New Poll: Overwhelming Support for Nonprofit Policy Priorities and Public Engagement

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On September 13, 2023, Independent Sector released public polling results reflecting the views of registered voters on a wide range of topics related to nonprofits and public policy. 

Ahead of an election year, these results provide valuable insight into the landscape of public opinion about charitable giving policy, federal representation of the nonprofit sector, the sector’s role in the community, and how the public engages with nonprofits.  

The findings are clear. Voters overwhelmingly want to see nonprofits better resourced through charitable giving and federal tax credits, more represented in policy conversations, and more actively participating in civic engagement in the communities they serve. 

Voters value nonprofit advocacy and civic engagement. They are more likely to donate to an organization that advocates for their community or conducts nonpartisan activities to help people in their community vote. They also support establishing a clearer definition of what nonprofits are and are not allowed to do when conducting nonpartisan civic engagement.  

As a national nonprofit organization representing a diverse community of nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs, Independent Sector recognizes the significance of this public support and urges legislators to answer voters’ call for action.

Key Insights

87% of voters

support restoring the universal charitable deduction permanently for all taxpayers including 51% of voters who strongly support this giving incentive.

8 in 10 voters (82%)

support expanding the universal charitable deduction to up to $4,500 for all Americans, including at least 80% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

Over half of voters (53%)

would give more if they were able to claim the charitable deduction, including 61% of Black voters and 69% of Hispanic voters.

85% of voters

think that the government could better collaborate and solve challenges facing local communities if nonprofits had an official seat at the table, including at least 80% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

84% of voters

support extending federal business tax credits for offering employees child care, retirement plans, or paid family leave to nonprofit employers, including at least 80% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

Nearly 8 in 10 voters (78%)

think it is a good idea for charities and other organizations to help members of their community vote, compared to only 8% who think it’s a bad idea.

9 in 10 voters (90%)

support local charities educating policymakers about the needs of the communities they serve, with 91% of both Democrats and Republicans expressing support.

Over 6 in 10 voters

are more likely to donate to a nonprofit organization that has advocated for an issue impacting their community (66%), helped them advocate on an issue they care about (65%), or advocated for an issue impacting disadvantaged groups (60%).

More than half of voters

are more likely to donate to a nonprofit organization that has conducted nonpartisan activities to help people in their community vote (54%) or conducted nonpartisan activities to help people from disadvantaged groups vote (53%).

73% of voters

support policies that keep in place the ban on charities endorsing candidates and political parties - sometimes called the “Johnson Amendment” - including two-thirds of Republicans (66%) and frequent churchgoers (68%).

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