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Public Policy News
2010/11 Town Hall Report
We wrapped up our 2010/11 Nonprofit Town Hall series in June with a session in Pendleton. We held five Town Hall sessions in all, including Eugene, Portland, Bend, and Medford, in addition to Pendleton. We learned more about the challenges we face as public and charitable dollars constrict. And, we learned what nonprofits are most proud of--namely our unique capacity for innovation and collaboration. Read the full report summary here.
Report on Nonprofit Labor Trends
Nonprofits operate in every corner of our state and make our communities more vibrant places to live. Nonprofits not only help to build strong and caring communities, they also contribute to our state's economic vitality. Oregon nonprofits employ over 166,000 people. This represents 13% of all private sector jobs in Oregon. As a share of Oregon's total (public and private sectors) employment, nonprofit jobs make up more than 10%--the same amount as manufacturing.
You can read more about nonprofit employment in the October 2011 issue of Oregon Labor Trends, published by the Workforce and Economic Research Division of the Oregon Employment Department.
Nonprofits are on the forefront of addressing the economic challenges our communities face. Not only is the nonprofit sector a major employer in Oregon, nonprofits are deeply involved in job creation and job training activities. And of course, nonprofits are out there meeting basic human needs and preserving the social safety net with dwindling public and private resources.
Update on Charitable Deduction
Many of our members have already taken a stand to preserve the charitable giving incentive by signing on to a nonprofit community letter urging congress to protect the charitable deduction. As of last week, the Administration's proposal to reduce the value of the itemized deductions for charitable contributions as a way to help fund the American Jobs Act has been removed from the proposed legislation by the senate.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced an amended version of the bill that replaces the President's proposed 28% cap on itemized deductions, including the charitable deduction, for individuals earning over $200,000 ($250,000 for couples).
However, the issue may surface again in connection with plans to reduce the federal deficit. Nonprofit advocacy groups have put out a call to their networks to contact congress and tell them to preserve the charitable deduction. You can learn more from the National Council of Nonprofits. If you haven't already, consider signing on to the nonprofit community letter.
The Senate Finance Committee held a hearing October 18 on "Tax Reform Options: Charitable Giving Incentives." You can read the letter we submitted to Senator Ron Wyden, who sits on the SFC, here.
Building Nonprofit Capacity for Public Policy Engagement
Effective advocacy is a key characteristic of high-impact nonprofits, and the need has never been greater for nonprofits to have a seat at the decision-making table on issues facing our communities.
Don't miss the November 5, 2011 workshop "Building Nonprofit Capacity for Public Policy Engagement," part of the 2011 Civic Engagement Conference. You will learn how to create an effective public policy strategy that won't overwhelm your organization. Cost for this session is $45. NAO members receive a 20% discount. Register here. NAO Members can contact Micaela Kennedy for the discount code.
Join Nonprofit VOTE for Their October Webinar
Nonprofit VOTE presents "States Move to Restrict Voting: How Nonprofits Can Defend the Right to Vote," on Thursday, October 27 at 2:00 p.m. EST. More info and register here.
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