A joint statement from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and the Minnesota Council on Foundations, including resources on immigrant safety and legal rights: Across our state, immigrants, especially Somali Minnesotans, are living in terror of intensifying ICE raids targeting our communities. The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) and the Minnesota Council on Foundations (MCF) stand… Continue reading Solidarity with our immigrant neighbors
2025 State & Federal Policy Actions – a comprehensive list
Top takeaway: A comprehensive list of state and federal policy actions, listed in reverse chronological order, to help your nonprofit keep track of all the happenings. How to navigate this document Policy categories have been added in parenthesis following the action title: Federal; State; SNAP; Funding; Nonprofit Attacks; Nonpartisanship; PSLF; Shutdown. We recommend using “control F”… Continue reading 2025 State & Federal Policy Actions – a comprehensive list
Federal government shutdown over: top takeaways
The longest federal government shutdown is now over; starting November 13, the federal government is back up and running. Updates: November 13: After 43 days, Congress enacted a legislative package on the evening of November 12 to end the federal shutdown. Starting today, November 13, the federal government is back up and running. The 42… Continue reading Federal government shutdown over: top takeaways
SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1; latest updates
Top takeaway: 440,000 Minnesotans (over one-third of whom are children) lost access to essential food assistance November 1 as the Trump-Vance administration refuses to release SNAP funds, which is equivalent to about 8 percent of the state’s population. The latest: States begin to distribute SNAP funds, then are told by USDA to undo any… Continue reading SNAP benefits stop Nov. 1; latest updates
Nonprofit misconceptions: talking points to combat false narratives
Top takeaway: Push back on harmful misconceptions vilifying nonprofits, including: Misconception #1: Nonprofits don’t impact me. Misconception #2: State funding to nonprofits is a handout with minimal rules or accountability. Misconception #3: What’s wrong with government efforts to cut grants and save money? Misconception #4: Nonprofits are more vulnerable to fraud than other sectors.
Letter to the editor and op-ed best practices
Top takeaway: Letters to the editor and op-eds help your nonprofit influence public discourse, establish your expertise, bring visibility, and help you control the narrative. Letter to the Editor best practices To enhance your advocacy and make your community more aware of the many contributions nonprofits make to Minnesota, consider writing a letter to the… Continue reading Letter to the editor and op-ed best practices
1.4M nonprofit donation pages created without permission by GoFundMe
Latest update from the National Council of Nonprofits: After the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) and others raised significant concerns with GoFundMe about its decision to create donation pages for 1.4 million nonprofit organizations without their knowledge or consent, the company issued an apology last Thursday and outlined quick, corrective actions to remove the unauthorized… Continue reading 1.4M nonprofit donation pages created without permission by GoFundMe
AG statement condemning attacks on nonprofits
Top takeaway: In the face of dangerous attempts to suppress the First Amendment rights of nonprofit organizations, MCN joins the call to stand up for our sector and fight against political retribution. This is what defense of democracy looks like. Minnesota’s Attorney General and a coalition of state Attorneys General released the below statement on October… Continue reading AG statement condemning attacks on nonprofits
MCN to introduce its first member dues increase since 2023
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) announced a new nonprofit membership dues schedule set to go into effect on January 1, 2026. Our first change in dues levels in three years, the modest increases will allow MCN to better serve nonprofits through our resource creation, public policy work, educational offerings, trend-centric sector research, resource creation,… Continue reading MCN to introduce its first member dues increase since 2023
In the wake of political violence: what your nonprofit needs to know
Top takeaway: Nonprofits face new round of threats as the White House blames ‘radical left NGOs’ for political violence despite no evidence. As Minnesotans continue to mourn the political assassination of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, as well as the politically motivated attack against Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, Minnesota… Continue reading In the wake of political violence: what your nonprofit needs to know