Nonprofits play a vital role in communities, yet are often overlooked in legislation and policymaking. Strong relationships between state legislators and nonprofits can help identify nonpartisan solutions to challenges in their communities for greater impact.
The National Nonprofit Caucus of State Legislators is an open, bipartisan, and bicameral group of state legislators dedicated to supporting the work of charitable nonprofits and their communities. Too often, the nonprofit sector is overlooked, despite the vital role it plays. The Caucus convenes legislators from across the country to identify nonpartisan solutions to challenges charitable nonprofits face in our communities. Sign up here.
Background
The Caucus was created by Maryland State Senator Cheryl Kagan, a champion of nonprofit policy priorities, in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits and National Conference of State Legislatures.
State legislators are invited to join the National Nonprofit Caucus, share bills they have sponsored that support nonprofits, and collaborate with others to advance ideas. National Nonprofit Caucus members may join the National Nonprofit Caucus Listserv to share ideas and proposed legislation amongst members as well as seek expertise and advice from nonprofit leaders. Sign up here.
Noteworthy Nonprofit Legislation
The National Council of Nonprofits has highlighted many noteworthy legislative efforts by those in the Caucus and across the country.
- Noteworthy Nonprofit Legislation 2024
- Noteworthy Nonprofit Legislation 2023
- Noteworthy Nonprofit Legislation 2022
- Noteworthy Nonprofit Legislation 2021
The Caucus also supports National Nonprofit Caucus - Legislative Priorities 2024 on:
- Grant Simplification
- Advance Payments
- Bridge Loans
- Prompt Payment Parity
- Government Grants Reform
- Charitable Giving Incentives
- Tax Exemptions
- Regulation & Governance
Meetings
The Caucus meets informally at the NCSL Summit each year and virtually in the fall when most legislatures are out of session.
The first organizational meeting was held on Nov. 17, 2020, and a second call was held Oct. 7, 2021 (watch the video). Interested members attended an in-person, informal gathering and heard Sen. Kagan speak about the importance of nonprofits at the NCSL Summit in August 2023. The most recent meeting was held on Oct. 19, 2023.
Topics of discussion included:
- Creating individual nonprofit caucuses at state legislatures (see Kentucky and Pennsylvania)
- Partnering with government through grants and contracts
- Increasing audit thresholds
- Including nonprofits in small business legislation
- Ensuring the word "nonprofit" is consistent (without a hyphen) in legislative and statutory text
- Keeping nonprofits independent from state government
For assistance or to be added to the National Nonprofit Caucus for future communications, please contact Senator Kagan’s Office at cheryl.kagan@senate.state.md.us and Tiffany Carter at tcarter@councilofnonprofits.org.
Additional Resources
- Leaders Pushing For A National Legislative Caucus, The NonProfit Times, Sept. 14, 2023.
- Legislators Eye the Vital Role of Nonprofits in Addressing Difficult Issues, Governing, Sept. 5, 2023.