Anticipating significant tax legislation in 2025, ASAE launched the Community Impact Coalition, an initiative intended to educated members of the 119th Congress about the social and economic benefits of associations, charities, and other tax-exempt organizations.
With Republicans assuming control of the White House, Senate, and House of Representatives, GOP leaders have signaled that they will prioritize tax reform within the first 100 days of the new administration of President Donald Trump. Members of Congress, their staffs, and key influencers have turned their attention to a variety of potential resources that could be tapped for tax revenue to fund priorities, including the resources of the 501(c) community. Concerns are rising that tax-exempt organizations may be at risk with some calling for a 21% corporate tax rate on all net, non-donation income.
“Associations and other nonprofit organizations are granted tax-exempt status by the IRS to encourage and support activities that benefit the public good and promote societal well-being. Their tax-exempt status strengthens lives by providing services and responding in countless ways where the government and for-profit businesses cannot. Through volunteerism, creating industry standards, advancing medical research, supporting veteran’s-related groups, and providing aid following natural disasters, nonprofits serve critical roles in the daily lives of every American,” Steve Caldeira, president and CEO, Household & Commercial Products Association, a past chair of ASAE and co-chair of the Community Impact Coalition, said via a statement.
The coalition launched with 58 trade associations, charities, and professional societies. All have committed financial support to the coalition’s advocacy and communications efforts. In 2022, 501(c)(3) nonprofits accounted for 12.8 million jobs, 9.9% of private sector employment, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Additionally, associations directly support more than 1 million jobs throughout the country, according to data from ASAE.
“This challenge goes beyond associations. It strikes at the core of the industries, professions, and communities we serve,” ASAE President & CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE, said via a statement. “Through the Community Impact Coalition, we aim to further educate policymakers about our sector’s vital role. Nonprofits uniquely leverage their expertise to solve complex challenges that would otherwise fall to government, reinvesting revenues directly into their missions to drive lasting impact across society.”
Coalition membership as of January 14, 2025 includes:
Agricultural Retailers Association
American Academy of Family Physicians
American Academy of Neurology
American Association of Airport Executives
American Association of Immunologists
American Bakers Association
American Beverage Association
American Chemistry Council
American Cleaning Institute
American Dental Education Association
American Forest and Paper Association
American Heart Association
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
American Physical Therapy Association
American Psychological Association
American Society of Safety Professionals
American Speech–Language–Hearing Association
American Traffic Safety Services Association
Association of Art Museum Directors
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO)
Association Societies Alliance
AVIXA
Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
Board of Certified Safety Professionals
Club Management Association of America
Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance
Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC)
Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
Consumer Healthcare Products Association
Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance
Faith & Giving
FINSECA
Household & Commercial Products Association
Human Resource Standards Institute (HRSI)
Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America, Inc.
Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE)
Insured Retirement Institute
International Franchise Association
International Sign Association League of American Orchestras
LUGPA
Medical Dosimetrist Certification Board (MDCB)
National Apartment Association
National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) 47. National Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of the Remodeling Industry
National Propane Gas Association
National Society of Compliance Professionals (NSCP)
North Carolina Dental Society
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board
Plastics Industry Association
RIMS, the Risk Management Society
School Nutrition Association
The Fertilizer Institute
Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society
