05/15/2025

Polling Shows Voters Oppose New Taxes on Nonprofits

Favorability toward nonprofits remains exceptionally high

A new nationwide poll commissioned by the Community Impact Coalition (CIC), of which OSAP is an active, engaged member, finds overwhelming and bipartisan support for preserving the tax-exempt status of nonprofit organizations.

By the numbers: The survey of 1,500 likely voters, conducted by public affairs firm Cygnal from April 16-21, 2025, revealed 82 percent of respondents believe nonprofit tax-exempt status is important; 57 percent support keeping nonprofits exempt from taxes entirely.

• Favorability toward nonprofits remains high, with 68 percent of voters expressing a positive view of these organizations.
• The support crosses party lines: 80 percent of Republican voters said tax exemption is important, a figure that rises to 82 percent in extremely red districts, where nonprofits often provide significant support to communities facing hunger, employment and employment challenges.
• Even among conservative voters, nonprofits enjoy more than a 2:1 favorability margin.

Crucially, the poll also found that 53 percent of voters would be less likely to reelect a member of Congress who supports eliminating nonprofit tax exemptions. This sentiment was strongest in very red districts, where 55 percent of voters said such a stance would affect their vote.

"The data is crystal clear: Americans—across party lines—support nonprofits and the tax policies that enable them to deliver essential services to local communities all across America,” said Steve Caldeira, co-chair of CIC and president and CEO of the Household & Commercial Products Association. “Any proposal to revoke tax-exempt status is not only ill-advised policy—it’s bad politics."

Voters voiced concern about the consequences of taxing nonprofits, with majorities worried about reduced community services (62 percent), higher costs for healthcare, education and childcare (56 percent), and the loss of essential programs (55 percent). Nearly half (49 percent) also feared a drop in charitable giving and volunteerism.

"As Congress considers tax reform, voters are sending a clear message: protect nonprofits, protect communities,” said Marc Cadin, co-chair of CIC and CEO of Finseca.

To download an informative one-pager about the respondents remarks to the survey, please select this link.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.