Policy Advocacy Affiliate
IAMT is planning a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization to serve as the advocacy arm of its mission. While the 501(c)(3) research organization produces nonpartisan analysis, the 501(c)(4) affiliate will translate that research into direct policy advocacy.
Why a Separate Entity
The IRS draws a clear line between research and advocacy. A 501(c)(3) can educate. A 501(c)(4) can act. IAMT needs both.
The research side identifies the problem: America’s industrial base is eroding, energy infrastructure is insufficient for the compute era, and critical supply chains depend on adversarial nations. The advocacy side takes that evidence and pushes for specific legislative and regulatory changes.
How the Two Sides Work Together
The relationship is straightforward:
- 501(c)(3) produces the research. White papers, data analysis, strategic assessments. Nonpartisan, peer-reviewed where applicable, freely available.
- 501(c)(4) uses the research to advocate. Testimony before committees, direct engagement with legislators, coalition building, public campaigns for specific policy reforms.
The research arm never lobbies. The advocacy arm never claims tax-exempt charitable status. Separate boards, separate budgets, separate bank accounts. The only thing they share is a mission: rebuilding American industrial capacity.
Planned Advocacy Focus
The 501(c)(4) will advocate for policies that strengthen America’s ability to build, power, and govern its industrial future:
- Permitting reform for energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure projects that currently take 5-10 years to approve
- Domestic manufacturing incentives that restore production capacity in semiconductors, critical minerals, defense components, and advanced materials
- Workforce development programs that build the skilled labor pipeline for advanced manufacturing and energy sectors
- AI governance frameworks that ensure responsible development while maintaining American competitiveness
- Supply chain resilience measures that reduce dependence on China and other adversarial nations for critical materials and components
- Defense industrial base investments to ensure the United States can produce military hardware at the scale national security demands
- Energy infrastructure buildout including nuclear, advanced generation, and grid modernization to support industrial and compute growth
What Advocacy Looks Like
Unlike the research side, the 501(c)(4) can:
- Lobby Congress and state legislatures for specific bills
- Testify in support of or against proposed regulations
- Build coalitions with industry groups, labor organizations, and other advocacy organizations
- Run public education campaigns that name specific policy proposals
- Engage directly with executive branch agencies on regulatory matters
Contributions
Contributions to a 501(c)(4) are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions. However, they directly fund the policy advocacy work that turns research into legislative action. For tax-deductible contributions supporting nonpartisan research, visit the 501(c)(3) page.
Status
- Entity: Planned 501(c)(4) affiliate of IAMT
- Status: In formation
- Incorporation: Idaho (planned)
- Offices: Washington, D.C. · Chicago, IL · Post Falls, ID
For questions about IAMT’s advocacy plans, contact contact@iamtpolicy.org.
Join the Network
IAMT’s professional network connects researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders working on American industrial competitiveness. Apply for membership.