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National Council of Nonprofits

 

January 25, 2019

A Thank You to Nonprofits
Affected by the Federal Government Shutdown

Dear Nonprofit Colleagues:

 

Thank you. You have stepped forward, yet again, to help innocent people who are being hurt by circumstances beyond their control. In normal times, you are reliably there helping others cope with everyday struggles and natural disasters. This time, however, it’s an unnatural disaster created by the President and Congress. Still you step up, helping people in their time of need. Please know that your actions are not unnoticed. We have been hearing from the public, journalists, and officials at all levels of government that your actions are very much appreciated and valued.

 

Like you, we recognize that the number of people being harmed by the federal government shutdown far exceeds the frequently cited number of 800,000 federal employees who are not being paid. Their family members – hundreds of thousands of additional innocent people – also are being hurt. So are the employees of hundreds of thousands of federal contractors not being paid – a number again expanded by family members swept into this avoidable disaster. Nonprofit employees and their family members are among those being hurt, as the shutdown also means that the federal government is not paying on many of the contracts and grant agreements made with nonprofits to provide various services.

 

Among those programs affected are domestic violence shelters that are not receiving payments the federal government agreed in writing to pay, which is forcing many of these vital shelters to lay off staff (e.g., in New York, North Carolina, and Ohio). At the same time, federal employees and others who supported the work of nonprofits in the past with contributions of time and money are instead now receiving assistance. The list goes on and on. But we know there are limits to what the nonprofit community can continue to do in the face of a big jump in demand at the same time that funding suddenly falls or stops.

 

The federal government shutdown is unacceptable. That’s not just our opinion. All three key segments of our nation’s economy – public, private, and nonprofit – recently sent letters telling the President and congressional leaders: end the shutdown immediately, because it’s hurting people, it’s hurting the economy, and it’s hurting individual businesses and nonprofits. See these letters from the National Governors Association, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the National Council of Nonprofits.

 

We all need to take action to end the shutdown and alleviate the pain it has been generating. We need to lift our voices to ensure our elected officials know the human cost of their political games. We ask that you share your stories with us – what you are seeing among the populations you serve and about the restraints your nonprofit is experiencing – so we can assess developments and elevate key issues. Share that same information with your U.S. Representative, your two U.S. Senators, and the White House. Then place a call to your local paper and TV station. If enough people know about the real consequences of this shutdown, the resulting public pressure will force the politicians to end this senseless shutdown.

 

As leaders of the nation’s largest network of charitable nonprofits, we thank you again for your commitment in taking care of even more people during this unnatural disaster. You are the embodiment of the American spirit of compassion, generosity, and reason. We hope politicians will learn from your positive example of putting people first. We’re proud to serve with you. For the public good. Every day.

 

Donna Murray-Brown Tim Delaney

Donna Murray-Brown

CEO, Michigan Nonprofit Association and

Board Chair, National Council of Nonprofits

Tim Delaney

President and CEO

National Council of Nonprofits

 

What You Can Do - Action Steps

Individuals – Nonprofit Board Members, Staff Members, Volunteers, Donors, and Vendors

We all need to lift our voices to ensure our elected officials know the human cost of their political games. Increasing the pressure on your federal officials is the best way get them to end the senseless shutdown that is hurting everyone across the country.

  • Contact the White House. Dial 202-456-1111 and tell the President to end the shutdown now.
  • Call your two U.S. Senators. “Choose a State” from this list of Senators for their direct contact information, or simply call the Senate switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected with the Senators from your state. Tell your Senators to end the shutdown now.
  • Call your U.S. Representative. Simply call the House switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be connected with your Representative. Not sure who’s representing you? Find your Representative. Tell your Representative to end the shutdown now.

Nonprofits

Please share your stories with us – both what you are seeing among the populations you serve and what constraints your nonprofit is experiencing – so we can assess emerging trends and elevate key issues for greater visibility. After you do that, place a call to your local newspaper and TV station. If enough people know about the real consequences of this shutdown, the resulting public pressure will force the politicians to end this senseless shutdown. You can also share your story on Twitter, using the hashtag #NonprofitShutdownStories.

 

Foundations and Other Grantmakers

Please reach out to your grantees to listen to their needs. Some may be doing fine, others may inspire you with how they’re putting your most recent grants to work helping others, and a few may need extra support – financial and moral.

 

State and Local Governments, plus For-Profit Businesses

Many of your local nonprofits are carrying much heavier loads – at great cost to them, both financial and human resources. You can reach out to listen to their needs and then help them raise funds and volunteers. Here are positive examples taking place this month:

State-Specific Information

Charitable nonprofits are witnessing first-hand – and many are experiencing – the significant problems flowing from the shutdown. The following accounts share samplings of what front-line nonprofits are reporting about what is happening in local communities across the country:

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