Day: February 26, 2026

Many nonprofit organizations engage in lobbying as a way to translate their values into law, furthering the impact of their mission. Lobbying is any activity that attempts to influence legislation, whether at the federal, state, or local level. For nonprofits deeply committed to a cause, lobbying can be a powerful tool, but it comes with important legal boundaries that every organization should understand.   What Counts as Lobbying? Lobbying falls into two main categories: Direct lobbying means communicating with legislators or their staff about specific legislation. This includes testifying at legislative hearings, meeting with legislators in person or by phone, reaching out via video chat or social media, and providing gifts or covering the cost of attendance at events. Indirect (or grassroots) lobbying means urging members of the public to contact legislators about specific legislation. Common examples include collecting petition signatures, attending public hearings or rallies, organizing letter-writing and social media campaigns, conducting media outreach, and door-to-door canvassing. Both forms of lobbying count toward your organization’s lobbying limits, so it’s important to track them separately.   Restrictions on Lobbying The IRS permits 501(c)(3) organizations to engage in lobbying, but only to a limited extent. The general rule is that lobbying