You don’t indicate whether the nonprofit is a 501(c)(3) charity or some other type of exempt organization. (See Ready Reference Page: “What Do We Mean When We Say Nonprofit?”) If it is a 501(c)(3) charity, it can lose its exemption if it supports or opposes a candidate for public office and the IRS would probably investigate a complaint. (See Ready Reference Page: “IRS Guidance Has Not Changed on Electioneering.”) If it is a (c)(4) civic organization, it is permitted to endorse or oppose candidates so long as that is not a primary activity of the organization. In either case, if the group is a corporation and actually spent money in the campaign, it may have been a violation of state or local campaign finance laws, which often prohibit use of corporate funds in political campaigns. The Attorney General or local prosecuting attorney might be interested in this.

 

You also don’t indicate whether the organization is a membership organization in which the members (and I assume that you are one of them) have the power to elect or remove directors. If so, you might be able to organize the members for a hostile ouster. If it is a self-perpetuating board organization, you probably can’t do much about this group without support from a majority of the directors. You and your friends could, however, start a competing organization to speak for the community.

 

Knowingly making false statements to discredit individuals might be considered defamatory. If you have been damaged, you might want to consult an attorney about suing, although litigation may not be worth the time and effort.