Legislative Watch: Election Round Up

​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.

​Now that the election is in the rearview mirror, we wanted to provide a few resources that help our sector plan for the future—both locally and nationally. During times of change, so much feels out of our control; it can be helpful to shift our focus back to what is directly in front of us and is within our control:

1. Focus on our missions to influence change while remaining nonpartisan.
2. Use advocacy and civic engagement to complete programs and achieve goals.
3. Focus on the wellbeing of staff. Show gratitude for their tireless work.
4. When we work together, nonprofits can be a collective force for community support.

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​Election Roundup

• With over 914K ballots cast, Idaho broke voting records in 2024 general election
  
• Idaho Republicans to expand supermajority in Idaho Legislature
  
• With the Senate’s flip to Republican, Idaho’s Senator Crapo will chair powerful Senate Finance committee. The committee’s decisions will have potential implications for nonprofits and charitable giving policy
  
  • A massive tax package is expected to be taken up by Congress in 2025 and charitable nonprofits will have an opportunity to advocate for increased charitable giving incentives in the tax code.
    
  • Currently about 90% of U.S. households take the standard deduction on federal taxes and, therefore, can’t itemize charitable contributions
    
  • A ‘universal charitable contribution’ (similar to the one enacted temporarily during COVID) would allow middle income households to have a tax incentive to support charities and causes they care about
    
  • Idaho nonprofits have a significant opportunity to express their support for expanded charitable giving incentives with Senator Crapo’s leadership role on the Senate Finance Committee where 2025 tax legislation will be crafted.

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​What’s next for INC advocacy—make your voice heard!

As we prepare for the 2025 Idaho legislative session, we invite you to complete our advocacy ‘flash poll’. Let us know what policy issues are top of mind for you and help us shape next year’s policy agenda. The updated agenda will provide a lens for us to advocate at the Idaho Statehouse on behalf of the nonprofit sector.

Complete policy agenda flash poll

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Legislative coverage with Idaho Public Television

Idaho Public Television offers Idaho In Session, a gavel-to-gavel service that includes live on-air and online coverage of the Idaho Legislature. 
 
You can also stay up to date on the latest legislative news on Idaho Reports, IdahoPTV’s weekly broadcast. ​