Nonprofit Policy News Archives
Working It Out - NHPR
October 26, 2009 - The NH Center for
Nonprofits is encouraging nonprofit board and staff leaders from around
the state to take advantage of a new online tool being offered by NH
Public Radio. By using the Working It Out website, leaders in the
nonprofit sector are able to let people across the state know how the
economy is impacting the services nonprofits provide to the community. Read more...
Public Policy Cabinet Articulates Issues for Center’s Public Policy Agenda
October 22, 2009 - The Center’s Public Policy Cabinet *
met October 22 to discuss and prioritize the most important public
policy issues facing the sector as a whole, focusing on where change is
needed and where harm to the sector needs to be prevented. Future
meetings of The Public Policy Cabinet will be open to members of The
Center, which looks forward to building on today’s foundation as
nonprofits help shape the future of New Hampshire. Those meetings will
be publicized on The Center’s website. Learn more about the Public Policy Cabinet
*The Public Policy Cabinet is a non-partisan
statewide group from a broad cross section of nonprofit fields that
meets periodically to advise on and inform The Center’s public policy
agenda built around issues affecting the nonprofit sector as a whole.
Nonprofits Must Play a Vital Role in the 2010 Census
It's not too early to prepare!October 21, 2009 -In
March of 2010 the U.S. Census will mail forms to 110 million households
in order to obtain an accurate count of the nation’s 300 million
residents. The challenge of such an undertaking is formidable, no more
so than for “hard-to-count” populations such as children in
poverty, racial and language minorities, recent immigrants, renters,
low-income communities and those foreclosed on or living in a growing
number of multi-family households. For states, the ability to accurately count these hard-to-count populations will
impact a decade of federal funding, political representation, the
allocation of human services and locations of new hospitals, roads,
transit, schools and more.
Nonprofits Count! is a program of the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network. They have released A Census Toolkit for Nonprofits.
This kit, available on CD-ROM and online, features everything a
nonprofit needs to get involved with the 2010 Census. Contents of the
CD-ROM include their popular factsheet series, sample Census forms, a
Census Bureau partnership form and many more resources. Order your CD-ROM today!
Health Reform Business/Nonprofit Parity Emphasized to House Leadership
October 20, 2009 - The Center asked
Congressman Hodes and Congresswoman Shea-Porter to join in sending a
letter circulated by their Minnesota colleague, Betty McCollum, to
Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader requesting that language in the
final House health care reform bill address the health care needs of
the 15 million Americans employed in the nonprofit sector. Both have
signed on to the letter asking that nonprofits be included in House
legislation and receive treatment comparable to the small business
sector, and emphasizing the need for parity between small for-profits
and non-profits.
Tax Credit for Nonprofits Passed by Senate Committee
October 15, 2009 - The Chronicle of
Philanthropy has reported that on October 13th, the Senate Finance
Committee passed health-care legislation that would allow small
charities to receive a tax credit to help them provide health insurance
to their employees. The next hurdle will be the merger of this bill
with another bill adopted by the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Committee before it goes to the full Senate for approval. Read the Chronicle article...
Cadillac Health Plan Tax May Hurt Nonprofits
October 7, 2009 - Senate Finance Committee
Chairman Max Baucus’s health care reform proposal claims to help raise
money for the nation’s health care overhaul by placing a new excise tax
on the most expensive health insurance policies - with the intent to
curb the exorbitant plans that some large companies provide their
executives. However, as it is written it is entirely possible that it
will impact smaller employers and nonprofits. Although the tax will be
levied on the insurance companies, many have already indicated that
they will pass the cost along to employers and workers.
Read the NY Times Article...
IRS Clarifies Lobbying Rules for Community Foundations
October 6, 2009 - A new ruling from the
IRS may encourage more community foundations to get involved in
supporting advocacy efforts. The Chronicle of Philanthropy is reporting
that the IRS has clarified the rules that govern how community funds
and other grant-making charities can provide support for nonprofit
organizations that lobby lawmakers. Learn more...
