Advocacy Rules

The courts, CRA and Federal government have all weighed in. Charities and nonprofits can do as much advocacy as they want, devoting as much as 100% of their time and energy to advocacy, if they think it helps meet their mission. The rules are clear:

Rule #1

Advocacy must serve the mission of the nonprofit or charitable organization. Keep your advocacy to what your charitable or nonprofit pruposes identify as your work.

Rule #2

Advocacy must be nonpartisan. You can talk about the issues, but not the parties or their candidates.

Rule #3

During elections, advocacy has to follow local election rules, for example, don’t run a campaign on an issue that is clearly identified with one political party and opposed by all the others.