Should Your Nonprofit Create a 501(c)(4) for Advocacy? Insights from Adam Snipes.

06/11/24 • 28 min

As nonprofits navigate increasingly complex social and political landscapes, understanding the potential of a 501(c)(4) may be crucial for driving meaningful change. This compelling conversation with advocacy expert Adam Snipes may leave you wondering if your organization should start a 501(c)(4) .

Adam delves into real-world examples, provides practical advice for nonprofit leaders considering this route, discusses the evolving role of 501(c)(4) organizations in today’s advocacy ecosystem, explains the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations, and the practical steps involved in setting up and managing these entities.

Download and listen to learn how your nonprofit can leverage a 501(c)(4) to advance its mission and engage more effectively in policy advocacy.

This episode answers the following questions:

What are the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations?
How can a 501(c)(4) enhance a nonprofit’s advocacy efforts?
What are the legal considerations for establishing a 501(c)(4)?
How do fundraising strategies differ between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations?
What challenges do 501(c)(4) organizations face in today’s political climate?
Should I start a 501(c)(4)?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Adam’s LinkedIn

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

189: Coalition Building Can Help Your Nonprofit and Your Cause with Jim Neal & Paedia Mixon (Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)
173: Create Lasting Change Through Advocacy with Tanya Tassi (Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)

Download and listen to learn how your nonprofit can leverage a 501(c)(4) to advance its mission and engage more effectively in policy advocacy.

This episode answers the following questions:

What are the differences between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations?
How can a 501(c)(4) enhance a nonprofit’s advocacy efforts?
What are the legal considerations for establishing a 501(c)(4)?
How do fundraising strategies differ between 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations?
What challenges do 501(c)(4) organizations face in today’s political climate?
Should I start a 501(c)(4)?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Adam’s LinkedIn

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

189: Coalition Building Can Help Your Nonprofit and Your Cause with Jim Neal & Paedia Mixon (Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)
173: Create Lasting Change Through Advocacy with Tanya Tassi (Episode Title on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)

Previous Episode

The Power of a Board Liaison with Kyle Waide and Xavier Roberts

Kyle Waide and Xavier Roberts from the Atlanta Community Food Bank to discuss into the transformative role of a Board Liaison. As your organization strives to maximize board engagement and effectiveness, have you considered a Board Liaison role that supports board members and enhancing governance practices?

Kyle and Xavier share their journey of establishing this role at one of Georgia's largest nonprofits, highlighting the challenges and successes they've encountered. From navigating the transition after a founder's departure to fostering a more connected and proactive board, they provide invaluable insights for nonprofit leaders looking to optimize their board's performance.

Whether you're a small nonprofit or a large organization, this episode offers practical advice on how to effectively support your board, drive strategic growth, and free up your valuable time.

This episode answers the following questions:

How can my (smaller) nonprofit adapt the Board Liaison concept to fit our needs?
What is the role of a Board Liaison, and how does it support board members?
What are the benefits of having a Board Liaison?
How can a Board Liaison improve board engagement and effectiveness?
What challenges could we face when introducing a Board Liaison role?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these amazing episodes:

Ep 308: Nonprofit Board Do’s and Don’ts with Charley Moore (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)
Ep 212: The Supportive Board Chair with Monica Khant ( Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website with show notes)

Next Episode

Fostering Inclusion at Your Nonprofit with Kia Croom Encore

In honor of Juneteenth this week, we are re-sharing Kia Croom’s episode on fostering inclusion in your organization.

When the country shut down in March 2020, Kia Croom realized the shift to remote work also shifted justice, equity, and inclusion dynamics. Racial discrimination, racial trauma, and microaggressions didn’t go away, they just changed a little. And now they were happening in her home.

Since then, Kia has been working to disrupt and challenge the norms that lead to lack of inclusion in the nonprofit sector. She joins us today to share why this is an essential conversation for your own nonprofit and steps leadership can take to build an inclusive organization.

This episode answers the following questions:

How did COVID and working remotely impact justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion dynamics?
How can I help my nonprofit be more inclusive?
What does an inclusive organization look like?

Links mentioned in this episode:

Looking for more? Check out these other amazing episodes: