Poll: Voters want policymakers to support nonprofits in an uncertain time

Independent Sector has released public polling results reflecting registered voters’ views on a wide range of topics related to nonprofits and public policy.

Voters overwhelmingly want to see nonprofits better resourced through charitable giving and federal tax credits, a strong nonprofit workforce, and nonprofit engagement in policy work to address community needs.

While there is similar uncertainty about federal grants and contracts in the early days of the Trump administration, voters are once again clear. Overwhelmingly, majorities in both political parties want to see nonprofits paid in full and on time for their service to government.

Voters trust nonprofits to engage in policy work to serve their communities in a nonpartisan way. In fact, they are more likely to volunteer with organizations that educate lawmakers about the needs facing their community, advocate for issues impacting underserved populations, or provide resources for them to reach out to their legislators about issues they care about.

As a national membership 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 findings:

• 88% of voters support permanently restoring the universal charitable deduction for all taxpayers, with 51% expressing strong support.

• Support for expanding the universal charitable deduction up to $5,000 has reached a four-year high of 83% — including at least 81% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

• More than 6 in 10 voters (63%) oppose levying additional taxes on nonprofits and charities to help pay for other tax legislation, including a majority of both Trump (58%) and Harris (67%) voters.

• Three-quarters (75%) of voters think charitable organizations should remain prohibited from endorsing or opposing political candidates — including 69% of frequent churchgoers.

• 82% of voters support reform of federal grants and contracts to ensure nonprofits are paid on time and fully reimbursed for their costs to deliver vital community services — including at least 80% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

• At least 7 in 10 voters support key policies to strengthen the nonprofit workforce, including increasing the volunteer mileage reimbursement rate (82%), regular federal data on the nonprofit workforce (81%), funding for national service programs (78%), extending federal business tax credits to nonprofit employers (74%), and preserving the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (70%).  

• 8 in 10 voters (81%) trust nonprofits to engage in policy work that cuts through the mess of politics and serve their community in a nonpartisan way — including at least 78% of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.

• 81% of voters agree that charities and nonprofits address vital needs that government either cannot or should not handle. They also believe nonprofit engagement in policy work reduces government interference and makes organizations more effective in meeting community needs — including 82% of Trump voters and 83% of Harris voters.

Over half of voters are more likely to volunteer with nonprofits that:

• Educate lawmakers about local community needs (60%)

• Conduct local outreach to promote community and belonging (58%)

• Advocate for issues impacting underserved populations (57%)

• Provide resources to help them reach out to lawmakers on issues they care about (54%)

• Provide resources to help them reach out to lawmakers to explain how they can help local charities do more in the community (51%)