Idaho Nonprofit Center - News

Legislative Session Extended with Important Legislation & Budget Updates

3/26/2025

Why this matters: The Idaho Legislature is currently passing the 2026 State Budget which could impact many programs.

Call to action: Let us know if there are budget items you are following that we can help track for you.

The Idaho Legislative session has been extended due to complications surrounding the State’s 2026 budget process.

New Gun Bill affects how nonprofits can regulate firearms & other important bills

3/12/2025

Why this matters: This bill affects nonprofits that use public space (e.g. parks) and their ability to regulate firearms during programs held there.

Call to action: Share your views with House representatives as it will advance to the House floor soon.

This bill removes previous restrictions on carrying concealed weapons on public property. Nonprofits that rent or lease public property may no longer stop concealed firearms during the time of the land use. Organizations that host concerts, for example, often have contracts with performers that prohibit weapons.

Updates on Executive Orders Affecting Nonprofits

3/12/2025

The National Council of Nonprofits has released updated materials regarding the impact of Executive Orders from the Trump administration on nonprofits. These resources outline how current policy changes could affect nonprofits and their operations.

Included is a chart of important Executive Orders impacting nonprofits, FAQs on federal actions and their effects, a Nonprofit Checklist on what to do if your federal grant or contract is cancelled, and a webform to report the effects on executive actions on your nonprofit work.

New bill stops trigger for Medicaid Expansion repeal & Idaho Legislative Roundup

3/3/2025

Why this matters: The repeal of Medicaid Expansion threatens healthcare access for thousands of Idahoans, potentially leaving many without essential services including nonprofits and the communities they serve

Call to action: Share your views with the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to protect Medicaid Expansion in Idaho.

I Have 12 Things to Say...

3/3/2025

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

Kevin Bailey with Mayor Art Bettge (Moscow) and Jaime Jovanovich-Walker (Palouse Land Trust)

1 – What is the financial risk to nonprofits losing government grants? On average, about one-third of total nonprofit sector funding comes from government sources.

2 – To break those numbers down further, a recent report by the Urban Institute identified that Idaho has 477 nonprofits that report (on their 990) receiving government grants (i.e., from any gov. source: city, county, state, federal). The aggregate total funding from government sources in Idaho is...

Court Blocks Federal Funding Freeze for Nonprofits

2/25/2025

Why this matters: The court's decision to block the funding freeze ensures essential services for nonprofits and vulnerable communities continue without disruption.

Learn more: Read more about this victory for nonprofit funding, General FAQs on Executive Orders,
and the Chart of Executive Orders with their impacts.

Nonprofit Property Tax Exemption is Targeted

2/12/2025

Why this matters: This bill weakens nonprofit healthcare’s ability to support community partners via grants and programs.

HB130 would give county commissioners the ability to revoke property tax exemptions for nonprofit hospitals—many of who give out substantial grants to other nonprofits and help sustain collaborative programs.

If any exemption is taken away, healthcare facilities may need to take steps to stay within their already “razor-thin margins.”

Idaho Bill Proposed to Repeal Medicaid Expansion

1/30/2025

Why this matters: Repealing Medicaid Expansion will affect healthcare accessibility to populations that nonprofits serve, nonprofit employees, and their families.

Call to action: Call on your legislators to share your thoughts on this bill.

Last week, the Idaho Legislature proposed a bill to repeal Medicaid Expansion completely, which if passed, could drastically affect health care accessibility to many populations in Idaho, including many of the populations that nonprofits serve, as well as nonprofit employees and their families.

Executive Orders Affecting Nonprofits

1/29/2025

Why this matters: President Trump has signed dozens of Executive Orders that impact nonprofits and organizations on a broad range of issues.

Call to action: Check out this chart of the Executive Orders that will impact nonprofit organizations to stay educated. LINK: Chart of Executive Orders

Update: Funding Freeze Recinded

1/29/2025

After widespread confusion and a temporary stay order ruled, the federal funding freeze was officially rescinded today, Wednesday, Jan. 29. However, this will most likely not be the last of federal funding cuts from the new administration as outlined in the Executive Orders issued last week. We will keep you updated if anything new arises.

