On Monday, three committees in the California legislature held a joint hearing focused on the upcoming 2020 Census- and the role nonprofits, local government, and philanthropy will play in reaching hard-to-count Californians.

Jan Masaoka, CEO of CalNonprofits, explained at the hearing that millions of Californians already rely on nonprofits every single day, when they entrust their children to a nonprofit childcare center, get healthcare services at a local clinic, receive job skills training, or open the door to a Meals on Wheels volunteer.

That existing level of trust means people will listen when nonprofits speak to them about the Census. As Joseph Tomás Mckellar from PICO California explained, “With the Census, the messenger is as important as the message.”

Hearing messages about the Census —from trusted nonprofit messengers— will be an important reassurance to Californians who may otherwise feel discouraged or afraid of participating in the Census, whether it’s because of how it will be conducted (mostly online), or because of the possible inclusion of a citizenship question. As the Census begins hiring, nonprofits will also help by recruiting paid enumerators (Census counters) that come from the communities they’re working in.

Monique Limón (Santa Barbara), chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector; Marc Berman (Palo Alto), chair of the Assembly Select Committee on the Census, and Dr. Richard Pan (Sacramento), chair of the Senate Select Committee on the Census. (Photo credit: Assembly Democratic Caucus)

While nonprofits are so effective because they can incorporate Census work into existing activities, speakers also cautioned that nonprofits shouldn’t be taken for granted.One solution? Census outreach money for nonprofits could be provided in the form of reasonable, straight-forward grants. Or, as Efrain Escobedo from the California Community Foundation put it, “Strengthen, don’t just stretch” the nonprofit sector when asking nonprofits to partner in Census outreach efforts.

Speakers also explained how foundations, like the California Community Foundation, are already engaged in Census efforts, whether it’s speaking out against the citizenship question, funding nonprofit coalitions like the Census Policy Advocacy Network, or investing in research and messaging testing.

Legislators and speakers also discussed the importance of investing census outreach dollars into rural communities to ensure an accurate count of all Californians.

To watch the full hearing, click here.

If you’d like a “deeper dive” into what’s at stake with the 2020 Census, the recording from the Policy Forum webinar last month: “We All Count: Tackling the 2020 Census Together” is now available on our website.

Why should you come to CalNonprofits Policy Convention? Here are 5 things you definitely don't want to miss...

This year the convention will center around the theme “Nonprofits Standing up for California” reflecting how the nonprofit community is working in new and innovative ways during a time of natural disasters and political turmoil.

Join us on October 18 in Los Angeles! 

Early bird registration ends August 15, click here to register. 

1. Not one but TWO amazing keynote speakers!

Vu Le is the executive director of the Rainier Valley Corps and the creator of NonprofitAF.com, a popular website that takes on both the serious and the funny issues nonprofit employees encounter every day. Check out what past audiences have said about his presentations.  





Tamika Butler is the CEO of the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and is an outspoken activist and engaging speaker on racial justice, economic equity, and transportation planning.

2. Great policy conversations

Get the inside scoop from nonprofit lobbyists who will discuss how they really get things done in our state Capitol. Or join the conversation on the 2020 Census with panelists Ditas Katague, State Director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020; John Dobard, Associate Director of Political Voice, Advancement Project California; and Perla Ni, CEO, GreatNonprofits.

3. Find out what the new wave of foundation CEOs are thinking

There's a new generation of CEOs at foundations -- with new ways of thinking about grantmaking. We've recruited several to share their thoughts on foundation-nonprofit relations in conversation with each other and moderator Terence Mulligan, CEO of the Napa Valley Community Foundation.

4. Get answers from experts on nonprofit law, insurance, and student debt forgiveness

 Learn from Tania Ibañez, Senior Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Charitable Trust Section of the California Attorney General’s Office and others about the Devils and Angels in Nonprofit Law. Or find out How Nonprofit Staff Can Get Student Debt Forgiveness. And don't forget to bring your questions to Ask the Expert on Insurance!

5. Ice Cream Social

You don't want to miss the only networking hour where the "ice breaker" is delicious!

See who is presenting at the convention!

The new federal tax law signed last December included a big surprise for nonprofits and churches related to employee benefits.

If your nonprofit provides employees a transportation benefit (such as a monthly amount for commuting), a parking reimbursement at work, or gym benefit, that amount is now taxed as if it were unrelated income (despite the fact that it’s actually an expense).

It sounds confusing, and it is.

If your nonprofit spends — let’s say — $20,000 per year in such employee benefits, then you must report $20,000 as unrelated business income and pay 21% taxes on it (UBIT — Unrelated Business Income Tax). You will have to file Form 990T and pay $4,200 (21%) in taxes as calculated on the 990T. With this extra 21% tax, your cost of providing these benefits rises to $24,200.