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Now that we have a new Administration and a new Congress in Washington, what can we expect for the nonprofit sector?

The answer to that question depends, in part, on what you do to affect the situation.  We have always believed that if a charity isn’t lobbying, it is probably not doing its job. 

This is the time to be heavily engaged in lobbying for those programs that advance the sector, and for those programs that advance your specific mission.  Charities have a lot more latitude to engage in lobbying activity than many of them realize.  (See Ready Reference Page: “Lobbying Rules Create Opportunities for Charities.")

This is the time to talk with your Senators and Representatives. The economic stimulus package will affect a significant number of programs that could have an impact on the sector. Many are recommended by the National Council of Nonprofits (www.ncna.org) and the Independent Sector (www.independentsector.org). 

The charitable sector is a huge part of our economy and ought to be a part of the stimulus package.  We have proposed three specific pieces for that program: a double charitable contribution deduction for those who increase total contributions in 2009 or 2010 over their contributions in 2008; advancing the eligibility for IRA rollovers to charity to age 59 1/2 so that the oldest of the baby boomers can make more charitable contributions now; and extending the $3000 job creation benefit to charities if it is provided to businesses.

There will also be changes in substantive programs in the next year, particularly in areas like healthcare, education, and the environment.  If any of those is your issue, you ought to be prepared to be involved.

We recently met the executive director of a free health clinic staffed by volunteer doctors to treat patients who couldn’t afford regular care.  We couldn’t help thinking what a wonderful thing that was, but what a shame it had to exist.  That group could help all of the patients it cannot now serve by working to create a universal healthcare system that would allow it to go out of business.  That can happen only through a change in public policy.

That’s the kind of thinking the nonprofits ought to engage in now.  There are going to be changes.  How can those changes be molded to help your constituents?

Article Archives >> To the Point

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