Current Initiatives

CSAE National Policy Initiatives

As you do for your members, CSAE identifies key issues on behalf of our association members and the industry, and currently we are working on two critical national issues with significant impact for state associations:

1. The expansion of 529 funds for certification and credentials, and
2. A new threat to associations to tax the 501(c) sector including associations and nonprofits.

CSAE works with ASAE, representing a national community of 40,000 members and with the Association Societies Alliance (ASA), a high-level group of chief staff executives from more than 40 SAEs across the US and New Zealand. We are active with both organizations and involved in nearly weekly briefings to provide all CSAE members with representation at the highest levels. And, while there is good news about the continuing efforts to allow 529 funds to be used for certifications and credentials, there is also a growing threat for tax reform that could severely impact associations.

An update about the 529 expansion is below about the continuing support of that initiative that we began working on in 2024. But, we begin with a new potential tax issue.

Associations at Risk: 2025 Tax Reform Implications
There is a growing movement in Congress to tax 501(c)s because of the increasing national debt, economic conditions and tax cuts that are set to expire in 2025. Congressional members and individuals leading think tanks are explicitly calling for taxing the 501(c) sector including associations, nonprofits, charities, private foundations, churches and more. What this would mean is a potential 21% federal tax rate for organizations who have been tax-exempt – or, taxing specific programs such as conferences or special events.

Associations, nonprofits and more have had these tax-exempt protections for decades and have lean budgets already – imagine the potential implications for each of us, especially in challenging times.

CSAE met with the senior public policy officer with ASAE and we together offered a briefing on February 6, 2025 with numerous members.  Because the conversations continue on, we will continually inform members about the newest information or decisions.

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Expansion of 529 Funds for Credentials and Certifications – Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act
CSAE continues the involvement to move this bill forward, and as of February 10, 2025, more than 900 associations across the country have shown their support, and if your association or business is not yet on the roster, I encourage you to join in. (There’s no cost.) As a state that depends on you and the more than 500 associations and they work they do across Colorado, your involvement reflects the importance of the work you do and the credentials or certifications you provide to enhance the strength of your industry.

Let us know if you want more information or to be more involved in either of these two initiatives, as periodicially we identify members who would be willing to join us in talking with legislators. We will continue to provide informational updates as they become available to all members.

Su Hawk
Executive Director
[email protected] or 720.831.9438