Western NC Nonprofit Policy Conversation

Policy Conversations bring together nonprofit leaders to discuss public policy issues that are important to charitable nonprofits and the people and communities they serve.

During this in-person gathering, the Center will share a briefing on the following: federal grant disruptions in 2025 and early 2026; potential changes to rules about nonpartisan election-related activities by 501(c)(3)s; a discussion about whether nonprofit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and policies are now "illegal discrimination"; implications of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act for nonprofits and the people they serve; an update on the state budget process; and a preview of major state policy issues affecting nonprofits in 2026. Attendees will have opportunities to ask questions and share their insights about policy and legislative priorities and issues.

Light refreshments & coffee will be served. 
Special thanks to our regional event partner, WNC Nonprofit Pathways!

If cost is a concern, please contact us before registering.

*To access the registration form below, please log into your account or create one if you haven’t already.

Registration Form
Center-Hosted Event
-
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, Ferguson Auditorium
19 Tech Drive, Asheville, NC 28801
Cost:
Members: $25
All Others: $35
Presenter:
David Heinen, Vice President for Public Policy and Advocacy, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits

About the Presenters:

David Heinen has been with the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits since 2007, leading the Center’s public policy and advocacy work and providing non-answers (and occasional useful information) about legal compliance, trends in the nonprofit sector, and advocacy to hundreds of nonprofits. He has served on boards of a variety of local and national nonprofits. David is a graduate of Duke University and the William and Mary School of Law. Before returning to North Carolina to work for the Center, David spent seven years as an attorney with a Washington, D.C. law firm serving the nonprofit community. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and three children, the oldest of whom describes her dad as “weathered.”