Summarize: With budget cuts at the state and federal level showing no signs of slowing, it is vital that nonprofits speak up on behalf of their constituents and communities. Many nonprofits that serve vulnerable populations depend in part on government funding to continue providing services, and the communities they serve and advocate for often rely on government programs for healthcare and other needs. There are many opportunities for nonprofits and members of the community to get involved in helping policymakers and the public understand the very real impact the budget has on all of our lives. Because the budget counts as specific legislation, efforts to influence its path through the legislative process will likely (but not always) count as lobbying. Nonprofits can and should lobby, but 501(c)(3) public charities need to stay within their annual lobbying limit