Grinnell College increases lobbying presence on Capitol Hill

When President Anne Harris travels to Washington, D.C., her schedule often includes more than conferences and meetings — it places Grinnell College directly within national conversations shaping the future of higher education.

In recent months, Harris has attended advocacy events including the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) Hill Days on Feb. 2, a lobbying initiative where college leaders advocate for issues affecting colleges, like financial aid, taxes and regulations. She has planned meetings with the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, where college leaders engage with federal policymakers on issues ranging from financial aid to immigration policy. 

These trips reflect a broader expansion of the College’s lobbying efforts as both state and federal legislation increasingly affect higher education institutions.

“It is the administration’s role to champion the academic mission of the institution,” Harris said during a campus forum held on Wednesday, March 25. 

She said that it is vital to remain informed and engaged in what she described as an ever-shifting legislative landscape.

Through these national networks, the College has increased its presence on Capitol Hill. 

During Hill Days, Harris and other college leaders meet directly with legislators and their staff, often in brief meetings lasting 15 to 20 minutes. 

These conversations are designed to clearly communicate how institutions like Grinnell use their endowments to expand access to education, support research and contribute to their surrounding communities, according to Harris.

This advocacy builds on previous efforts. In 2025, the College participated in lobbying that helped prevent a proposed federal tax increase on university endowments, ultimately securing an exemption.

At the state level, however, new concerns have emerged. Iowa’s House Study Bill 544 proposes a 15 percent annual tax on university endowments exceeding $500 million. Although the bill has not advanced since January, it remains under consideration and could still move forward before the legislative session concludes.

If enacted, the tax could significantly affect Grinnell’s financial model, with potential consequences for financial aid and institutional operations. Harris also noted that the implications extend beyond a single institution. 

“Once you begin taxing nonprofit endowments, you are threatening the financial model of all nonprofits,” she said.

In response, the College has begun preparing both advocacy strategies and potential legal arguments, while also working to communicate its role as a community partner. According to Harris, Grinnell has received support from local stakeholders who recognize the College’s contributions to access, affordability and the regional economy.

Harris said that the current policy environment is a potential hard reset for higher education, pointing to a rise in federal actions and regulatory changes that could reshape how institutions operate. 

These shifts have prompted colleges like Grinnell to take a more active role in advocacy, both to respond to immediate challenges and to help shape longer-term policy outcomes.

While the future of House Study Bill 544 remains uncertain, the College continues to monitor its progress closely. Since tax legislation is not subject to standard legislative deadlines, the bill could still advance even after other measures have stalled.

As these developments unfold, Harris emphasized the importance of staying engaged as a campus community. “We are each other’s best resource,” she said, encouraging students, faculty and staff to remain informed and participate in civic processes.