Texas Nonprofit Sector Public Policy Principles

Texas nonprofits contribute to each one of the state’s major industries as well as offer a range of support to their communities: providing critical services, convening stakeholders to address issues, creating long-term impact to improve the quality of life of all Texans, and generating financial and social returns to the state’s economy as employers. In fact, there are more than 130,000 nonprofits across the state of Texas. The sector has grown by 22 percent between 2015 and 2022.  And one in 20 people in Texas are directly employed by a nonprofit.

Nonprofits are essential to the growth and vitality of Texas, and it is critical to ensure this sector continues to have access to the support they need to continue their vital work.

We urge policymakers to consider the following items to ensure nonprofit impact and to strengthen our state’s mission-driven sector.

  • Increase investments in Texas communities, critical programs, and public services provided by nonprofits.
  • Improve government-nonprofit contracting and strengthen the public-private partnership at all levels.
  • Help alleviate the nonprofit workforce shortage and strengthen communities through expanded access to high-quality child care, increased access to high quality and affordable health coverage, and other strategies.
  • Strengthen the operational capacity and technological capabilities of our state’s information and referral systems that connect Texans to critical supports and other services provided by nonprofits.
  • Promote volunteerism, charitable giving, and civic engagement to support the common good.