Frequently Asked Questions about Lobbying and Advocacy

The Center for Nonprofit Management has a nice summary of the rules and restrictions regarding a Not For Profit , 501(c)(3), regarding lobbying and issue advocacy.

http://www.cnmsocal.org/resources/articles/faq-lobbying-and-advocacy.html

The Center for Nonprofit Management has been an indispensable resource to the nonprofit community, providing essential counsel, training  and publications for the diverse management needs of organizations in the sector.

Starting a nonprofit in Pennsylvania? Here are some tips from P.A.N.O.

Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations (PANO) is the Pennsylvania (PA) statewide membership organization serving and advancing the charitable nonprofit sector through leadership, advocacy, education and other services in order to improve the overall quality of life in Pennsylvania. PANO helps charities become more efficient and effective through collaboration, cooperation and the sharing of resources and information. PANO helps charities succeed together where they can not succeed separately. 

Their guide to starting a Not For Profit Organinzation in PA is here

http://www.pano.org/Nonprofit-Resources/Forming-A-Nonprofit/

News From the Charities Bureau -- Charity Corps Application Deadline Extended

Charity Corps is extending to February 1, 2013 the deadline for nonprofits to apply for free legal assistance from volunteer lawyers. Charity Corps, a joint initiative between the Attorney General's Office and the New York State Bar Association, matches volunteer attorneys with nonprofits that need legal counsel on matters involving corporate law, governance and compliance matters.

Charity Corps lawyers are available to assist nonprofits in maintaining tax exempt status; complying with fundraising regulations; understanding the limitations and restrictions on political activities; implementing proper procedures for executive compensation; complying with legal requirements of IRS Form 990 and NYS Form CHAR 500; and addressing other nonprofit corporate law, governance and compliance issues.

To be eligible, an organization must have 501(c)(3) tax status, have an operating budget of less than $1 million and demonstrate that it cannot afford counsel. Nonprofits and volunteer attorneys can get application forms and additional information about Charity Corps by visiting the Charity Corps webpage.

Visit www.charitiesnys.com for additional information and guidance for nonprofits.

Jason Lilien
Bureau Chief
Charities Bureau

NJ Extends Deadlines for Charity Reports Following Hurricane Sandy

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs Extends Filing Deadlines for Charity Registrations and Fund-Raiser Reports Following Hurricane Sandy
NEWARK -- The Division of Consumer Affairs has approved an extension of time to file for the charities, fund-raisers, and fund-raising counsel required to register under the State’s Charities Registration and Investigation (CRI) Act. The Division of Consumer Affairs’ Charities Registration Section will allow registrants affected by Hurricane Sandy additional time to file registrations and reports due in the months following the storm. The extensions will follow the same rules as the Hurricane Sandy extensions recently granted by the Internal Revenue Service. DISASTER AREAS  Charities, fund-raisers, and fund-raising counsel will receive the New Jersey extension if they are domiciled in the states and counties declared Hurricane Sandy disaster areas by FEMA. The states included are New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Please visit the links below to view information about FEMA-declared counties in New Jersey and other states, and the extensions granted by the IRS. FEMA-declared Hurricane Sandy devastated counties in NJ  www.fema.gov/disaster/4086 FEMA-declared Hurricane Sandy devastated counties in other states www.fema.gov/sandy  IRS Provides Extensions for Victims of Hurricane Sandy  www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Provides-Tax-Relief-to-Victims-of-Hurricane-Sandy;-Return-Filing-and-Tax-Payment-Deadline-Extended-to-Feb.-1,-2013. EXTENSION DATES Charities, fund-raisers, and fund-raising counsel who are subject to the registration and reporting requirements of the CRI Act and domiciled in the affected areas with filings due from October 27, 2012 through January 31, 2013, will be granted an extension of time to file until February 1, 2013. Filings due February 1, 2013 or after will be due according to the requirements of the CRI Act and will not be extended due to Hurricane Sandy. Additional information about the extension to file, the registration requirements of the CRI Act, and consumer charitable giving can be obtained by visiting the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs’ Charities Registration web sitewww.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp/charities.htm or by calling the Charities Registration HOTLINE at (973) 504-6215, Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.