By Hillary Evans, vice president of professional learning & public policy, Philanthropy Southwest
Shape Policy Advocacy Engagement During the Lame Duck
Congress has reconvened in Washington, D.C. during its lame duck session post-election. Some are cautiously optimistic that lawmakers could reach a deal on a final COVID-19 relief package. President-elect Joe Biden has recently urged Congress to approve billions of dollars in emergency assistance. With many COVID-19 benefits set to expire by the end of the year, the pressure is mounting.
The charitable sector is continuing to advocate for inclusion of nonprofits as part of this relief package. If Congress is unable to reach a deal, COVID relief will be a key item on next year’s policy agenda. As Philanthropy Southwest shapes its policy agenda, we welcome your feedback in this brief survey.
The Philanthropy Southwest Public Policy Committee, led by Co-Chairs Christine Calpin, Managing Director of Public Policy at Casey Family Programs, and Bonnie Gonzalez, CEO of Knapp Community Care Foundation, have urged PSW to survey its members on policy priorities to better understand policy interests and gauge member engagement in policy advocacy. Your feedback will help us shape our policy advocacy engagement strategy work and 2021 policy agenda to better serve you and the charitable sector.
Join us for a Year-End Washington Legislative Update
On December 2, Philanthropy Southwest will offer the Southwest grantmaking community an exclusive opportunity to hear from Washington, DC-based policy experts on legislative matters important to the nonprofit and charitable sectors. From the multi-phase COVID-19 relief legislation to advocacy efforts like expanding the 2020 Census deadline and preserving the charitable deduction, this conversation will provide a look back on legislative efforts and a look forward on what philanthropy should be keeping on their radars in 2021 with a new Congress and Biden administration along with advocacy at the state and local levels. To learn more and to register for this webinar, please click here.
Census Extension Legislation Still in Play During “Lame Duck”
*Source: United Philanthropy Forum
Senate offices continue to seek co-sponsors for the 2020 Census Deadline Extensions Act (S.4571) . This act will help ensure census results that are complete, fair, and accurate in every state.
The bill, introduced by Sens. Murkowski (R-AK) and Schatz (D-HI), is the last legislative effort to help address potential undercounts in Native, Black, POC, and rural communities across the country.
Specifically, the bill would extend two key statutory deadlines by four months to give the agency enough time to compile accurate data sets:
- The deadline for the delivery of apportionment data to the U.S. House of Representatives to April 30, 2021 from December 31, 2020; and
- The deadline for the delivery of redistricting data to the states to July 31, 2021 from March 31, 2021.
Offices are still accepting co-sponsors during the “lame duck” session. Feel free to contact your members of Congress and encourage them to co-sponsor the legislation. United Philanthropy Forum and Philanthropy Southwest have endorsed this legislation.
Public Policy Survey: DAF & Private Foundation Regulation
United Philanthropy Forum has created a survey to gather data and measure the appetite of the sector for various proposals that call for mandating payouts for donor-advised funds (DAFs) and private foundations. Your answers will provide needed data to help the Forum gauge its public policy agenda for 2021, and provide a clearer picture of where the sector is on these complicated issues. Please complete this survey by December 15.