Many, many thanks to the entire National Council of Nonprofits team for fantastic work, and to all of you for your continued great work, support, and leadership.

If you missed yesterday’s news and our Legislative Alert, read the full run down.

ALERT: Halt of Federal Funding will Impact Nonprofits

1/28/2025

Why this matters: Federal grants, loans, reimbursements, and other financial assistance—pertaining to President Trump’s recent executive orders—will be halted today.

Call to action: Share the impacts this latest order and other executive actions will have on your nonprofit’s work by completing this form.

Send a Message to Congress: Nonprofits are Important

1/23/2025

Why this matters:
Congress is currently making big policy decisions that impact nonprofits and organizations that are already working on issues they aim to address.

Call to action:
Sign on to this message to remind Congress that empowering nonprofit work is in the best interests of their constituents.

Charitable nonprofits are already working to solve many of the problems Congress will encounter. Empowering their work is in the best interests of constituents and communities.

Sign your nonprofit on to the Nonprofit Community Letter to tell Congress to stand up for policies that strengthen their ability to serve.

I Have 8 Things to Say...

1/15/2025

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

1 – I’ve loved seeing posts recently about friends’ and colleagues’ favorite reads of 2024. Here are a few of mine:

2 – Favorite novel of 2024: Damascus Station. I’m a sucker for spy novels and international thrillers. Most in this genre stretch the limits for plausibility but this one felt grounded, real, and had actual character depth. This one didn’t feel like ‘junk food.’

3 – Favorite nonfiction of 2024. I have two: A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon and Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman

Legislative Watch: Now in Session

1/8/2025

Every year, the Idaho Nonprofit Center tracks and communicates the goings on with the Idaho Legislative Session to ensure that the nonprofit sector can continue to positively impact local communities statewide. Follow along in 2025 for the latest nonprofit advocacy news!

Legislative Watch: Sent directly to your inbox every other Wednesday (starting next week) during the session.
Bill Tracker: Taking direction from our 2025 policy agenda, each bill that could affect the sector will be updated weekly.
Watch Live: Idaho Public Television provides a great, free resource that streams the action from the statehouse online every day that the legislature is in session.

Legislative Alert: Advocating for you

12/13/2024

Advocating for you

The Idaho legislative session is almost here!
Please take this quick —less than 5 minute— survey
to ensure we have recent, accurate data to best represent your needs.

We urgently need more information in two key areas to help protect nonprofits from potential negative budget impacts:

Nonprofit revenue sources: Specifically, funding received through State of Idaho grants and contracts for the services or programs you deliver to the community.
Facility leasing with municipalities: This includes any leases nonprofits have with cities or other local government entities for their facilities.

Thank you for completing the survey and helping us advocate for you!

I Have 10 Things to Say...

12/12/2024

From left to right: Kim Ellsworth (INC), Kevin Bailey (INC), Senator Treg Bernt, and Bud Compher (CEO, NeighborWorks Boise) on a recent nonprofit legislative outreach visit.

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

1 – Human services needs continue to rise in our communities. On a recent legislative visit with INC nonprofit member Metro Meals on Wheels, CEO Grant Jones shared that they are delivering an additional 300 meals per day compared to this time last year, representing a 7% increase year-over-year.

If legislators and state agencies want to know what is happening on the ground in their districts, just ask the nonprofits.

I Have 15 Things To Say...

11/6/2024

Steve Burns (ICF) and Kevin Bailey chat at INC's annual statewide nonprofit conference in August.

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC's, Kevin Bailey.

I thought it would be a good idea for this edition to look behind-the-curtain at how our merger with the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF) came to be and offer some insight into how nonprofits might consider approaching this process.

1 – Everything starts with trust...

Legislative Watch: Election Round Up

11/5/2024

Nonprofit and Community Leaders,

Nonprofits are integral to civic engagement and are some of the best examples of democracy in action. After all, each organization is governed by local board members that volunteer their time and talent. Shared decision making is embedded in our sector’s DNA and is used to help our communities thrive.

I Have 12 Things to Say...

