To address the yet unknowable, we must look to our values to determine the types of issues that will ground our work in 2017. At NPCC, we value the diversity of the nonprofit sector, the work for equity that our members are engaged in, and the ability of nonprofits to work independently, fairly, and with true representation in all areas of our society. We also believe that nonprofits are, and must continue to be, the voice for their communities. With these values as a lens, we will be watching legislative, policy, and public discussion that could affect our members, and we will be prepared to respond in order to promote and protect our values and your work.

Some of the things we are watching in the new year on the federal level include: appropriations - how will federal dollars be spent or restricted?; tax reform - how will federal changes impact charitable giving, estate tax law, nonprofit property tax exemptions?; nonprofit independence - how will federal policy impact nonprofit activities or speech?; impact on state and local governments - how will federal policies impact state and local policies?

We're also working on some specific initiatives that will impact the work that you do every day, and finding ways to support you and your work. 

• Trauma workshops: Many of you told us that the recent changes have created fear and uncertainly for your staff and constituents, so we are holding workshops that respond to the trauma and vicarious trauma that they may be experiencing.
• Nonprofit Bill of Rights: We believe that the nonprofit sector needs a roadmap, grounded in our values, that helps to establish the principles that we think are the fundamental rights of all nonprofits. We'll be working this year to create this Bill of Rights and to incorporate your ideas on what nonprofits need and deserve.
• Policy advocacy: We'll continue to ask the hard questions and bring you information on things like the federal and New York State Overtime Rule, indirect cost rates, and the implications of the Governor's "ethics" bill on non-lobbying activities that will impact many of our members.
• Strategic convenings: We'll also be looking for ways to help you do the thinking and strategizing that we know you need to be nimble in these times. And we'll be bringing people together to strategize - in ways that are efficient, non-duplicative and cross-sector where possible.

Additionally, we are developing a strategic plan that will leverage NPCC's unique position in the nonprofit sector. This strategy will allow us to continue to engage in member building to help you be as strong as possible through our continued programming like workshops and cost savings and our nonprofit toolbox. We will also be movement building - bringing our members together to represent your concerns, ideas, and strategies as arts, education, health, environmental, and human services organizations. We will strengthen NPCC to do this work, supporting it with data and research that help shift opinions and perspectives, and using technology that will make this information most accessible to you. We'll have more at our Annual Meeting (April 12, 2017 at 4:00pm - SAVE THE DATE!) when we unveil NPCC's full strategy for 2017-2020. Between now and then, please let us know what you need and how we can support you - both now, and moving forward?