Podcasts about quyen tu

In today's episode continuing our eight-part series, we examine how nonprofits are effectively advocating for environmental justice. We'll analyze practical strategies for building awareness and securing advocacy funding while navigating the regulatory frameworks that govern nonprofit activism. Join us for a clear-eyed look at how organizations are making meaningful progress in environmental protection and climate action.    Attorneys for this episode   Tim Mooney  Quyen Tu  Susan Finkle Sourlis    Shownotes   Current Events / Executive Orders:  • Trump Administration Environmental Rollbacks  • Rescinded EPA's Environmental Justice Screening Tool (EJSCREEN)  • Repealed Biden-era executive orders on Justice40, climate equity, and cumulative impacts assessments  • Reinstated NEPA rules from 2019, reducing environmental review for pipelines, highways, and factories  • Revoked protections for sacred Indigenous lands (e.g., Bears Ears downsizing, drilling leases on Chaco Canyon perimeter)  • Impacts on Vulnerable Communities:  • Halted all EPA funding for community air monitoring programs in EJ-designated census tracts  • Suspended grants to community-based climate resilience projects  • Cut FEMA's BRIC (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities) equity prioritization language  • Reopened refineries and power plants previously closed for Clean Air Act violations, especially in Black and Latino neighborhoods  • EPA DEI cuts:  • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced plans to cancel nearly 800 environmental justice grants, totaling over $1.5 billion, which were intended to support projects mitigating climate change impacts in vulnerable communities .  •  Additionally, the EPA is undergoing a reduction in force, affecting employees in its Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, as part of a broader effort to realign the agency's mission    ·      Non-Lobbying Advocacy o   Nonpartisan Advocacy 101: 501(c)(3)s cannot support or oppose candidates for public office, but they can… o   Educate the public about issues of importance to your organization. §  Waterkeeper Alliance is holding EPA Admin Lee Zeldin accountable for cuts to PFAS research. o   Hold a rally §  Memphis Community Against Pollution rallied to celebrate a victory for clean water, while turning its attention to a clean air fight against an Elon Musk-owned company's proposed data center. o   Initiate or participate in litigation §  AFJ member Earthjustice has sued the Trump administration's improper withholding of IRA grant funds for projects that included Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants to install solar panels on small farms. o   Fund Advocacy §  Meyer Memorial Trust funded  41 organizations with EJ awards totaling $6.9 million in 2024 with a focus on frontline and indigenous communities   ·      Lobbying o   501(c)(3) public charities are also allowed to use unrestricted funds to engage in some lobbying activities. o   Tax Code Lobbying 101: Public charities can lobby, but they are limited in how much lobbying they may engage in. §  Insubstantial part test vs. 501(h) expenditure test. §  Under either test, lobbying includes attempts to influence legislation at any level of government. §  Track your local, state, and federal lobbying, and stay within your lobbying limits. o   State/local level lobbyist registration and reporting requirements may also apply when engaging in legislative and executive branch advocacy. o   Ballot measure advocacy (direct lobbying) could also implicate state / local campaign finance and election laws. o   Lobbying wins §  Hawaii just passed a first-of-its-kind climate tax on short-term accommodations to fund defenses against climate change fueled disasters. Sierra Club of Hawaii has been actively lobbying on climate change legislation for years. §  Ballot measure wins (h/t The Nature Conservancy) ·      California: $10 billion climate bond that funds climate resilience, protecting clean drinking water and preventing catastrophic wildfires.  ·      Washington: An effort to roll back the state's Climate Commitment Act was defeated. The CCA provides millions for conservation, climate and wildfire funding, including funding for Tribal nations and at-risk communities. ·      Minnesota: Renewal of the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund for another 25 years. The fund will provide $2 billion ($80 million per year from state lottery proceeds) to protect water, land and wildlife across the state. Resources – ·      Earth & Equity: The Advocacy Playbook for Environmental Justice ·      Public Charities Can Lobby (Factsheet) ·      Practical Guidance: what your nonprofit needs to know about lobbying in your state ·      Investing in Change: A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy ·      What is Advocacy? 2.0  

As AI continues to advance, its potential to influence elections and democracy, both positively and negatively, has become a critical issue. In this episode, we delve into the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and election disinformation with Jonathan Mehta Stein where he discusses how AI, particularly generative AI, can be used to create deepfakes and other misleading content that could destabilize elections, deceive voters, and potentially alter election outcomes. We also explore how nonprofits and community organizations can play a crucial role in combating this emerging threat.   Attorneys for this episode  Quyen Tu, Melissa Marichal Zayas   Guest: Jonathan Mehta Stein, Executive Director of California Common Cause and the California Initiative for Technology and Democracy (CITED)   1. Introduction to AI and Election Disinformation:    - Jonathan Mehta Stein introduces the concept of AI and its implications for democracy.    - Overview of CITED (California Initiative for Technology and Democracy) and its mission to protect democracy from AI-powered disinformation.   2. Understanding AI and Generative AI:    - Explanation of artificial intelligence, generative AI, and their applications in everyday life.    - Discussion of the potential dangers of AI when it comes to sensitive areas like crime prediction and loan approvals.   3. Deepfakes and Their Impact on Elections:    - Definition and examples of deepfakes—AI-generated videos or audio that portray people doing or saying things they never did.    - The global rise of deepfakes in elections, with examples from Taiwan, Slovakia, and the United States.   4. Local Elections and the Threat of Deepfakes:    - Jonathan shares concerns about deepfakes being used at the local level, where they may go unnoticed and could significantly impact election outcomes.    - The particular risks faced by communities of color, immigrant communities, and non-English speakers.   5. What Can Nonprofits and Community Members Do?    - Practical steps for verifying information and combating disinformation in your community.    - The importance of being a trusted messenger and educating your community about digital threats.   6. The Role of Tech Companies:    - How major tech companies are responding (or not) to the challenges posed by AI and disinformation.    - Discussion on the first U.S. presidential election where AI is playing a significant role.   7. Policy Solutions and Legislative Efforts:    - Overview of the legislation being proposed to regulate AI and disinformation in the election context.    - CITED's policy framework for requiring digital watermarks and labeling AI-generated content.   8. Parting Thoughts:    - Jonathan's optimism about the nonprofit sector's ability to rise to this new challenge, and the urgency of addressing these threats in the short term.   Resources   - www.cited.tech - AI Threats in the Election - Commenting on Candidates in Campaigns - UC Berkeley IGS Poll on Digital Threats

