FW: [NFPA] FEC rules threaten non-profits

So much shit going on, it's truly impossible to keep up with it all.

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
On Behalf Of Mike Petersen
Sent: March 30, 2004 6:10 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [NFPA] FEC rules threaten non-profits


This is worth paying attention to, and acting on.

FEC PROPOSES RULES THAT COULD REDEFINE MANY NONPROFITS AS POLITICAL
COMMITTE

YIKES!

   We heard rumors that this could be coming, but now that it is in
writing it's very scary to see!  Please check this out, file your
comments, and help

spread the word to others.

 Many thanks,

 Ellis

 In a message dated 3/8/04 3:36:56 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:


    FEC PROPOSES RULES THAT COULD REDEFINE
    MANY NONPROFITS AS POLITICAL COMMITTEES

    March 5, 2004

    Today, in a 5-1 vote, the Federal Election Commission proposed new
rules
  that will potentially redefine many nonprofits as political
committees.

    If these rules are adopted, nonprofits that engage in certain
activities
  defined in the proposed rules - including legitimate advocacy
activities -
  could be classified as political committees under federal election
law.
  Political committees have to register and report to the Federal
Election
  Commission, and are subject to funding restrictions that prevent them
from
  accepting contributions from corporations, labor unions, foundations,
and
  individual donations above $5,000.

    As an example, the proposed regulations would consider any of the
  following groups as political committees:

      a.. A 501(c)(3) environmental organization that places an ad
during this
  election year criticizing President Bush for weakening regulations on
toxic
  mercury emissions from coal-fired plants.

      b.. A 527 organization, affiliated with a 501(c)(4), that opposes
a
  judicial nominee even though it does not engage in any partisan
political
  activity.
    The proposed rules, if approved, will drastically change the breadth
and
  scope of how nonprofits operate this year.  It is of great
significance that
  these changes are timed to go into effect in the heat of an election
season
  when the voices of nonprofits fill the void on many critical issues.


     The Alliance for Justice intends to participate in this very
important
  rulemaking, and we encourage all nonprofits-advocacy organizations and
  foundations alike-to voice their concerns with the FEC by April 9,
2004.
  For more information, including a link to the FEC new rules and
information
  on where to send your comments, visit our website at:


http://www.afj.org/nonprofit/public_policy/campaign_finance_reform/fec
_rule5
  27.html

    As we continue to analyze these proposed rules and how they could
affect
  the nonprofit community, we will continue to inform you about
developments
  through NPAN alerts and updates to our website.

    Questions?
    Contact Liz Towne at the Alliance for Justice at 202/822-6070 or
[email protected]
       The Foundation Advocacy Bulletin is a publication of the
Foundation
  Advocacy Initiative (FAI), a program that addresses barriers to
foundations
  funding nonprofit engagement in public policy work through workshops,
  technical assistance, and plain language publications.

    The Alliance for Justice
    11 Dupont Circle, NW,
    Washington, D.C. 20036
    phone: (202) 822-6070
    fax: (202) 822-6068
    www.allianceforjustice.org
      The Alliance for Justice is a national association of public
interest
  organizations spanning a range of issues, including civil rights,
social
  justice, and consumer and environmental protection.  The Alliance
promotes a
  fair and independent judiciary and strengthens public interest
advocacy.

    The Foundation Advocacy Initiative is a project of the Alliance. We
  gladly welcome your comments, questions, and news suggestions. Also,
if you
  have supported a project that included public policy advocacy, we
would like
  to hear from you.  Please contact us at [email protected]

    Alliance for Justice - 11 Dupont Circle, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington,
DC,
  20036, USA


Ellis M.M. Robinson, The Buttonwood Partnership
My book "The NonProfit Membership Tool Kit" is now available!  Order now
at www.josseybass.com or 800/956-7739.  Use code JBNPD and save 20%!
1053 Seahawk Ln. Sanibel, Florida  33957
Tel: 239/472-9159
Fax:  239/472-5685
Email: [email protected]




*
Mike Petersen
The Lands Council
423 W. 1st Ave, Suite 240
Spokane, WA 99201
509-838-4912
Special thanks to our major sponsors of our Annual Auction and Dinner on
March 19th! Washington Trust Bank, ICM Asset Management, Inc., Mountain
Gear Lexus of Spokane, KC Logo Design, Boswell Law Firm, P.S. "Working
to protect the Woods, Waters & Wildlife of the Inland Northwest"
www.landscouncil.org


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