- To ensure parity and equity for charter local education agencies (LEAs), in both funding and regulatory matters
- To promote bills and policies that enable charter LEAs to fulfill their varied missions efficiently, operating as effective schools of choice for all
- To expose and defeat all policies and bills that adversely and unfairly target or exclude charter LEAs
- To support decisions favorable to charter LEAs
- To oppose decisions unfavorable to charter LEAs
Mission & Purpose
Our mission
Become a Member
Joining the Coalition will provide members schools with recognition, networking opportunities, advertising benefits, and access to our services.
A unique mission and role
The Coalition is uniquely positioned to deliver on its mission of promoting funding and regulatory equity for charters. Currently, there is no other 501(c)(6) trade group in North Carolina that represents charter schools. Other charter organizations operating in North Carolina are 501(c)(3) associations that exist primarily to provide services to their members. Their ability to lobby is limited. By law, a 501(c)(3) cannot work to fulfill the mission statement outlined above.
We can.
As a 501(c)(6), the N.C. Coalition for Charter Schools (Coalition) is the only organization in the state that can work on behalf of charter schools during the election process and at the state legislature. We work through the election process by explicitly endorsing candidates and preparing issue-oriented guides for voters. We also work at the state legislature by lobbying and advocating for legislation that is encompassed by our mission statement and is favorable to charters. Thus, the Coalition is a valuable complement to other organizations and an indispensable partner to the state’s charter schools.
Political endorsements: A 501(c)(6) can endorse federal or state candidates for public office. The organization may communicate the endorsement to its membership and share the endorsement with the organization’s press list. In its communications to members, the organization can expressly advocate for the election or defeat of a specific candidate. Under the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. FEC, 501(c)(6) organizations may also expressly advocate to the general public, as long as those activities are not coordinated with candidates.
Freedoms and Flexibility of Nonprofit Trade Associations:
- Not required to adhere to limits in time and/or money used for lobbying
- Allowed to endorse candidates for public office
- Free to communicate endorsements to members and the public
- Permitted to advocate expressly, in various communication platforms, for the election or defeat of a specific candidate. Organization cannot work directly with any candidate.
- Free to advocate, using various communication platforms, for the passage or defeat of a specific bill or policy
