Deck 11: Advocacy and Lobbying

Question 1

A is permitted to engage in partisan political activity.

A) direct lobbying committee
B) political action committee
C) nonprofit activity committee
D) joint venture

Answer 1

B

Question 2

Political action committees are classified under which section of the IRS Code?

A) Section 501
B) Section 503
C) Section 525
D) Section 527

Answer 2

D

Question 3

In January 2007, the 100th Congress amended House Rule 25 (called the ), placing stricter limits on what gifts or privately supported travel members of the House of Representatives can accept from lobbyists.

A) gift rule
B) lobbying rule
C) Lobby Law of 2007
D) Lobbying Disclosure Act

Answer 3

A

Question 4

To lobby effectively, a nonprofit organization needs to understand how is(are) considered at the local, state, or national level-wherever its lobbying efforts will be focused.

A) lobby rules
B) legislation
C) gift rules
D) advocacy

Question 5

In June 2007, the IRS released a to clarify the criteria by which it would determine what is and is not illegal campaign involvement; this included 21 hypothetical examples of activity and a discussion of why each does or does not constitute a violation of the law.

A) Lobby law
B) gift rule
C) new revenue form
D) Revenue ruling

Question 6

This is an action taken to support or oppose specific legislation at the national, state, or local level, and it could include, for example, contacting a member of Congress, a state legislator, or a city councilperson to request his or her sponsorship or vote in favor of or against a specific bill.

A) Political campaign activity
B) Advocacy
C) Lobbying
D) Cold-calling

Question 7

This includes action taken in support of a cause or an idea, and it may include, for example, providing education, distributing information, or holding events to dramatize an issue or the effects of a problem on people or a community.

A) Lobbying
B) Advocacy
C) Political campaign activity
D) Picketing

Question 8

If an organization takes out an ad in the newspaper or hands out flyers on the corner urging members of the general public to do the same, that is:

A) direct lobbying.
B) contrary to the substantial part test.
C) advertising.
D) grassroots lobbying.

Question 9

Daniel is writing a letter to the editor of the local newspaper. He is encouraging citizens to join him in expressing his like of city funds supporting a local nonprofit organization. Daniel is:

A) lobbying.
B) controlling.
C) advocating.
D) marketing.

Question 10

Organizations that employ professional lobbyists and spend more than $12,500 on lobbying at the federal level must meet the requirements of:

A) the Civil Rights Act.
B) Public Law 94-455.
C) state lobbying laws.
D) the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

Question 11

Approaching a legislator with is not only important to persuasion but may indeed be providing a real service to the legislator, whose time and staff may not be sufficient to undertake the depth of research that an interested nonprofit may offer.

A) facts
B) a petition
C) campaign funds
D) volunteer staff members

Question 12

have been at the forefront of every important social change in the United States from the beginning of the nation.

A) Women
B) Students
C) Politicians
D) Nonprofits

Question 13

Charitable nonprofits must report their lobbying expenses on:

A) their website.
B) their statement of functional expenses.
C) Form 990.
D) Form 5768.

Question 14

There are restrictions on the use of government or foundation funds used by nonprofits for the purpose of lobbying, but from gifts, grants, or earned income may be used to fund a lobbying effort.

A) dedicated revenues
B) restricted revenues
C) unrestricted revenues
D) operating revenues

Question 15

In this stage of the life cycle of a social change issue, analysts and advocates look at the data and consider how the problem might be addressed.

A) Stage 2
B) Stage 4
C) Stage 6
D) Stage 8

Question 16

may not endorse or oppose legislation in communications with legislators or the general public if the communication includes a call to action.

A) Public charities
B) Private foundations
C) Community foundations
D) Corporations

Question 17

There is no tool more powerful than a(an) by an individual or group of individuals to a legislator or a member of his or her staff who is in a position to influence what information and data the legislator receives.

A) e-mail
B) signed letter
C) personal visit
D) petition

Question 18

includes any communication the organization has "with legislators or government officials who participate in the formulation of legislation or with its own members with regard to specific legislation and that expresses a view on it."

A) Direct lobbying
B) Indirect lobbying
C) Grassroots lobbying
D) Corporate lobbying

Question 19

Although research has indicated that nonprofits actually lobbying as government becomes a more predominant source of their revenue, concern about alienating government foundation funders is a barrier for some.

A) increase
B) decrease
C) criticize
D) become more ambivalent about

Question 20

A nonprofit organization may spend only one fourth as much on grassroots lobbying as on direct lobbying, and there is an overall cap of:

A) $500,000.
B) $1 million.
C) $1.5 million.
D) $2 million.

Question 21

In the life cycle of a social change issue, "climbing the agenda" refers to activists and advocacy groups raising the volume on a particular issue.

