Resources
Non-Profits CAN Lobby! - Overview of IRS lobbying regulations for 501(c)(3) public charities.
New Jersey's Lobby Disclosure Law
Charities and Elections - Read this election-season fact-sheet for information about how New Jersey public charities can safely advance their missions and encourage civic participation.
About NJ's Non-Profit Community
Just What is a Non-Profit, Anyway?
2013 Trends/Outlook Press Release
2013 Trends/Outlook Full Report
National Issues
National Council of Nonprofits
Nonprofit Advocacy Matters E-newsletter
Election/Voter Education
Nonprofit VOTE
IRS Political Activities Guidance
The Center's Public Policy Archives
Public Policy
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"Watching the Backs of New Jersey Nonprofits" “For those of us who work in, work for, donate to and are served by nonprofit organizations in New Jersey we are fortunate to have the Center for Non-Profits watching our backs and protecting our independence.” -- Nina Stack, President, Council of New Jersey Grantmakers |
Social Innovation Legislation Clears NJ Assembly
A committee substitute for A-3289 (Fuentes/Coutinho), “The New Jersey Social Innovation Act,” passed the Assembly on March 21, 2013. The bill would pilot a “pay for success” funding model by creating a five-year social innovation loan program within the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA). more information
Bill would Confirm that Charitable Giving Does Not Affect Residence Designation under State Income Tax
On March 18, 2013, the New Jersey Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee approved legislation that would clarify that charitable contributions are not a factor in determining where a person is domiciled under the New Jersey gross income tax. more information
2013 Annual NJ Non-Profit Issues and Trends Survey Results
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March 25, 2013 - New Jersey non-profits reported some modest signs of improvement in their circumstances compared with one year ago, but rising demand for services and flat or uncertain funding streams continue to create a cautious outlook for 2013, according to a report released by the Center for Non-Profits. Our deep thanks to all who participated in the survey. |
Report Highlights Solutions, Process for Improving Government/Non-Profit Contracting
Non-profits and governments can reduce their own costs, improve services provided to constituents, and return greater value to taxpayers by creating government-non-profit task forces to develop and implement recommendations to reform contracting practices and procedures. That is the key finding of Partnering for Impact: Government-Nonprofit Contracting Task Forces Produce Results for Taxpayers, a new report of the National Council of Nonprofits.
more information
Fiscal Cliff/Automatic Sequestration Cuts
With Congress failing to reach a deficit reduction agreement by March 1, 2013, across-the-board budget cuts ("sequestration") have begun to take effect. If nothing is done, the cuts will cause significant damage in our communities and will hamper non-profits' ability to provide programs and services that people need. Find out more from the National Council of Nonprofits, and then share your own story.
House Holds Hearing on Charitable Giving Incentives
On February 14, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee held a public hearing to explore "Tax Reform and Charitable Giving." The Committee heard from some 40+ witnesses, many of whom advocated strongly for enhancing incentives for people to give to charity. As Congress continues to explore deficit reduction strategies, this will continue to be a high-profile issue moving forward.
Non-Profit Working Group Details Contracting Concerns
On July 17, 2012, on behalf of a coalition of non-profits and provider organizations across the state, the Center for Non-Profits presented a joint statement and recommendations to a Trenton hearing of the Red Tape Review Commission chaired by Lieutenant Governor Guadagno. In keeping with the hearing's focus on contracting and procurement issues, the testimony and written reports concentrated on the on the wide array of contracting problems that have burdened non-profits and which have significant implications for program and service delivery. Advocacy efforts on this issue are ongoing. more information
Non-Profit Property Tax Exemptions Threatened
In New Jersey and across the nation, there is a growing trend for local governments to seek to curtail property tax exemptions that have historically been given to non-profits. Read about some recent examples in the Garden State and why we believe that taxing non-profits misguided and counterproductive. more information
2012 Annual NJ Non-Profit Issues and Trends Survey Results
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State Launches Non-Profit Web Portal
The State of New Jersey has officially launched its New Jersey NonProfit Information Center, the Web portal made possible by legislation enacted in May 2011, sponsored by Senators Buono/Greenstein and Assemblywomen Huttle/Stender and supported by the Center. The Web address for the portal is http://www.state.nj.us/state/nonprofit.html .
We believe this is an important first step in making New Jersey funding opportunities and other information more readily accessible to New Jersey non-profits, and we look forward to continuing to work with the Lieutenant Governor's office as the site evolves. Please bookmark the New Jersey NonProfit Information Center at http://www.state.nj.us/state/nonprofit.html and spread the word!
WIN! State will NOT pursue mandatory donor designation for non-profits
August 18, 2011 - The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has informed us that it will NOT pursue its “pre-proposal” for a mandatory point-of-solicitation disclosure for non-profits. The pre-proposal would have also required organizations to provide a mechanism for donors to designate the programs to which they wish to direct gifts. Our deep thanks to all who took time to express concerns about this proposal; your advocacy made all the difference! More information
Charities Registration Raises Mandatory Audit Threshold for Non-Profits
The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has approved regulations that will raise the mandatory audit threshold for charities under the "Charitable Registration and Investigation Act." The amended regulations, published in the February 22, 2011, New Jersey Register, include a provision requested by the Center for Non-Profits that raises the audit threshold from $250,000 in gross revenue to $500,000.
The rule adoption means that any organization with less than $500,000 in gross revenue in its most recently completed fiscal year will no longer have to submit an independent audit in order to satisfy the requirements of New Jersey's fund raising statute. The Center estimates that the new change could save each covered organization an average of $7,000 annually, and will result in an annual combined savings of over $10 million for the non-profit community. more information
2011 Annual New Jersey Non-Profit Trends and Outlook Report
Results of the 2011 Annual New Jersey Non-Profit Issues & Trends Survey
2011 full report
2011 press release
Reports Highlight Problems with Government/Human Services Non-Profit Contracting System
Posted 10/7/2010
The system of contracting between governments (federal, state, county and local) and human service organizations is fraught with problems that have significant social and economic implications across the country, based on an analysis of two national reports released today.
The Urban Institute report, Human Service Nonprofits and Government Collaboration: Findings from the 2010 National Survey of Nonprofit Government Contracting and Grants, provides key national and New Jersey data on contracting practices. It compares state experiences in several areas of importance to individuals in need of services, to taxpayers, and to entire communities.
A second report released by the National Council of Nonprofits, Costs,
Complexification and Crisis: Government’s Human Services Contracting “System” Hurts Everyone,provides additional detail regarding the problems non-profits are experiencing, and outlines the broader social and financial implications of these issues. It also proposes solutions that non-profits, government officials, funders, and citizens can adopt to improve services, restore value for taxpayers, and provide better benefit to communities.
For older articles and information see the Center's Policy Archive