Update On a Long-Term Proactive Tax and Budget Initiative

1. Update On a Long-Term Proactive Tax and Budget Initiative Prepared by OMB Watch 1742 Connecticut Ave., NW Washington, D.C. 20009 (202) 234-8494 http://www.ombwatch.org

2. PART IAbout the Process We’re Using

3. What We Have Donesee www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/2095/1/2/ • Call to Action paper – in December, 2003 (see www.ombwatch.org/article/articleview/1952/1/18/). • Internet Survey -- completed by over 700 respondents in Jan/Feb, 2004. • Regional Strategy Sessions -- in Columbia, SC; Seattle, WA; Chicago, IL; and Phoenix, AZ.

4. 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 (www.ombwatch.org/budget/face.html) of stories about unmet needs and how a service or program has made a positive difference.

5. 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.

6. PART IIInternet Survey Results

7. 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

8. 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

9. Not a Random Sample • Sources of Bias • Technology / Internet access • OMB Watch Network / Email 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

10. 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

11. Survey Respondents: Scope

12. 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 46% Communicated w/ Policy-maker to Support or Oppose State Tax/Budget Issue 44% Communicated w/ Policy-maker to Support or Oppose Federal Tax/Budget Issue 35% 22% Communicated w/ News Media to Support or Oppose State Tax/Budget Issue 18% Released Research Reports/ Analyses on Tax/Budget 15% Communicated w/ News Media to Support or Oppose Federal Tax/Budget Issue

13. Strong Support for aTax & Budget Campaign 90% of respondents say it is time to launch a longer-term offensive campaign on federal tax and budget issues. 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? 90%

14. Support Strong by All GroupsOrganizational Mission 96% 95% 94% 94% 90%

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

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

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

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

19. Other Ways Groups Say They Would Participate

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

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

22. 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.”

23. 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.”

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

25. PART IIIRegional Strategy Session Results

26. 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

27. Five Objectives of an Initiative • Develop 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.

28. Five Objectives of an Initiative 2 Develop 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.

29. Five Objectives of an Initiative 3 Change 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.

30. Five Objectives of an Initiative 4 Address 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.

31. Five Objectives of an Initiative 5 Strengthen 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.

32. Summary of theFive Objectives • Develop a Vision. • Develop Progressive Tax Policies & Principles. • Change the Language We Use. • Address the Attacks on Role of Government. • Strengthen Civic Responsibility.

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

34. PART IVHow Do We Move Forward on a Proactive Long-Term Initiative?

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

36. 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

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