Organizations that stand up for the interests of their members and the public to the authorities

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Another common activity for civic organizations is to defend the interests of the people of their constituencies in institutions, legislatures, and electoral bodies at all levels of government. Large civic organizations use their voter mobilization and fundraising capabilities to influence policy. For example, the American Association of Retired Persons is a non-profit, non-governmental organization for people of retirement age. It has 37 million members.

The association informs its members about legislation affecting their retirement living conditions, such as health care, Social Security and pension laws. The organization also advocates for its members with service companies, helping them get discounts based on their limited retirement budgets, and provides services such as retirement plans. It also lobbies state and national governments on the issues its members care most about, such as health care and health insurance laws.

According to the association’s 2011 annual report, the organization encouraged its members to reach out to their representatives in Congress during the deficit-reduction budget debate there. More than 8 million members sent letters and e-mails, made phone calls and signed petitions demanding that Congress not cut individual welfare benefits in the final version of the state budget. In this way, civic organizations are able to influence policy by shaping public debate on issues of public interest.

MomsRising is another example of this type of community organization. I know MomsRising well because my wife Donna Norton helped found the organization, which now has over 1 million members. MomsRising seeks to improve the economic security of families and end discrimination against women and mothers. MomsRising directs its efforts to organize grassroots action from below to lobby lawmakers and amplify women’s voices in the national media.

When we lived in the United States, Donna regularly went to Capitol Hill to talk to members of Congress about paramount maternal issues and concerns: affordable health care, parental leave, child welfare, flexible work schedules and equal pay. She relayed appeals and life stories directly to elected officials. CBOs can check to see if elected leaders are hearing their voices and the opinions of their constituencies. A civic organization is able to provide this important service to its members who live in different parts of the country and are unable to come to Congress in person.

Distinguishing between political and nonpolitical activities

There are many different types of civic organizations in the U.S., including charities, welfare organizations, labor unions, business unions, and political organizations. Non-profit organizations that devote their resources to charitable, religious or educational purposes are eligible to claim tax exemption under section 501(C)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. These organizations can engage in a wide range of advocacy issues, but they are limited in lobbying and are prohibited from engaging in any political activity regardless of or against a candidate for public office.

Community-based organizations that do not wish to have their lobbying activities restricted may register as social welfare organizations under section 501 (C) (4) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations from donors to such organizations are not exempt from taxation. Moreover, these organizations may engage in partisan political campaigning, but only as a secondary activity. A helpful explanation of the differences between these categories of organizations can be found here.