On this episode, we are joined by special guest, Molly Coleman, the co-founder and executive director of People's Parity Project (PPP), a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to harnessing the organizing power of lawyers and law students to create a legal system that prioritizes the people over corporate profits. Molly shares the inspiring journey of PPP, starting as a grassroots law student organizing effort to its current nationwide presence, fighting for a better legal profession and a justice-centered legal system. We explore the challenges and learning curves faced by PPP as a coalition of law students and new attorneys, the need for reform in legal education, and the importance of public engagement to effect change. Join us as we uncover the bold projects and imaginative strategies PPP is employing to shape a future where justice prevails. Attorneys for this episode: Quyen Tu, Tim Mooney Guest: Molly Coleman, Co-Founder and Executive Director of People's Parity Project Questions What is People's Parity Project, and how did you get started? Where does PPP draw its inspiration from? As law students and new attorneys, what are the learning curves you face in this work and are there balancing advantages to the perspectives you bring? What are your thoughts on law school reform? What are things we need to fix the legal system? How does the structure of being a (c)(3) organization help and hinder what you want to accomplish? How can people get involved, including students looking to starting a a chapter at their law school or graduates starting one at their alma mater? Resources: People's Parity Project

On this episode, we'll discuss how different types of tax-exempt organizations can ensure the right to vote is protected by engaging in election protection activities and assisting voters at the polls. and potentially afterwards. Whether it's poll monitoring, ballot curing, staffing an election protection hotline, or providing rides to the polls, we'll discuss the rules that apply to 501(c)(3)s and 501(c)(4)s so that your organization can ensure that all eligible voices are heard this election season.  Attorneys for this episode   Tim Mooney   Natalie Ossenfort  Quyen Tu  Shownotes  Poll watching / observing  Litigation  Rides to Polls  Ballot chasing and curing  Poll monitoring  Count monitoring  Voting education  Nonpartisan activity No support or opposition of candidates Facts and Circumstances Follow FEC rules if federal candidates on ballots (no incentives for voting or registering to vote)  State law often adds layers of complexity here – be sure to know what is allowed in your state Ohio: must stay outside 100ft no-solicitation permitter when line warming Michigan: strict rules related to hiring a car to provide rides to the polls (effectively prohibited unless voter unable to walk) CO / TX: strict rules that apply when you want to hand out and collect voter registration applications Voter Assistance Series (AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, NY, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, TX, Virginia, Wisconsin) Voter Registration Rules Vote by Mail Rules Correcting errors on absentee ballots (ballot curing) Rides to Polls Rules Line Warming Activities   Poll Watching What about selfies?  Partisan Voter Protection Ballot Chasing and Curing can be done with a partisan focus (for instance, only trying to cure votes of one party, litigating on behalf of a candidate)   Off limits for c3s, which must engage in nonpartisan advocacy ONLY  Ok for c4s but counts as secondary activity  Resources Practical Guidance – Voter Assistance Series, released in partnership with the Democracy Capacity Project  Rules of the Game – Guide to Election Related Activities for 501(c)(3)s  Election Checklist for 501(c)(3)s Combating Voter Suppression & Election Subversion

On this episode, we discuss the unprecedented election-year challenges we face and the ways all nonprofits can help ensure a safe election. As trusted messengers, nonprofits can explain voting options and deadlines; encourage absentee voting and a new generation of poll workers; conduct election protection programs; support and join litigation and even facilitate voting and promote increased voter turnout.  This is a repodcast of the first part of our three-part series from 2020.  Our attorneys for this episode     Leslie Barnes   Tim Mooney   Quyen Tu     Shownotes  Election-year challenges  Dangers for in-person voting  Massive poll worker shortage  Monumental increase in voting by mail  Predictions for contested elections/delayed results  Defunding the United States Postal Service  Interference in the election by foreign and domestic actors  Reminder - 501(c)(3) organizations must remain nonpartisan   When We All Vote Video – Voter Registration Drives  https://youtu.be/XNt-9v3HY30s  Created by a c3, When We all Vote  Shared by a c3, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund  Nonpartisan – no support or opposition for any candidate for elected office  Explains how schools can create and promote a voter registration drive   Explains how volunteers can share news of newly registered voters on social media  Safe for community foundations and c4s too!  Special rules exist for private foundations   Can't buy votes. Don't exchange anything of value for someone completing a voter registration form or voting.  Can spend money to facilitate voting – Examples   Must also follow state law regarding voter registration and drives  IRS permits targeting voter outreach for nonpartisan reasons   Fair Fight Action Video – Vote By Mail/Voter Education  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFl6AYki1B8  Encourages Georgians to vote by mail to shorten lines for those who must vote in person and reduce risk for all    Fair Fight Action is a 501(c)(4) and could engage in partisan activity as secondary activity  This video is a nonpartisan example of voter outreach/education – primary activity  Safe for c3s to share as well!    Houston Justice Coalition Post  Safe for c3s and c4s to share government messages  Nonprofits can volunteer their space for voting/polling centers  Best practices for 501(c)(3)s  Nothing can support or oppose candidates  Avoid mixing issue advocacy with voter registration/GOTV/voter education  No candidate pledges  Any interaction with candidates? Offer the same info to others running  Best practices for 501(c)(4)s  Can support or oppose candidates – track efforts – secondary activity  Be aware of state laws  Don't coordinate efforts with federal (and usually) state candidates  Report independent efforts under campaign finance laws    Resources  Bolder Advocacy Election Activities Page  Want to Conduct or Fund a Voter Registration Drive  Election Protection Efforts Factsheet   Election Year Activities for 501(c)(4)s  How 501(c)(4)s Can Hold Elected Officials Accountable   Partisan Electoral Activity: What is it and What Can You Do?    Non Bolder Advocacy resources  Guide on how to do a school or community voter registration drive: https://www.headcount.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Booklet_Final-1.pdf  For college student looking for information on voting? Check: https://andrewgoodman.org/myvoteeverywhere/

