Council Connection: Updates for Council Members

Public policy news and updates for the philanthropic sector

Happening at the Council

CF Leadership Coalition Launch

We’re excited to let you know that our new CF Leadership Coalition: Policy and Communications Add-on is now available. Open to all community foundations in our membership, this add-on offers the opportunity to join a network of community foundations working to advance shared policy priorities, respond to emerging challenges, and strengthen the sector’s collective voice. Those who purchase the add-on will also receive new benefits, including briefings on issues that impact your communities, policy updates sent to your leadership, and more. We’re hosting an info session on April 8 at 1 p.m. ET; join to learn more.

G20 for Philanthropy Information Series

With the United States hosting the G20 in 2026, the Council on Foundations is partnering with WINGS and other peer networks to support philanthropy’s engagement in the G20 process. WINGS, the Council, and our partners are hosting a webinar on March 31 at 10am ET to explore how philanthropy can move from engagement to execution that supports real implementation beyond the G20 cycle. Register today for “Cross-sector Engagement and Partnership in the G20.”

Building Together 2026

Join us May 4–7 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle for an inspiring, immersive conference designed to help you connect with your peers in philanthropy who are eager to learn the skills and strategies to collaborate across differences. Register by April 10 to lock in the best registration rate.

What We're Tracking in DC

Budget Reconciliation Outlook

Very early Friday morning, the Senate passed a bill by voice vote to fund most of the Department of Homeland Security, which remains shut down. The agreement did not include funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and parts of Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). The bill then went over to the House for consideration. However, the House Republican Conference signaled that it is unlikely to accept the package as passed by the Senate.

Discussions about funding the Department of Homeland Security and the potential for another reconciliation package continue to evolve. Senate Budget Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has said other military and homeland security priorities could also be included, such as supplemental funding for the war on Iran, as well as provisions of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act (H.R.22), a priority of President Trump’s that has stalled in the Senate after passing the House. The full scope of a potential bill could change and the slim margin in the House of Representatives complicates the path forward.

IRS Priority Guidance Comments

On March 23, the IRS announced it will begin to accept comments on the 2026-2027 Priority Guidance Plan. The Priority Guidance Plan will identify the agency’s priority regulatory projects through June 30, 2027. Comments on and recommendations for the 2026-2027 plan will be accepted through May 29. The Council plans to submit comments and recommendations to the IRS. Please let us know if there are any regulatory issues we should consider including. See previous comments on Priority Guidance Plans the Council has submitted.

Additional Updates

  • Last week, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. The order directs the Vice President and officials across the federal government to convene the task force to identify recommendations to stop fraud within federal benefit programs and submit implementation plans to eliminate the fraud before June 14.
  • Politico Pro has reported that IRS CEO Frank Bisignano will appear in front of the Senate Finance Committee in a currently unannounced hearing to be held on April 15. IRS Commissioners regularly appear before the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committees during the tax filing season.
  • Also on April 15, Russell Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget, will testify before the House Budget Committee. The White House is expected to send its fiscal year 2027 budget request to Congress in the coming weeks.
  • Last week, the Department of Education announced the Federal Student Assistance Partnership, a key step in the Administration’s plan to transfer the federal student loan portfolio from the Department of Education to the Treasury Department. We are monitoring how this may impact the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and will share updates as more information becomes available.

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News & Resources

Opinions expressed in these articles belong to the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council.

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