requires physical separation between LSC-funded recipients and any organizations that engage in these restricted activities. (Se 45 C.F.R. 1610.

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