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'Public Policy Resources' overlaid on plaid of different shades of blue

Public Policy Resources

Featured Resource: Public Policy Principles 2021-2022

These principles will help the Forum address racial inequities via public policy, advocate on behalf of the sector, identify and pursue partnership opportunities, and strengthen relationships with the United States Congress, federal agencies, state and local officials, and other nonprofit organizations while increasing visibility of the Forum among government officials and strategic partners.

Read the Principles

Responding to COVID-19: Public Policy Resources

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Congress has passed legislation providing aid and relief to the economy, businesses, nonprofits, and the American people. Visit this page to find specific information about each bill, how the bill may impact the sector, and what the Forum is doing to keep members engaged and informed.

Access COVID-19 Public Policy Resources

Public Policy Updates & Alerts

Public Policy Update, Special Edition: The ACE Act
Forum Public Policy Update is a regular update for United Philanthropy Forum members covering public policy issues impacting the philanthropic sector.
United Philanthropy Forum Releases Statement on the Accelerating Charitable Efforts Act
Last week, Sens. Grassley (R-IA) and King (I-ME) introduced the Accelerating Charitable Efforts (ACE) Act, a bill that seeks to impose legislative mandates on donor-advised funds (DAFs)and private foundations. The Forum will work with our members, national partners, and experts in the field to take a deep dive on the proposed mandates in this bill and possible alternatives by gathering valuable feedback and examining critical data.
Public Policy Update: May 28, 2021
Forum Public Policy Update is a regular update for United Philanthropy Forum members covering public policy issues impacting the philanthropic sector.
Public Policy Update: May 13, 2021
Forum Public Policy Update is a regular update for United Philanthropy Forum members covering public policy issues impacting the philanthropic sector.
Public Policy Update: April 29, 2021
Forum Public Policy Update is a regular update for United Philanthropy Forum members covering public policy issues impacting the philanthropic sector.

Letters & Communications to Elected Officials

National Philanthropic Orgs Letter - The ACE Act (2021)
A letter from the Forum and national partners regarding the Accelerating Charitable Efforts (or ACE Act).
Sign-On Letter: Sector Inclusion
This sign-on letter asks Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McCarthy, Leader McConnell, Chairman Neal, Chairman Wyden, Ranking Member Brady, and Ranking Member Crapo to carefully consider the unique nature of the charitable sector as you contemplate legislation that could impact donors and the charitable giving vehicles they use to donate to important causes in their communities and across the globe.
IS Written Testimony - Joint Economic Committee - June 2020
Independent Sector submitted written testimony to the Joint Economic Committee on June 9, 2020. The testimony was submitted for the hearing "Supporting Charitable Giving during the COVID-19 Crisis."
Philanthropy Ohio Letter to State Senate (Re: Racism)
On June 9, 2020, Philanthropy Ohio President Deborah Aubert Thomas and Chief Communication & Public Policy Officer Claudia Y.W. Herrold submitted a letter to the office of Ohio State Senator Dave Burke of the Ohio Senate Health, Human Services, and Medicaid Committee, expressing support for...
Congress Letter to Director Dillingham
Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Representative Brenda Lawrence (D-MI) sent a letter to Steven Dillingham, the Director of the Census Bureau, requesting that the agency moves swiftly to ramp up census preparations.

Policy Issues

National Philanthropic Orgs Letter - The ACE Act (2021)
A letter from the Forum and national partners regarding the Accelerating Charitable Efforts (or ACE Act).
Policy Issue: Census
United Philanthropy Forum is engaging our network to ensure a fair and accurate census count in 2020. See the Forum's position and resources on this issue.
Policy Issue: Johnson Amendment
United Philanthropy Forum supports the continued full enforcement of current law that prohibits 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from endorsing, opposing or contributing to political candidates and engaging in partisan campaign activities—also known as the “Johnson Amendment.” See our position and resources on this issue.
Policy Issue: Charitable Deduction
Since 1917, the federal charitable tax deduction has provided a tax deduction for donations made to nonprofit organizations by taxpayers who itemize their tax returns, roughly one-third of all Americans. See the Forum's position and resources on this issue.