On this episode, we revisit a very specific type of lobbying that doesn't necessarily seem like lobbying in the first place. Ballot measures can range from local bonds to state constitutional amendments, and everything in between. What can nonprofits do to support or oppose them, and how do they comply with state and federal law?     Our attorneys for this episode  Tim Mooney  Natalie Ossenfort  Quyen Tu    What are Ballot Measures?  Called different things in different states and localities  Bond  Constitutional Amendments  Referenda  Ballot questions / initiatives   Propositions  Any policy matter put to a vote of the general public    There are no federal ballot measures, but federal law has one major thing to say aboutmeasures for 501(c)(3)s  State and sometimes local laws cover campaign finance and reporting requirements    Can nonprofits take a stance?  No. End of episode. (just kidding!)  Most can. All 501(c)s that aren't charities or foundations can (generally) do an unlimited amount of ballot measure advocacy, but must follow state and local laws for reporting their work  Public charities can take a stance, but ballot measures are lobbying (which is why this episode is in the lobbying series!). From there, they also have to follow state and local laws for reporting their work  Private foundations cannot take a stance on ballot measures (again...lobbying) without being hit with a big excise tax    Wait, lobbying? Tell me more.  Boil it down? Voters are a giant legislative body  Direct lobbying, not grassroots – and that's good because charities can do more direct lobbying  Doesn't violate the prohibition on electioneering to support or oppose measures because they are not related to candidates  Be careful to make sure your org's advocacy isn't seen as/tied to a candidate's position on theballot measures  Clock starts ticking when petitions go out to qualify for the ballot or (probably) when you're lobbying legislative bodies when they are determining whether to refer an item to the voters  Count all prep work, staff time, communications costs, etc.  You non-c3s? Tax law doesn't restrict lobbying, and this counts toward primary purpose activity... so load up on your GOTV and voter reg work on ballot measures and (strategy time!) it can offset candidate work you do.    State laws...  Every state is different, starting with the fact some states don't have ballot measures at all. Even states without statewide ballot measures like NY have local bond measures though.  Any state or locality with ballot measures has some kind of registration and reporting laws  We have state law resources for your state! Examples:  Texas  Corporations (including nonprofits) can support or oppose ballot measures in Texas.  Texas Election Code defines a political committee as two or more persons acting in concert with a principal purpose of accepting political contributions or making political expenditures. Since the definition of “persons” includes nonprofit corporations and expenditures and contributionsinclude those made in connection with a measure, it is possible for nonprofits to trigger PAC registration and reporting in Texas even if they don't do any candidate-related work.  TRANSLATION: if a group of nonprofits comes together to raise funds for the support or opposition of a measure, they may need to register and report as a PAC.  It is also possible that if a nonprofit acts on its own to impact a ballot measure, it could trigger direct campaign expenditure (aka independent expenditure) reporting even if it doesn't coordinate its work with other organizations or individuals. DCE reporting, as it's sometimes referred to, kicks in when more than $100 is spent to support or oppose a measure.  Of course, there are other scenarios as well that might not require state-level reporting in the ballot measure context in Texas (e.g. nonprofit contributions to a ballot measure only PAC), so feel free to reach out to our TX team if you have any questions about when and what you have to report when you engage in ballot measure advocacy.  Oregon  Trivia: Oregon is one of the first states to adopt ballot measures... started them in 1902 (just behind SD and UT)  Five forms: state statutes (legislature or citizen referred), constitutional amendments (legislature or citizen referred), and veto referenda.  If your nonprofit's purpose is to support/oppose a ballot measures you have to register as a political committee  No contribution limits (those are unconstitutional per SCOTUS)   Real time online reporting (ORESTAR!!!!)  3 reporting periods  Contributions over $100 - the name/address of the donor disclosed  California  These rules are about transparency and tracking money in CA elections.  Most important: if you engage in certain fundraising activities or spending, you could become aballot measure committee and not even know it. That means your nonprofit would have filing and reporting obligations.  There just isn't enough time to do justice to the CA BM rules on this show so if you're interestedin a whole show, please shoot us an email  Ballot measures are treated as campaign activity  Rules are designed so that when people or organizations accept or spend money for ballot measures, it gets reported by someone.  When there is advocacy for a ballot measure, there will be a main ballot measure committee.Must report contributions of $100+, whether financial or in-kind, and expenditures. This usually works best as a separate entity from a 501(c)(3).  Even if you are not the main ballot measure committee, there are ways NPs could trigger reporting with the FPPC  receiving or spending money on ballot measure advocacy  receive $2k+ in calendar year earmarked for ballot measures, you become a recipient committee. Recipient committees have to report their donors.  Another way to become a recipient committee is to spend at least $50k in non-earmarked donated funds. At these higher levels of spending it gets more detailed so please check out our resources.   Major Donor Committee: give $10k+ in calendar year to a recipient committee (staff time counts) but does not receive $ earmarked for ballot measures  Independent Expenditure Committee: spends $1k+ in a calendar year on communications that expressly advocates for/against ballot measures and not made in coordination with a ballot measure committee  Non reportable activities:  10% or less of staff time  Paid staff time counts as an expenditure, or if it's coordinated with a ballot measure committee, a contribution. If you have staff spending more than 10% of their time in any calendar month on ballot measures, you need to consider that expenditure towards these thresholds.  Newsletter  Member communications  Contracted services to the ballot measure committee  Certain limited fundraising expenses  Raising money for the ballot measure committee where the contributions go directly to theballot measure committee (funds do not pass through the org)   You can ask people to donate to the main ballot measure committee and only your fundraising costs would count as a contribution toward these thresholds, some fundraising costs are even exempt from reporting.  Final thoughts?  Often critically important advocacy  Private foundations! You can and should support this work, even though you cannot directly advocate or fund it. How?  general support grants  specific project grants for non-lobbying portions of the work  educate the public about the ballot measure process  communications that qualify as nonpartisan analysis  communications that are neutral urging voters to study the issue    Resources  Bolder Advocacy ballot measure toolkit  Seize the Initiative  Foundations and Ballot Measures  California Campaign Finance and Ballot Measure Guide  Ballot Measure Activities Exempt from California Disclosure Laws  Initiating Policy Change: Circulating Ballot Initiatives in California  Texas Campaign Finance and Ballot Measure Guide 

