Policy Alert: New Executive Order's Effect on Nonprofit Nonpartisanship

As some of you know, on Thursday morning the President signed an executive order that effectively eases Johnson Amendment prohibitions against political activity for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations.

Historically the Johnson Amendment has protected nonprofits from taking sides in partisan elections and helped elevate nonprofits to places of trust and respect within the communities they serve. The Amendment has not been repealed, but the new executive order essentially relaxes accountability on faith and nonprofit groups to engage in partisan politics, and further adds to the complexity and confusion around what organizations can and can't do under the law.

The National Council of Nonprofits and the Independent Sector have released statements expressing concern over the executive order's lack of clarity, and Nonprofit Connect echoes this concern. We believe that nonprofits and faith groups should engage in advocacy on mission-driven issues, but that endorsing candidates or getting involved in political campaigns could jeopardize the future of the sector.

We recently signed the Community Letter in Support of Nonpartisanship, along with 4,500 organizations across the country, many right here in the metro. This letter was sent to Congressional leaders in recent weeks, and we will continue to update you on the fight to keep nonpartisanship in nonprofit work.

For more information, please read the statements below.
National Council of Nonprofits Statement on "Religious Freedom" Executive Order
Independent Sector Statement on Religious Liberty Executive Order

Nonprofit Connect Advocacy Resources
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Nonprofit Connect builds the capacity of the nonprofit sector in Kansas City to engage in legislative and electoral activities, as well as promotes the good works of nonprofits through public outreach. To learn more about Nonprofit Connect's advocacy efforts, click here.