In addition to Our Programs, we specifically provide capacity building and support to nonprofit organizations via our:
VAN Integration Project
The Nebraska Table emphasizes a data-driven approach to advocacy. We train and help each nonprofit member integrate the Voter Access Network (VAN) database into its current advocacy efforts. We provide technical assistance to ensure each member can utilize the database to the best of its ability.
Compliance Support
The Nebraska Table supports nonprofits and their boards in navigating 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance questions through providing technical support, training, and guidance on election, ballot measure, and lobbying compliance. Access to a legal fund is available to bolster nonprofit capacity. The Nebraska Table adheres to strict lobbying limits in this support.
Nonpartisan Voter Registration & Get-Out-the-Vote (GOTV) Campaigns
Nebraska’s nonprofit organizations have developed close, trusted relationships with the community members they serve. Those strong relationships make our nonprofit organizations the best positioned to mobilize their constituencies and underrepresented voters in rural communities and urban neighborhoods. The Nebraska Table works with members to create strategic nonpartisan voter registration and GOTV campaigns across the state.
Organizational Training
The Nebraska Table provide core capacity training for members’ leadership and staff. This includes topics like: nonprofit finances, message development, grassroots canvassing, fundraising, etc.
Community Civic Engagement Training
The Nebraska Table provides opportunities for grassroots activists and community leaders to participate in civic engagement training. Example training could include: the legislative process, citizen lobbying, message development, grassroots canvassing, etc. Our members connect their supporters to these trainings and The Table serves as a conduit to connect activists to its nonprofit members.
Communications Support
Clear, persuasive, and unified messaging built around poll-tested language will amplify the efficacy of Nebraska Table members’ advocacy efforts. Our communications team provides core communications support to all of its members around: messaging development, media relationships, press lists, social media campaigns, letters to the editor and op-eds, and rapid response action alerts. The Communications Director also offers support to members who do not have communication staff.
Legal Library
The Legal Library is a resource hub for nonprofit organizations to access information allowing them to protect themselves through legal tools, educating themselves regarding compliance, and ensure their organization is on the cutting edge of proper nonprofit practices. This resource is available to Nebraska Table Members only through their Member Portal account.
The Legal Library is not legal advice. These are presentations, templates, and recommendations from legal experts in the nonprofit sector. If legal representation is needed, please consider applying to the Legal Fund.
Legal Fund
The Legal Fund is a grant program created to provide timely, needs-based grants in pursuit of civic engagement-related legal services including, but not limited to: representation (litigation, investigations, etc.), consulting, legal research, and written work product including amicus briefs. The intention of this fund is to be used for unusual legal expenses, not those already occurring in the applicant’s regular course of business.
The Legal Fund is not a bail fund. These funds are not a source for personal legal expenses unrelated to civic engagement work. The Legal Fund is not a source for general operating or civic engagement program funding opportunities for non-501(c)(3)- allowable expenditures separate from this legal scope. Members are encouraged to seek funding for grassroots, GOTV, and community building through the Civic Engagement Fund (CEF); requests falling into a CEF-category will be redirected to the Civic Engagement Strategist and follow the CEF process. Requests constituting lobbying, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code, will be denied.
To Qualify & Apply: Applying entities will need to describe their relationship with Nebraska Civic Engagement Table in their application. Applicants will submit their Legal Fund request, not to exceed $20,000, through this link, which will notify the Legal Fund Administrator of the request. Applicants will affirm in their request that funds requested will not be used for lobbying purposes, regrants, or for a purpose that would jeopardize the Nebraska Table’s tax status.
Nebraska Table Members and Partners will have first priority dependent on seriousness and timeliness of the need. Priority will then be determined by the applicant's timeline, current events, and the discretion of the administrators.
For any emergent Legal Fund requests exceeding $20,000, applicants will need to schedule a meeting with the Legal Fund Administrator and Executive Director prior to submitting an application to determine if the Legal Fund is appropriate, or if some other funding avenue is required.