Read the major components of the unallotment proposal at the Minnesota Budget Bites blog.

Nonprofit property tax exemption bill signed into law
MCN's top 2009 legislative agenda item was to pass a nonprofit property tax exemption bill; we're very pleased to report the bill was passed and signed on Saturday, May 16th. Please visit the charitable property tax exemption campaign site to learn more about the new law and what it means for nonprofits.

Audit threshold raised to $750,000 for nonprofits
The governor has signed a bill with a provision to increase the threshold at which organizations are required to obtain an audited financial statement that have been examined by an independent certified public accountant. The bill changes the threshold from $350,000, where it has sat for the last twelve years, to $750,000. Organizations with a fiscal year ending July 1, 2008 or later, fall under the new limit of $750,000 for 2008 reporting. MCN believes that for Minnesota, given the dramatically increased costs of audits and the filing of the new IRS form 990, along with the effects of inflation, this is an appropriate time to increase the threshold.

Read the language of the bill, HF1298, that was included in the the tax policy bill. The provision is at section 191.34 in the bill.

Public Policy at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
MCN supports individual nonprofits and Minnesota’s nonprofit sector to be their own best voice. Our policy work has focused on informing nonprofits of what is proposed in policy arenas, what it means and how nonprofits can serve as a resource to decision makers as they choose priorities and funding options. We host events, workshops, trainings and issue briefings, deliver testimony and distribute email legislative updates to ensure that nonprofits are educated and engaged on key issues facing the state.

Minnesota Participation Project (MPP) - This is an exciting effort to support and expand the capacity of Minnesota nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to effectively engage in permissible nonpartisan voter engagement efforts - registration, voter education and beyond. MPP is also working with community partners to ensure a complete count in the 2010 Census.

Minnesota Budget Project - The Minnesota Budget Project provides independent research, analysis and outreach on budget and tax policy issues at the state and federal level, emphasizing their impact on low- and moderate-income persons and the nonprofits that serve them.

National Voter Education Network (NVEN) - The Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN) is a collaboration of statewide voter engagement initiatives anchored in the nonprofit sector. NVEN is dedicated to expanding the role of America’s nonprofits in voting and elections with the goal of increasing participation in the democratic process among all citizens with a focus on those with a history of lower voter participation. The initiative is a nonpartisan program of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, the largest statewide nonprofit association in the country.

Questions? Comments? Contact Jeff Narabrook at jeff@mncn.org

Quick Links

Recovery Act for Nonprofits

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Nonprofits Count in 2010! Get invovled...

Visit the Minnesota Budget Bites blog...