Highlights of This Edition
Key News + Announcements
Forum’s Evans Provides Testimony at Treasury Hearing on DAF Regulations
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and IRS hosted a hearing on recent comments it received regarding proposed donor-advised fund (DAF) regulations. United Philanthropy Forum Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans joined over 30 different speakers and testified during the hearing.
Based, in part, on member feedback, Evans highlighted a range of concerns about the proposed regulations, including the definition of “donor advisor,” the importance of excluding collaborative giving projects from the definition of DAFs, an exception for disaster relief funds, and the need for clarification on payments used for lobbying activities.
To learn more about this important testimony, view the hearing transcript and the Forum’s resource page explaining the proposed regulations and the role of DAFs within the sector.
Forum Seeks Member Session Proposals for Philanthropy + Policy Institute by May 31st
Recognizing the Forum network’s collective experience and interest in public policy and advocacy, PSO members are encouraged to share input for session design and proposals for the Philanthropy + Policy Institute 2024. This year’s Institute will take place virtually on October 4th.
The Policy Institute is the premier opportunity for sector leaders and advocates to learn together and bolster their policy and advocacy capacity. Formulated to cultivate and reinforce the public policy skill set of PSO leaders, staff, and their foundation members, #PPI2024 aims to foster a strategic and collective approach to advocacy, public policy, and government relations.
Forum members are encouraged to submit session ideas that seek to inform attendees about public policy as a practice and build their advocacy capacity. The deadline for proposals is May 31st.
We look forward to session submissions! If you have questions about submitting a session proposal, please contact Forum Senior Public Policy Associate Nate Borek.
Senate and House Farm Bill Summaries Show SNAP, Climate Division
Last Wednesday, House Agriculture Chairman GT Thompson (R-PA) released a brief overview of the committee’s approach to the Farm Bill. Hours later, Senate Agriculture Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced a more detailed framework.
Despite calls for bipartisanship, the opposing frameworks show impasses on SNAP eligibility and the use of conservation funds.
Learn more from Roll Call.
The Forum’s policy priorities include the Farm Bill, and we continue to monitor this issue to keep the network updated on potential impacts on the communities we work with and in.
Sen. Finance Chair to Propose Tax Bill as Amendment to FAA Legislation
Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden (D-OR) is pushing to include the House-passed tax bill as an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill that lawmakers must pass before May 10th, per Bloomberg Government. Currently, the tax bill doesn’t include the Charitable Act, which would reinstate a universal charitable deduction.
The Forum continues to follow this issue as a potential opportunity to pass the Charitable Act and will keep members apprised.
PSO Resources + Updates
Forum to Submit Member-Informed Comments on Treasury’s 2024-2025 Priority Guidance Plan
In March, the Treasury Department and the IRS invited the public to submit recommendations for items to be included in the 2024-2025 Priority Guidance Plan. The deadline to submit comments is Friday, May 31, 2024.
The 2024-2025 Priority Guidance Plan will identify guidance projects that the Treasury Department and the IRS intend to actively work on as priorities from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.
The Forum will submit recommendations. Member PSOs are encouraged to share input on what should be included and add their organizations’ names to the Forum’s recommendations by emailing Senior Director of Public Policy Matthew L. Evans before Wednesday, May 29, 2024.
Forum Co-Sponsors Funder Briefing on LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Census
In honor of Pride Month, the Forum joined the Census Equity Initiative and several cosponsors to host a funder briefing on LGBTQ+ inclusion in census data. The webinar, Investing in Inclusion, will occur Thursday, June 13th, 1:00 – 2:00 pm ET.
The briefing will note the importance of modifying the American Community Survey (ACS) to ensure the needs of LGBTQ communities are better understood in government programs, policies, funding investments, and enforcement of civil rights laws.
The Forum encourages PSOs to register for the briefing and share it with foundation members. Check out the event webpage for more information.
Resource Spotlight: Guide to Philanthropic Partnerships for Equitable Public Funding
In April, the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) released a new digital resource – A Guide for Philanthropy on Partnerships to Equitably Shape Public Funding – and a video series showcasing recent work in the state.
The new playbook highlights how philanthropy can work in partnership with government to shape public funding through lessons learned from the CMF’s recent Statewide Equity Fund Strategic Support Pilot.
Explore CMF’s guide and video series.
