It is common for industry nonprofits to have both 501(c)4 and 501(c)3 arms to most effectively serve their constituency. Together the Utah Cultural Alliance a 501(c)4 and the Utah Cultural Alliance Foundation a 501(c)3 work together to advocate for, amplify, and build the capacity of Utah's cultural industry.
"A 501(c)3 public charity that organizes a 501(c)4 social welfare organization and a 501(c)4 that creates a political organization can greatly expand their permissible advocacy opportunities. Similarly, a 501(c)4 that organizes a 501(c)3 may expand its educational and charitable activities by creating additional funding opportunities." B. Holly Schadler, "The Connection", a publication of BolderAdvocacy
Comparison of Permissible Activities
| Activity | 501(c)3 | 501(c)4 |
|
Lobby for/against legislation |
 Limited |
Unlimited |
|
Support/oppose ballot measures |
Limited |
Unlimited |
|
Conduct public education and training sessions about participation in the political process |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Educate candidates on issues within the purview of the organization |
 Yes (must offer information to all candidates) |
Yes |
|
Sponsor a debate between candidates, where all viable candidates are invited and given equal opportunity to speak on a broad range of issues |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Distribute voter guides to the public that set out the candidates’ views on a broad range of issues |
 Yes |
Yes |
|
Distribute voter guides to the public that compare candidates on issues of importance to the organization |
No |
Yes |
|
Rent mailing lists and facilities at fair market value to other organizations, legislators, and candidates |
Yes (if rent, must allow any candidate to rent at the same price) |
Yes (may rent to select candidates only) |
|
Conduct nonpartisan get-out-the-vote activities, voter registration, and education drives |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Conduct voter registration and GOTV activities based on party affiliation or how people will vote |
No |
Yes |
|
Conduct nonpartisan voter protection activities |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Establish a 501(c)(4) |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Endorse candidates and publicize their endorsements |
 No |
Yes |
|
Fund independent expenditures in support of or opposition to a candidate |
No |
Yes |
|
Make campaign contributions (monetary or in-kind) |
No |
Depends on election law (prohibited for federal candidates; permissible in some states) |
|
Establish and pay for the administrative and fundraising costs of a connected political organization (separate segregated fund) |
No |
Yes |
|
Criticize sitting elected officials |
No (may not attack their personal characteristics or attack them in their status as a candidate) |
Yes |
|
Compare organization’s issue position with that of a candidate |
 No |
Yes |
|
Connect organization’s criticism of public official to voting in an election |
No |
Yes |
|
Highlight the differences between candidates for public office on a high-profile issue on which the candidates have diverging views |
No |
Yes |
|
Ask candidates to sign pledges on any issue |
No |
Yes |
|
Post partisan political messages on social media |
No |
Yes |
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