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"The question immediately came to us: Can a (c)3 list a press release of a (c)4?" Brandt said. "We quickly noted that no, this has to go on the Focus on the Family Action web site." That press release is currently not on either the Focus on the Family or Focus nor the Family Action web sites.

"There's a learning curve that we have to be extremely diligent about, because we're dealing with Internal Revenue Service regulations," Brandt said.

Fundraising presents another hurdle. Because donors can make tax-deductible contributions to Focus on the Family while donations to Focus on the Family Action are not tax-deductible, each organization has to make donors aware who they are giving money to. "Our fundraising activities for Focus on the Family Action are separate from fundraising activities for Focus on the Family," Brandt said.

Focus on the Family Action's first goal is to pass the Federal Marriage Amendment. Part of that project includes Dobson's "Battle for Marriage" simulcast that was broadcast on radio, television, the Internet, and in participating churches. Focus on the Family Action has also taken out newspaper advertisements, lobbied for legislation, and pressured senators as the Senate moves to a vote on the Federal Marriage Amendment.

However, according to the IRS, tax-exempt non-profits may participate in activity that does not intervene in political campaigns or attempt to influence legislation. Focus on the Family may continue to educate voters, speak out on cultural issues, and hold voter registration drives. "They're permissible activities for any c(3) nonprofit to do because they're not partisan and they do not deal with specific legislation," Brandt said.

With the freedom to engage directly in politics, Focus on the Family Action hopes to do what Focus on the Family could not. "We may actually move from a culture that is not just hostile to maybe some of our cultural values, but hostile to our ability to evangelize and preach the gospel," said Brandt. To prevent that shift, Focus on the Family Action will do much more than register and educate voters.

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Weblog wrote about Jim Dobson's reluctant entrance into the political arena.

More information about the ministries at Focus on the Family are available from its web site.

Focus on the Family Action has information about why the organization was created, how to participate, and news of its activities.

A recent CT Q&A with James Dobson discussed his concern over the Federal Marriage Amendment.

Other Christianity Today articles about Focus on the Family include:

Weblog: Focus on the Family Suit Reinstated (Sept. 16, 2003)

New Leader at Focus | Dobson turns to an old friend to stabilize his organization. (May 09, 2003)

Weblog: Focus on the Family Appoints Former U.S. Secretary of Energy as President (April 15, 2003)

Weblog: Focus on the Family Lays Off 34, Cuts $5 Million (Feb. 06, 2003)

Weblog: Focus on the Family, Others Oppose Disney World Decision to Cut Back Religious Services (Dec. 18, 2002)

Weblog: Calvary Chapel Radio Drops 'Graphic' Focus on the Family (Oct. 11, 2002)

Weblog: Focus on the Family Focuses On Its Future (July 29, 2002)

'Get Our Kids Out' | Dobson says pro-gay school curriculum has gone too far. (July 29, 2002)

Weblog: Dobson Writes off Big Brothers/Big Sisters over Gay Volunteer Policy (July 25, 2002)

Broadcasters Aim to Cool NRB Controversy | Dobson, Neff make gestures to mend wounds. (March 08, 2002)

Weblog: Mike Trout Says Emotional Affair Forced His Resignation from Focus on the Family (Oct. 18, 2000)

Mike Trout Quits Focus on the Family | James Dobson's co-host of 15 years cites personal reasons for abrupt departure. (Oct. 13, 2000)

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July (Web-only) 2004, Vol. 48