Health Care Reform and Nonprofits:
October 1, 2009 - For months, nonprofits
have been trying to get the Administration and Congress to recognize
that nonprofits are employers that should be included in the health
care reform legislation. The National Councili of Nonprofits has
dedicated an entire edition of their "Nonprofit Policy News" to the
challenges nonprofits are facing as the issue of health care reform
moves forward. Learn more...
Health Care and Nonprofits: The Hidden Dimension of
America's Health Care Crisis
September 29, 2009 - The Johns Hopkins
Nonprofit Listening Post Project focused the most recent Sounding, or
survey, of its nationwide sample of nonprofit human service, community
development, and cultural organizations on how nonprofit organizations
and those they employ are being affected by the continuing escalation
of health insurance costs.
Learn about what they uncovered...
Healthcare Reform: Advocacy Producing Results
In a conference call with Senator Shaheen’s staff
on September 21 and with the staff of the Congressional delegation the
week before, The Center highlighted the need for nonprofit employers to
be included in healthcare reforms benefiting for-profit employers. We
emphasized that affordable coverage is our over-arching
concern, and that nonprofits should not have to pay more than
for-profit employers for health coverage. With that in mind, we were
happy to report on the introduction, late last week, of an amendment
that would extend the small business tax credit to small nonprofit organizations.
That amendment is non-specific at this time, but we believe it may take
the form of a tax credit against withholding taxes nonprofit employers
pay. A lot of work by a lot of motivated people in Washington may lead
to a healthcare reform package before Columbus Day - that is the goal
of the legislators, and we should all hope that affordable healthcare insurance is achieved so soon.
Senator Gregg on Nonprofit Capacity Funding June 12, 2009- In June 2009, the Advocacy Division here at The Center
provided Senator Gregg with a letter requesting that he support
reserving $5 million in federal funds annually for the next 5 years for
the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. The Administration's budget
proposal (prepared before the legislation involving these funds was
passed) would effectively de-fund the program for the first year.
Senator Gregg's letter in response stated: "The Fiscal year 2010
appropriations process is just beginning, and as a member of the Senate
Appropriations Committee, I will keep your support for funding of
national service programs in mind as this process moves forward."
Both the House and the Senate Subcommittees will be revisiting this issue in July.
Read more about this issue...
Capacity Building Funds Omitted May 20, 2009 - In April, nonprofits were celebrating the signing of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
which called for spending of $5-million a year for five years on the
Nonprofit Capacity Building Program. Now the fight continues to
realize this funding. President Obama's proposed budget did not include money for this program. Tim Delaney, president of the National Council of Nonprofits
(NCN) noted that this money was the only item proposed specifically to
help small and medium-sized nonprofits, which could use the money to
strengthen their ability to contribute to the country's economic
recovery He asserted that NCN will press Congress to allocate money for
the capacity building program when it adopts the 2010 appropriations
legislation. Read more...
President Signs Serve America ActApril 22, 2009 - President Obama signed a landmark bill to greatly expand government
national-service and volunteer programs, and asked Americans to “stand up and
play your part.” Read more...
White House Appoints Head of Social Innovation OfficeApril 20, 2009 - Sonal Shah, former head of global development at Google.org, the search-engine company’s philanthropic arm, is head of the new White House Office of Social Innovation. The Office of Social Innovation would oversee efforts to direct government money to help nonprofit leaders experiment, expand approaches that work, and help charities collect data and evaluate whether they are making a difference. Read more...
NY Times Reports on Forward Together "Manifesto"March 4, 2009 - Many of you signed on showing support for the "Forward Together" declaration calling on the nation's governments and businesses to join with its "citizen sector" toward finding effective ways to address increasing challenges in tough economic times. The names of all who signed appeared in a full page ad in the Chronicle of Philanthropy and this NY Times article explores reaction to it. Read more...
A Nonprofit Initiative - "Forward Together"March 5, 2009 - Leaders of organizations representing tens of thousands of American nonprofit organizations have signed on to a declaration-- "Forward Together"--stating that "one million charities are ready to help"--and how--in these challenging times. This unprecedented attempt to mobilize thousands of nonprofit organizations across the country is calling on the nation's governments and businesses to join with its "citizen sector" toward finding effective ways to address increasing challenges in tough economic times. Learn more...
