The IRS specifically states that 501c3's are non-partisan as far as elections go (meaning a 501 cannot endorse a particular candidate for office.
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr> Our School Board is going to hold a bond referendum for vote in December and is asking for our assistance in communicating to the public <hr></blockquote>

Are they asking just for help getting the info out, or are they asking for your group to publicly support the referendum? There is no harm in helping get the word out(especially if it benefits the student body of the school) If in fact they are asking for your public support of the referendum, you seriously need to consider all of the ramifications that go along with doing so. But as far as legalities go, you are set up as a 501 to (hopefully) advocate for the children of your school and as long as your group agrees with this position and wants to support it, you are well within the guidelines of 501c3's. Please remeber that groups such as National PTA, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association are ALL 501's and ALL have extensive postion statements on an array of subjects as well as large lobby groups.

There was a huge discussion on this earlier in the year. You may have to look into the closed discussions to find it, but it will be worth it.

Like IMovePeople says, the 501c3 is very clear about this. Maybe Tim, whose addition to that particular discussion was great, can point you in the right direction.

My understanding is (I am not a tax expert nor a lawyer) if you are a 501(c)(3) Organization - you cannot take an official position either way. We had this come up at our last school, those in favor asked to make a presentation at a general membership meeting and the superintendent of the school simply told them when to show up and do their thing. In order to show non-partisanship we contacted those opposed to the referendum and invited them to speak at the following meeting - they declined. However, should anyone ever look into it we have records of both having equal opportunity. Does that help?

Our School Board is going to hold a bond referendum for vote in December and is asking for our assistance in communicating to the public. Our bylaws say that we are a non partisan organization. Has anyone had any experience with this- any thoughts on legal problems, etc.?
Thank you!