Update On a Long-Term Proactive Tax and Budget Initiative Prepared by OMB Watch 1742 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, D.C (202)

PART I About the Process We’re Using

What We Have Done see Call to Action paper – in December, 2003 (see Internet Survey -- completed by over 700 respondents in Jan/Feb, Regional Strategy Sessions -- in Columbia, SC; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; and Phoenix, AZ.

What We Plan To Do Flesh Out Results of Strategy Sessions – April 28 conference in Philadelphia to drill down on ideas generated in regional strategy sessions. National Retreat – Develop specific ideas and next steps. Likely to be in June. Online Resource Center – on tax and budget information. Face on the Numbers -- Online database ( of stories about unmet needs and how a service or program has made a positive difference.

What Happens Next? Develop Specific Recommendations and Next Steps based on action items under planning process. Determine Whether Resources Can Be Raised for local, state, and national groups to sustain a long-term initiative. Address Leadership and Organizational Issues, including coordination, roles, etc. Begin Implementing the Plan of Action.

PART II Internet Survey Results

Purpose of the Survey Identify tax and budget activities in which nonprofits are currently actively engaged Assess the importance of launching a long-term proactive initiative on federal tax and budget issues Identify the goals and activities that should be undertaken What are the challenges to success, and what it takes to get groups to participate

About the Internet Survey Not a Random Sample Over 700 Respondents with Diversity in Respondent Pool Respondents From Every State But Nebraska Survey Conducted Between January 13 – February 4, 2004

Not a Random Sample Sources of Bias –Technology / Internet access –OMB Watch Network / notification Distributed by CDF, CHN, NCNA, NCRP, United Way, FTFA, OMB Watch, and other state/national groups Not representative of overall nonprofit population, but may be more representative of progressive groups –Self-Selection Likely to be more interested in tax and budget work However, there was significant diversity in the respondent pool

Survey Respondents 63% of Respondents Were 501(c)(3) Groups ; 10% government; 9% foundations; 7% 501(c)(4)s; 9% other 45% Said Their Primary Activity Was Service Provision 42% Said Their Primary Activity Was Advocacy Or Public Interest Work 42% Said Their Primary Mission Was Serving Children, Youth & Families

Survey Respondents: Scope

What Are Groups Doing Now? Over the past year, in what ways has your organization gotten involved in tax and budget issues? Communicated w/ Members or Public to Support or Oppose Tax/Budget Issue Communicated w/ Policy- maker to Support or Oppose State Tax/Budget Issue Communicated w/ Policy- maker to Support or Oppose Federal Tax/Budget Issue Communicated w/ News Media to Support or Oppose State Tax/Budget Issue Communicated w/ News Media to Support or Oppose Federal Tax/Budget Issue Released Research Reports/ Analyses on Tax/Budget 46% 44% 35% 22% 18% 15%

Strong Support for a Tax & Budget Campaign 90% of respondents say it is time to launch a longer-term offensive campaign on federal tax and budget issues. 90% Given limited time and resources and the fact that there are many other important issues, do you agree or disagree that it is time to launch a long-term offensive campaign around federal tax and budget issues?

Support Strong by All Groups Organizational Mission 90% 94% 95% 96%

Support Strong by All Groups Primary Organization Activity Those Primary Activities Listed by 20% of More of Respondents 93% 92% 91% 90% 89% 88%

Goals for a Campaign How important are the following goals to a long-term tax and budget campaign? Tax System that Raises Adequate Revenue for Govt Services and Programs Resources & Policies for Economic Growth & Jobs Identify & Elevate Domestic Needs & Priorities Insure Adequate Funding for Unfunded Federal Mandates Cut Regressive Taxes that Hurt Low- & Middle Income Stop Attack on Role of Govt & Demonstrate Value of Strong Federal Govt Raise Additional Revenue to Address Unmet Needs Cut Govt Spending to Reduce Deficit 94% 93% 90% 87% 75% 70% 41%

Participation May Be a Challenge POSITIVENEGATIVE 90% of respondents say it is time to launch a campaign BUT 49% say they are unlikely to participate.

