Amplifying Voices: The Power of Nonprofit Advocacy for Lasting Change
The impact and importance of Iowa’s nonprofit sector are some of the best-kept secrets in our state, but we are working to change that.
Iowa’s nonprofits provide resources and support to families, children, and individuals across the state. From job training to housing to food assistance to health care services and more, Iowa’s nonprofit organizations ensure our state has strong communities and a healthy workforce.
Over the past decade, the public policy and nonprofit arenas have become more intertwined. The decisions made by lawmakers at our state Capitol and in DC profoundly impact Iowa’s nonprofit sector, which means that Iowa’s nonprofit organizations play an increasingly critical role in these policy debates.
From the changes in charitable giving to the critical funding of social programs, Iowa’s nonprofits can’t afford to sit out of the public policy arena any longer.
The Iowa Nonprofit Alliance will ensure our nonprofits know the best practices in nonprofit advocacy and have the confidence and training to engage with your policymakers.
We are here so your organization can be in the room where it happens.
Guiding Principles
Speak with one voice of the nonprofit sector to build awareness about the impact of nonprofits in Iowa.
Advance policies that enable and encourage charitable giving and civic engagement and promote financial support and regulatory relief for nonprofits.
Maintain a nonpartisan stance in advocacy efforts to foster broad support and collaboration across political lines.
Prioritize the needs and concerns of the association's members by actively listening to and involving them in shaping the advocacy agenda.
Collaborate with other organizations and stakeholders to strengthen advocacy efforts. By forming coalitions, the nonprofit can amplify its voice and increase its influence in policy discussions.
Ensure that the advocacy program reflects a commitment to equity and inclusion, aiming to address the needs of underserved or marginalized communities.
Join INA's Policy and Advocacy Cabinet
The INA Policy and Advocacy Cabinet serves to guide and advise the policy and advocacy efforts of the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance and facilitate collaboration across the Iowa nonprofit sector.
Cabinet members will apply and be appointed by
the board annually with no set terms or limits. Individuals should have policy and/or advocacy background and expertise and ideally a policy and/or advocacy role within their organization.
Emphasis will be given to diverse representation in terms of identity, nonprofit type, geography, organization size, etc. All cabinet members must be a member of the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance and fill out the form linked below.
The group will meet quarterly with agendas to include:
Current policy and advocacy priorities and issues
Professional development in policy and advocacy
Networking and relationship-building
Potential sector collaboration opportunities
First meeting will be held after the 2024 legislative session ends, date and time to be announced. All Cabinet meetings will be held virtually with the occasional in-person event in Des Moines.
The impact and importance of Iowa’s nonprofit sector are some of the best-kept secrets in our state, but we are working to change that.
Iowa’s nonprofits provide resources and support to families, children, and individuals across the state. From job training to housing to food assistance to health care services and more, Iowa’s nonprofit organizations ensure our state has strong communities and a healthy workforce.
Over the past decade, the public policy and nonprofit arenas have become more intertwined. The decisions made by lawmakers at our state Capitol and in DC profoundly impact Iowa’s nonprofit sector, which means that Iowa’s nonprofit organizations play an increasingly critical role in these policy debates.
From the changes in charitable giving to the critical funding of social programs, Iowa’s nonprofits can’t afford to sit out of the public policy arena any longer.
The Iowa Nonprofit Alliance will ensure our nonprofits know the best practices in nonprofit advocacy and have the confidence and training to engage with your policymakers. We are here so your organization can be in the room where it happens.
As a member of the National Council of Nonprofits, the Iowa Nonprofit Alliance is part of a powerful coalition of nonprofit organizations and leaders ensuring that policymakers understand the importance and impact of Iowa’s nonprofit sector.
Keep reading to learn more about what we are advocating for at the federal level.
NCN 2024 Public Policy Agenda
The 2024 Public Policy Agenda from the National Council of Nonprofits outlines key areas where charitable organizations can support the public good. It focuses on empowering nonprofits through tax policy, advocating for budget
and spending decisions that address community needs, and promoting collaborations between government and nonprofits. The agenda also addresses workforce challenges, emphasizing the need for policies that foster job creation
and workplace diversity within the nonprofit sector. In addition, it advocates for nonprofit independence, transparency, and advocacy rights to ensure public trust.
This document emphasizes the need for reforms in the government grant system to ease the administrative burdens that nonprofits face. The proposed Streamlining Federal Grants Act would improve access to federal grants for
nonprofits by simplifying application and reporting processes and consulting with charitable organizations to address persistent challenges. The act aims to support nonprofits in overcoming workforce shortages and improve the
effectiveness of services provided to communities.
This document underscores the importance of preserving the nonpartisan status of charitable nonprofits, as mandated by the Johnson Amendment. It highlights the legal, factual, and ethical obligation of nonprofits to remain nonpartisan, even when engaging in public policy advocacy. The document advocates for maintaining clear distinctions between partisan political activity and issue-based advocacy, while promoting voter registration and civic engagement within legal.
This fact sheet provides an overview of the nonprofit sector’s economic and social impact, including its role as a major employer and provider of essential community services. It details the sector’s challenges, such as workforce shortages, decreased charitable giving, and rising operational costs due to inflation. It also highlights the importance of government contracts and volunteerism in supporting nonprofit operations and calls for policy reforms to address these issues.
The Charitable Act aims to address declining charitable giving and rising costs faced by nonprofits by incentivizing individual donations. The legislation would introduce a non-itemizer deduction of up to $4,800 for individuals and $9,600 for couples to encourage more taxpayers to donate. This act seeks to mitigate the funding challenges faced by nonprofits and support their ability to meet growing community needs.
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