501(c)(3) nonprofits may not support or oppose candidates for public office. However, your organization CAN conduct a broad range of activities on a nonpartisan basis to help your community participate and vote. Learn about the many ways your nonprofit can promote voter and civic participation while remaining nonpartisan.
Nonprofits, Voting and Elections
This 16-page primer for 501(c)(3) nonprofits describes a range of appropriate and legal activities that nonprofits can conduct. In addition to covering nonpartisan voter participation and education activities, it details easy ways to engage all members of your community–from clients and constituents to staff, board members, and volunteers.Download the PDF | Descargar la edición en españolView the online edition of this guideFactsheets
501(c)(3) Permissible Activities Checklist
Nonprofits and Ballot Measures
What Nonprofit Staff Can Do
Federal Funds and Voter Participation
The National Voter Registration Act
Webinars and Presentations
Being Nonpartisan: Guidelines for 501(c)(3) Organizations
This webinar covers the basics of nonpartisan voter engagement work for 501(c)(3) nonprofits, offering helpful tips on how to remain nonpartisan throughout the process.
Being Nonpartisan
Online Narrated Training
This presentation explains the basics of nonpartisan voter engagement work for 501(c)(3) nonprofits, offering helpful tips on how to remain nonpartisan throughout the process.
Other Resources
Alliance for Justice
- Election Activity Factsheets and Resources for Nonprofits and Foundations
- Ballot Measures and Public Charities
- Electing the 501(h) Expenditure Test
IRS
- IRS Factsheet on Election Year Activities
- IRS Manual for 501(c)(4)-(c)(5)-(c)(6) Nonprofits
- Political Campaigns and Charities – An IRS Mini-Course Slide Presentation
- Form 5768 Election H