501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4)
action guide

How to build on 501(c)(3) advocacy with 501(c)(4) political action

Rather than providing hypothetical situations, the following chart features actual actions taken by our Fellows, and offers a concise look at how advocates distinguished between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) activities from state to state.

= TOOK ACTION
Action Taken:
501(c)(3)
501(c)(4)
ENGAGING CANDIDATES
Identify & initiate monitoring of candidate races
Invite a candidate to participate in candidate events
Respond to candidate questions about a survey or pledge
Engage candidates in discussion about an issue
Ask candidates to complete survey or pledge
Participate in candidate conversations
Publish candidate responses to surveys and/or pledges
Disseminate posted candidate responses
DEVELOPMENT OF EDUCATION & INFORMATIVE MATERIALS
Create and/or distribute briefing materials
Create and issue survey and/or pledge
Post candidates’ survey responses
Disseminate posted candidate responses
Commission and release poll results
CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS/DEBATES
Invite/host candidate conversations/debates
Participate in candidate conversations/debates
Promote candidate conversations/debates
Conduct post-event discussions and debriefings
ENGAGING ADVOCACY LEADERS
Invite leaders to participate in candidate conversations/debates
Conduct briefings with leaders
Invite leaders to sign letters to the editor and commentaries
ENGAGING EARLY CARE & EDUCATION PROVIDERS
Share information with providers about candidate conversations
Conduct event previews and orientations with providers
Provide educational briefings with providers
Invite providers to participate in candidate conversations/debates