Even Though 49% say They Might Not Participate in a Campaign… 61% Say They Will Help Redistribute Information About the Campaign

Other Ways Groups Say They Would Participate

Needs How important are the following items to get you or your organization engaged…? Develop Common Messages/ Themes/Principles More Info on Fed Tax/Budget Impact on State/Local Funds Distribute Current Tax/Budget Info More Info on Fed Tax/Budget Impact on Issue Areas Internet Resource Center on Tax/Budget Being a Part of a Network of Groups Workshops, Trainings, Meetings on Tax/Budget More Funding for Tax/Budget Work 82% 80% 79% 71% 67% 64% 54%

76% 72% Top Challenges to Confront It’s an Organizing Issue

Other Challenges to Confront Relationships between National, State and Local Groups 67% say that national groups do not listen to state and local groups and are out of touch with their concerns “National organizations often fail to form the partnership and show little respect for the amount of work being done on the local level. In addition, national organizations are often very ‘abusive’ partners.”

Other Challenges to Confront Top Down Nature of Federal Budget & Tax Policy 69% say the top down nature makes state and local groups feel irrelevant. “Convincing local organizations to carve out time for working on ‘bigger picture’ issues when the day-to-day running of an organization are often overwhelming.”

Challenges What are the major challenges to developing and maintaining a network of national, state and local groups? Lack of Coordination Btwn Tax/Budget Groups and Issue- Based Groups Limited Leadership & Lack of Organizational Structure Top-Down Nature of Fed Tax/Budget Makes State/Local Groups Feel Irrelevant Natl Groups Fail to Listen to State/Local Groups & Out of Touch Difficult for Issue-Based Groups to Work on Broader Campaign on Revenue Impossible to Agree on Message/Principles to be Echoed 76% 72% 69% 67% 59% 36%

The Role of Foundations With respect to tax and budget issues, how important is it for foundations to… 81% 76% 75% 74% 56%

Foundations vs. Other Respondents Difference betweenImportant and NotImportant

PART III Regional Strategy Session Results

Hosts of Strategy Sessions Columbia, South Carolina (March 12) –South Carolina Association of Nonprofit Organizations Chicago, Illinois (March 22) –Voices for Illinois Children Seattle, Washington (March 23) –Civic Engagement Project/Univ. of Washington, Institute for Washington’s Future, & United for a Fair Economy Phoenix, Arizona (March 24) –Arizona Community Foundation

Five Objectives of an Initiative 1Develop a Vision. We need the equivalent of a new social compact. Some talked about the “American dream;” others about “healthy communities.” All wanted a positive vision which serves as the basis for why we need a vibrant government with adequate funding.

2Develop Progressive Tax Policies & Principles. The focus of a campaign should not be about taxes, but about pursuing the vision. To adequately support the vision we need a plan that insures a fair way of raising the resources to meet the vision. Five Objectives of an Initiative

3Change the Language We Use. More than an ad campaign, there is a need to reframe the debate and to use values-based language that the public understands and that will resonate with them. Developing these new frames and language should be a key objective of a long-term initiative. Five Objectives of an Initiative

4Address the Attacks on Role of Government. It is essential to not only stop the conservative attacks on government, but also to demonstrate the importance of government. The public no longer realizes how important a role government plays in everyday life. Simultaneously, we must address issues about government inefficiencies. Five Objectives of an Initiative

5Strengthen Civic Responsibility. Unless we engage the electorate in a more effective manner, we will fail. We will need to increase nonprofit advocacy on tax and budget issues, hold elected officials accountable, deal with mobilizing the electorate, and wrestle with the role of money in politics. Five Objectives of an Initiative

1Develop a Vision. 2Develop Progressive Tax Policies & Principles. 3Change the Language We Use. 4Address the Attacks on Role of Government. 5Strengthen Civic Responsibility. Summary of the Five Objectives

Conference Hosted By: Center for Responsible Funding Outreach Co-Sponsors: African-American United Fund AIDS Fund WOMENS WAY April 28 Conference to Further Discuss Objectives

PART IV How Do We Move Forward on a Proactive Long-Term Initiative?

A Few Key Questions 1.Do You Think a Proactive Long-Term Initiative on Federal Tax & Budget Is Needed? 2.What Should Be Its Focus? 3.How Do We Get There?

The National Retreat Planning Committee Nancy Amidei, Civic Engagement Project/Univ of WA Bruce Astrein, AZ Community Foundation Chuck Collins, United for a Fair Economy Lois Canright, United for a Fair Economy (WA) Mike Ettlinger, Economic Policy Institute (EARN) Erin Hardwick, SC Assn of Nonprofit Organizations Ed Jayne, AFSCME Iris Lav, Center on Budget & Policy Priorities Christina Macklin, MN Council of Nonprofits Ellen Nissenbaum, CBPP Kristin Pula, Institute for Washington’s Future Mark Schmitt, Open Society Institute Debbie Weinstein, Coalition on Human Needs

What Must Happen At the National Retreat for It to Be a Success?