Advocacy & Lobbying: Rules for Public Charity Grantees of Private Foundations

Hi, It’s Maya from Learn Foundation Law with some exciting news!

Previously, I introduced the NCFP network to our online courses on legal issues in grantmaking. I’m back to announce the launch of a new course geared toward grantees—Advocacy & Lobbying: Rules for Public Charity Grantees of Private Foundations.

The course stars me, a program officer at a private foundation, and Alex, an executive director at a U.S. public charity seeking funding for a new advocacy campaign that may include lobbying. We work together so that Alex can understand and navigate the various rules surrounding lobbying as he prepares a proposal for funding from my foundation. In particular we explore what constitutes lobbying under IRS rules, the difference between direct and grass roots lobbying, and different funding options.

Family foundations who support advocacy work will find this course especially useful. The course is succinct (only twenty minutes) and helps grantees write proposals and grant reports that comply with lobbying rules. Best of all, it is available for free on our website at www.learnfoundationlaw.org. So please, spread the word!

Did I mention that we redesigned our website? Well, we did, and I am excited to share that our new website offers greater usability on mobile devices, a subscription option, and the ability to offer feedback.

Thanks go out to my friends at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation who created this online course and others in the Learn Foundation Law series. Check out all the trainings, and a supplemental toolkit to promote them within your foundation, by going to www.learnfoundationlaw.org.

And feel free to contact me with any questions or requests at maya@learnfoundation.org.

Cheers,

Maya