Federal Policies to Support the Nonprofit Sector and Its Workforce
The members of our unions are among the more than 12.7 million people working across the nonprofit sector. Our unions’ members are engaged in mission-centered work that supports their communities while strengthening the U.S. economy both nationally and locally. Union nonprofit professionals have used the collective bargaining process to improve their workplaces and make the sector one where people can earn family-supporting pay in sustainable careers. Federal policy can help support our members’ efforts to deepen the economic strength and sustainability of the nonprofit sector.
Protect the Constitutional Rights of Nonprofit Employees And Their Organizations
Nonprofit professionals, like all workers, must be able to carry out their work without political interference or censorship. The federal government must protect and promote nonprofits and their employees’ constitutional rights, including the rights to freedom of speech and due process, and nonprofit’s charitable tax status should not be weaponized for partisan purposes.
What’s needed:
Oppose legislation like the “Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act” that would subject nonprofits to politicized and discriminatory enforcement actions related to their nonprofit tax status.
Stop politicized government investigations into nonprofits based on the mission of their work.
Support Sustainable Nonprofit Employment
Ensuring sustainable, family-supporting careers across the nonprofit sector requires predictable public and private sources of funding. Without certainty and stability, nonprofit organizations are less likely to hire, invest in staff, or commit to better pay and benefits. In turn, working people lose out and the local communities who depend on the services of nonprofits suffer.
What’s needed:
Provide sufficient budgetary resources so that nonprofits are responsibly staffed to carry out services directed by federal grants and contracts.
Ensure objective, nonpartisan federal notice of funding opportunities.
Maintain Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility for employees of all 501(c)(3) organizations.
Support tax policies that encourage philanthropic giving.