Nonprofit Speech Rights | Center for Effective Government

Faith-Based Charities Could Receive Federal Funds

In campaign speeches last summer, both Governor Bush and Vice President Gore have stated that they would remove barriers so that faith-based organizations are fully able to compete for federal funds to provide social services, and would allow religious organizations to use faith-based initiatives and programs in the provision of federally funded services. New legislation may beat them to the punch.

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Supporting a Public Voice: The Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project

A description of the Strengthening Nonprofit Advocacy Project. In May 1999, the Lincoln Filene Center for Citizenship and Public Affairs at Tufts University and OMB Watch in Washington, DC launched a project to identify and better understand the factors that affect nonprofits' participation in the public policy process. The intended goals of the project are to

Generate new knowledge of how existing barriers to participation may be addressed

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State Liaisons

Local members of the Let America Speak! coalition. ALABAMA

Alabama Arise
Alabama Citizen's Action
Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
American Cancer Society / Alabama Division
Brantwood Children's Home (Montgomery)
Children's Harbor
Presbyterian Home for Children (Talladega)
The Princess Theatre
South Central Alabama Girl Scout Council

ALASKA

Alaska Baptist Family Services (Anchorage)
Alaska Children's Services (Anchorage)

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Newsgroups

Newsgroups are collaboration-centered tools predicated on the exchange of content. When populated with active participants, honest and open exchange of ideas, solid ground rules for content and etiquette, and constant outreach, newsgroups can be cost-effective resources for nonprofit organizations. Newsgroups can yield documents representing both work product and an archival record of thoughts, opinions, and experiences that informed that product. In essence, a newsgroup is the simplest, and cheapest, way to setup a fully-fledged groupware tool for an organization or network of organizations.

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Bush Administration Issues Executive Orders on Faith-based Initiatives

President Bush issued two executive orders today to promote faith-based and other community based organizations. One Order creates, within 30 days, a new White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI); the other Order requires Justice, Education, Labor, HHS, and HUD to create new Centers for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives within 45 days. The second Order also requires all federal departments and agencies to appoint a liaison to the OFBCI.

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IRS Request for Comments on Nonprofits' Use of the Internet

Text of the IRS request for comments on nonprofits' use of the internet. IRS request for comments: Internet use by EOs Request for Comments Regarding Need for Guidance Clarifying Application of the Internal Revenue Code to Use of the Internet by Exempt Organizations Announcement 2000-84 The Internal Revenue Service is considering the necessity of issuing guidance that would clarify the application of the Internal Revenue Code to use of the Internet by exempt organizations. Accordingly, the Service is soliciting

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Update on Permissible Activities of 501(c)(3) Organizations

As election campaigns gain momentum, it is well for all of us to be reminded that while lobbying by nonprofits is entirely lawful, nonprofits may not engage in political activity. On page two is "Permissible Activities of 501(c)(3) Organizations During a Political Campaign," which was first issued by IS in 1980 and then reissued in 1986. It gives information regarding a number of activities that many nonprofits routinely conduct during a political campaign which are perfectly legal. Update on Permissible Activities of 501(c)(3) Organizations During a Political Campaign

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Let America Speak! Information

The main page for Let America Speak! information. [ NEWS | REPORTS & RESOURCES| BILL ANALYSIS | ARCHIVES] Let America Speak is a coalition of community and national organizations working to defend the HREF="/las/advl.html">advocacy rights of America's nonprofit community. This web site contains information and background about nonprofit advocacy and provides updates about legislative attacks and other threats to the advocacy rights of the nation's nonprofits. The Let America Speak Coalition is co-chaired by the Alliance for Justice, Independent Sector, and OMB Watch.

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OMB Watch letter to the IRS on Charities' Internet Use: Part 2

Part Two of a letter to the IRS from OMB Watch in regards to internet use and exempt organizations. Suggested Action Clarification of the tax law relating to nonprofit advocacy on the Internet can help clear up confusion and encourage continued development in the ways nonprofits can use Internet technology. However, such clarification should not restrict ongoing development by being overly specific or creating a layer of oversight that does not exist for other forms of communications. These objectives can best be met by the following actions:

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An Open Letter to the Nonprofit Community

A letter to the nonprofit community from OMB Watch and the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities expressing concerns about the proposed non-itemizer deduction in the Faith-Based charities bill.

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