Nonprofit organizations and funders often avoid or do not engage fully in policy debates and issue campaigns out of fear of losing their tax-exempt status. But, these concerns are often rooted in misconceptions about the IRS and its requirements of non-profit and charitable entities. In this session, we will discuss the power (and limitations) of grassroots advocacy for policy change by nonprofit organizations in the context of ballot initiatives and referendums. Through this discussion, we will explore the emerging power and presence of ballot initiatives in Nebraska, including Medicaid expansion and raising the minimum wage, and the role of nonprofit organizations in effectuating policy change.