Tell Congress: Sponsor the Nonprofit SEAT Act (H.R. 3245) and Bring the Nonprofit Sector to the Table

• PURPOSE:  Ensure the nonprofit business community has a permanent seat at the table at the federal level
• SUPPORTED BY:  Forefront, Independent Sector (IS), National Council of Nonprofits, United Philanthropy Forum
• IMPACT:  Will strengthen public-private collaboration, data sharing, and civic engagement, establish a White House office on nonprofits, create an inter-agency council, establish an advisory board made up of diverse nonprofit sector leaders, strengthen equal access to nonprofit workforce data, streamline fundraising registration across state lines, improve federal contracting processes
• EQUITY NOTE:  Requires special attention to underserved and marginalized communities; analysis of how recommendations would impact racial and ethnic disparities; racial, gender, ethnic, and geographic inclusion in processes; and the use of disaggregated data

Background

Nationally, the charitable nonprofit sector employs 10% of the U.S. workforce (almost 600,000 in IL, or ~11%) and partners with governments at all levels to provide essential services and promote the public good. Yet, there is no one in the federal government charged with ensuring the challenges and concerns of charitable organizations are heard or addressed. It is essential that the needs of nonprofits and their communities are considered at the beginning of public policy development, decision-making, and implementation, rather than treated as an afterthought. 

Related Resources

• Independent Sector Landing Page
• Section-by-Section Summary
• Fact Sheet
• Sign the National Letter of Support