A persuasive advocate should be up to date on the key issues affecting the opera sector.

Read the latest news on advocacy efforts prepared by OPERA America's director of government affairs and civic practice — and check back for regular updates.

Review the key issues affecting opera and the arts with resources and downloadable briefs prepared by the Cultural Action Group.

Advocacy Updates

Issued November 6, 2026

Post-Election Advocacy - Save the Dates for OPERA America’s 2027 Advocacy Forum!

Tuesday's midterm election laid the groundwork for the 120th Congress, as well as for state and local governments across the country. Post-election communication is a wonderful opportunity for organizations and advocates to introduce themselves to the newly elected lawmakers and continue working with reelected members of Congress. As election results will bring new committee leadership and new priorities, engaging in conversation early is a great step in year-round advocacy! 

In the meantime, legislators returning to Washington D.C. next week face the December 11 deadline for the continuing resolution enacted in September, which maintains NEA funding at FY2026 levels of $207 million and includes a provision postponing the implementation of OMB’s extensive changes to federal financial aid regulation proposed earlier this summer. The Senate has yet to release FY27 Interior Appropriations bill language and the House of Representatives Interior Appropriations bill currently includes a proposal to reduce NEA funding to $135 million. Advocates can reach out today urging their members to support $213 million for the NEA and NEH in the FY2027 appropriations! 

To support field wide on-going advocacy efforts, OPERA America is pleased to announce an upcoming Advocacy Forum: a three-part webinar series held monthly on January 26, February 23, and March 23, 2027. The first webinar will provide a detailed overview of the 120th Congress. Registration information and additional details will be shared in the coming weeks. We hope you will be able to join us!

PSLF Protected After DOJ Drops Appeal

October 26, the U.S. Department of Education dismissed its appeal in National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) v McMahon. As a result, all 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits, regardless of their mission or the communities they serve, remain eligible employers under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. The dismissal means the lower court’s decision stands, the rule will not go into effect, and all nonprofits will remain eligible employers. Update Courtesy of National Council of Nonprofits

Issued October 23, 2026

New Advocacy Resource - Guiding Advocacy Decisions: A Framework for Nonprofit Boards and Executives in a Dynamic Policy Environment

Our coalition partner, Independent Sector, recently released a new resource crafted specifically for nonprofit boards and senior leaders focused on advocacy strategies for the current environment.

Reminder – New Charitable Deduction Rules Took Effect in 2026

As nonprofits prepare for the year-end giving season, take a moment to review the charitable deduction rules that took effect in 2026. This includes, that starting this year, taxpayers who take the standard deduction can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts to charity, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly, compared to the $150 limit in 2025.

Issued October 9, 2026

Guest Artist Visa Survey: Share Your Experience!

OPERA America is partnering closely with the Performing Arts Visa Working group in ongoing efforts to improve the U.S. artist visa process. Complete our new national survey, created in partnership with The League of American Orchestras, gathering recent data from arts petitioners about the barriers and costs in the guest artist visa process. The data will help inform updates to Artists from Abroad and ongoing policy engagement with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State. Your participation is essential! Responses are being collected until November 18, 2026, 11:59pm ET. If you have any questions, contact Megan Carpenter, director of government affairs and civic practice, directly, at any time.

IRS 2026-2027 Priority Guidance Plan

The IRS recently released its 2026-2027 Priority Guidance Plan. The plan details the agency’s priorities through September 30, 2027. Among the various tax priorities in the plan, the agency will prioritize several issues that impact nonprofits:

• Guidance related to certain donor-advised fund arrangements and tax-exempt organization reporting requirements, including for fiscal sponsorship arrangements

• Guidance on the Johnson Amendment, which requires nonprofit nonpartisanship

• Reducing burdens and regulations related to expenditure responsibility requirements and the reporting requirements of charitable contributions of trusts

• Finalizing regulations regarding the fundamental public policy of nondiscrimination in private schools

Update courtesy of the Council on Foundations

Senate Passes Bill Protecting IRS Due Process for Nonprofits 

On September 30, the U.S. Senate passed the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, legislation aimed at modernizing and streamlining IRS operations and strengthening taxpayer rights during audit procedures and other interactions with the IRS. The legislation includes an amendment, offered by Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA), that would protect due process for nonprofit organizations by explicitly adding “determinations of tax-exempt status” to the list of situations under which taxpayers have a right to appeal and requiring that notice of this right is provided. Update courtesy of Independent Sector.

Key Advocacy Issues

Prepare to take action by reviewing the key issues with online resources and downloadable briefs prepared by the Cultural Advocacy Group