A candidate forum is an event where candidates running for elected office are invited to discuss their views and positions. Hosting a candidate forum can provide §501(c)(3) organizations with a meaningful and informative way to engage with voters and political candidates. As with all election-related activity, organizations must remain unbiased and nonpartisan. This article is intended to help guide §501(c)(3) organizations through hosting a successful candidate forum without risking its §501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This article does not …

The United States political system relies on the involvement and participation of its citizens in the election process. Historically, many groups have faced barriers to full participation in this system. §501(c)(3) organizations often wish to host and promote voter registration drives to increase voter participation in the communities and populations that they serve. It is important that §501(c)(3) organizations follow specific guidelines and rules to remain neutral in any election-related activity. Under the Internal Revenue Code, §501(c)(3) …

The U.S. political system relies on the involvement and participation of its citizens in the election process. Certain groups—such as the elderly, disabled, and poor who may lack transportation face particular challenges to participating in this process. Get-Out-the-Vote (“GOTV”) initiatives aim to increase voter participation by reminding voters of the date and location of their polling place and/or providing transportation to the polls on election day. §501(c)(3) organizations are allowed to engage in these sorts of activities. …

501(c)(3)s are prohibited from engaging in political activity. Doing so can result in loss of tax-exemption. As the 2020 election year gets underway, it is important to understand what constitutes political activity and what doesn’t.   Open Slides in New Tab

Nonprofit §501(c)(3) organizations are permitted to engage in some lobbying activities, just not a substantial amount. Nonprofits that do engage in lobbying, like their for-profit peers, have significant obligations to register and report their lobbying activities in the State of Georgia. Rules vary depending on the level of state government or type of government entity the nonprofit is seeking to influence. View the webcast here View Lobbying in Georgia slides in new tab

SECURE 403(b) plans 1-20The Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (SECURE Act) made numerous changes to retirement plans, many of which apply to 401(k) plans. However, many of those changes also apply to 403(b) plans of nonprofit organizations. This article highlights the SECURE Act provisions that may affect 403(b) plans and is intended to be read with “SECURE Act Highlights for Employers” (https://www.nelsonmullins.com/idea_exchange/alerts/Comp-and-Benefits-Brief/all/secure-act-highlights-for-employers). Discussion of any tax credits has been omitted on the …