2017 Outlook: Kyle Caldwell, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University

2017 Outlook: Kyle Caldwell, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University
Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University

With the Affordable Care Act on the chopping block for President-elect Trump’s administration, Kyle Caldwell fears the “tremendous amount of investment by nonprofits and foundations into our health care system” could be all for naught in 2017 unless lawmakers find a suitable replacement. Similarly, “there will be challenges to both foundations and nonprofits as the administration looks to … find efficiencies in government spending, and cuts to services to make way for tax cuts,” he said. On both the state and federal level, lawmakers’ decisions in 2017 have the opportunity to greatly impact nonprofits through bills like SB 960, which clarifies property tax policies.

“(We’re) thinking about the challenges and the opportunities regarding comprehensive tax reform and what it could mean for charitable incentives and the charitable status of nonprofits. Like any enterprise, nonprofits thrive in a policy climate that provides support and certainty. Ensuring that philanthropy can be as strong and vibrant as possible during the deliberations on policy change will be an important goal for the sector. … Nonprofits and foundations must demonstrate their value as partners not by standing on the sidelines, but through engagement with policy makers as they implement a new agenda. … As Michigan’s economic history shows, there will be a recession and in that next recession, philanthropy will lean in, as it always has, to support those in need. Philanthropy will also be a strong partner with government and business to help grow opportunities for those who are most negatively impacted by economic downturns.” – Kyle Caldwell, Executive Director, Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy, Grand Valley State University


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