Guide to Conducting Online Advocacy Without Overstepping Federal Restrictions

E-Advocacy for Nonprofits: The Law of Lobbying and Election-Related Activity on the Net, by Elizabeth Kingsley, Gail Harmon, John Pomeranz, and Kay Guinane, explains how non-profit organizations can use the Internet for lobbying and political advocacy while staying within the law. In general, the guide says, any organization that is legally permitted to lobby may do so using the Internet; the laws do not change in cyberspace. After providing sections that summarize federal laws on lobbying and election-related advocacy, the guide offers a primer on how those laws apply to online activity. One example: An organization that is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code is allowed under the law to send e-mail messages to lawmakers to push the organization’s legislative agenda. However, posting an e-mail link to that elected official on a Web site could be considered “grassroots” lobbying, too much of which may invite scrutiny by the Internal Revenue Service. The guide offers advice on how to stay within the good graces of the tax agency, as well as a glossary of terms. Publisher: Alliance for Justice, 2000 P Street, N.W., Suite 712, Washington 20036; (202) 822-6070; fax (202) 822-6068; http://www.afj.org; 69 pages; $25.