Minnesota Council Of Nonprofits Inc

Public Policy and Civic Engagement: MCN builds the capacity of nonprofit leaders to be confident and competent voices on issues impacting their constituents and communities by providing them with workshops, briefings, and other informational resources. MCN's Minnesota Budget Project educated nonprofits, decision-makers, the media, and the public on budget, tax, and economic policy issues through a range of activities. In 2024, MCN offered public policy training and information series attended by several hundred participants that included presentations on nonprofit advocacy, state agencies, nonpartisan voter engagement, as well as conversations with elected and appointed officials.

Membership: In 2024, 2,219 charitable organizations (nonprofit membership), 236 businesses (associate membership, and four (foundation membership) contributed dues to support the full array of MCN's work priorities. MCN members receive discounts on publications, in-person and virtual workshops, and full-day conferences. Additionally, nonprofit members have the ability to post job openings on MCN's highly trafficked job board at no cost. In 2024, MCN members posted 12,141 free staff, board, volunteer, and intern openings on MCN's job board. Through the use of free member publication vouchers, MCN nonprofit members requested and received 909 free copies of regularly updated publications, like the Minnesota Grants Directory, Minnesota Nonprofit Salary & Benefits Survey, Minnesota Nonprofit Legal Handbook, Handbook for Starting a Successful Nonprofit, and Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence. MCN also capitalizes on the group purchasing power of its members to negotiate lower prices and better service on many products and services that nonprofits need, including banking, insurance, health plans, employee benefits, office supplies, payroll processing and more. In 2024, MCN added a new discounted phone and video interpretation service offering (LanguageLine Services) to its suite of member savings partnerships.

Research: With the support of MCN's nonprofit members and charitable contributions from foundations and corporations, MCN studies nonprofit sector trends and shares this research with members, other nonprofits, decision-makers, and the media. In 2024, MCN shared information widely on Minnesota's nonprofit sector, demonstrating the economic impact of nonprofits on the state's economy through two published research reports, public presentations, media citations, and more. MCN also conducts nonpartisan research and analysis on tax, budget, and economic issues through the Minnesota Budget Project. The Minnesota Budget Project's analysis particularly focused on policy choices and economic trends that impact low- and moderate-income Minnesotans and communities of color, state budget and policy choices that impact access to prosperity and economic opportunity in Minnesota, the contributions of Minnesota's immigrants to the economy and local communities, and progress toward a fair and sustainable tax system.

Advocacy: MCN undertakes nonpartisan advocacy efforts to strengthen the nonprofit sector and its ability to serve communities throughout Minnesota. MCN's major advocacy efforts in 2024 included advocacy in support of pay transparency, public availability of data on the nonprofit sector, and federal charitable giving tax incentives, as well as educating lawmakers on the impacts of: reforms to state grantmaking, and oversight of state grants to nonprofits. MCN's Minnesota Budget Project identifies and advances public policies to make Minnesota a place where all can thrive, especially in the areas of state tax, budget, and economic policy. The Minnesota Budget Project's 2024 advocacy priorities included implementing a family-focused system of advance payments of the state's Child Tax Credit, increased funding for outreach and tax preparation services to increase access to tax credits that boost the incomes of lower-income Minnesotans, increasing access to affordable health care and child care, and sustainable revenues to fund public investments.

AmeriCorps VISTA: In 2024, MCN was awarded a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service to build the capacity of nonprofits serving or led by BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee communities to overcome poverty. The grant allowed MCN to place up to 6 full-time AmeriCorps VISTA members at nonprofit host sites, providing the resources, capacity, and connections for these community-based organizations to ensure operational sustainability and grow their community impact.