Trends and Policy Issues

The National Council of Nonprofits is the only national, sector-wide group that integrates policy advocacy vertically (all levels of government) and horizontally (all branches of government). This holistic approach results in policies that support, strengthen, and protect nonprofits, especially small and midsized groups.

With the help of our state associations of nonprofits and national partners, we actively monitor what is happening in state capitals across the country to identify developments state by state, connecting the dots so that charitable nonprofits can see trends across governments, share information, craft solutions, and mobilize for action. In all our work, we strive to inform policymakers, journalists, the public, and indeed other nonprofits, about the vital role that charitable nonprofits play in benefiting the communities they serve.

Featured

The Nonprofit Workforce Shortage Crisis

Nonprofits are enduring a shortage of employees and the public suffers because fewer employees mean reduced capacity, longer waiting lists, reduced services, and sometimes a complete end of services.

Protecting the Johnson Amendment and Nonprofit Nonpartisanship

A charitable nonprofit may “not participate in, or intervene in . any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.”

Accessing State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds

Time is running out for charitable nonprofits to access funding that will support their recovery from the pandemic and use this opportunity to implement solutions in their communities.

Nonprofit Trends and Policy Issues

Public Policy Agenda

Our Public Policy Agenda focuses on six key areas and can be used by nonprofits to inform their public policy work.

Public Policy Resources on COVID-19

Nonprofits across the country quickly provided resources and partnered with governments and officials dedicated to responding to the crisis.

Tax Policy Issues

Consistent and supportive tax policies at the federal, state, and local levels are critical to the success of charitable nonprofits in pioneering and implementing solutions to community problems and aspirations.

Charitable Giving Incentives

Tax and other giving incentives at the federal, state, and local levels that encourage individuals to volunteer their time and contribute money to the missions of charitable nonprofits.

Budget Policy Issues

Budget and spending decisions by governments affect all Americans and these decisions can have immediate and serious consequences for the people nonprofits serve and the communities in which they operate.

Government-Nonprofit Contracting Reform

An ongoing national initiative to improve the government-nonprofit contracting relationships and fix broken and antiquated grant and contracting systems in order to promote efficient and effective programs and services.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a nonprofit and are one of the 34 million borrowers who have federal student loan debt, you may be eligible for loan forgiveness, cancellation, and/or consolidation under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

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