9/9/2024

Kevin speaking at the 2024 Idaho Nonprofit Conference

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC CEO, Kevin Bailey.

Last month, we held our annual Statewide Nonprofit Conference in Boise with almost 300 of our closest nonprofit friends. I opened the conference with a few remarks on the future of the sector and some insights from a 30,000 foot view that I think will be important for nonprofits to consider in order to ensure success and sustainability now and over the next 5+ years. Here are those insights:

1 – The key to solving our state’s biggest challenges will require collective action:

No single entity, whether a nonprofit, government agency, or for profit business, can alone solve a challenging issue like homelessness. However, when nonprofits, government, the business sector, and other stakeholders align around common strategies, goals, and funding mechanisms, real progress can be made. The future will require more of what we might call ‘collective impact.’ And there are already some great local examples to look to

The United Way of Treasure Valley is leading the Idaho Community Schools Coalition around the state, bringing the community school strategy to dozens of communities across the state to help children and families access the resources they need to succeed.
The Idaho Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Boise have set up the Supportive Housing Investment Fund to help keep individuals and families out of homelessness in the Treasure Valley.

I Have 9 Things to Say...

8/4/2024

My son exploring some STEM time at nonprofit Creations in Sandpoint

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* on the nonprofit sector in Idaho from INC CEO, Kevin Bailey.

I mentioned last month that I was reading Cal Newport’s latest book Slow Productivity while on vacation. My top three takeaways:

1 – “Limit daily goals” - There’s a temptation in nonprofit work to ‘wear many hats’ and try and do it all. I find that I have to constantly pare back what is actually achievable in a given time frame. What Newport suggests is fairly simple: “Work on, at most, one project per day.” And distinguish that from the other to-dos and administrative tasks (meetings, email, etc.) that inevitably must get done. But blocking out one target project to move the ball forward a bit every day is achievable.

Legislative Watch: Nonprofits and Democracy

7/25/2024

Nonprofits and Democracy

Wow! A lot has happened in the last week! With election season now in full swing, let’s talk about the nonprofit sector’s role in the democratic process and why it is important for your organization to get involved.

Period Support for Middle and High School Girls

7/9/2024

Days for Girls, SW Boise Idaho Chapter, and the Idaho Period Project have joined together to put free period products in bathrooms statewide. To date, both organizations have placed either Go Aunt Flow free-vend dispensers or caddies filled with period products in 83 schools and 215 bathrooms and they are not stopping!

The need for period products crosses all socioeconomic boundaries – regardless if their family is struggling or not. The goal is to keep girls in school and to lessen the embarrassment and stigma associated with menstruation. By ensuring access to feminine hygiene products, the students' overall mental and physical well-being improves.

I Have 8 Things To Say...

6/27/2024

Thoughts, observations, and stream of consciousness* notes on the nonprofit sector in Idaho.

1 – As the presidential election season heats up and we are served a daily dose of unhealthy division across political lines, I can’t help but be reminded that local civic organizations are still the heartbeat of democracy where healthy dialogue can thrive. I think of Rotary clubs, Chambers of Commerce, and nonprofit boards as places where folks are not defined by political party affiliation but rather are focused through a community-centric lens where the main question is not "how do we defeat our adversaries?" but instead "how can we make an impact on our community?" These local civic groups are some of the last institutions where people from different backgrounds and affiliations come together with a common purpose to drive positive change in our communities. Let’s continue to lift these groups up.

Legislative Watch: Successful Advocacy Season

4/18/2024

Thank you!

Thank you for helping us collectively build a movement where nonprofits are known and valued for the invaluable contributions you make to your local communities and to the state.

New Overtime Final Rule Published

4/18/2024

Why this matters: The distinction between ‘salaried’ and ‘hourly’ employees will change and could impact nonprofit workforce overtime pay.

The final rule, set to start going into effect on July 1, 2024, increases the minimum salary level that hourly employees must be paid to exempt them from overtime pay (time and half of wages for hours worked in excess of 40 in any week).

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Boise, ID 83706

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Idaho runs on nonprofits.
The Idaho Nonprofit Center is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Our mission is to educate, advocate, and collaborate in support of stronger nonprofits.

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