Latest News
Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act (HR 5533) Overview and Articles
Landmark Bill to Strengthen Nonprofit-Government Partnership Introduced
(6/16/10)
At a press conference on June 16 at the US Capitol, the National Council of Nonprofits applauded the leadership of Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) for introducing the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act (HR 5533), a bill that will transform the way that the federal government thinks about and deals with the charitable nonprofit community in the United States. Read more.
Additional resources courtesy of the National Council of Nonprofits:
2010 Census - Why Everyone Counts and What We Must Do
Census News (links to full articles)
- 2010 Census Watch: As the Nonresponse Followup Proceeds ... Jun 2010
- Charities Spend Millions On Census Outreach Mar 2010
- Census: Battleground for Money and Justice Feb 2010
- Warning Wisconsin Could Lose Population Count Due to Snowbird Confusion in Census, Help Needed, Job Opportunities. Dec 2009
Census Overview
What it is: The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, regardless of age or citizenship status, and the Constitution requires the Census to take place every 10 years. Originally designed to ensure equal representation in political districts, the Census is now used to determine funding at state and federal levels.
Nonprofit Tax Exemption Status Articles
Amid Red Ink, Tax-Exempts Asked To Add To Coffers
State and local governments, eager to close their budget gaps, are increasingly going after charities and other tax-exempt groups. Government officials are proposing new fees on nonprofits to help pay for services. They're also challenging the exemptions these groups get from sales and property taxes. May 24, 2010
States Move to Revoke Charities' Tax
Faced with steep declines in tax revenue, an increasing number of states and localities are considering eliminating various tax exemptions for nonprofit groups. ... And last fall, Minneapolis made charities subject to the fees it charges businesses and residents for streetlights in hope of gaining an additional $155,000, an exercise Jon Pratt, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, describes as “looking under the sofa cushions.” In most cases, churches would be exempt from the tax measures, but all other nonprofit groups, including private schools and colleges, would be affected. Mar 6, 2010
Citizens United: What Now?
- Read AFJ Statement on Citizens United
- Download Fact Sheet on Citizens United (pdf)
- Read AFJ report: "What does Citizens United mean to nonprofits"
- Listen to expert briefing on Citizens United (mp3)
Governor Doyle Signs Bill to Support Domestic Violence Nonprofits
On Nov 12, Governor Doyle signed into law AB-209, now Act 75, which authorizes counties to contribute to the capital improvements of domestic violence shelters and to fund nonprofits that provide assistance to low-income individuals or individuals who are victims of domestic violence and related crimes.
The measure was sought after the Marathon County Board acted to contribute funding for a local domestic violence shelter, but was prevented from doing so because of a legal opinion stating the county lacked statutory authority.
“Local victim service providers and county governments obviously have strong shared interests in addressing domestic violence, especially as the effects of abuse ripple through entire communities, adversely affecting safety and quality of life,” said Patti Seger, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV). “[This Act] gives counties another tool to partner with local victim advocates.” Bill History
