Public Policy

Breaking News: Secretary Duncan to Step Down Just today, U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced that he will be stepping down in December from the position, which he has held since the beginning of the Obama Administration in 2009. It is expected that President Obama will…

The Council has full-time attorneys with a breadth of experience on staff. This team serves as a valuable resource to Council members, and is available to provide information on a wide range of topics that impact foundation operations. On a regular basis, members of our Legal Team: Field more…

Breaking News: Speaker Boehner to Retire at End of October Just as we were preparing to send Snapshot to our readers, we received word that Speaker of the House, Representative John Boehner (R-OH-8) will retire from Congress at the end of October. This announcement came during a meeting with GOP…

In 2012, the Department of Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations applicable to private foundations seeking to make grants to foreign organizations using equivalency determinations. At the time, the Council submitted comments in support of the rules, and urged Treasury and the IRS to…

Executive & Regulatory News New Guidance on Mission-Related Investing This week, the Treasury Department released long-awaited guidance on mission-related investments (MRIs), which the Council requested this year in our 2015-16 Treasury Priority Guidance Plan comments. The Council, along with…

In remembrance of the 9/11 attacks that occurred 14 years ago today, the Council would like to take a moment to extend our thoughts to all those who were affected by the tragic events of that day. News from the Hill Sen. Grassley Maintains His Skepticism of DAFs In an interview with the Chronicle…

The Council submitted comments to the Department of Treasury regarding the Form 990. These comments highlighted elements of the Form that our Legal Affairs team receives inquiries about most often, and that we've found to create issues for participants of our National Standards for U.S. Community…

Due to the Labor Day holiday, this week’s edition of Washington Snapshot is slightly abbreviated. We wish our readers an enjoyable Labor Day! News from the Hill Congress is in recess through the Labor Day holiday and will return to Washington on September 8th for a busy end-of-year legislative…

Members View the Recording and Slides     Are you concerned about the state of higher education in the U.S.? This webinar features policy and foundation guest speakers who provided an overview of the status of Congressional reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. This legislation…

As a reminder to our readers, Washington Snapshot will be taking a break next week. Join Us on 9/9: Nonprofit Media Event at the Newseum Join the Council on Foundations, nonprofit media organizations, foundations, journalists, academics, and other stakeholders for a conversation on Wednesday,…

Yesterday, the Charitable Giving Coalition issued a press release urging Democratic presidential candidate, Hillary Clinton, to reconsider funding her college affordability plan at the expense of millions of Americans who rely on services made possible through the charitable deduction. As many of…

As a reminder to our readers, Washington Snapshot will be taking a break next week and the week of the 28th. Activate in August With many Members of Congress out of town and back home in their districts for the August recess, much of the action has shifted away from Washington and toward local…

  Download the Slides   The Council on Foundations, nonprofit media organizations, foundations, journalists, academics, and other stakeholders held a conversation about the role of nonprofit media in fostering a vibrant civil society in local communities. Nonprofit media…

The Council develops substantive policy positions on behalf of its members; submits regulatory comments and letters to U.S. policymakers, foreign governments, and intergovernmental bodies; and advocates before domestic and international bodies that set policies impacting cross-border philanthropy…

All 501(c)(3) charitable organizations are required to file the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 in accordance with the annual reporting requirements under Sec. 6033 of the Internal Revenue Code. This form asks for detailed information about the activities of the charity for the reporting…

501(c)(3) Charitable Organizations Under current law, 501(c)(3) charitable organizations are prohibited from participating in, or intervening in (including the publishing and distributing of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office…