Nonprofits will be Vital to Distributing Federal Funds EfficientlyBy Kevin Bailey, CEO of the Idaho Nonprofit Center. This letter has been co-signed by 22 nonprofit executives from across Idaho listed below. Over the past two – difficult – years, nonprofits have been working overtime to help put dinner on the table, ensure children have winter coats, and help families pay rent. Organizations around the state still have waiting lists to serve people with these vital, immediate needs. Idaho prides itself on private sector solutions and small government and now is the time for local cities, counties, and the state to let nonprofits lead.
0 Comments
 Updates on Issues Discussed in the Past Legislative Watch:
Before we jump into 2022, let’s take a look at where we left off in 2021. Below is a brief report on several policy issues from 2021 that impact the nonprofit sector:
 OSHA Emergency Temporary StandardYesterday, an Emergency Temporary Standard was made public concerning vaccination and testing requirements for larger employees.
We understand that not many Idaho nonprofits have 100+ employees. However, please read the NCN summary carefully to discern if your organization needs to comply. If you are comfortable, you can contact Senator Crapo to communicate your opinion of the bipartisan Legacy IRA Act.
Background: In 2015, Congress passed the PATH Act, which included the IRA Charitable Rollover provision allowing individuals to make direct tax-free charitable gifts up to $100,000 annually from their IRA starting at age 70 ½. Since its enactment, the IRA Charitable Rollover has generated millions of dollars in new or increased contributions to local and national charities. The Legacy IRA Act builds on that success to expand the existing IRA Charitable Rollover, allowing seniors starting at age 65 to make tax-free IRA rollovers to charities through life-income plans (charitable gift annuity or charitable remainder trust). It is estimated that seniors have up to $5 trillion in IRA assets. This offers a way for middle-income donors to combine charitable gifts with retirement income. It helps existing charities, as seniors typically make up more than half of their donors.  An End to Idaho’s Longest Legislative SessionAfter deliberation regarding the pace and efficiency of Idaho’s 2021 Legislative Session, the Idaho Senate has voted to adjourn the longest session in Idaho’s history without an appointed date for resumption, while the House of Representatives voted to recess until the end of the calendar year. Keeping You Updated As things progress, the Idaho Nonprofit Center will keep you updated on any other legislative actions sporadically, both locally and nationally, that have the potential to impact the nonprofit sector.
Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative WatchPPP Funds running low
Although the Paycheck Protection Program deadline was extended through May 31st, 2021, loan funding is expected to run out in the first week of May. Those who have not yet applied should do so urgently. Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative Watc Reminder: PPP Extension
On Thursday, March 25th, the Senate passed HR 1799, the PPP Extension Act of 2021, extending the deadline for PPP applications from March 31 to May 31st, 2021. However, funds for the program are being used up quickly, so it is imperative to get to work on your application as soon as possible. Find more information at sba.gov.  Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative WatchIdaho’s COVID Vaccine Distribution Efforts: Beginning April 5th, there will be no prioritization of any group of people in obtaining appointments for vaccination. Read the INC’s guidance on the vaccine in your workplace here. Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Extension: On Thursday, March 25th, the Senate passed HR 1799, the PPP Extension Act of 2021, extending the deadline for PPP applications from March 31 to May 31st, 2021. Stay on the lookout for further guidance from the SBA. Employee Retention Tax Credit: Your nonprofit may be eligible to receive the ERTC if in 2020, your operations were either fully or partially suspended by a government order limiting commerce, travel, or group meetings due to COVID-19; or your gross receipts were less than 50 percent of those for the same quarter in the previous year. Read the National Council of Nonprofits’ guidance on ERTC here. Federal Updates: Community Navigator Pilot Program As part of The American Rescue Plan Act’s Small Business assistance and support, $100 million has been allocated to establish the Community Navigator pilot program, providing grants to “eligible organizations supporting efforts to improve access to COVID-19 pandemic assistance programs and resources”. Full details of this program have yet to be released. Happening Now in IdahoIdaho Legislature Shut Down Amid COVID-19 Outbreak On Friday, March 19th, the Idaho Legislature voted to move to recess until April 6th amidst several positive COVID-19 tests in both the House and Senate. Until April 6th, all legislative business remains unfinished. American Rescue Plan Act in Idaho On March 18th, Governor Little released further information on the American Rescue Plan Act and its impact on the state of Idaho. Read his comments and plan for Idaho here. Returning to In-Person OperationsThe National Council of Nonprofits is hosting a webinar featuring experts in law, volunteerism, and messaging discussing how to smoothly transition staff and volunteers from remote settings back to in-person operations. The webinar will take place on Friday, April 9th at 3pm ET / 1pm MT. The Idaho Nonprofit Center would like to thank the National Council of Nonprofits for Content Themes.
