Making Nonprofit Voices Heard: Highlights from Nonprofit Action Day

by | Feb 25, 2025 | Advocacy, Advocate, Uncategorized

the united states capitol building in washington, dc

Many of you joined us last week for Nonprofit Action Day on February 18th. I was heartened by the turnout, your wonderful conversations, and the connections you made with one another. Nonprofit Action Day gives nonprofit leaders like you an opportunity to come together with like-minded people from across the state to advocate for our sector. There is no other day dedicated to advocating for the nonprofit sector at large. Our voices are stronger together and nonprofit leaders showing up is what makes this event successful every year!

A group of people sitting at a table

After a day of advocacy on the Capitol Campus in Olympia, NAWA members joined us for a Nonprofit Legislative Reception at the Governor’s Mansion. Rep. Julio Cortes (38th LD) and Grace Huang, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Ferguson, gave rousing speeches about what is needed during this unprecedented time. Make sure to get on the list early next year – there’s limited space!

Advocates attended over 30 meetings with their legislators and educated them about NAWA’s priorities.

A group of people sitting in a representative's office inside the Washington State Capitol building

 

There are three bills that NAWA has been pushing hard for.

  • First, a pilot program to provide 25% of a contract amount upfront to nonprofits that contract with the Department of Commerce (up to $100,000). Sponsored by Rep. Julio Cortes, HB 1866 is an attempt to make it easier for smaller nonprofits to take contracts.
  • Second, NAWA has been working on updating Washington’s raffle rules for nonprofits for the last couple of years. After some big wins at the Gambling Commission, we’re headed to the legislature with SB 5443 which will take away administrative burdens and allow nonprofits to raise more money.
  • Third, we’re supporting a narrow exemption for nonprofits to the overtime-exempt threshold increases. Keeping the overtime-exempt salary threshold at 1.5x minimum wage assures that employees are earning fair wages while giving nonprofits the ability to use exempt employees for seasonal, flexible work.

In addition to these bills, we keep a close eye on anything that could affect nonprofits and their ability to do their best work in Washington.

I look forward to advocating with you throughout the year!

 Want to stay up to date? Subscribe to NAWA’s policy newsletter and follow us on the Policy Bluesky.