Question 1

Which type of nonprofit organization is permitted to lobby without limitation?

Accepted Answer

Social welfare nonprofits, also known as 501(c)(4) organizations, are permitted to engage in lobbying activities without limitation, as long as lobbying is not their primary activity. Religious organizations may also engage in some lobbying activities, but there are certain restrictions in place. Charitable nonprofits, private foundations, and other types of nonprofits are subject to strict limitations on lobbying activities.

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

The answer of Advocacy includes contacting a legislator to request...

Question 3

Smaller nonprofit organizations are more likely to engage in lobbying.

Accepted Answer

Larger nonprofit organizations are generally more likely to engage in lobbying due to their greater resources and capacity to influence policy.

Question 4

According to Guo and Saxton, which stage of advocacy works to deepen ties with the organization's community?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Guo and Saxton, which stage...

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Understanding the legislative process involves researching and analyzing the positions and platforms of legislators to identify those who may support the organization's goals, which is what the board is doing by studying the platforms of state legislators.

Question 6

According to Worth, a nonprofit organization may be found representing every side of an issue.

Accepted Answer

It is possible for nonprofit organizations to have different opinions and represent various sides of an issue.

Question 7

Nonprofits often play a critical role in creating ______.

Accepted Answer

Nonprofits often work towards creating social change, addressing social issues and providing services to those in need. While they may influence government policies, they do not create new forms of government themselves. They also do not typically create new private sector organizations or contribute to family dissension.

Question 8

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) criteria specifying illegal campaign involvement are published in IRS ______.

Accepted Answer

The correct IRS ruling that specifies illegal campaign involvement is Revenue Ruling 2007-41. This ruling clarifies that section 501(c)(3) organizations, which are tax-exempt, cannot participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Violation of this ruling can result in revocation of tax-exempt status or other penalties.

Question 9

An example of political campaign activity is conducting a nonpartisan candidate debate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An example of political campaign activity is...

Question 10

A political action committee may claim tax-deductible gifts.

Accepted Answer

Political action committees (PACs) are not eligible to claim tax-deductible gifts under the Internal Revenue Code. Only certain types of organizations, such as 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, are eligible to receive tax-deductible gifts. PACs are categorized as 527 organizations and are subject to different tax rules.

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

Political Action Committees (PACs) are primarily established for the purpose of raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates, not for lobbying activities. Lobbying is generally conducted by other types of organizations.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

Climbing the agenda refers to advocacy groups increasing the visibility and importance of an issue in public discourse and decision-making, often through media attention or public campaigns.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

While 501(c)(3) organizations can engage in some lobbying activities, there are restrictions on the amount of lobbying they can do without jeopardizing their tax-exempt status. These restrictions vary depending on the size of the organization's budget and the type of lobbying activity.

Question 14

BoardSource found that less than one third of nonprofits had policies related to advocacy.

Accepted Answer

According to BoardSource, less than one third of nonprofits had policies related to advocacy.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The term "general public" refers to individuals who are not part of any specific group or organization, and therefore excludes members of fraternal organizations.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The organization is participating in self-defense lobbying, as they are advocating for their own organization's funding and interests. Illegal lobbying involves breaking the law, grassroots lobbying involves mobilizing members of the general public to take action, and general public lobbying involves advocating for an issue that affects the public as a whole.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

Nonprofits may not engage in lobbying due to unfamiliarity with the complex laws surrounding lobbying and the restrictions placed on nonprofit organizations.

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Option I and Option II of the substantial part test were established by the 1976 Lobby Law, also known as the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1976. This law amended the Federal Regulation of Lobbying Act of 1946 and replaced the previous substantial part test with the two options to determine whether an organization's lobbying activity is a substantial part of its overall activities.

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

The staff member's comment about the need to change processes indicates that the organization is in the stage of reassessing and redirecting efforts, as it is recognizing the need to adapt and improve in order to better achieve its mission.

Question 20

One reason nonprofit organizations may be ambivalent about lobbying is that they fear alienating donors.

Accepted Answer

Nonprofit organizations depend on donations from individuals and corporations to operate, and some donors may not support lobbying efforts. Nonprofits may fear that engaging in lobbying could result in a backlash from donors who do not agree with their advocacy efforts.

Quiz 11: Advocacy and Lobbying