Candidates Answering Nonprofit Questions
State associations of nonprofits are promoting voter engagement in the Midterm Elections, everything from nonpartisan Get Out the Vote (GOTV) efforts to engaging in meaningful conversations about how candidates relate, listen, and work with nonprofits in the communities they are seeking to represent. All of these efforts are scrupulously nonpartisan and within their rights under state and federal laws, including the Johnson Amendment, demonstrating how important and easy it is for nonprofits to be at the forefront of civic engagement. Here’s a short sampling:
Colorado Nonprofit Association sent questions related to the nonprofit sector to the major party candidates in Colorado’s 2018 governor’s race. Questions included “How will you involve nonprofits in your administration?”, “What specific state public policies do you think are most important to support a flourishing nonprofit operating environment?”, and “When speaking to a room full of nonprofit professionals, what would you say?” The responses from the two gubernatorial candidates show promise for nonprofits under either new administration. Candidate Polis stated, “Colorado has one of the strongest nonprofit communities in the country, and accordingly our communities benefit greatly from the hard work that the nonprofit sector puts forward. That’s why, as governor, I will work to promote and protect your ability to continue the services that you provide to our communities.” Candidate Stapleton answered the association’s questions this way: “I would say that now more than ever, our state needs you and the critical work you do for the people of Colorado. I will be a partner with the nonprofit sector to get government out of the way when necessary, or to provide input and or funding when appropriate.” Both stressed their desires to work on public policies that will forge stronger relationships between the sectors.
For the first time ever, the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) and Maine Philanthropy Center hosted a series of live webinars with each candidate for governor to answer questions created by a steering committee made up of a diverse group of 29 members. Three of the four candidates participated in answering questions about nonprofit and philanthropic engagement and several other topics. MANP also provided every candidate across the state the opportunity to respond to a questionnaire, which MANP then posted publicly on its website. As of this writing, both U.S. Senate candidates, 53 candidates for state House of Representatives, and 14 candidates for state Senate have responded. The page closes with a clear statement of nonpartisanship: “MANP does not endorse candidates or promote or endorse any political party. MANP’s goal is to educate candidates by making them aware of the impact and potential of the nonprofit sector, and to educate voters by soliciting information directly from candidates on how they would strengthen and partner with the sector if elected.”
The North Carolina Center for Nonprofits also “invited every candidate running for statewide office in the 2018 November election to share their insights on questions of interest to nonprofits across the state.” Moreover, the Center encouraged their weekly public policy newsletter readers to share the survey with the candidates in their areas, as well as read the responses to make informed choices. Each response is publicly available on the Center’s website. The questionnaire responses indicated many candidates have been volunteers, board members, and donors of local nonprofits. Most responded that they “support” or “strongly support” preserving or expanding tax exemption for charitable nonprofits and encouraging individuals and businesses to give generously to nonprofits serving their communities.
Finally, the Wyoming Nonprofit Network shared with its members the answers of candidates to a questionnaire it sent to the state’s gubernatorial candidates. All four candidates responded with descriptions of their past experiences with nonprofits as board members, volunteers, or supporters, and how those experiences shaped their perspectives on the role of nonprofits. Among many other comments, they stated that nonprofits “help meet the unique needs of our town and counties,” “provide significant value to communities,” “help people who are down on their luck,” and “reduce the demand on government funds and time.” Each answered “Yes” when asked whether he or she would make nonprofits a priority, consult nonprofit leaders, and encourage cross-sector partnerships to leverage resources, setting up nonprofits in Wyoming (the “Equality State”) for future opportunities with the chief executive office.
The bottom-line? Vote!
