Charitable nonprofits improve our lives, add vitality to our communities, contribute to our local and national economies, and enhance the health of our democracy. The National Council of Nonprofits is the largest network of nonprofits in North America. We champion, inform, and connect organizations across the country to score big wins for nonprofits and the communities they serve.
We’re 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, 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.
Public Policy Resources
Public Policy Agenda
The 2023 Public Policy Agenda focuses on local, state, and federal issues of concern to all nonprofit organizations. The Agenda is structured into six categories to educate policymakers and others about the work and impact of nonprofits.
Nonprofit Champion
Free biweekly updates on local, state, and federal policy and advocacy issues affecting nonprofits.
Tax Policy Issues
Federal and state tax laws and policies govern many of the operations of charitable nonprofits. Policymakers regularly review and propose changes to exemptions, operational rules, and giving incentives.
Public Policy Resources on COVID-19
Governments at all levels took action in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Nonprofits across the country quickly provided resources and partnered with governments and officials dedicated to responding to the crisis.
Protecting the Johnson Amendment and Nonprofit Nonpartisanship
A charitable nonprofit may “not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office."
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.
Charitable Giving Incentives
The tax laws may encourage individuals and businesses to give to charitable organizations whose missions they support by providing an itemized deduction or tax credit.
Government Grants and Contracts
Governments at all levels depend on charitable nonprofits to provide efficient and effective services to residents that would be more costly if provided by others.
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.