It seems like every time we turn on the news, there are reports of a mass shooting somewhere in America. Sadly, names of US cities or communities have become associated with horrific tragedies: Uvalde, Buffalo, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Newtown. On this episode we talk about the role nonprofits have in combating gun violence.   Our hosts for this episode  Ryann Alonso  Natalie Ossenfort  Quyen Tu    Shownotes Introducing Ryann Alonso - clarify what we mean by gun violence.  Role for 501(c)(3) Public Charities lobby for legislation to prevent gun violence public education campaigns fight disinformation and misinformation  Role for  501(c)(4)s all of the above, plus  work on getting candidates who support these efforts into office  501(c)(4)s are social welfare organizations, and they can conduct an unlimited amount of lobbying  Can also support / oppose candidates as secondary activity Other activities Coalitions Corporate advocacy Litigation Resources  State Firearm Laws  Public Charities Can Lobby: Guidelines for 501(c)(3) Public Charities  Election Checklist for 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Ensuring Election Year Advocacy Efforts Remain Nonpartisan  Praising and Criticizing Incumbents: How 501(c)(3)s Can Hold Elected Officials Accountable for Official Actions  Primer on Social Welfare Organizations: Using 501(c)(4) Organizations for Good  Accountability Advocacy: How 501(c)(4)s Can Hold Elected Officials Accountable for Their Actions  501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) Collaboration  Bolder Advocacy's TA hotline: 866-NP-LOBBY  Email us at advocacy@afj.org  Our website is bolderadvocacy.org  To read the whole poem quoted at the beginning of the podcast, please check out Clarissa Pinkola Estes' We Were Made for These Times. 

On this episode, our third in our 2022 Election series, we thought we'd look at how nonprofits can further democracy through candidate debates. Since the pandemic, we've seen organizations get seriously creative in using technology to engage and keep us safe and socially distanced. If you're a long-time listener, you might recall that we also hosted an episode on Candidate Debates in 2020, back when we launched during the shutdown.   Link:  Attorneys for this episode  Leslie Barnes, Tim Mooney, Quyen Tu  Shownotes  Public charities can convene candidate debates and forums  The safe harbor for (c)(3)s hosting candidate debates  Narrowing invitees based on nonpartisan criteria  Publicize widely and invite public  Neutral moderator  Questions: broad and wide-ranging topics  Equal treatment of each candidate  No pledges  Best practices   Hosting a debate watch party and commenting on debates  Fact checking is ok, supporting/opposing candidates is not  Forums  Facts & Circumstances analysis  Federal university rule  Candidate meet and greets  Resources  Hosting Candidate Debates: Public Charities Can Educate the Community Through Candidate Debates   Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns: How 501(c)(3)s Can Respond During an Election Year   Responding During Election Season and Debates   Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season   Rev. Rul. 2007-41 

On this episode, we're taking a deep dive into election season advocacy rules. While you already know from previous episodes that 501(c)(3) public charities are not allowed to support or oppose candidates for public office, you may not know how the tax code defines a “candidate” and which public offices could trigger tax code electioneering rules.      Our Attorneys for this Episode    Leslie Barnes   Jen Powis  Quyen Tu    Show Notes  Who is a candidate?  What is a public office?  Holding elected officials accountable doesn't always have to end when they “declare candidacy”  Who is NOT a candidate?    Resources  Rules of the Game: A Guide to Election Related Activities for 501(c)(3) Organizations  Who is a Candidate (BA Blog Post)   IRS's EO CPE Text, 2002 Election Year Issues, Judith E. Kindell and John Francis Reilly   

On this special episode... we revisit how nonprofits can make their voice heard when there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court or any appointed judicial seat.     Our attorneys for this episode    Tim Mooney  Natalie Ossenfort  Quyen Tu    Opening Thoughts    After the announcement that U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer will retire pending confirmation of his successor, groups are gearing up to influence President Biden's nomination and the Senate confirmation vote. But before we talk about our advocacy and the rules of the game for advocacy in this area, we wanted to share the statement of AFJ President Rakim Brooks on Justice Breyer:    Justice Breyer has always been one of the most active members of the bench — drawing as many laughs as any justice in recent history. His jurisprudence, however, has had the quiet dignity of a justice who understood that the proper role of the Court is to defer to the people and their elected representatives to decide our democracy's most important questions. Time and time again, he has stood up against the wealthy and powerful to protect the fundamental rights and legal protections of millions of Americans.      Read more from the AFJ statement    Shownotes   Work supporting or opposing a judicial nomination like SCOTUS counts as lobbying.   When does the meter start running for 501(c)(3) public charities?   Types of lobbying  Do nonprofits have to worry about the rules around elections?  AFJ and AFJ Action's advocacy    Resources  Our new home for all of our resources on advocacy for judicial nominations   President Biden's Potential Supreme Court Shortlist (AFJ)  Election Checklist for 501(c)(3) Public Charities: Ensuring Election Year Advocacy Efforts Remain Nonpartisan   Accountability Advocacy for 501(c)(3)s   Bolder Advocacy's TA hotline: 866-NP-LOBBY  Email us at advocacy@afj.org   Our website is bolderadvocacy.org     

On this episode we'll share some tips for 501(c)(4) organizations, those nonprofits the IRS calls Advocacy or Social Welfare Organizations. Whether your public charity has an affiliated 501(c)(4) or you work for a stand-alone 501(c)(4), these nonprofits must provide the IRS and the public with their financial and programmatic information annually. And we're going to talk about how c4s can comply with the IRS requirements, some of the new developments that allow for protection of donor disclosure, and some of the information we, the public, can glean from these reports.    Attorneys for this episode:  Quyen Tu, Tim Mooney, and Leslie Barnes  Key Takeaways:  501(c)(4) with annual gross revenue over $50,000 must file an information return with the IRS – either a Form 990 or Form 990 EZ.  Starting with FY 2020 annual returns, 501(c)(4) organizations are no longer required to disclose their donors to the IRS or public.  501(c)(4) organizations must still provide copies of certain financial documents to the public upon request.    Don't forget other reporting requirements-state and federal lobbying and campaign finance requirements   These rules apply to 501(c)(5) and 501(c)(6)s as well  Resources:    Give Me Your 990  501(c)(4) Reporting: Where Are Donors Disclosed  IRS website: Public Disclosure and Availability FAQs   IRS Instructions for Schedule C, Form 990  Technical Assistance Hotline number 1-866-675-6229 (866-NP-LOBBY) or email us advocacy@afj.org or fill out our request form here. 

