Public Policy Positions and Priorities

When and How We Decide to Take a Position

Philanthropy New York believes that achieving impact requires strategic investments and work to create the conditions in which those investments can thrive. PNY’s public policy work engages diverse stakeholders to create the policy conditions that allow our members and their grantees to create a stronger and more equitable New York. PNY believes that through participation in public policy and collaboration with the government, the sector can maximize its impact and foster an environment aimed at improving conditions for the region's foundations and nonprofits.

Philanthropy New York follows a process (see details below) laid out by our Board of Directors to determine whether or how to take an official stand on public policy issues. We anticipate taking positions only on issues directly affecting the philanthropic sector or the broadest array of nonprofit organizations, as opposed to issue-specific policy matters on topics like education, health, etc. We will take our cues from our members on what issues we should consider.

PNY's PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES

Philanthropy New York's Policy Slate elaborates why we engage in policy work, our organization's core principles for our policy work and our advocacy agenda for the year. 

PNY Public Policy Slate


PNY's OFFICIAL POLICY POSITIONS

These are the official positions approved by our Public Policy Committee and Board of Directors to date:

September 27, 2022
Philanthropy New York Supports a True Cost of Living Standard and Wage Equity

March 3, 2021
In order to achieve Philanthropy New York’s vision of an equitable, sustainable, and democratic society we affirm that non-profit organizations and their constituents must build community power through effective advocacy and lobbying

July 1, 2020
Philanthropy New York urges state and local government to ensure full, on-time payment and contracting with the nonprofit sector to ensure the health and safety of New York’s most vulnerable residents

March 14, 2020
Philanthropy New York Supports Inclusion of Nonprofits in COVID-19 Legislation

October 30, 2018
Philanthropy New York endorses the recommendations of the HSC Commission on Value-Based Care and its conclusion that New York State government should exert leadership in implementing those recommendations.

March 28, 2018
Philanthropy New York urges Congress and the Administration to devote sufficient resources to the 2020 Census now, to put planning and preparations back on track and resist calls for untested, unnecessary new questions that would decrease participation and increase the inaccuracy of the count.

November 15, 2017
Philanthropy New York opposes the elimination of the estate tax, and opposes any future increases in the exemption level beyond the current inflation-indexed rate.

November 15, 2017
Philanthropy New York supports efforts to revise the tax code in ways that will further incentivize charitable giving and opposes efforts that would reduce charitable giving. 

March 15, 2017
Philanthropy New York opposes the repeal of the Johnson Amendment.

August 3, 2016
Philanthropy New York urges New York State and New York City to immediately act in compliance with OMB Guidance on Indirect Costs. 

August 3, 2016
Philanthropy New York encourages New York State and New York City to integrate contracting procedures that will consistently reimburse nonprofits for their full federally-negotiated indirect cost rate or, for nonprofits that don’t have one, a negotiated rate in accordance with federal cost principles or a minimum rate of 10 percent of total direct costs.

June 11, 2015 
Philanthropy New York endorses Independent Sector's Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice

August 7, 2014
Philanthropy New York supports the passage of the America Gives More Act.

September 17, 2013
Philanthropy New York supports maintaining full deductibility of itemized charitable deductions.

September 21, 2012
Philanthropy New York supports simplifying the federal excise tax on private foundations.

 

OFFICIAL PROCEDURES FOR PUBLIC POLICY ACTIVITIES:

For organizational statements and taking action, these are Philanthropy New York's official procedures for public policy activities (revised and approved by PNY's Board in December 2016).

Background, Approach, and Parameters:

Philanthropy New York believes that achieving impact requires strategic investments and work to create the conditions in which those investments can thrive. PNY’s public policy work engages diverse stakeholders to create the policy conditions that allow our members and their grantees to create a stronger and more equitable New York. PNY believes that through participation in public policy and collaboration with the government, the sector can maximize its impact and foster an environment aimed at improving conditions for the region's foundations and nonprofits.

Philanthropy New York is committed to forging working relationships with public policymakers to deepen their appreciation of the role of philanthropy, to allow the two sectors to understand each other’s priorities and to advance the common good.

Philanthropy New York’s Board of Directors has determined that, in some instances, Philanthropy New York’s membership would be best served by taking a public position on a policy matter, including a particular legislative item and/or a regulation promulgated at the City, State or Federal level. Philanthropy New York’s officially adopted mission, vision, and values statements will guide the public policy decision-making process, with additional guidance provided in this document and in regularly-revised organizational strategic plans.

Philanthropy New York staff, Policy Committee or a member may initiate the process for taking an official position.  The overriding factors to be considered are:  

  1. The relevance and importance of the issue to the philanthropic sector and Philanthropy New York members
  2. The potential impact taking a stand might have on the issue itself, on Philanthropy New York’s members, on our organization, and/or the nonprofits our members support.
  3. The potential divisiveness of the issue within the membership.

Philanthropy New York will at all times act in compliance with the laws on nonprofit lobbying activities established by the IRS and both the State and City of New York.