Twice this summer, Common Good Vermont’s manager of policy and strategic initiatives, Emma Paradis, has traveled to Washington D.C. to bring nonprofit priorities to members of our congressional delegation.
These priorities included:
- Charitable Giving: Charitable Act (H.R. 3435/S. 566)
Charitable nonprofits continue to experience growing demand for their services, yet costs continue to rise due to inflation while private donations and the number of donors are declining. The needs in our communities are far greater than the ability of governments to address alone. Congress should empower millions more taxpayers to help solve these challenges by enacting tax incentives that encourage donations to the work of charitable organizations in their communities. - Grant & Contract Reform: Streamlining Federal Grants Act (H.R. 5934/ S. 2286)
For decades, governments at all levels have partnered with charitable nonprofits through written agreements to deliver a broad array of services to the public. Governments have largely found nonprofits to be good partners: mission-driven and more efficient and effective. Government grantmaking systems must be fixed to reduce costly administrative burdens and so people receive services when they need them. - Nonpartisanship
With the election season upon us, it is essential the public recognize charitable nonprofits – 501(c)(3) organizations that are nonpartisan in law, fact, and purpose –as vital service providers, employers, and economic drivers. Charitable organizations exist to serve the public good – providing essential services on which people depend in every community across the country. The indispensable work of nonprofits must be done without a partisan agenda. - Nonprofit Workforce Data
The nonprofit sector is an economic power powerhouse: prior to the pandemic, it was the nation’s third-largest employer with more than 12.5 million workers and 10% of the private workforce. Yet, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not regularly report nonprofit employment and wage data. Charitable nonprofits, Congress, and the public need nonprofit employment and wage data to make informed decisions. Congress should provide funding for the BLS Office of Employment and Unemployment Statistics to incorporate nonprofits in the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).
In June, Common Good Vermont participated in the Nonprofit Lobby Day and connected with nonprofit associations from across the country at the National Council of Nonprofit’s Confab Conference.
In July, Emma returned to D.C. with United Way of Northwest Vermont’s chief impact officer, Amy Carmola, to participate in United Way Worldwide’s Capitol Hill Day and Advocacy Forum. They learned about the work of other United Ways and engaged with key federal funders and decision makers at the Department of Commerce Partnerships Summit. The two also met again with congressional staffers, as well as Representative Becca Balint. In addition to sector priorities, we lifted up the important work our organizations are doing around workforce and mental health, as well as the critical need to fund our 211 network.
These meetings are helping us to strengthen relationships with our federal delegation, as well as expand our impact beyond the scope of Vermont.
We are pleased to share that Representative Balint has signed on as a co-sponsor of the Streamlining Federal Grants Act and greatly appreciate the Congresswoman’s support of our sector!