Funding Advocacy

Public and Private foundations can fund 501(c)(3) public charities engaged in advocacy.  They do not need to restrict grantees from using their funds for lobbying.  Including such a prohibition places unnecessary restrictions on grantees that make it harder for them to accomplish their charitable purposes.

Private foundations may not earmark (designate or direct) grants for lobbying purposes.  They may make general support grants to charities, even those who lobby.  Also, they can give specific project grants to fund projects that include lobbying, as long as the foundation's grant for the project does not exceed the amount the grantee budgeted for the non-lobbying portion of the project.

Public foundations have greater flexibility, and can earmark grants for lobbying.  Such earmarked grants generally count as a lobbying expenditure. 

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