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What's the definition of a 527 organization? ("Hey, You Asked" Answer)
Here is a question about types of nonprofit organizations and how they interact:

"Can you include the definition of the new 527 organizations? What about interaction/cooperation among different types of organization?" Read More

Can Churches Get Involved in Elections? ("Hey, You Asked" Answer)
An NPAction user asks: "I recently read that the Bush campaign has been emailing people in Pennsylvania and asking them to organize "friendly congregations" where supporters can meet, sign up voters, and generally campaign for the Bush/Cheney ticket. As far as I know, churches are 501(c)(3) organizations and can't participate in partisan electioneering. Is this legal?" Read More

Can a PTO Hold a Meeting During An Election At The School? ("Hey, You Asked" Answer)
Can a Parent Teacher Organization hold a meeting at a school while voting is taking place there? Read More

Can a Nonprofit Provide a Campaign Office Space? ("Hey, You Asked" Answer)
Q: I read a news article that said a nonprofit 501(c)(3) group is sharing office space with Ralph Nader's presidential campaign. Isn't this illegal? Get the Answer

Is Partnership a Form of Advocacy? ("Hey, You Asked" Answer)
Q:A small nonprofit organization works with small grassroots organizations in Ghana on building their organizational capacity to establish community-based ecotourism sites. However, as part of building the organizational capacity, it is important to include the district government in the process. In this way, as grassroots organizations grow and unify, they can better mobilize their needs and concerns with the government. Without that cooperation, the grassroots organizations have little incentive to really invest themselves in these projects, because they are at the whim of the government which can tax them to no end once a project becomes viable. Are programs that bring these grassroots, nonprofits, and government actors together to debate on the sharing of burden and benefit undertaking "advocacy"?

If so, what kinds of skills are particular to this kind of advocacy? Get the Answer

Will Our Board Run Afoul of IRS Regulations? ("Hey, You Asked" Answer)
Q: I live in a trailer park that is part of the city's low-income housing, purchased by a 501(c)(3) non-profit for the purpose of lessening the burden of government in the application of the low-income housing section. The park was purchased with tax-exempt bonds Can the residents maintain all of the seats of the Board of the 501(c)(3) that owns the park, as long as we maintain the purpose set forth within the approved 501(c)(3)? Is there a ruling needed by the IRS? Get the Answer