Columbia University's M.S. in Nonprofit Management’s Post

Non-profit professionals: ask yourself if your staff, your board, volunteers, and donors understand the potential impact of the Stop Terror-Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act (H.R. 9495). Read this starting point (https://lnkd.in/euy8Cp5E) from Basil Smikle, PhD and consider what would happen if your museum, conservancy, university, or food bank found itself afoul of this proposed law. Legislators at every level (local, county, state, and federal) need to understand your mission, your value, and how they can support your organization.

🚨 Nonprofits at Risk 🚨 H.R. 9495 is a proposed bill that seeks to amend the U.S. tax code by: ‼️ Revoking Tax-Exempt Status • This gives the Treasury Secretary authority to strip tax-exempt status from organizations labeled as “terrorist-supporting.” • Many argue this power could be exercised without sufficient evidence, transparency, or due process, leaving nonprofits vulnerable to politically motivated accusations. 📜 HR9495 • Threatens the very foundation of due process and accountability. This bill gives unchecked power to label organizations as ‘terrorist-supporting’ and strip their tax-exempt status—without evidence or transparency. • As advocates for justice and fairness, we cannot stay silent. 👉🏽 Take action today • Contact one of the 52 Democrats who supported this bill and demand they protect nonprofits from politically motivated accusations. ℹ️ Learn more and get involved through this insightful piece by Vu Le on Nonprofit AF: https://lnkd.in/eQf6eUMB • Let’s stand up for accountability! 💪🏽 #NonprofitAdvocacy #HR9495 #AccountabilityMatters

🚨 Protect Nonprofits, Protect Democracy 🚨 H.R. 9495 is a critical threat to nonprofit organizations and democratic rights. If passed, this bill could allow the government to shut down nonprofits by labeling them as “terrorist-supporting organizations,” with little due process. This isn’t just about nonprofits—it’s about preserving the right to advocate, organize, and petition the government for change. Advocacy groups, humanitarian organizations, and media outlets could all be at risk. Congress is set to vote any day now, and your voice can make a difference. Contact your House representative and urge them to vote NO on H.R. 9495. Together, we can stand up for democracy and the critical role nonprofits play in creating a better world. Read more and take action: https://lnkd.in/gxUGHK-g #ProtectNonprofits #AdvocacyMatters #StandForDemocracy #NonprofitLeadership

While we still do not know if this bill will pass the Senate, a historically gridlocked institution, nonprofit leaders are already sounding the alarm. Their concerns about the politicization of nonprofit funding are heavily present as and there are a multitude of ways ways vague defining terms carelessly written into harsh policy can be exploited to harm vulnerable populations. This change would grant the federal government unprecedented power to remove any nonprofit's 501c3 status. Despite the uncertainty, it is nevertheless worrying for organizations who fear that this law could be weaponized against organizations that are simply disliked by those with political incentives. #Nonprofit #Justice #Policy

As we continue to fight for the causes that matter most to our communities, it’s crucial to stay informed about the latest developments in policy. A recent bill failed to pass in the House, but it’s important to understand the broader implications of such legislation. The bill proposed sweeping powers for the president to target nonprofits, which could significantly impact organizations like ours here on Staten Island that are working to support and uplift our communities. While this bill didn’t pass, it’s a reminder that we must remain vigilant in protecting the rights of nonprofits and the communities we serve. We cannot afford to let any legislation undermine the vital work being done across the country to promote justice, equality, and social good. Let’s stay engaged, informed, and ready to act when necessary to ensure that our voices and our work continue to be protected. #NonprofitAdvocacy #CommunityPower #StayInformed https://lnkd.in/eaaVu-AC

Arts, culture, and the humanities could be targets of budget cuts as the federal government considers its spending "efficiencies." While national advocacy will be crucial, I highly recommend strengthening your relationships with your state and local governments. Your organization may need to ask them to fill in funding gaps should federal funding be reduced or eliminated. This The Chronicle of Philanthropy article talks more about what is at stake for organizations across the nonprofit sector. Photo by David Everett Strickler on Unsplash https://ow.ly/qIkG50UauSh

HR 9495 is a bill that has the potential to reshape the landscape of nonprofit organizations in the U.S. Last month, the bill passed in the House with 219 in favor and 184 against and is heading to the Senate. This proposed bill, if passed, could impose severe restrictions on nonprofits' ability to engage in political activities and advocacy work for marginalized communities. The implications for freedom of expression and civic engagement are vast with the potential to stifle the voices of those fighting for social justice, environmental protection, and more. Learn more about HR 9495 and different ways to fight against the passing of this bill. 🔗 Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gaKtyYTw #Nonprofits #PublicPolicy #SocialJustice #NonprofitLeadership

Great info here.

🚨Nonprofits need our protection! ‼️ Imagine a world where nonprofit organizations—the very groups working tirelessly to ensure access to healthcare, fight for human rights, protect reproductive freedoms, support working families, and advance antiracism—could have their tax-exempt status revoked simply because the government doesn’t like their cause. This isn't a dystopian fantasy; it's a real risk posed by Bill H.R. 9495, which grants the U.S. Treasury Department unchecked authority to revoke a nonprofit's status based on "perceived" support for terrorism—without requiring transparent evidence or due process. This bill could create a chilling effect on advocacy, threatening organizations like Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Human Rights Campaign, Reproductive Freedom for All, Moms First, and countless others working toward equity, justice, and inclusion. Current laws already address financial misuse, making this bill both unnecessary and dangerous. I’ve joined Eric Facas in taking action to oppose this harmful legislation, and I invite you to do the same. It takes less than five minutes to sign this Rally Starter and urge the Senate to vote down H.R. 9495: https://lnkd.in/eig3Mchf.

This legislation, which I do not expect to make it through the Senate (this time) is a clear cut reason why using policy to affect #philanthropy can be a real loser for the proponents of it. There are plenty of examples of organizations that have been accused of domestic terror (that are tied to long-standing nonprofit institutions and organizations) and view themselves as part of the coalition to which the authors of this bill belong. With a Presidential election won by one of the narrowest margins in decades, a House that will have, at best, a four seat majority; and a Senate with a three seat majority, surely the incoming, dominant plurality in our country cannot believe that they will hold on to power for long. Should that be the case, would they be comfortable with the opposing plurality determining the definition of terror and who should be investigated for it? This whole effort seems risky and unnecessary to me... but, here we are https://lnkd.in/gyRjNcYy