Urgent Advocacy Action OpportunitiesPPP Extension Act On March 16th, the House passed the PPP Extension Act of 2021, extending the deadline for PPP applications through May 31st. As the bill moves to the Senate, you can help by emailing your Senators, Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, in support of this action. Here is an email template you can use courtesy of the National Council of Nonprofits: "I write to ask you to take immediate action to extend the application deadline for PPP loans. The current deadline expires on March 31, which is much too soon for nonprofits and other small businesses to apply. Last week the House passed a bill, the PPP Extension Act of 2021, with overwhelmingly bipartisan support (415-3) to extend the PPP deadline through May 31. We’re counting on you to help nonprofits and your other constituents so we don’t get shut out of the PPP unfairly." Universal Giving Pandemic Response and Recovery Act The Universal Pandemic Response and Recovery Act (S618 and HR1704) would raise the limitations on the universal charitable deduction from $300 for individuals/$600 for couples to $4,000 for individuals/$8,000 for couples through the 2022 tax year, in addition to eliminating current exclusion of donations to donor advised fund. To support the passage of this legislation, sign-on to the Charitable Giving Coalition’s endorsement form here by Friday, March 26th. Opportunity: White House Briefing on the American Rescue Plan Act and Nonprofits
This Thursday, March 26th, Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, Cedric Richmond, will hold a briefing with charitable organizations across the nation on what the American Rescue Plan Act means for the missions and operations of our nonprofit organizations. The briefing will be held on Thursday, March 26th via Zoom at 1:00 pm MT / 12:00 pm PT and will be recorded for those unable to attend. Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative Watch
URGENT: Last Day for Small Business PPP Loan Special AccessThe window for small-employer (fewer than 20 employees) PPP loan special access ends today, March 9th at 5pm ET.
You can still apply after this window has closed (through the March 31st deadline), but the exclusive opportunity intended to ensure underserved small employers are given adequate attention will not be taken into consideration. Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative Watch
Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative Watch
Updates on Issues Discussed In the Last Legislative Watch:
Nonprofits Call on Federal Leaders to Provide COVID Relief Tailored to NonprofitsOn Friday, January 22, a coalition of nonprofit organizations sent an initial letter to federal leaders urging Congress and President Biden to enact a package of solutions tailored to the needs and realities of nonprofits serving the public good. The letter, after highlighting the unique role of charitable nonprofits in providing pandemic relief and economic recovery, urges federal leaders (President Biden, Speaker Pelosi, and Leaders Schumer, McCarthy, and McConnell) to include provisions in the next COVID relief package that accomplish the following:
Content Credit: National Council Of Nonprofits
2020 Federal Policy RecapBefore we jump into 2021, let's take a look at where we left off in 2020. Below is a brief report on several policy issues from 2020 that impact the nonprofit sector:
The SBA announced late last week that the Paycheck Protection Program will re-open today, January 11, 2021. Here is what you need to know:
Below is the first guidance we've received on the new PPP. We will work to provide any further information as it becomes available.
The United States Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Treasury Department, has recently released additional PPP guidance:
For more information and updates, visit SBA.gov/PPP or Treasury.gov/CARES Possible New Restrictions - Decision at 5:15 pm MT TodayNew COVID-19 Health Order to be Voted on Friday, Dec. 4th @ 5:15pm MT
Central District Health will vote on the proposed order (see below) today, Dec. 4th at 5:15 pm MT. To watch, please follow this link: Live via Youtube. State Now in Stage 3Late this afternoon Governor Little announced the rollback of our Rebound Idaho plan to Stage 3 statewide to combat rapidly rising infections of COVID-19. Here’s what you need to know about that mandate from the Governor’s office:
Self-response and field data collection operations for the 2020 Census will conclude on Thursday, October 15, 2020.