On this episode, we're going to discuss how nonprofits can support their communities in the wake of natural (and other types) of disasters. Whether it's dealing with preparations for flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires or helping communities get back on their feet after political conflict, nonprofits can and should be ready and able to help by mobilizing volunteers, helping communities navigate government relief programs, providing financial assistance, and more.  Attorneys for this episode: Natalie Ossenfort, Quyen Tu  Topics:  Why one shouldn't overlook the importance of local/community nonprofits   The importance of community foundations in helping rebuild after a disaster  A forum where organizations share knowledge and resources throughout the disaster cycle  September is National Preparedness Month  Tax Relief in Disaster Situations          Resources:  From the IRS   Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations  National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (National VOAD)  Global Giving: why giving cash, not stuff, is more effective after a disaster  Nonprofit Advocacy in the Wake of a Natural Disaster Blog Bolder Advocacy's TA hotline: 866-NP-LOBBY  Email us at advocacy@afj.org  Our website is bolderadvocacy.org  

On this episode, we're talking about recall elections. A recall is a procedure that allows citizens to remove and replace a public official before the official's term of office ends. Historically, recalls have been used most frequently at the local level and this year, and this year we're seeing a very prominent effort in California. Can nonprofits advocate in a recall election? Attorneys for this episode:  Quyen Tu, Natalie Ossenfort, Tim Mooney   Topics: History/Development of Recall What can nonprofits do and say in recall elections? Example: Mayoral Recall in Portland, Oregon Example: Gubernatorial Recall in California   Resources: Ballot Measures and Recalls: Basic Rules for 501(c)(3) Public Charities, 501(c)(4)s, and Unions National Conference of State Legislatures The Rules of the Game Episode 1 - “Can We Say That?” Bolder Advocacy's TA hotline: 866-NP-LOBBY Email us at advocacy@afj.org

On this episode, we cover a very specific type of lobbying that doesn’t necessarily seem like lobbying in the first place. Ballot measures can range from local bonds to state constitutional amendments, and everything in between. What can nonprofits do to support or oppose them, and how do they comply with state and federal law?     Our attorneys for this episode  Tim Mooney  Natalie Ossenfort  Quyen Tu    What are Ballot Measures?  Called different things in different states and localities  Bond  Constitutional Amendments  Referenda  Ballot questions / initiatives   Propositions  Any policy matter put to a vote of the general public    There are no federal ballot measures, but federal law has one major thing to say about measures for 501(c)(3)s  State and sometimes local laws cover campaign finance and reporting requirements    Can nonprofits take a stance?  No. End of episode. (just kidding!)  Most can. All 501(c)s that aren’t charities or foundations can (generally) do an unlimited amount of ballot measure advocacy, but must follow state and local laws for reporting their work  Public charities can take a stance, but ballot measures are lobbying (which is why this episode is in the lobbying series!). From there, they also have to follow state and local laws for reporting their work  Private foundations cannot take a stance on ballot measures (again...lobbying) without being hit with a big excise tax    Wait, lobbying? Tell me more.  Boil it down? Voters are a giant legislative body  Direct lobbying, not grassroots – and that’s good because charities can do more direct lobbying  Doesn’t violate the prohibition on electioneering to support or oppose measures because they are not related to candidates  Be careful to make sure your org’s advocacy isn’t seen as/tied to a candidate’s position on the ballot measures  Clock starts ticking when petitions go out to qualify for the ballot or (probably) when you’re lobbying legislative bodies when they are determining whether to refer an item to the voters  Count all prep work, staff time, communications costs, etc.  You non-c3s? Tax law doesn’t restrict lobbying, and this counts toward primary purpose activity... so load up on your GOTV and voter reg work on ballot measures and (strategy time!) it can offset candidate work you do.    State laws...  Every state is different, starting with the fact some states don’t have ballot measures at all. Even states without statewide ballot measures like NY have local bond measures though.  Any state or locality with ballot measures has some kind of registration and reporting laws  We have state law resources for your state! Examples:  Texas  Corporations (including nonprofits) can support or oppose ballot measures in Texas.  Texas Election Code defines a political committee as two or more persons acting in concert with a principal purpose of accepting political contributions or making political expenditures. Since the definition of “persons” includes nonprofit corporations and expenditures and contributions include those made in connection with a measure, it is possible for nonprofits to trigger PAC registration and reporting in Texas even if they don’t do any candidate-related work.  TRANSLATION: if a group of nonprofits comes together to raise funds for the support or opposition of a measure, they may need to register and report as a PAC.  It is also possible that if a nonprofit acts on its own to impact a ballot measure, it could trigger direct campaign expenditure (aka independent expenditure) reporting even if it doesn’t coordinate its work with other organizations or individuals. DCE reporting, as it’s sometimes referred to, kicks in when more than $100 is spent to support or oppose a measure.  Of course, there are other scenarios as well that might not require state-level reporting in the ballot measure context in Texas (e.g. nonprofit contributions to a ballot measure only PAC), so feel free to reach out to our TX team if you have any questions about when and what you have to report when you engage in ballot measure advocacy.  Oregon  Trivia: Oregon is one of the first states to adopt ballot measures... started them in 1902 (just behind SD and UT)  Five forms: state statutes (legislature or citizen referred), constitutional amendments (legislature or citizen referred), and veto referenda.  If your nonprofit’s purpose is to support/oppose a ballot measures you have to register as a political committee  No contribution limits (those are unconstitutional per SCOTUS)   Real time online reporting (ORESTAR!!!!)  3 reporting periods  Contributions over $100 - the name/address of the donor disclosed  California  These rules are about transparency and tracking money in CA elections.  Most important: if you engage in certain fundraising activities or spending, you could become a ballot measure committee and not even know it. That means your nonprofit would have filing and reporting obligations.  There just isn’t enough time to do justice to the CA BM rules on this show so if you’re interested in a whole show, please shoot us an email  Ballot measures are treated as campaign activity  Rules are designed so that when people or organizations accept or spend money for ballot measures, it gets reported by someone.  When there is advocacy for a ballot measure, there will be a main ballot measure committee. Must report contributions of $100+, whether financial or in-kind, and expenditures. This usually works best as a separate entity from a 501(c)(3).  Even if you are not the main ballot measure committee, there are ways NPs could trigger reporting with the FPPC  receiving or spending money on ballot measure advocacy  receive $2k+ in calendar year earmarked for ballot measures, you become a recipient committee. Recipient committees have to report their donors.  Another way to become a recipient committee is to spend at least $50k in non-earmarked donated funds. At these higher levels of spending it gets more detailed so please check out our resources.   Major Donor Committee: give $10k+ in calendar year to a recipient committee (staff time counts) but does not receive $ earmarked for ballot measures  Independent Expenditure Committee: spends $1k+ in a calendar year on communications that expressly advocates for/against ballot measures and not made in coordination with a ballot measure committee  Non reportable activities:  10% or less of staff time  Paid staff time counts as an expenditure, or if it’s coordinated with a ballot measure committee, a contribution. If you have staff spending more than 10% of their time in any calendar month on ballot measures, you need to consider that expenditure towards these thresholds.  Newsletter  Member communications  Contracted services to the ballot measure committee  Certain limited fundraising expenses  Raising money for the ballot measure committee where the contributions go directly to the ballot measure committee (funds do not pass through the org)   You can ask people to donate to the main ballot measure committee and only your fundraising costs would count as a contribution toward these thresholds, some fundraising costs are even exempt from reporting.  Final thoughts?  Often critically important advocacy  Private foundations! You can and should support this work, even though you cannot directly advocate or fund it. How?  general support grants  specific project grants for non-lobbying portions of the work  educate the public about the ballot measure process  communications that qualify as nonpartisan analysis  communications that are neutral urging voters to study the issue    Resources  Bolder Advocacy ballot measure toolkit  Seize the Initiative  Foundations and Ballot Measures  California Campaign Finance and Ballot Measure Guide  Ballot Measure Activities Exempt from California Disclosure Laws  Initiating Policy Change: Circulating Ballot Initiatives in California  Texas Campaign Finance and Ballot Measure Guide   

