Caring for Change: Navigating Volunteerism, Advocacy, and Lobbying in the Caregiver Community
- Mark Fukae
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
A Series by Professionals Who Care
Volunteerism, Advocacy, and Lobbying: Understanding Your Role in Creating Change
By Mark Fukae, Caregiver Advocate & Director of Advocacy, Professionals Who Care
Every caregiver has a voice—and that voice deserves to be heard by our lawmakers at both the federal and state levels. While voting is a fundamental pillar of our democracy, getting involved beyond the ballot through volunteerism, advocacy, and even limited lobbying can have a tremendous impact on the policy decisions and laws that shape our communities. In a landscape where caregivers often face systemic barriers, your engagement matters. Active participation not only amplifies your concerns but also encourages legislators to address the pressing issues affecting caregivers every day.
As a working caregiver and the Director of Advocacy for Professionals Who Care, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with lawmakers across state and federal districts. In this series, Caring for Change: Navigating Volunteerism, Advocacy, and Lobbying in the Caregiver Community, I aim to educate citizens, potential volunteers, and advocates on how to engage effectively—all while understanding the legal boundaries that guide our work. This clarity is critical for maintaining our mission integrity and ensuring that your voice—and the voices of caregivers everywhere—is heard loud and clear.
Distinguishing the Terms: Volunteerism, Advocacy, and Lobbying
1. Volunteerism
What It Is: Volunteerism is the act of donating your time, energy, and skills to support a cause without the expectation of directly influencing policy decisions as an official representative. It often involves community-based activities such as:
Organizing local events
Assisting with administrative tasks for nonprofit organizations
Supporting outreach and educational initiatives
Key Characteristics:
Volunteer Freedom: Volunteers contribute their time and talent to support the cause. Many join with the hope of influencing policy indirectly—by building grassroots support that shifts public opinion.
Grassroots Engagement: The focus is on community service, which can create an environment that eventually encourages legislative change.
Nonpartisan Role: When representing a nonprofit, volunteers must avoid using their status to endorse or oppose a political candidate or push a partisan legislative agenda.
The “Can”:
Contribute your skills and time, help mobilize the community, and raise awareness for critical issues that can indirectly influence policy.
The “Can’t”:
Use your volunteer role as a vehicle to push a partisan legislative agenda when representing the nonprofit. Such activities risk jeopardizing the tax-exempt status of a 501(c)(3).
2. Advocacy
What It Is: Advocacy involves promoting a particular cause or policy that can advance caregiver rights. This role includes:
Educating the public and policymakers about caregiver challenges
Using personal stories to underline the need for flexible work and civic accommodations
Engaging in issue-based activities designed to influence policy nonpartisanly
Key Characteristics:
Inform and Inspire: Advocacy is about raising awareness and building consensus for reform.
Nonpartisan Messaging: When acting on behalf of a 501(c)(3), advocacy efforts must focus on the issues rather than promoting partisan positions.
Empowerment: Advocacy gives caregivers and concerned citizens the tools to speak out and drive change.
The “Can”:
Educate and mobilize both the public and policymakers with fact-based, issue-oriented messaging.
The “Can’t”:
Directly endorse or oppose political candidates when representing the nonprofit.
3. Lobbying
What It Is: Lobbying is a direct attempt to influence legislation. This may involve:
Personal visits or calls to legislators
Organizing letter-writing or coordinated campaigns aimed at shaping policy
Focusing efforts on specific legislative proposals
Key Characteristics:
Direct Political Influence: Lobbying is targeted persuasion of lawmakers regarding specific policies.
Regulated Activity: For 501(c)(3) nonprofits, lobbying is permitted only as an insubstantial part of the organization’s overall activities.
Separate Pathways: Organizations that wish to engage in more substantial lobbying may form affiliated 501(c)(4) entities to do so without endangering their core tax-exempt status.
The “Can”:
Engage in limited lobbying efforts that comply with legal thresholds for nonprofit activities.
The “Can’t”:
For 501(c)(3) organizations, make lobbying the primary focus or use charitable funds for extensive lobbying.
For both 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4), directly campaign for or against political candidates.