COVID Relief NegotiationsLast week, the House passed a revised Heroes Act (Heroes 2) with only Democratic votes.
What is Heroes 2?
https://www.schatz.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2020%20Census%20Deadline%20Extensions%20Act%20(1).pdf
What is the goal?
If enacted, what will the bill do?
Why are these extensions important?
How will School Closures or Virtual Learning Impact your Organization?Throughout Idaho, school districts are in the process of deciding what the year will look like for both students and parents. All of these changes and uncertainties can create anxiety for your employees, wondering how they can manage childcare and/or support at home online learning if they are still having to work. We wanted to make sure that we share the changes to the FMLA specifically from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act as it pertains to employee leave related to COVID impacts. The Department of Labor requires certain employers to provide employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave. Specifically if the employee is ill, has to care for an ill family member, and/or they are unable to work due to school or childcare closures. Click here to read more Nonprofits with fewer than 50 employees may qualify for an exemption from the requirement to provide leave due to school closings or child care unavailability if the leave requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a growing concern. Both full time and part time employees are eligible for certain kinds of leave so please be sure you review your policies and ask questions if you are unsure. You may review our internal policy if it’s helpful to you. You can also ask your payroll processor, back office support, or another HR professional in the sector for further guidance if you don’t feel you have the expertise to implement this in your own organization. We strongly encourage our nonprofit friends to dust off your work from home policies (if you’ve returned to the office), review the feasibility of certain employees taking on tasks that can be done from home, and allow for greater flexibility in working hours for employees who need to help care-take or have children at home. If you don’t already have a membership to TechSoup, consider one today. TechSoup is a great resource for nonprofits to purchase technology infrastructure at nonprofit rates to better enable a variety of work situations, including remote. HEROES vs. HEALS ActsYou may have heard about two competing pieces of legislation that have both been introduced at the federal level recently. The first is called the HEROES Act (Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act) introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives. The second is called the HEALS ACt (Health, Economic Assistance, Liability and Schools Act) that has been introduced by the U.S. Senate. There are both similarities and vast differences in these bills and thankfully our friends at the National Council for Nonprofits have laid them both out in a side by side comparison for better visual understanding of what each is trying to accomplish. Recently we signed on to a community letter that laid out some collective legislative priorities for the more than 4,000 organizations from all 50 states. Those priorities are:
Join us in contacting Congressman Fulcher and Congressman Simpson and asking them to sign on to the new Moulton/Fitzpatrick letter to House leaders calling for inclusion of nonprofit provisions in the next COVID relief package. You can use the following message and social media prompts:
Mask or no Mask: Where do you Stand?The Idaho Nonprofit Center wanted to conduct a short pulse pull to see where you stand on mask wearing. Please take just 30 seconds (at most) to complete this 2 question poll. We appreciate your time and dedication to Idaho! Partial Unemployment Insurance (UI) Act Enacted*Congress passed and the President signed the Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act (S.4209) yesterday afternoon. The bill overrides the Labor Department requirement that self-insured nonprofits must pay 100% of benefits costs upfront and get reimbursed by their states later. The bill is called a partial UI fix because it only corrects the misinterpretation of the CARES Act by the Department of Labor. “The message to reimbursing employers from this new law is ‘Don’t panic, partial relief has arrived,’” said Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. “The new law is just a partial fix to a serious problem, however, because self-insuring nonprofits and governments still must pay 50 percent of unemployment bills. We urge Congress to fix this second half of the problem this month.” *content provided by Montana Nonprofit Association and the National Council for Nonprofits Level Up at Conference Join over 300 nonprofit professionals - from board members to CEOs and everyone in between - at the premier event for Idaho nonprofit leaders as they address critical issues and opportunities in the nonprofit sector.
During the conference, all attendees will have the opportunity to fully participate in their chosen breakout sessions through microphone enabled live Q and As, polls, and text chat features. Also, for those breakout sessions you do not attend live, you will be able to view the recordings after the event has ended. 20+ different topics for just $75! |
Welcome!We hope you find these resources beneficial. We welcome suggestions on how we can improve this section. Contact us at Categories
All
Archives
January 2025
|
RSS Feed
