The $51.2 Billion Engine: 7 Essential Ways The NC Center For Nonprofits Is Shaping North Carolina's Future In 2025

The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits (NCCN) is currently operating as a vital economic and legislative engine for the state's third sector, driving an impressive $51.2 billion economic impact across North Carolina. As of today, December 17, 2025, the Center's work is hyper-focused on advocating for critical legislative changes, including a crucial push for sales tax exemption, and rolling out innovative operational solutions like a new Association Health Plan to stabilize the financial health of its member organizations. The organization's mission—to educate, connect, and advocate for North Carolina nonprofits—has never been more relevant as the sector faces evolving challenges in the wake of federal funding uncertainties and complex state legislative sessions [cite: 2, 3 (from step 1), 17 (from step 1)]. The NCCN serves as the collective voice for over 22,000 501(c)(3) nonprofits in the state, a sector that employs one in every ten private-sector workers. By providing essential resources, robust training, and powerful advocacy, the Center ensures that organizations—from small community-based charities to large statewide foundations—have the tools and political support necessary to sustain equitable and thriving communities [cite: 10 (from step 1)]. Understanding the Center's current priorities for 2025 is key to grasping the future direction of philanthropy and community service in the Tar Heel State.

Leadership and Organizational Profile: The Architects of Change

The success and directional clarity of the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits are directly tied to its experienced leadership and dedicated Board of Directors. This team guides the organization's three core pillars: education, connection, and advocacy [cite: 2 (from step 1), 3 (from step 1)].

• Organization Name: North Carolina Center for Nonprofits (NCCN)
• Founded: 1990 by Jane Kendall [cite: 13 (from step 1)]
• Mission: To educate, connect, and advocate for North Carolina nonprofits [cite: 2 (from step 1), 3 (from step 1)]
• President and CEO: Jeanne Tedrow [cite: 13 (from step 1)]
• Board Chair: Deetra Watson [cite: 6 (from step 1)]
• Economic Impact of NC Nonprofits: $51.2 billion annually
• Key Initiatives: Public Policy Agenda, Association Health Plan, Nonprofit Management Institute, EDI Initiative [cite: 15, 12, 14 (from step 1)]
• Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina

The leadership team, including President and CEO Jeanne Tedrow, plays a crucial role in shaping the 2025 Public Policy Agenda, ensuring that the needs of the diverse nonprofit sector are heard by the NC General Assembly and federal policymakers [cite: 13 (from step 1), 16]. Their focus is on building a robust infrastructure for the entire third sector, recognizing its role not just in social good, but as a critical driver of the state's economy.

The 2025 Public Policy Agenda: Critical Legislative Priorities

The Center's most immediate and impactful work for 2025 revolves around its public policy and advocacy efforts. These priorities are designed to address systemic challenges that affect all 501(c)(3) organizations, from financial stability to regulatory burdens.

1. Advocating for Sales Tax Exemption

The NCCN is actively lobbying to support a full nonprofit sales tax exemption. Currently, many nonprofits must pay sales tax and then apply for a refund, a process that is administratively burdensome and slow. A shift to a direct exemption would free up significant staff time and resources, allowing organizations to redirect those funds directly into their mission-driven programs. This is a top-tier legislative goal that would provide immediate, tangible financial relief across the sector.

2. Financial and Regulatory Relief

A critical component of the 2025 agenda is securing ongoing financial and regulatory relief for nonprofits, particularly those in communities affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes. This includes streamlining government grants and contracts processes, which often impose complex and time-consuming administrative requirements on organizations. The Center works to ensure that state contracts cover the full cost of services delivered, preventing nonprofits from having to subsidize government programs with private donations.

3. Addressing Federal Funding Uncertainty

The Center continues to track and communicate the impact of federal policy shifts. News from early 2024 highlighted the uncertainty amid federal funding delays, which can have a catastrophic impact on organizations that rely heavily on government contracts to operate [cite: 17 (from step 1)]. The NCCN provides timely policy updates and resources to help nonprofits navigate these complex financial landscapes.

Game-Changing Operational Support and Capacity Building

Beyond policy, the NC Center for Nonprofits provides essential, practical support that directly enhances the operational capacity and long-term sustainability of its members. These programs and partnerships are crucial for building a resilient North Carolina nonprofit sector.

4. The New Association Health Plan (AHP)

One of the most significant recent initiatives is the launch of the Association Health Plan (AHP), structured as a Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangement (MEWA). This plan is a direct response to the challenge of providing affordable, high-quality healthcare coverage for nonprofit employees. The Center partnered with industry leaders like Marsh McLennan Agency, Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC, and Vimly Benefit Solutions to offer competitive group insurance options, a benefit that is particularly valuable to smaller organizations that struggle to negotiate favorable rates on their own. This initiative is a game-changer for talent recruitment and retention in the sector.

5. Leadership Development and Management Training

The Center's commitment to education is realized through several high-impact programs designed for nonprofit executives, managers, and board members [cite: 14 (from step 1)].

• Nonprofit Management Institute: A cohort-based program that helps leaders assess and improve their organizational health and management practices [cite: 14 (from step 1)].
• Board Leadership Boot Camp: Sessions focused on best practices for effective governance, ensuring nonprofit boards understand their fiduciary, legal, and strategic responsibilities [cite: 7 (from step 1)].

6. Advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)

Recognizing the importance of diverse leadership and equitable service delivery, the NCCN has spearheaded a multi-year, statewide Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) initiative [cite: 12 (from step 1)]. This program, often in partnership with organizations like the NCCJ (North Carolina for Community Justice), helps nonprofits "walk the talk" by embedding EDI principles into their governance, staffing, and programs [cite: 12 (from step 1)]. This focus is essential for ensuring that the $51.2 billion sector serves all North Carolina communities fairly and effectively.

7. The Economic Power of the Third Sector

The Center’s comprehensive report, *Essential: Our State's Nonprofit Sector is a Vital Economic Engine*, provides the data that underpins all its advocacy. The report confirms that the North Carolina nonprofit sector creates one in every ten private-sector jobs and contributes $51.2 billion to the state's economy. This data is crucial for legislative conversations, positioning nonprofits not merely as recipients of charity, but as indispensable economic partners. By highlighting this massive economic footprint, the NCCN strengthens its position to advocate for policies like the sales tax exemption and better government contracts, ultimately protecting the financial health of the thousands of organizations that keep the state running.