Digging Into the Details, Together
There is no template or playbook for what our country is going through; nonprofit innovation is in ultra-high demand. The rapid-succession passage of two federal COVID-19 stimulus bills poses immense opportunities for nonprofits to secure immediate relief, but only if they know how to access the details. Nonprofits need answers to their questions. Many organizations across the country are working to translate the often changing guidance from government into workable knowledge.
Something state associations of nonprofits are uniquely qualified to undertake is the connecting of policymakers and government officials with frontline nonprofits and enabling them all to learn together. As displayed in the sidebar under Nonprofit Events, state associations are embracing their roles as conveners and the results are profound.
Last week, the CT Community Nonprofit Alliance conducted a virtual town hall meeting with Governor Lamont at which he announced key nonprofit-friendly initiatives, like his order that state agencies continue to pay nonprofits under grants even when suffering pandemic-related shutdowns. A senior official of the Small Business Administration addressed questions on a call set up by the Kentucky Nonprofit Network. Importantly, he acknowledged that SBA field offices don’t have all the answers and promised to run the nonprofits’ toughest questions up the chain of command for inclusion in future FAQs. Maryland Nonprofits hosted an hour-long call with both of the state’s U.S. Senators, Cardin and Van Hollen. The Senators answered questions and gave meaningful insights into both the legislative process and their recognition of the need to protect and promote the work of charitable nonprofits.
Each of these engagements, and the dozens that have already happened and will be occurring in the coming weeks, have several beneficial things in common. They give nonprofits and elected officials the opportunity to learn – together – the details of the new laws and the scope of the crisis. Also, on these calls the lawmakers are consistently reminded of the commitment of nonprofit leaders to their missions and communities.
The questions nonprofits are asking educate the officials about what is and is not clear about the relief programs, and how a plan that may make sense for for-profit entities often needs to be adjusted to meet nonprofit realities. Questions like, “why am I being asked to identify my nonprofit’s owner?; the public owns us.” Or “How are we supposed to stay at home when we’re a homeless-outreach nonprofit?; getting out on the streets is what we do!”
For every nonprofit, there are many questions and concerns that most policymakers have never considered. These virtual town hall meetings give individuals in the nonprofit community the opportunities to learn how to access needed resources and support while advancing their missions through questions, answers, and their powerful show of commitment. That’s advocacy in action in times of crisis.