Question 22

Data shows that less than two percent of nonprofit organizations engage in lobbying.

Question 23

According to your textbook author, a common reason that nonprofits do not engage in lobbying is:

A) the costs to the organization.
B) a lack of interest.
C) unfamiliar with the laws.
D) difficulty in recruiting legislative support.

Question 24

A reliable source for following issues related to the nonprofit sector is:

A) Independent Sector
B) The Nonprofit Sector News
C) The Third Sector Journal
D) The Nonprofit Review

Question 25

Leaders of nonprofit organizations can find IRS criteria specifying illegal campaign involvement in:

A) IRS Assets Ruling 89.
B) IRS Profits Ruling III.
C) IRS Income Ruling 389.
D) IRS Revenue Ruling 2007-14. Answer location: Political Campaign Activity

Question 26

The term "general public" refers to individuals who are members of fraternal organizations.

Question 27

The board of directors of a statewide nonprofit organization is contacting members of the state legislator and asking them to not support proposed legislation that would reduce the nonprofit's level of state funding. The board is participating in:

A) illegal lobbying.
B) self-defense lobbying.
C) defense of the general public lobbying.
D) grassroots lobbying.

Question 28

The IRS laws refer to members of an organization as the "general public." A. True
B) False

Question 29

According to the IRS, all political action committees may lobby.

Question 30

One of the reasons nonprofit organizations may be ambivalent about lobbying is that they feel it is irrelevant to their mission.

Question 31

Building a base of support is referred to as:

A) planning.
B) organizing.
C) controlling.
D) sanctioning.

Question 32

A nonprofit CEO and his staff are discussing the status of their nonprofit's influence on achieving its mission. Mandy commented the organization has experienced a roller coaster ride of ups and downs over the years and it may be time to reassess the organization's processes. According to Andreasen, this nonprofit is in which stage of social change?

A) Discovery of the problem
B) Climbing the agenda
C) Inattention to the problem
D) Reassessing and redirecting efforts

Question 33

Which law established Option I and Option II for the substantial part test?

A) The 1942 Lobbying Disclosure Act
B) The 1973 Advocacy and Lobbying Act
C) The 1976 Lobby Law
D) The 1942 Grassroots Lobbying Act

Question 34

Some people believe the IRS's enforcement activities are politically motivated.

Question 35

An example of political campaign activity would be conducting a nonpartisan candidate debate or forum.

Question 36

Nonprofits often play a critical role in creating:

A) social change.
B) the establishment of additional nonprofits.
C) the creation of new forms of government.
D) family dissension.

Question 37

According to your textbook author, the acts of advocacy and lobbying are fundamental pillars of:

A) socialism.
B) anarchy.
C) totalitarianism.
D) democracy.

Question 38

The board of directors of a nonprofit organization are studying the political platforms of state legislators to identify politicians who may favor the nonprofit's mission. The board is applying which best practice of program advocacy?

A) Forming a coalition
B) Undertaking grassroots lobbying
C) Indirect advocacy
C) Understanding the legislative process

Question 39

Advocacy includes contacting a legislator to request his/her vote in favor or, or against a specific bill.

Question 40

Smaller nonprofit organizations are more likely to engage in lobbying.

Question 41

A 501 (c) (3) organization can engage in lobbying essentially without restriction.

Question 42

Best practices for advocacy and lobbying includes undertaking research to develop an understanding of relevant public policy issues.

Question 43

Explain potential consequences for a nonprofit organization that shifts from providing direct services to advocacy.

Question 44

Select a nonprofit organization and provide examples of its progression through the stages in the life cycle of a social change.

Question 45

A 501 (c)(4) organization is prohibited from political campaign activity.

Question 46

Demonstrate a type of nonprofit organization that would be covered under the substantial part test option II. Why would it pass this test?

Question 47

Express some points of advice for nonprofits who want to develop an advocacy and lobbying effort?

Question 48

Explain why political activity by tax-exempt organizations continues to be controversial.

Question 49

Examine the eight stages in the life cycle of a social change issue and briefly explain each.

Question 50

Charitable nonprofits are prohibited from engaging in campaigns and from endorsing candidates.

Question 51

Investigate why charitable nonprofits face restrictions on lobbying?

Question 52

Investigate why a nonprofit organization would file a Form 5769 with the IRS.

Question 53

Analyze the impact of the Supreme Court's decision in the case of Citizens United v. FEC on nonprofits exempt under Section 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6)?

Question 54

Write a simplified explanation of the application of IRS lobbying laws for 501 (c)(3) organizations.

Question 55

Determine three reasons why nonprofits have traditionally not engaged in lobbying.

Question 56

Create your own list of best practices for establishing a nonprofit advocacy and lobbying program.