Lobbying Series Part 5 – Recordkeeping  On this episode, our fifth in our on-going lobbying series, we’ll focus on how 501(c)(3) public charities can keep good records of their lobbying and why it is important.  Attorney Co-hosts  Quyen Tu  Tim Mooney  Natalie Ossenfort  Quick reminders: Check out the prior four episodes in our lobbying series on basics, definitions, and exceptions.  Recordkeeping! The IRS must have a thousand rules!  Would it surprise you that the answer is not really?  IRS has a “reasonableness” standard  If you are audited you are expected to be able to show your math on what you reported on your Form 990.   Why keep good records of your lobbying?  Charities must report their lobbying to the IRS every year. Exceeding lobbying limits leads to excise taxes and (eventually) jeopardizes tax-exempt status. Recordkeeping lets electing charities do more lobbying without fear. Recordkeeping helps a charity raise funds more effectively. Good recordkeeping is protection against false accusations. Recordkeeping is a good management tool.             What do you track?  Direct Costs  Travel  Printing costs  Anything with a receipt that is all or mostly for lobbying  Primary purpose is lobbying? Count it all. Less than half? Split proportionately.      Staff Time  Best option: Timesheets  Occasional lobbying: Lobbying “incident” report  One-shot lobbying: Memo to file      Overhead costs  Easiest with time sheets  Add up total hours worked and total hours spent on direct lobbying  Apply the percentage to all overhead (rent, utilities, internet access, support staff, etc.)  Repeat for grassroots lobbying      Junk drawer of final thoughts  Do not adopt a system just because it is used by another organization – use the one that is most reasonable for your organization.  Remember there are state and local reporting requirements too – make sure those are integrated into your system.  Timesheets have much more utility beyond tracking lobbying – consider that when making your decision on a system.    Resources Keeping Track: A Guide to Recordkeeping for Advocacy Charities  Being a Player: A Guide to the IRS Lobbying Regulations for Advocacy Charities  Sample Timesheets  Simpler Timesheet  Simplest Timesheet  Complex Timesheet  Simple Timesheet for Affiliated Organizations  Complex Timesheet for Affiliated Organizations  Timesheet with Lobbying Disclosure Tracking   

  On this episode, we look at how nonprofits can continue to advocate for a fair and safe election during election days. We intentionally say “days” because many states are offering vote-by-mail (“VBM”, also known as “absentee voting”) or offer early in-person voting well before Nov 3rd, 2020. States took these measures to mitigate some of the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic that we talked about in Part 1 of this series.     Our attorneys for this episode   Leslie Barnes  Tim Mooney  Quyen Tu    Shownotes  Because voting doesn’t just happen one day this year, here are things that 501(c)(3)s, as trusted messengers, can do during the voting days to support a free and fair election.    Encourage people who are not at high-risk to COVID-19 to step up and work as poll worker and early voting officials More Than a Vote - https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=322130045738998  Educate your community and constituents about their different voting options. It is important to note that these rules will vary by states and sometimes even by counties!  Preparing for in-person voting  Vote-by-mail rules and deadlines  Provisional ballots and what that means    Facilitate voting by offering rides to polls, childcare services, translation services, pay off fines.  Promote election protection: be a poll monitor or staff voter protection hotline.  Have a game plan to address voter intimidation.  Help people understand that we likely won’t have definitive elections results the night of Nov. 3rd, especially in close races.  Litigation  Mobilize public support for safe and fair election (including protests) when anything happens that will prevent voting or the administration of voting.   A special note for private foundations:  It’s not too late, you can fund all nonpartisan efforts except for voter registration drives. This is the rainy day that you’ve been saving for!   A special note for 501(c)(4)s:  501(c)(4)s can do everything we’ve covered in this episode and you could do one of these activities in a partisan manner as long as it is your secondary activity.     Resources   Appendix B of Rules of the Game: Permissible Nonpartisan 501(c)(3) and Partisan Campaign Contact on Voter Engagement and Protection Efforts  Election Protection by c3s  Texas Civil Rights Project stopped voter “purges” that would have affected many naturalized citizens. https://www.bolderadvocacy.org/story/legal-advocacy-in-action-texas-civil-rights-project/  Bolder Advocacy’s TA hotline: 866-NP-LOBBY  Email us at advocacy@afj.org  Our website is bolderadvocacy.org       Non-Bolder Advocacy Resources:  Voter Registration Deadlines by State (Vote.org)  State Compendium of Election Worker Laws and Statutes (U.S. Election Assistance Commission)  Do you want to be a poll worker? Learn more here: https://www.powerthepolls.org/  Check out how a 501(c)(4) is feeding people waiting in line to vote! https://polls.pizza/  Election Protection: https://866ourvote.org/  Paying off fines: https://wegotthevote.org/finesandfees/ and article on Mike Bloomberg paying off fines for former felons in Florida so they can vote  Art pieces around voting: https://www.planyourvote.org/artist-works   

