Think your 501(c)(3) status prevents you from speaking up for arts funding and for your community? Think again!
And you know 501(c)(3) organizations are supposed to stay nonpartisan, but are your organizations allowed to praise a politician who champions the arts or criticize the policy decisions of someone running for re-election? Can you support or oppose a measure that’s on the ballot in California? You can legally push for policy change at the local, state, and even national levels. Come learn your advocacy rights and rules from Alliance for Justice's Bolder Advocacy attorney-trainers! In partnership with the Hewlett Foundation, join Alliance for Justice on Monday, March 16th for a FREE training designed to highlight legal pathways for your organization to advocate for the arts. Also hear from Julie Baker, Executive Director of Californians for the Arts, about opportunities for arts advocacy in California.
This training is part of a series of primers for staff and board members of 501(c)(3) public charities. We will discuss:
How to maximize and keep track of IRS lobbying, as well as activities that are not lobbying under IRS rules;
Rules for advocating for or against ballot measures in California;
And more!
Elected officials and voters need to hear the voices of your organization and community! Come learn how to advocate with confidence.
When:
Monday, March 16th, 1 – 4 PM. Registration begins at 1:00 PM.
The workshop starts promptly at 1:30 pm so please plan to arrive before 1:30 pm to register. Light refreshments will be served.
Location:
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
701 Mission street
San Francisco, CA 94103
Meet the trainers
Sara Matlin is Senior Bilingual Counsel with the Alliance for Justice’s Bolder Advocacy Program in San Francisco, CA. Sara empowers Spanish- and English-speaking foundations and nonprofit organizations to become more courageous leaders in policy change movements.
Sara graduated with a B.A. from Stanford University and a J.D. from Golden Gate University School of Law. She is the chair of the North Peninsula Chapter of the ACLU of Northern California and a founder of the San Mateo County Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Sara began her career in policy change advocacy in 1988. She uses her training and community organizing experience, along with her Spanish/English bilingualism, to broaden the advocacy work of funders and social justice organizations in California and across the country.
Shyaam serves as Counsel for the Bolder Advocacy program at the Alliance for Justice. In this capacity, he assists nonprofit organizations in pursuing legal and effective advocacy to advance their public policy goals.
Shyaam received his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley School of Law and his B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles. Prior to coming to AFJ, Shyaam was a Public Interest Fellow at the National Health Law Program, a nonprofit organization that advances the health rights of low-income and underserved individuals and families. Among other responsibilities, Shyaam participated in policy advocacy to improve low-income individuals’ access to affordable and quality health care. Shyaam is optimistic about the power of public policy to produce meaningful social change, and he hopes to empower nonprofit organizations to confidently and passionately advocate for underserved communities.
Questions? Please contact Tori at advocacy@afj.org or 866-NP-LOBBY (866-675-6229)