Public policy news and updates for the philanthropic sector

June 28, 2024

What's Happening This Week...

• News from the Council
• What We're Tracking in DC
• Federal Government Engagement Opportunities
• Happening in the States
• News, Resources, and Events

News from the Council

Council Offices Closed Next Week

A new study from the Center for Effective Philanthropy found that about 75% of nonprofit leaders say that burnout among their staff is impacting their organization’s ability to achieve its mission. When we’re tired, our work suffers. When we have time to rest and recuperate, we can approach our work with renewed energy and focus. In that spirit, next week, our offices will be closed for our annual Wellness Week (July 1 – July 5).

Happy Fourth of July, and we'll be back on July 8!

What We're Tracking in DC

Treasury and IRS Release Updates About Educational Assistance Programs

The Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued frequently asked questions for taxpayers receiving educational assistance from their employers. They advised that taxpayers can exclude certain educational assistance benefits from their gross income. Among the eligible benefits are payments an employer makes toward an employee’s student loans.

The Council and our partners continue to advocate for Congress to pass legislation to exclude post-graduation scholarship grants from recipients’ income. Learn more about this powerful giving tool, which community foundations are already using to draw vital skills back to their regions. Similar legislation passed at the state level in Illinois earlier this month.

Members of Congress and their staff want to hear from their constituents, and we have two actions you can take to let them know how important this legislation is to your foundation:

• Sign onto our coalition letter in support of the Workforce Development through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act (S.1757/H.R.3582).
• Take our action alert to urge your members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill.

Federal Government Updates and Opportunities

• The United States Agency for International Development published a localization progress report. The agency reports that it directed 9.6% of international grants directly to local partners in Fiscal Year 2023, with the goal of directing at least one quarter of funding to local partners by FY2025.
• The Economic Development Administration will host a Building Better Regions Storytelling Showcase on July 11 at 2pm ET, aimed at demonstrating how the science of storytelling can help communities to implement economic development strategies.  

Happening in the States

State Charitable Giving Incentives Update

Charitable giving incentives have been top of mind for state legislators this spring, and the results are showing. Colorado, Illinois, and Maryland had bills signed into law, and there are bills pending in Missouri and North Carolina.

Employment Law Updates

State lawmakers continue to advance worker-friendly legislation. The latest actions focus on reducing the gender pay gap, lowering student debt burdens, and encouraging more retirement savings.

News & Resources

• Where tech, politics & giving meet: CEO Nicole Taylor considers Silicon Valley’s busy intersection, Associated Press
• Big Bets for the Long Haul, Stanford Social Innovation Review
• 2024 Trust in Nonprofits and Philanthropy Report Finds Increase in Nonprofit Trust, Independent Sector
• U.S. charitable giving totaled $557.16 billion in 2023, Giving USA  

Keep in Touch!

Please feel free to reach out to any of us on the Government Relations Team with comments or concerns, or to share an issue, article, event, or op-ed you would like to see covered in a future Washington Snapshot.

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