Advocacy by Public Foundations

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.    Attorneys for this episode  Natalie Ossenfort  Victor Rivera Labiosa  Quyen Tu    Public Foundations (like community foundations) are a type of public charity!   This means that while they are not permitted to support or oppose candidates for public office and must remain nonpartisan,  They ARE allowed to lobby within their lobbying limits and can engage in other, non-lobbying, advocacy as well.  Types of non-lobbying advocacy    There are two tests set out in the tax code that public (community) foundations may use to measure how much lobbying they are permitted to engage in.  Insubstantial Part Test  501(h) Expenditure Test    Examples  Silicon Valley Community Foundation  Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation  Texas Women’s Foundation     Resources  Philanthropy Advocacy Playbook  Community Foundations and Advocacy  Public Charities Can Lobby  Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election Related-R