Campaigns/Elections
In this election year, it’s important to know what your nonprofit and its staff can, as well as can’t, talk about and do relative to political campaigns and candidates.
How do you determine when a staff member is "representing the organization" (for example, while speaking at a conference session), and therefore what limits exist around statements about political parties and candidates?
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What statements can be made about current elected officials and their actions, when the official is also currently a candidate for office?
Can you share/promote projects or statements by others about parties or candidates through your public communications – particularly if you are involved in social justice, or
support/present artists who are doing deeply political work?
Our colleagues at the Cultural Advocacy Group have been collecting resources and advice.
The National Council of Nonprofits and Nonprofit VOTE offer the Nonprofit Nonpartisan Voter
Engagement Guide, and accompanying training: Webinar Recording: Nonpartisan Voter
Engagement “How To” for Nonprofits and slides, National Council of Nonprofits, Feb. 21, 2024
According to Nate McGaha of Arts North Carolina, “The rules for 501(c)3s are strictest ‘during an
election’ which he advises folks consider as January 1st through the General Election in November (though it could be argued that it begins on the candidate filing deadline.)
“When discussing any candidate publicly, someone acting on behalf of a c3 should treat EVERY
candidate for the office the same. So, to keep it simple, one should say very little and be sure to mention every candidate: “John Doe, the Republican incumbent, Jane Smith, the Democratic candidate, and Javier Gonzales representing the Arty Party.” Any mention or description of one that is more than the other could be considered favoritism.”
“You can talk about current officials, though it should be avoided if they are running for office in that year, as it could be construed as bias. For instance, I just publicly thanked Senator Tillis for sponsoring the Performing Artists Tax Parity Act (PATPA), but I would not have if he was up for re-election. I would stay away from all mentions of partisan politics or candidate in public communications, even if you are quoting someone outside the c3. If you amplify an opinion, it shows bias.
I would say that the best approach is to encourage your constituents to be actively involved and vocal about the candidate of their choice, and tell them how to do that, but make no reference to the candidates themselves.”
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He suggests this resource: Home - Nonprofit Vote.
Nate McGaha of Arts North Carolina offers these toolkits:
• Arts Candidate Forums & Events – Arts North Carolina (artsnc.org)
• Nonprofit Arts Organizations and Elections – Arts North Carolina (artsnc.org)
Other resources include:
Voting and Community Engagement Resources
Voting and Community Engagement, National Council of Nonprofits
Nonprofits and Elections 2024: Why and How You Should Engage (and stay nonpartisan), National Council of Nonprofits, Feb. 21, 2024
Resource Library, Nonprofit VOTE
National Voter Registration Day 2024 – Sept. 17, 2024, Nonprofit VOTE
Protecting the Johnson Amendment and Nonprofit Nonpartisanship, National Council of Nonprofits
Additional Nonprofit VOTE Materials
Nonprofit Power Report
Unlocking the Power of Immigrant Communities
Staying Nonpartisan Webinar in English
Staying Nonpartisan Webinar in Spanish
What Nonprofit Staff Can Say about the Election FAQ
Take the Nonprofit VOTE Pledge
