April is National Afternoon Tea Month, when cherry blossoms bloom and the tea — both herbal and headline-worthy — flows freely in D.C. While locals sip their oolongs under pink petals, the real steeping happens on the Hill, where whispers turn into markups and the charitable sector often finds itself caught in the swirl. In that spirit, here’s your latest policy update — freshly brewed, with notes of reform and a hint of intrigue.
Value of Volunteer Time Increases — But Mileage Reimbursement Still Stagnates
The 2025 Value of Volunteer Time report, released April 23 by Independent Sector and Do Good Institute, reveals that the national estimated value of a volunteer hour in 2024 rose from $33.49 to $34.79 — an encouraging sign of recognition of the essential work volunteers provide in communities across the country. This increase is reflected across all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia, underscoring the vital role volunteers play in supporting the charitable sector.
However, while the value of volunteer contributions continues to grow, the federal charitable mileage rate for volunteers using personal vehicles for nonprofit work remains frozen at just 14¢ per mile — a rate unchanged for more than 25 years. In contrast, the business reimbursement rate rose to 70¢ per mile this year. This disparity penalizes those who give their time and resources to help others. That’s why Independent Sector is advocating for passage of the bipartisan Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act (S. 1177/H.R. 1582), which would ensure the nonprofit mileage rate keeps pace by lifting the outdated cap and aligning it with the business rate.
Volunteer drivers are the backbone of many community services, helping seniors get to medical appointments, delivering meals, and transporting people in rural areas where public transit is scarce. With the rising cost of gas, maintenance, and insurance, volunteers could be forced to scale back or stop driving altogether — putting essential services at risk. Fair and consistent reimbursement isn’t just about recognizing volunteers’ time — it’s about ensuring nonprofits can continue to meet growing community needs. Passing the Volunteer Driver Tax Appreciation Act would be a meaningful step toward valuing both the time and expenses of those who give so much to others. You can help end this inequity: Add your name to this action and urge Congress to do right by volunteer drivers.
Trump-Vance Administration Issues Education-focused Executive Orders
Earlier this week, the Trump-Vance Administration issued a series of executive orders aimed at educational institutions. Among the most far-reaching directives is an order tasking the Secretary of Education with overhauling the college accreditation process — a move that could significantly impact whether institutions remain eligible for federal financial aid.
Independent Sector strongly opposes any targeting of nonprofit organizations on ideological grounds. For more on this topic, please see our Joint Statement on Threats to Civil Society and the Independence of the Charitable Sector.
Department of Education Launches PSLF Rulemaking Process; Public Hearings Set for April 29 and May 1
Following last month’s executive order from the Trump-Vance administration, the U.S. Department of Education has announced the start of the negotiated rulemaking process for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. As part of this process, the Department will host two public hearings to gather input on potential improvements to the program.
The first hearing will take place in person at the Department’s headquarters on April 29, while the second will be held virtually on May 1. Both sessions will run from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. ET, break for lunch, and resume from 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. ET. Individuals who wish to provide public comments must register by emailing negreghearing@ed.gov no later than 12:00 P.M. ET on the business day before the hearing. Written comments can be submitted on or before May 5, 2025. Comments must be submitted through the Federal Rulemaking Portal.
Tax Reform and Reconciliation Talks Fuel Surge in Lobbying Amid FY26 Appropriations Push
As Congress ramps up work on the FY26 appropriations process, simultaneous negotiations around tax reform and reconciliation have sparked a surge of interest from stakeholders across industries, creating a whirlwind of activity on Capitol Hill. The convergence of these legislative priorities has triggered a lobbying blitz, with tax policy emerging as a top focus area. According to Roll Call, more than 300 new lobbyist registrations referencing tax policy were filed in the first quarter of 2025 — a staggering increase of over 200% compared to the same period in 2024, and more than 260% above the final quarter of last year.
These figures highlight just how pivotal the current tax and fiscal policy landscape has become. Independent Sector is actively engaged in this moment, recognizing both the challenges and opportunities it presents. We’ve invested considerable time and energy on the Hill, building relationships and advocating for the needs of the charitable sector. As decisions around reconciliation and tax reform evolve alongside appropriations, we remain committed to ensuring our sector’s voice is present and heard in these consequential debates.
Registration Now Open for Independent Sector’s National Summit 2025 in Atlanta!
We’re excited to announce that registration is officially open for Independent Sector’s National Summit (ISNS), taking place October 27–29, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia! This premier gathering is your chance to build capacity, enhance knowledge sharing, foster collaboration, expand your professional network, and strengthen our collective advocacy efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with leaders and changemakers from across the field. We hope to see you in Atlanta this fall!
Travis Swanson is the Government Relations Manager at Independent Sector
