The Texas Nonprofit Strong Advocacy Network collectively works to elevate the needs of the nonprofit sector in our state and increase the chances of mission success for all Texas nonprofits through active engagement in policy advocacy. Join us for our virtual meetings to review key issues and explore opportunities for improvements as we prepare for the 89th Texas Legislative Session. 

• Monday, June 24 | 10:00-11:30 AM CT
• Thursday, August 15 | 1:00-2:30 PM CT
• Monday, October 28 | 1:00-2:30 PM CT

Looking for funding opportunities? Check out Texas Rural Funders Grants Hub to explore resources available to Texas nonprofits and search grants by program area or keywords. Texas Rural Funders is a membership organization that helps funders build knowledge about, generate attention and resources toward, and engage in collaborative action for rural Texas.

The federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) recently unveiled significant improvements to the grantmaking rules governing federal funding that many nonprofits earn. Noteworthy improvements in the newly updated OMB Uniform Guidance include:

• Increases de minimis indirect cost rate of 15% (up from 10%) that all levels of governments using federal funds must pay to every grantee unless the organization has a higher federally negotiated indirect cost rate.
• Notices of Funding Opportunities (requests for proposals) will be streamlined and simplified.
• The Single Audit threshold will increase to $1 million ( from $750,000).

The changes go into effect on October 1, 2024. For many nonprofits, these improvements will mean easier application and reporting processes, better funding for indirect costs/overhead, and more.

New overtime rule for nonprofits

On April 23, the U.S. Department of Labor released its Overtime final rule designed to update and revise overtime protections for millions of workers employed by nonprofits, for-profits, and governments. The final rule, set to start going into effect on July 1, 2024, increases the minimum salary level that white-collar employees must be paid to exempt them from overtime pay of time and half of wages for hours worked more than 40 in any week. The final rule will almost certainly face court challenges in the coming weeks and months.

Take action to reinstate universal charitable deduction

Congress is considering reinstating the universal charitable deduction (UCD), which expired in 2021. The universal charitable deduction will make it easier for everyone, no matter their income, to financially support the work community-based organizations do daily throughout the country.

The bipartisan Charitable Act (H.R. 3435/S. 566), provides a charitable tax deduction to taxpayers who claim the standard deduction. The current charitable deduction is only available to those who itemize, i.e., 12% of taxpayers. The Charitable Act has the potential to expand charitable giving and provide important resources for the organizations many Americans depend on to meet critical community needs. 

TAKE ACTION: See if your elected official has signed on as co-sponsor of the Charitable Act (H.R. 3435/S. 566) and ask them to sign on as a co-sponsor and/or to work to include in the upcoming tax bill.