Public Policy

• Nonprofit Policy News
  • MCN launches Nonprofit Advocacy Institute
  • Time to show support for nonprofit sector legislation
  • Federal health care reform bill meets many of nonprofits’ concerns
  • HIRE Act includes temporary tax incentives for nonprofits to hire new workers
  • MCN's 2010 public policy agenda
  • Watch YouTube videos from 2010 Session Line Up event
  • Nonprofit property tax exemption bill signed into law
  • Audit threshold raised to $750,000 for nonprofits
• About Public Policy at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

MCN launches Nonprofit Advocacy Institute
In the coming months, MCN will be offering a unique training institute for current and aspiring nonprofit policy advocates. The Nonprofit Advocacy Institute provides an opportunity for up to 25 advocates to understand the importance of advocacy in nonprofit leadership, the ways in which advocacy builds leadership, and how to build capacity and design strategic issue campaigns.

Attend a free informational session to see if you, your organization, and your communities can benefit from MCN's nonprofit-specific advocacy training program. These informational sessions will share information on the application process, show MCN's curriculum, faculty, and philosophy of advocacy, and detail scholarship information.

Applications for the Nonprofit Advocacy Institute are due by November 8. The training institute meets regularly between the months of December 2010 and June 2011.

Time to show support for nonprofit sector legislation
MCN is a proud early supporter of the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act, a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Betty McCollum in June. This landmark legislation would strengthen America's communities by making the federal government a more productive partner with nonprofit organizations by establishing 1) better communication with the federal government, 2) better coordination within government, and 3) enhanced data collection and research. We urge you to join us today in showing your support for the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act by adding your organization’s name to the list of nonprofit supporters.

Federal health care reform bill meets many of nonprofits’ concerns
On March 21, the U.S. House passed the Senate health care reform bill by a vote of 219-212 and then passed a reconciliation package of changes to the Senate bill by a vote of 220-211. MCN and the Minnesota Budget Project will be studying the details more closely, but here is our initial scan of how the bill meets the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits’ principles for federal health care reform legislation.

Read more about the health care reform law and its impact on the nonprofits sector; and as always, keep an eye on the Minnesota Budget Bites blog for continuing analysis as it becomes available.

HIRE Act includes temporary tax incentives for nonprofits to hire new workers
On March 18, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act, a $17 billion jobs package that also includes temporary tax incentives to encourage employers to hire new workers. The main job-creation incentive in the new law allows most employers, including nonprofits, to keep the 6.2 percent payroll taxes they pay on certain new hires, thereby lowering their cost. This payroll tax forgiveness provision expires at the end of this year. Read the FAQ on the HIRE Act for nonprofits.

MCN's 2010 public policy agenda

During the 2010 Minnesota legislative session in St. Paul and the remainder of the 111th Congress in Washington, D.C., MCN will work with Senators and Representatives to understand nonprofit perspectives on legislation. Take a look at the policy areas that we are focusing on.

Watch YouTube videos from 2010 Session Line Up event

MCN has posted two YouTube videos from the event that captures some participants reactions to what they heard, as well as additional comments from Rep. Sertich, Rep. McFarlane, and Sen. Pogemiller.

Nonprofit property tax exemption bill signed into law

MCN's top 2009 legislative agenda item was to pass a nonprofit property tax exemption bill; we're very pleased to report the bill was passed and signed on Saturday, May 16th. Please visit the charitable property tax exemption campaign site to learn more about the new law and what it means for nonprofits.

Audit threshold raised to $750,000 for nonprofits

The governor has signed a bill with a provision to increase the threshold at which organizations are required to obtain an audited financial statement that have been examined by an independent certified public accountant. The bill changes the threshold from $350,000, where it has sat for the last twelve years, to $750,000. Organizations with a fiscal year ending July 1, 2008 or later, fall under the new limit of $750,000 for 2008 reporting. MCN believes that for Minnesota, given the dramatically increased costs of audits and the filing of the new IRS form 990, along with the effects of inflation, this is an appropriate time to increase the threshold.

Read the language of the bill, HF1298, that was included in the the tax policy bill. The provision is at section 191.34 in the bill.

About Public Policy at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

MCN supports individual nonprofits and Minnesota’s nonprofit sector to be their own best voice. Our policy work has focused on informing nonprofits of what is proposed in policy arenas, what it means and how nonprofits can serve as a resource to decision makers as they choose priorities and funding options. We host events, workshops, trainings and issue briefings, deliver testimony and distribute email legislative updates to ensure that nonprofits are educated and engaged on key issues facing the state.

Minnesota Participation Project (MPP) - This is an exciting effort to support and expand the capacity of Minnesota nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to effectively engage in permissible nonpartisan voter engagement efforts - registration, voter education and beyond. MPP also partnered with nonprofits to increase participation in the 2010 Census.

Minnesota Budget Project - The Minnesota Budget Project provides independent research, analysis and outreach on budget and tax policy issues at the state and federal level, emphasizing their impact on low- and moderate-income persons and the nonprofits that serve them.

National Voter Education Network (NVEN) - The Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN) is a collaboration of statewide voter engagement initiatives anchored in the nonprofit sector. NVEN is dedicated to expanding the role of America’s nonprofits in voting and elections with the goal of increasing participation in the democratic process among all citizens with a focus on those with a history of lower voter participation. The initiative is a nonpartisan program of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the largest statewide nonprofit association in the country.

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Questions? Comments? Contact Jeff Narabrook at jeff@mncn.org

Quick Links

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Policy Resources on the Web

Visit the Minnesota Budget Bites blog and the Minnesota Budget Project homepage


MCN's Minnesota Participation Project can help your organization be effective in nonpartisan voter engagement work!