Can a nonprofit lobby?
Yes. Lobbying is a legal and acceptable activity to engage in. Nonprofit lobbying activities depend on the classification of the organization. For example, 501(c)(4) organizations can engage in unlimited lobbying while 501(c)(3) public charities can engage in a limited amount of lobbying. The limits are determined by one of two tests—the insubstantial part test or the 501(h) expenditure test (also called “h election”).