On this episode, we discuss the unprecedented election-year challenges we face and the ways all nonprofits can help ensure a safe election. As trusted messengers, nonprofits can explain voting options and deadlines; encourage absentee voting and a new generation of poll workers; conduct election protection programs; support and join litigation and even facilitate voting and promote increased voter turnout.  This is the first of a three-part series. Part 2 on Election Day(s) Advocacy. Part 3 on Post-Election Advocacy.  Our attorneys for this episode     Leslie Barnes   Tim Mooney   Quyen Tu     Shownotes  Election-year challenges  Dangers for in-person voting  Massive poll worker shortage  Monumental increase in voting by mail  Predictions for contested elections/delayed results  Defunding the United States Postal Service  Interference in the election by foreign and domestic actors  Reminder - 501(c)(3) organizations must remain nonpartisan   When We All Vote Video – Voter Registration Drives  https://youtu.be/XNt-9v3HY30s  Created by a c3, When We all Vote  Shared by a c3, NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund  Nonpartisan – no support or opposition for any candidate for elected office  Explains how schools can create and promote a voter registration drive   Explains how volunteers can share news of newly registered voters on social media  Safe for community foundations and c4s too!  Special rules exist for private foundations   Can’t buy votes. Don’t exchange anything of value for someone completing a voter registration form or voting.  Can spend money to facilitate voting – Examples   Must also follow state law regarding voter registration and drives  IRS permits targeting voter outreach for nonpartisan reasons   Fair Fight Action Video – Vote By Mail/Voter Education  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFl6AYki1B8  Encourages Georgians to vote by mail to shorten lines for those who must vote in person and reduce risk for all    Fair Fight Action is a 501(c)(4) and could engage in partisan activity as secondary activity  This video is a nonpartisan example of voter outreach/education – primary activity  Safe for c3s to share as well!    Houston Justice Coalition Post  Safe for c3s and c4s to share government messages  Nonprofits can volunteer their space for voting/polling centers  Best practices for 501(c)(3)s  Nothing can support or oppose candidates  Avoid mixing issue advocacy with voter registration/GOTV/voter education  No candidate pledges  Any interaction with candidates? Offer the same info to others running  Best practices for 501(c)(4)s  Can support or oppose candidates – track efforts – secondary activity  Be aware of state laws  Don’t coordinate efforts with federal (and usually) state candidates  Report independent efforts under campaign finance laws    Resources  Bolder Advocacy Election Activities Page  Want to Conduct or Fund a Voter Registration Drive  Election Protection Efforts Factsheet   Election Year Activities for 501(c)(4)s  How 501(c)(4)s Can Hold Elected Officials Accountable   Partisan Electoral Activity: What is it and What Can You Do?    Non Bolder Advocacy resources  Guide on how to do a school or community voter registration drive: https://www.headcount.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Booklet_Final-1.pdf  For college student looking for information on voting? Check: https://andrewgoodman.org/myvoteeverywhere/     

With national attention on the Presidential and Vice-Presidential debates, it’s a good time to cover the rules for how nonprofits can convene and comment on debates.   Our attorneys for this episode  Tim Mooney  Jen Powis  Quyen Tu    Shownotes   Public charity 501(c)(3)s can educate candidates and voters.  Many debates are run by 501(c)(3)s.  Example: Commission on Presidential Debates is a 501(c)(3) public charity  Remember 501(c)(3)s cannot support or oppose candidates.  See the Facts and Circumstances analysis from our first episode.    Nonprofits can host debates as an opportunity to educate voters  Candidate education  Host a debate with a coalition  Example from The Coalition for Environment, Equity & Resilience (CEER), a program of Healthy Gulf (c3) & BakerRipley (c3) in Houston    Invite all viable candidates (what is viable)  Prepare questions prior, and ensure an adequate moderator  No candidate pledges  Nonprofits can respond to things said in debates  Fact checking is ok, but not support/opposition to candidates  Be consistent in your language.  Example: Sierra Club, c4?    Consistency and a track record are key.  Best practices:  Think through why responding now helps its advocacy program,  Determine who is permitted to “speak on behalf of the organization,”  Focus on what is said (the issue) and not the candidates themselves, and  Ensure that the facts provided meet the above objectives.  Example: Southern Poverty Law Center (c3) responding to President Trump’s comment about the “Proud Boys”    Resources  Hosting Candidate Debates: Public Charities Can Educate the Community Through Candidate Debates  Commenting on Candidates and Campaigns: How 501(c)(3)s Can Respond During an Election Year  Responding During Election Season and Debates  Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season 

Staff, volunteers and board members of 501(c)(3)s have to make sure they avoid supporting or opposing candidates on behalf of their organization when they’re on the clock. But, those rules only apply to the organization. People that work or volunteer for a 501(c)(3) can – on their own time, and in their  individual  capacity - support or oppose candidates of their choice. But, as always, the devil’s in the details.  On this episode, Tim, Leslie and Quyen cover best practices to keep your personal partisan support separate from your 501(c)(3) work.    Our attorneys for this episode  Tim Mooney  Leslie Barnes  Quyen Tu    Shownotes  501(c)(3)s cannot support or oppose candidates for public office – see ROTG episode 01.  But those rules do not apply to individuals on their own time in their own capacity.  Important to show separation    IRS Guidance is old  Key is to ensure (c)(3) funds are not subsidizing personal partisan work   Tips for showing separation on social media   Multiple accounts I  Disclaimers    Can a (c)(3) employee go to the DNC?  Yes, in personal capacity  Employer may have policies that have added restrictions  Best practices  Acting in good faith   Don’t be cute   Do any partisan things on your own time   Be clear that it's you and not the organization – know what hat you’re wearing   Resources  Board Members and Election Year Activities   Election Activities for Individuals Associated with 501(c)(3)s   Sample 501(c)(3) Organizational Policy for Election Season   Bolder Advocacy’s TA hotline: 866-NP-LOBBY  Email us at Advocacy@afj.org   Our website is bolderadvocacy.org   

