2021 Neighborhood Investment Program Renewal
The Neighborhood Investment Program (NIP) was established in West Virginia in 1996 to encourage charitable giving to local nonprofits. The program allows 501(c)3 organizations to apply for tax credit vouchers which they then distribute to businesses and individuals who contribute to their organization. By donating to approved NIP organizations, contributors can support their communities while earning credits to reduce certain West Virginia taxes. Since this program’s creation, there has been a marked increase in itemized charitable giving in the state.
If legislation to renew the program doesn’t pass during the 2021 legislative session, this program will expire. Sign on NOW to our Letter of Support to increase the NIP from $3 Million to $5 Million and to extend the program for another 5 years.
The West Virginia Nonprofit Association and Philanthropy WV are making renewal of the Neighborhood Investment Program a top priority. We need your help in order to be successful! Below, you will find a legislative “toolkit” and other resources we have put together to help you advocate along with us:
1. Take Action: Legislative Toolkit
| Join the Coalition | Become a part of the coalition of partners. Sign on to endorse the policy proposal as shown in the link to the left and invite your nonprofit colleagues to do the same! | |
| West Virginia State Legislature House and Senate Finance Committees | List of State Senators and Delegates on their respective finance committees including contact information. Send thank you letters and invitations to visit your organization to see community impact and schedule visits at the Capitol. | |
| 2021 WV Senate Reps 2021 WV House Reps | Quickly find your district Representatives with these easy to follow maps. | |
| NIP Bill | Copy of the Bill to amend and reenact the Neighborhood Investment Program Act | |
| Top Tips | Top Tips to connecting with your representative during COVID. | |
| LegiScan BillTrack50 | Follow the progress of the HB 2794 | |
| HB 2794 Talking Points | *NEW* Talking Points to use when talking with your representatives about HB2794. | |
| How to - NIP Stories | *NEW* How to craft and share you NIP Stories | |
| WV Community and Development NIP Page | Link to the WVCAD NIP information Page | |
| Neighborhood Investment Program Information Sheet | A summary of the program and renewal from the West Virginia Development Office | |
| Letter to the Editor TEMPLATE | Sample Letter to the Editor that can be tweaked to your organization's specifications and send to local and regional press encouraging support of the program's renewal | |
| Thank You Letter Template | *NEW* Sample thank you letter to send to your legislators thanking them for the program and sharing the impact its had on your organization/community | |
| Supporting Delegates | *NEW* List of Delegates who supported HB 2794 | |
| Sample Only - be sure to personalize | *NEW* Sample e-mail to Senate Finance Committee Members | |
| 2021 Sen Finance Committee | *NEW* Senate Finance Committee list with contact information |
2. Spread the Word:
| Coalition Letter | Don't forget to share the coalition with your friends! | |
| Current NIP Sign On Letter | The sign on letter as of 02/05/2021 | |
| Share Your Stories | We need personal stories about how your organization uses NIP Tax Credits to increase private investment, create economic/community development, improve education and health, advance tourism/arts and culture, create jobs, etc. Click the link to the left to submit your story. | |
| Press Release | Press Release | |
| Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley Op-Ed | Share your stories with personal Op Eds, check out this example from CFOV. | |
| Social Media Campaign Template | Educate your social media followers about this program and its renewal on your organization’s Facebook, twitter, and other accounts. Reference members of the WV House of Delegates and WV State Senate using the hashtag #renewNIP2021 | |
| Neighborhood Investment Program 2021 Infographic | Front and back infographic that includes many of the benefits of the program. | |
| Feb 3rd NIP Briefing | Review the Virtual Briefing from February 3rd. | |
| Feb 24th Briefing | Review the Virtual Briefing from February 24th | |
| Mar 17th Briefing | Review the Virtual Briefing from March 17th |
Your involvement will make it possible for us to strengthen our dialogue for education and advocacy and advance our work to ensure renewal of this legislation. The WV Neighborhood Investment Program makes it possible for more than $6,000,000 in new charitable private gifts to be given annually, and those gifts support nonprofits across the Mountain State. The loss of this program would be catastrophic to so many organizations that provide important services to our communities. Your participation in the renewal is critical, and we hope you will use the resources provided to join us in advocating for this important cause.
For more information, contact the WV Nonprofit Association at tasha@wvnpa.org or Philanthropy WV at paul@philanthropywv.org.
Thank you for your support,
Tasha Anderson, PhD Paul D. Daugherty
West Virginia Nonprofit Association Philanthropy WV
