National Council of Nonprofits

Connect through Network Support: As the largest network of nonprofits in North America, NCN is uniquely positioned to convene and mobilize community-based organizations across the country by working with and through our unique core network of 52 state and regional associations of nonprofits and their extended network of more than 30,000 nonprofit members. Our network builds community and provides a forum to identify shared challenges and exchange successful strategies and solutions across state lines. Built on a foundation of trust, our network can collectively respond swiftly when policy opportunities and threats affecting nonprofits arise. In 2023, NCN initiated a program leading to investments in strengthening our network with the goal of fostering more resilient communities.

Inform through Communications: NCN is the trusted go-to resource for and about the nonprofit sector. We provide timely, practical information that nonprofits and foundations depend on and use in their everyday operations. Our publications illuminate the challenges nonprofits face and how the public good depends upon a flourishing nonprofit sector. We create and curate content in our newsletters, website, social media, and reports to amplify nonprofit voices and bring awareness to critical issues like historic pandemic relief funding, workforce shortages, and nonpartisan civic engagement. In 2023, we collected and analyzed data from the field often cited nationwide on the persistent nonprofit workforce shortage. Our newly-revamped website received more than 4.8 million views.

Champion through Public Policy Advocacy: NCN champions the public good through our public policy work at the federal, state, and local levels. We build the capacity of nonprofits to engage in everyday advocacy, improving lives and communities. We consistently deliver the policy analyses and effective strategies that nonprofits and policymakers rely on. In 2023, we submitted comments to Congress supporting charitable giving, supporting proposed federal grant reform legislation, and opposing politicalization of charitable nonprofits; participated in federal rulemaking by submitting public comments regarding DOL's proposed overtime rules and OMB's federal grantmaking guidance; and among other things, coordinated the nationwide state Nonprofit Legislative Caucus.

Legislative/Lobbying Activities: The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) exercises the First Amendment and statutory rights enjoyed by charitable nonprofits to petition governments by engaging in direct and grassroots lobbying regarding public policy proposals, including legislation, that support the work of the nonprofit community and oppose proposals that would hinder the ability of nonprofits to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.NCN has elected to apply the cost-expenditure standards available under section 501(h) of the Internal Revenue Code because that section provides charitable nonprofit organizations with clear and objective guidelines for ensuring full compliance with the law and their rights and obligations to pursue their missions through advocacy. NCN and its staff comply in all respects with federal lobbying disclosure laws.