PANO is a collective voice to influence state policies on behalf of more than 40,000 nonprofit employees and 100,000 nonprofit volunteers in Pennsylvania. We believe Pennsylvania nonprofit professionals grow better together.
We advance public policies that support a strong nonprofit sector in Pennsylvania to build vibrant and thriving communities. We educate and engage elected officials on issues of importance to nonprofits and the people who count on them.
Our 2026 Advocacy Priorities and Strategies advance a public policy agenda that strengthens nonprofit capacity, protects essential public funding, and promotes charitable giving and workforce sustainability. These priorities reflect the urgent need for nonprofits and their allies in philanthropy, government, and business to unite around shared solutions, coordinate advocacy efforts, and work collectively to safeguard the systems that support health, housing, education, and human services across the Commonwealth.
Duane Morris Government Strategies (DMGS) supports PANO’s advocacy efforts. DMGS is a national full-service legislative lobbying and tracking firm that does work in all 50 state capitals across the country.
Federal Advocacy
What happened: The Department of Justice released “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias Within the Federal Government,” a 200-page report from the administration’s Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias. The report claims the […]
What happened: Congress is advancing the Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act, which would authorize the Treasury Secretary to direct federal agencies to delay, condition, or segment disbursements — including grant payments […]
What happened: On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision in First Choice Women’s Resource Centers, Inc. v. Davenport, holding that a state subpoena demanding private donor […]
State Advocacy
The big picture: Pennsylvania’s May 19 primary elections set the table for what is expected to be one of the most competitive political environments in the country this November. With the governor’s […]
What happened: A group of Pennsylvania House Democrats, led by the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, introduced legislation this week to establish stronger state-level voting rights protections in response to the U.S. […]
What happened: The Pennsylvania House Finance Committee held a public hearing on HB 2550, legislation that would establish a state tax credit for small businesses — including small nonprofits — that contribute to employee health […]
Yes. Every charitable nonprofit can and should make its voice heard on issues that are important to its mission and to the people it serves. As advocates, nonprofits are required to speak up about policies, laws, and regulations. Lobbying by nonprofits is permitted by law. Unless a charitable nonprofit has elected to have a 501(h) designation, organizations may not spend a “substantial” portion of revenue on lobbying. The IRS does not define substantial.
On the federal level, lobbying is contact with a legislator to influence legislation. On a state level for PA, it is contact with a legislator or any member of state government to influence legislation or administrative action. This also includes time spent planning or researching in preparation for a lobbying contact. For reporting requirements, organizations should track the amount of time spent on activities that fit the federal definition of lobbying whether that be on a federal, state, or local level.
Educational contacts that do not include a call to action are not considered in the definition of lobbying.
Absolutely. Nonprofits have a constitutional right and responsibility to engage in policy-making processes. Though federal regulations require that nonprofits remain strictly nonpartisan (neither supporting nor opposing candidates for elected office), much can and should be done, including voter education guides, voter registration, get-out-the-vote drives, and candidate forums. Each of these activities is legally permissible if conducted in a strictly nonpartisan manner.
No. While lobbying by nonprofits is permitted by law, charities are strictly prohibited from electioneering. Electioneering is engaging in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office. Charities cannot endorse any candidates, make donations to their campaigns, engage in fundraising, distribute statements, or become involved in any other activities that may be beneficial to or detrimental to any candidate for public office.
Charities must operate in nonpartisan mode. Charities must be aware that engaging in prohibited campaign activity could result in excise taxes imposed on the money spent electioneering, loss of tax-exempt status, and more severe penalties for flagrant violations.