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Steven Griswold, President of Griswold & Griswold Insurance Agency, on how an insurance company is spreading good in the world. Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Jane Mosbacher Morris, with To The Market, on how to do good with your purchases. Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Derek Sabori, Co-Founder of Kozm, on reimagining men's athleticwear. Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Katrina Spade, Founder and CEO of Recompose, on how to handle death in an environmentally friendly manner. Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Eric Meuse, General Manager of Oliver's Market, on everything you need to know about Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP).   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Alden Miles, Vice President of Product Management at Yerdle Recommerce, on how recommerce can be a force for good.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Todd Weaver, CEO of Purism, SPC, on how this tech company is trailblazing as a social purpose corporation.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Jim Smith, Professor at the University of Virginia and CEO of Silivhere Technologies, Inc., on how MadiDrop+ is disrupting the techology for global water purification.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Timothy Lara, Owner of Hawaiian Paddle Sports, on how good environmental stewardship can drive your business.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Ennie Lim, President of HoneyBee, on how to be a shining example in the payday lending industry.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Johanna Vondeling, Vice President of International Sales and Business Development at Berrett-Koehler Publishers, on how you can be champions of ideas that create a good world.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Graham Ross, Founder and CEO of Kusaga Athletic, on sustainability in the fast fashion industry.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Caitlin Goss, Director of People & Culture at Rhino Foods, Inc., on 3 key innovative workplace practices that employers can offer to their employees.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Christian Olmos, Supervisor at the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs for the County of Los Angeles, on the county's efforts to promote social enterprises.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Kirsten Ludwig, President of IN GOOD CO, on how to tell the world about the good that your business is engaged in.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Kristen van Ginhoven, Artistic Director of WAM Theatre, on social activism and the impact of using arts to create opportunity for women and girls in the business world.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!    

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good For Business, has a conversation with John Montgomery, President of Lex Ultima, on how corporate law can set up your business to do good.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu has a conversation with Vasi Huntalas, your host of Dreaming Big, Leading Boldly and Founder of Ignite Your Sol, on unconventional approaches to business.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!    

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business, has a conversation with Michael Hannigan, President of Give Something Back, Inc., on how he co-founded an office supply company in his 40s and runs it as a certified B Corp and benefit corporation.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as Michelle Bergquist has a conversation with Quyen Tu, your host of Doing Good is Good for Business and Attorney for Social Entrepreneurs on the reason why she was compelled to champion business doing good.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as guest host, Quyen Tu, has a conversation with Leila Aoujdad, Independent Film Producer at Women of Influences, on how Arab women are making their own marks in the world.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as guest host, Quyen Tu, has a conversation with Liz Lemesevski, Financial Strategist of Money Native, on how being fluent in the language of money can lead to profitable business opportunities.   Interested in Learning More About Connected Women of Influence? Click Here to Be Invited as Our Special VIP & Guest to a Future Event! Interested in Becoming a Member of Our Professional Community!? Click Here to Apply for Membership!

Join us on Women Lead Radio as guest-host, Quyen Tu, turns the spotlight on your host of Women Who Lead, Michelle Bergquist. Learn how Michelle boldly reinvents herself--going from a corporate woman to a successful entrepreneur--and how her journey led her to form Connected Women of Influence.

Business and contract lawyer, Quyen Tu, shares the growing intersection between business and philanthropy in the exciting new arena of Certified B Corps and Benefit Corporations. American Philanthropy host, Shawn Wehan, educates, entertains and inspires listeners regarding the history and current developments of businesses as a force for good. Contact: Shawn Wehan Further insights include story snippets involving the background history of Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Bart Houlahan of B Lab. Primary Links: B Lab, Benefit Corporations, Patagonia, AND1, ETSY, WARBY PARKER, BEN AND JERRY'S ICE CREAM, and KICKSTARTER Show Sponsors: Givsum: Empowering Everyone To Be A Force For Good  FLOC, Future Leaders of Our Community Production Assistance: Painter of Paws, Sean O'Daniels Lindsey Burris, Impact Engine Consulting Music Notes: JACK JOHNSON, MOONSHINE SAMPLES, CASTLE WALLS U2, YAHWEH LED ZEPLIN, MONEY JAZZ LIBERATORZ, BLUE AVENUE  

Join us today for Women Lead Radio as Michelle Bergquist, your host of Women Who Lead, interviews Quyen Tu, Attorney at Law Office of Quyen Tu. Quyen has a passion for helping entrepreneurs create a positive impact on society and the environment. Quyen is going to share some expert advice on what is required for a small business owner to engage their business in social enterprise.  Business owners often want to be sure that they are giving back to their community through a social good or environmental practice. Quyen will explain what a B Corp is and how to obtain certification. To be a successful social enterprise requires more than just the desire to do well. “The social entrepreneur helps spread knowledge and tools, acts as an ambassador to advance the sector, and can function as a role model for the general public.” Quyen Tu wants to help you make your social enterprise a success. She believes all entrepreneurs should mentor and collaborate with other women in business wanting to build a purpose driven business. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Connected Women of Influence, Michelle Bergquist is a passionate advocate for women in business. At Connected Women of Influence, we believe that more women need to lead in business and everything we do is center-focused on designing platforms, programs, connections and collaborative opportunities for b2b women to prosper, succeed and lead the way in business today!

Join us today for Women Lead Radio as Michelle Bergquist, your host of Women Who Lead, interviews Quyen Tu,  Lawyer for Social Entrepreneurs at Law Office of Quyen Tu. Continue with us on our adventure into the behind the scenes look at SUE Talks. Hear what motivatess and what inspires a woman to lead in business! Does the title of Quyen's SUE Talk pique your curiosity? Quyen shares her inspiring story on how you can be more than your situation. Quyen is a strong advocate of mentoring other women and has a strong motto of “paying it forward”. Quyen is an attorney who has a passion for working with and supporting entrepreneurs who have a mission to make an impact in their community. As the CEO and Co-Founder of Connected Women of Influence, Michelle Bergquist is a passionate advocate for women in business. At Connected Women of Influence, we believe that more women need to lead in business and everything we do is center-focused on designing platforms, programs, connections and collaborative opportunities for b2b women to prosper, succeed and lead the way in business today!