Public Policy Program

The Wyoming Nonprofit Network is committed to monitoring and acting on policy changes at the national and state levels that impact the work of nonprofits. We represent the network when lawmakers need to hear from our ranks. 

The purpose of our Public Policy Program is to:

• Educate policymakers and the public on the importance of Wyoming’s charitable nonprofit sector.
• Monitor and take action on public policy issues that impact charitable nonprofits.
• Educate the charitable nonprofit sector on their role in shaping public policies and provide information and resources to effectively engage in advocacy.

We use two main criteria for action:

• Impact: Does the issue have significant implications for Wyoming’s charitable nonprofits?
• Support: Is there, or do we reasonably anticipate there will be, general support among our members for the position to be taken?

To ensure that our public policy efforts reflect the broad interests of its members, the board of directors is advised by a Public Policy Committee that guides the Network’s advocacy and public policy work. The committee advises the board of directors in selecting appropriate policy issues and positions and assists in developing and implementing a strategy for selected public policy issues.

Ongoing Priorities
In general, we support public policy issues related to:

• Best Practices and Accountability – Enhancing the ability of Wyoming nonprofits to function at the highest levels of integrity, effectiveness and transparency to the public they serve.
  
• Charitable Giving – Preserving and enacting policies that encourage citizens to donate to charitable organizations.
• Tax Treatment of Charitable Nonprofits – Promoting and advancing policies that preserve tax exemption for nonprofit organizations.
• Nonprofit and Government Relations – Improving and strengthening the interface between Wyoming nonprofits and state and federal government agencies and processes.

The Wyoming Nonprofit Network may consider other public policy issues that fall outside of these priorities if the issue meets the criteria as outlined in this document.

Advocacy Resources:

The Stand for Your Mission campaign is a challenge to all nonprofit decision-makers to stand up for the organizations they believe in by actively representing their organization's mission and values, and creating public will for positive social change. Initiated by BoardSource - together with the Alliance for Justice, the Campion Foundation, the Johns S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the National Council of Nonprofits, and the United Philanthropy Forum - this campaign seeks to unleash the full potential of the nonprofit sector to create positive impact by engaging board leaders more directly in the advocacy work of their organizations. 

At Bolder Advocacy, we are lawyers, coaches and nonprofit experts with one big goal: to make advocacy easy and accessible for you, the nonprofit and foundation leaders who want to be great fighters for your cause. We believe it’s vital for nonprofits to make their case to elected officials and the public so their priorities will get the attention and resources they deserve. We understand the rules that govern nonprofits’ ability to advocate, as well as the wide range of advocacy options that are open to you. And because we want to share that knowledge with you, we dedicate ourselves to offering tools, training and resources to nonprofits that want to become better advocates. Bolder Advocacy is a program of the Alliance for Justice.  

The National Council of Nonprofits (Council of Nonprofits) is a trusted resource and proven advocate for America’s charitable nonprofits. Connecting the policy dots across all levels and branches of governments, the Council of Nonprofits keeps nonprofits informed and empowered to create a positive public policy environment that best supports nonprofits in advancing their missions. Working with and through the nation’s largest network of nonprofits – with 25,000-plus organizational members - we identify emerging trends, share proven practices, and promote solutions that benefit charitable nonprofits and the communities they serve.