If you missed PUFP’s latest Lunch & Learn webinar, Building Bipartisan Coalitions in the States, the video is now available on YouTube.

Drawing on the recent, unanimous passage of PUFP’s signature Personal Privacy Protection Act (PPPA) legislation in Colorado, the 30-minute session features insights for nonprofit leaders on how to work across the political aisle on policy issues, especially those pertaining to protecting nonprofit donor privacy. The event was moderated by Brian Hawkins, PUFP’s Senior Director of External Affairs. Our expert panelists included:

• Matt Nese, Vice President, People United for Privacy
• Shayne Madsen, Director of the Political Law Center, Independence Institute
• Ted Trimpa, Principal and CEO, Trimpa Group

“We are seeing that it is absolutely possible – whether you are a red, blue, or purple state – to pass the PPPA and get support for nonprofit donor privacy in every state in the country,” Nese explained.

Colorado became the 20th state to pass a version of the PPPA when Governor Jared Polis (D) signed S.B. 24-129 into law on May 28. The law passed the General Assembly unanimously, was sponsored by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and earned support from a wide array of nonprofit groups. Colorado was the third state to pass the PPPA this year, following Georgia and Nebraska.

Trimpa, a progressive strategist and architect of the Democratic Party’s resurgence in Colorado, emphasized the importance of reaching out to key leaders and nonprofits at the outset of the legislative process. In today’s hyperpolarized political environment, he noted, people are quick to turn against any idea backed by their ideological opponents. To avoid being misrepresented and dismissed, nonprofits must establish personal relationships and build trust on both sides early on.

“Part of getting folks to understand why this is so important is to tie it to something that is personal to them,” Trimpa explained about donor privacy reforms. He pointed to nonprofits that engage on abortion policy in the heated post-Dobbs environment as one key source of support for S.B. 24-129 in Colorado.

The Independence Institute, a Colorado-based think tank, has long understood the importance of donor privacy. In the 2000s, the organization was forced to defend itself against a campaign finance complaint seeking to expose its supporters’ personal information. Knowing how contentious the issue can become, Madsen credited the team behind S.B. 24-129 for managing the legislative process calmly.

“We discussed the principles, we didn’t get into the histrionics,” she said. Madsen agreed with Trimpa that a candid, open conversation and early engagement were essential. Groups can’t afford to wait until they need a legislator’s vote to approach them.

“You have to have respect for your political allies and your opponents,” Madsen explained.

You can view the full 30-minute webinar here. Be on the lookout for PUFP’s next Lunch & Learn discussion in the fall.