New Advocacy ResourceMay 2008 - The W.K. Kellogg Foundation recently launched a new, online tool to help nonprofits more effectively engage in the public policy process. CLPI developed this resource entitled "Effective Advocacy at ALL Levels of Government" with the Kellogg Foundation. Learn more...
The Handbook of New Hampshire Elected OfficialsThe Handbook of New Hampshire Elected Officials (Blue Book) is a reference book of government and politics in NH frequently used by lobbyists. It is a collection of information about the Governor, Executive Councilors, State Senators and State Representatives including photographs, biographies, and roll call votes. It also includes information about lawmaking process, legislative committee assignments, lobbying law, NH registered lobbyists and the New Hampshire Constitution. Visit their Website to Order.
IRS Issues Memorandum on Examinations of Internet Political Activity
A memorandum from the Director, Exempt Organizations Examinations, describes how the IRS will analyze political campaign activity issues involving websites of section 501(c)(3) organizations.
On-Line Resources - Political Campaign Intervention by 501(c)(3) Organizations
Do you know what constitutes political campaign intervention? Find on-line educational resources about the prohibition on political campaign intervention by 501(c)(3) organizations on the Charities and Nonprofits pages of IRS.gov.
Congressional Candidate Shea-Porter Talks About the Nonprofit Sector
Congressional candidate Carol Shea-Porter accepted the invitation that NHCN has extended to all of the candidates for US Senate, Congress and the office of Governor to sit down and talk with us about her views on the nonprofit sector and how she will support the sector if she is re-elected.
Congresswoman Shea-Porter shared her background as a social worker involved with social service nonprofits. When asked how she would support and partner with the nonprofit sector if re-elected she stated, "One of the things that we need to do is to make sure that all the nonprofits are connected with businesses and with the government so that we can utilize our resources and that we can identify and work together because resources are limited. But the other thing that's really critical is to make sure that we direct funding towards the nonprofits so that they can carry out their mission."
Nonprofits Look to New President for Improved Policies
With a major economic crisis pressing on America's families and communities, the nation's nonprofit organizations are looking to a new presidency for help in responding. And they have some definite ideas about what is needed, according to a new survey by the Johns Hopkins University Nonprofit Listening Post Project.
Read more...
Congressional Candidate Hodes Talks About the Nonprofit Sector
Congressional candidate Paul Hodes accepted the invitation that NHCN has extended to all of the candidates for US Senate, Congress and the office of Governor to sit down and talk with us about his views on the nonprofit sector and how he will support the sector if he is re-elected.
Hodes shared his history of involvement with nonprofits in New Hampshire and noted, "The not-for-profit sector crosses all lines in our economic life. When asked about his views on the importance of the sector he stated, "I don't see, frankly, a great distinction between the importance of the not-for-profit sector in the life of our country and the for profit sector."
Senate Candidate Shaheen Talks About the Nonprofit Sector
As part of the NH Candidate Education Project sponsored by NHCN, candidates for US Senate, Congress and the office of Governor have been invited to participate in a video taped interview focused on their ideas for supporting the nonprofit sector. Former Governor Jeanne Shaheen has been the first candidate to avail herself of this opportunity.
When asked about her interest and support of the sector, Sheehan noted, “I think that a move to social entrepreneurism and the exciting initiatives that are going on through so much of the nonprofit sector really offers tremendous hope for how we deliver services in so many ways in the future. Because a lot of the successes that are happening in terms of providing services are happening in the nonprofit sector and we need to look at what’s working and try and support that. And I would certainly do that if I am elected to the United States Senate.”
McCain and Obama Back New National-Service Bill
The top two presidential candidates, Republican Sen. John McCain and Democrat Sen. Barack Obama, have agreed to co-sponsor a bill to expand the country’s national-service programs and provide money to help nonprofit groups recruit volunteers and replicate innovative programs.
Read more...
NHCN Launches Political Candidates Education Project
The
New Hampshire Center for Nonprofits will pilot a national nonprofit
advocacy project this fall which is designed to engage political
candidates in a new dialogue about the vital role the nonprofit sector
plays in everyone’s lives.
Learn more and get involved...
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