Author: Stephen Kurt

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Legal and Ethical Guidance

Maryland Digital Ad Tax Ruling for Advocates

Maryland Digital Ad Tax papers on a legal desk with digital campaign notes

On August 14, 2026, the Maryland Tax Court ruled against the Maryland Digital Ad Tax in summary judgment for Apple, Google, and Peacock TV. The decision matters for advocates because it connects tax design, digital commerce, platform speech, and public-interest messaging. This analysis is not legal advice, but it identifies the confirmed holdings and the unresolved issues that campaigners, nonprofits, coalitions, and policy communicators should treat with care.

Maryland Digital Ad Tax Decision And Status

Maryland Digital Ad Tax Holding

The court found the tax unconstitutional under the Internet Tax Freedom Act, the dormant Commerce Clause, and the Due Process Clause, according to a KPMG report on the decision.… Read the rest

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Digital Campaign Best Practices

Digital Equity Advocacy Funding Practices

digital equity advocacy team reviewing broadband funding documents

Digital equity advocacy now operates under a funding record marked by planning work, reported grant disruption, and continuing public demand for broadband access, devices, and digital skills. The research supplied for this article identifies a significant sequence: on May 8, 2025, the President reportedly declared the Digital Equity Act unconstitutional through social media, and DEA grants were reported terminated on May 9, 2025. That sequence should not be treated here as a court ruling unless a court record is separately identified.… Read the rest

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Digital Campaign Best Practices

Digital Activism Laws Explained: Privacy, Copyright and Political Compliance

legal compliance advocacy

Most digital activists I know would prefer to decode a 47-page Terms of Service in Wingdings than deal with IRS tax classifications. Yet, we find ourselves facing the alphabet soup of 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and PACs. It’s like they’re characters from a Kafka novel that was never finished.

The 501(c)(3) is a classic charitable nonprofit. It offers tax-deductible donations and no political campaign intervention. Lobbying is limited to 10-20% of your budget, depending on the IRS measurement.… Read the rest

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Engagement and Volunteer Mobilization

Small Acts, Big Impact: Why Micro-Volunteering Works for Activism

Micro-Volunteering Strategies

Remember when “making a difference” felt like signing up for a second job? You’d commit to weekly meetings, wear matching t-shirts, and block out entire Saturdays. That old way is gone.

The revolution came quietly, with Wi-Fi. We’ve swapped uniforms for login screens. Now, we can help causes in our free time. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about making a real difference.

Welcome to the era of bite-sized activism.… Read the rest

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Engagement and Volunteer Mobilization

Virtual Rallies to Street Protests: The New Age of Activism

Volunteer Retention Strategies

Why do people scroll past cute animal videos to help causes online? It’s not just kindness. It’s a mix of psychology.

Self-Determination Theory shows us what drives us: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When we volunteer, we seek these. We want to choose our path, improve our skills, and connect with others.

The drop in volunteering after the pandemic isn’t a lack of caring. It’s a mismatch between our desires and digital platforms.… Read the rest

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Engagement and Volunteer Mobilization

The Ultimate Guide to Building an Online Volunteer Army Online

Recruiting Online Volunteers

The modern hiring world is like “The Hunger Games” online. A million platforms compete for your attention, all promising the perfect candidate. It’s hard to know where to begin.

I’ve explored the vast world of HR tech. There are sleek AI tools and solid applicant tracking systems. Your choice can make all the difference, finding gems or getting lost in digital dust.

This isn’t just about posting ads. It’s about creating a talent pipeline.… Read the rest

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Legal and Ethical Guidance

How to Use AI and Bots Ethically in Modern Mobilization Campaigns

AI Ethics in Activism

The digital world for advocacy and politics is changing fast. Groups use automated tools and smart systems to spread their message and reach more people.

This power comes with big responsibilities. Using artificial intelligence and bots in these areas raises big concerns about being open, protecting voter privacy, and fairness in algorithms.

For today’s campaigns, non-profits, and advocacy groups, dealing with these issues is key. It’s not just a choice, it’s a must.… Read the rest