The Supreme Court ruled today, in a 5-4 decision, that corporations may spend freely to support or oppose candidates for president and Congress, easing decades-old limits on their participation in federal campaigns, the Associated Press reports.

In the fall, Larry Ottinger, an expert on charity advocacy, wrote an opinion article in The Chronicle offering a preview of what the court case means for nonprofit groups — and what other policy changes could be made to help organizations become strong advocates for their causes.