The National Council of Nonprofits is the network of state and regional nonprofit associations serving more than 20,000 member organizations. By linking local nonprofit organizations across the nation through state associations, the National Council helps small and midsize nonprofits manage and lead more effectively, collaborate and exchange solutions, engage in critical policy issues affecting the sector, and achieve greater impact in their communities.
New: Nonprofits Included in President’s Jobs Bill
Responding to the Crisis in Haiti
Our thoughts are with the millions of people affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. The National Council urges you to donate to the relief efforts. Visit USAID’s website for more information on how you can help and to view a list of disaster relief organizations.
Supreme Court Decision Does NOT Impact 501(c)(3) Nonprofits
The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent landmark decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission 
(No. 08-205; decided January 21, 2010), concerning the application of certain election laws to corporations, does NOT change how other laws limit the election-related activities of charitable nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The National Council of Nonprofits prepared this brief analysis to clear up any confusion surrounding the decision and to help charitable nonprofits avoid actions that could jeopardize their tax-exempt status.
Key laws still limit election activities by charitable nonprofits. Federal law declares that charitable nonprofits and foundations may not “participate in, or intervene in (including publishing or distributing statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for political office” at the federal, state, and local levels. 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3). Read more to get answers to these important questions:
- But What About the Recent Supreme Court Case?
- What Can 501(c)(3) Charitable Nonprofits Do in Connection with Political Campaigns?
- What Else Can Charitable Nonprofits Do?
Members of Congress Stand with Nonprofits on Health Care Reform
The National Council of Nonprofits and its network of state nonprofit associations applaud the Members of Congress who continue to stand up for the 15 million Americans employed in the nonprofit sector. On January 15, 52 Representatives sent a letter urging House leaders to include nonprofit employers in the final health care reform bill. Unless the current Senate provision for small employer tax credits is included in the final bill, millions of Americans employed by local nonprofits will be left without the protections that national health care reform will provide to employees of for-profit businesses.
The National Council also sent a letter to the House and Senate leadership to remind them of the vital role nonprofits play in our society and about the dangers of leaving nonprofits out of the final health care reform package. The National Council remains committed to ensuring that all nonprofit employees receive quality, affordable health care. Please visit our Public Policy section for more information on nonprofits and health care reform.