Representing the Nonprofit vs. Speaking as a Private Citizen
For many passionate advocates, the lines between acting as a volunteer representing a nonprofit and speaking as a private individual can blur. Here’s how to distinguish the two:
When You’re Representing the Nonprofit:
Adhere to Nonpartisan Guidelines: In your official capacity, your communications must remain nonpartisan. You cannot endorse or oppose political candidates or pursue a partisan legislative agenda.
Focus on Issue Advocacy: Your role is to support educational and grassroots efforts that align with your nonprofit’s mission—never to push personal political views.
Legal Safeguards: These restrictions protect the organization’s tax-exempt status and ensure that resources are used solely for charitable purposes.
When You’re Speaking as a Private Citizen:
Broader Political Expression: As an individual, you have the freedom to engage in partisan political activities—such as endorsing candidates or joining political rallies.
Clear Distinction: It’s essential to clearly indicate when you are expressing personal opinions, separate from your official role.
Dual Roles: Recognize that while your passion may motivate you both as a private citizen and a volunteer, maintaining distinct boundaries preserves both your rights and the integrity of the nonprofit.
By keeping these boundaries in mind, you can effectively contribute to public discourse, influence policy changes, and safeguard the integrity of your organization's mission.
Navigating the Blurred Lines: Volunteerism and Influence
Many volunteers join causes with a desire to influence policy issues. Their grassroots efforts—through community service and advocacy—play an essential role in shifting public opinion and eventually encouraging legislative change. However, when volunteering for a 501(c)(3) organization:
Indirect Influence is Expected: Volunteers help build the base needed for broader policy influence by engaging the community and raising awareness.
Direct Lobbying Restrictions Apply: While indirect influence is a natural outgrowth of volunteer work, the nonprofit must refrain from using its volunteer resources to push a directly partisan agenda. This ensures compliance with IRS regulations for tax-exempt entities.
Balancing Roles: It is possible—and beneficial—to support the cause passionately while clearly separating your volunteer contributions from your personal advocacy. This balance allows you to contribute to policy discussions as a concerned citizen, without compromising the nonprofit’s ethical or legal standards.
Understanding the Legal Landscape for Nonprofits
501(c)(3) vs. 501(c)(4)
501(c)(3) Organizations:
Purpose: Engage primarily in charitable, educational, or religious work.
Lobbying Limits: Permitted to conduct lobbying only as an insubstantial part of overall activities.
Advocacy Allowed: Support nonpartisan education and grassroots mobilization.
Restrictions: Must avoid overt political campaign interventions.
501(c)(4) Organizations:
Purpose: Focus on social welfare and advocacy, with a broader scope for lobbying.
Lobbying Permitted: Can engage in more substantial lobbying efforts while still refraining from direct political campaigning.
Flexibility: Often used by organizations that wish to have a more direct influence on policy without compromising tax-exempt status.
Understanding these distinctions helps volunteers, advocates, and concerned citizens choose the best way to contribute to policy change without crossing legal or ethical boundaries.
Navigating Your Role as a Working Caregiver and Advocate
Whether you’re volunteering your time, engaging in advocacy, or considering direct lobbying efforts, being clear about your role is crucial:
As a Volunteer: Contribute your skills and energy to support the cause and help organize community-based efforts while understanding that your influence on policy is indirect.
As an Advocate: Draw on your personal experience to educate others and build support for systemic reforms, while keeping messages nonpartisan when representing a nonprofit.
As a Lobbyist: If pursuing direct engagement with legislators, be mindful of the strict legal limits and ensure that you separate your official duties from your individual political expression.
Your voice matters—and whether you are a concerned citizen, a volunteer, an advocate, or someone interested in lobbying, understanding these distinctions empowers you to make a meaningful difference. By knowing the "cans" and "can'ts" of each role, you help create an environment where caregivers are supported both at home and in society, and where your proactive engagement influences the laws and policies under development by our lawmakers.
Call to Action: Participate, share, and interact with Professionals Who Care. We encourage you to share your experiences and insights using the hashtag #CaringForChange. Let’s work together to build a future that truly supports caregivers in every sphere of life!
This blog is the first post in our Caring for Change series, where we will continue to explore practical topics, legal guidelines, and strategies to empower caregivers, volunteers, and advocates alike. Stay tuned for more insights and actionable steps to help your voice be heard by your lawmakers.
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