Counterterrorism and Civil Society Resources

Anti-Terrorist Financing Guidelines: Voluntary Best Practices for U.S.-Based Charities

These Guidelines were originally issued in November 2002 by the U.S. Treasury Department and were revised in December 2005 to assist charitable organizations in complying with Executive Order 13224 and the USA Patriot Act following 9/11.

Principles of International Charity

These eight Principles were developed by the Treasury Guidelines Working Group, a Council on Foundations-led working group of more than 40 U.S. charitable sector organizations, as an alternative to the U.S. Treasury Department’s Voluntary Guidelines. They were presented to the Treasury Department in March 2005, however to date, The Treasury Department has not adopted the principles.

U.S. Muslim Charities and the War on Terror: A Decade in Review

This report summarizes the shutdown of Muslim charities and subsequent lawsuits filed against the U.S. government over the past decade. It also provides an overview of how the civil society sector has responded to government scrutiny through interfaith dialogues, education initiatives and partnerships with law enforcement agencies.

Humanitarian Action under Scrutiny: Criminalizing Humanitarian Engagement

This working paper presents The Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research‘s findings on dilemmas arising from the intersection between counterterrorism laws and policies prohibiting engagement with certain non‐state entities and humanitarian access and protection of civilians in armed conflict.

Criminalizing Humanitarian Relief: Are U.S. Material Support for Terrorism Laws Compatible with International Humanitarian Law?

This essay explores the effect that U.S. material support laws may have on the provision of humanitarian assistance in both disaster and war zones.

Blocking Faith, Freezing Charity

This report documents the effect of U.S. government actions on American Muslims' exercise of their right to profess and practice their religion through charitable giving.

Collateral Damage: How the War on Terror Hurts Charities, Foundations, and the People they Serve

This report explores the impacts that U.S. counterterrorism measures have on charities and provides recommendations concerning more equitable policies that would protect the rights of charities and the people they serve.

Charity and Security Network

This collection includes numerous resources related to the impacts of U.S. counterterrorism policies on charitable work.

Council on Foundations, Anti-terrorism Resources

This collection includes numerous resources related to anti-terrorism compliance.

Muslim Advocates, Tools for Donors

These resources provide guidance for donors on making effective and smart contributions in light of current U.S. counterterrorism policies.

Lobbying and Advocacy Resources

Advocacy and Lobbying Flow Chart Tool
This flow chart provides guidance on what can and cannot be funded according to U.S. regulations pertaining to advocacy and lobbying.

Alliance for Justice, About Lobbying FAQs

This collection includes numerous resources related to advocacy and lobbying aimed at nonprofit organizations and foundations.

Investing in Change: A Funder's Guide to Supporting Advocacy

This guide explores how private and public foundations can support nonprofit organizations that lobby and how foundations themselves can engage in legislative advocacy. AFJ also offers webinars on these issues. For a schedule of trainings visit here.
 
Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest, Resources for Foundations

This collection includes information and tip sheets for both private and community foundations related to advocacy and lobbying.

The Council on Foundations offers a number of resources including “A Foundation’s Guide to Advocacy” and their Legislative Agenda for Philanthropy for the 112th Congress.

New Rules for Grantmakers and Donors: An Overview for Private Foundations, Organizations Sponsoring Donor-Advised Funds, and Donors

This report explains the IRS' updated rules concerning charitable contributions, discusses the consequences of failing to follow these rules and provides a convenient checklist to help grantmakers and donors keep their charitable contributions 100 percent IRS compliant.

Advocacy Funding: The Philanthropy of Changing Minds

This publication, as part of the Grantcraft series, explores how advocacy can play a crucial role in advancing a foundation's mission and what is permissible for foundations.

Foundations and Public Policy Grantmaking

This report proposes a framework by which private foundations can consider their involvement in public policy grantmaking and suggests specific lessons that foundations should keep in mind when engaging in this work.

Why Supporting Advocacy Makes Sense for Foundations: Investing in Change

This report explores the experiences of funders that are committed to supporting advocacy as a strategy to advance social change and provides information about the variety of advocacy activities funders can support.