State + Local Public Policy News
DC Mayor Appoints Grantmakers in Health Pres. & CEO to Health Equity Commission
In March, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser appointed Cara V. James, President and CEO of Grantmakers In Health (GIH), as a voting member of the District of Columbia Commission on Health Equity.
“I am grateful to Mayor Bowser for this opportunity to improve the health and well-being of my community,” said James. “I look forward to working with the other members of the commission and city stakeholders to create a healthier, more equitable future for all D.C. residents.”
Read the announcement from GIH.
Black Voters and Civic Groups Appeal Ruling on Louisiana Congressional Districts
On May 1st, a group of Black voters and civic organizations filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court after a divided panel of three federal court judges overturned Louisiana’s congressional map that had two majority Black districts.
The court’s decision conflicts with a series of court decisions in a separate case that required the legislature to draw a second majority-Black district.
Find out more from the Legal Defense Fund.
Report Analyzes State and Local Nonprofit ARPA Projects and Remaining Funds
As of the end of 2023, an estimated $89.9 billion in State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) remain available for nonprofits to pursue. This interactive map reveals the number of projects involving nonprofits and an estimate of the remaining funds by state.
Check out the National Council of Nonprofits’ interactive map and guide to SLFRF.
The Philanthropy + Policy Update regularly features state updates from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities’ State Priorities Partnership (SPP).
State Partner Advocacy Work Exemplifies Black Women Best Framework for Tax Equity
Last month, CBPP released a new paper building on economist Janelle Jones’ “Black Women Best framework” and explaining how advocates and policymakers can address historical harm and uplift people who have been marginalized by centering Black women in fiscal policy.
Recent work from state partners exemplifies the report's recommendations, including efforts to promote income stability by the Minnesota Budget Project and Kansas Action for Children, as well as initiatives supporting wealth-building by the California Budget and Policy Center and the DC Fiscal Policy Institute.
The paper’s recommendations are also reflected in the work of the Wisconsin Budget Project, Economic Progress Institute (Rhode Island), Hawai‘i Budget and Policy Center, and the Oregon Center for Public Policy in advocating for equitable or progressive taxation and efforts at OpenSky Policy (Nebraska) advocating against barriers to raising new revenues.
Read the CBPP paper for details.
Advocacy from Across the Forum Network
Forum Members Co-Hosting Webinar on Expanding the Child Tax Credit
On May 20th, the Women’s Funding Network, Economic Opportunity Funders, Early Childhood Funders Collaborative, and Tax Equity Funders Network are hosting a virtual event on the Child Tax Credit (CTC).
The webinar will cover the latest updates and analysis from national policy experts and answer questions about the CTC’s implications for women, children, families, and communities.
Visit the event page.
Connecticut Council for Philanthropy Convening Briefing on State Legislative Session
The Connecticut Council for Philanthropy is hosting a special state legislative briefing with CT Mirror Budget Reporter Keith Phaneuf and a panel of experts focused on the state budget and legislative outcomes.
Taking place May 22nd, the briefing will feature a legislative session overview, an impact analysis, and a discussion of next steps.
Learn more from the Council.
Funders Together to End Homelessness CEO Quoted on San Fran Housing Initiative
Amanda Andere, Funders Together to End Homelessness CEO and Forum Board Chair, was quoted in an April article about evidence that a $100 million effort to address housing in San Fransisco fell short of its goal to halve homelessness.
“Affordable housing solves homelessness, but we are in a housing crisis, and that housing crisis is due to decades of not investing in the right things like [ending] structural racism,” said Andere. “Where philanthropy can play a role is in thinking about systems change rather than a program intervention.”
Read the article from the Chronicle.
Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees’ Members Reflect on FOTH
For the second year, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR) participated in Foundation on the Hill to meet with policymakers and discuss immigration. In April, GCIR shared member reflections on FOTH from the Surdna Foundation and Maine Initiatives.
“Let's lean in and be courageous and support the communities that we are part of and that we want to support,” Shima Kabirigi of Maine Initiatives said.
Learn more from GCIR.
Legislative Calendars
House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is out of session.
View the House of Representatives calendar.
United States Senate
The United States Senate is in session.
View the United States Senate calendar.
2024 State Legislative Session
For State Legislative Calendars:
View the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2024 State Legislative Session Calendar.
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