Nonprofits Support the Community; Let’s Support Nonprofits

To say the past week has been a strange and challenging in the nonprofit world would be an understatement. It has been a strange and challenging for everyone, and nonprofit organizations aren’t immune from these experiences. Many nonprofits are hit as hard or harder than anyone else.

Through mass shutdowns, cancellations and immediate societal changes, nonprofit organizations are striving to continue the vital services they provide every day. Services that are needed now more than ever. Services that are expanding, not stopping, all while facing new and constantly changing challenges.

Some nonprofit organizations are shifting the way they work, some of them working more than ever and some have seen core pieces of their work forced to halt.

As conversations focus on businesses and families who are suffering economically through this unprecedented situation, our leaders and politicians need to know it is our nonprofit community who will be the support piece for the many people impacted in both the short and long-term.

Food banks, health care services, domestic violence services, and help with immediate needs continue today. The shortage of these services only adds to the current challenges many in our region have been thrust into this week.

As we approached cancellations and shutdowns last week, it was easy to think work could slow down. That has been far from the case for many. And for those whose work has slowed down, it’s not a good thing! Nonprofits have adjusted quickly, changing plans, delivery methods and policies. Often requiring long hours and additional technology – plus a learning curve! They are tackling all of this while seeing their funding stream come to a quick slowdown.

Wondering how you can help? I’m so glad you asked.

• If you are involved with a specific nonprofit as a donor or volunteer, reach out to them and see how you can help.
• If you have technical expertise or equipment, let us or a nonprofit know. Sometimes just the phone support by someone who knows what they are doing to walk you through setting up a remote connection or hosting a virtual meeting saves a lot of time and frustration!
• Continue giving! Support is needed more today than ever. If you were planning to attend a fundraising event that gets canceled, still send your support. You probably weren’t going for the grilled chicken anyway! While you are at it, encourage the friend you would have invited to send a check as well.
• Leaders can engage the nonprofit community in their conversations and planning for how to help today and long-term through this crisis and recovery.
• Call your member of Congress, Senator, state and local officials, Governor, and all of these public officials who are making these decisions, and ask them to provide funding for nonprofits – not just to for-profit businesses. They need to hear from you and what is happening at home. Ten percent of Kentuckians work for a nonprofit organization. We are part of Kentucky’s economy.
• Ask Congress to improve the above-the-line charitable deduction by raising the cap to $2,000 and allowing all taxpayers to immediately claim the deduction on their 2019 taxes (due on July 15), and afterward through 2021.

Last week, the most pressing public policy item on nonprofit organization’s agenda was the census. Unfortunately, that is no longer the case. But it is still so important. Fill out your census forms. Do it online or by phone or ask for a written questionnaire. This will reduce burdens on Census workers and on nonprofit staff and volunteers who are committed to getting out the count. Invitations went out last week and you can go to www.my2020census.gov.

In a time of uncertainty and concern, our nonprofit community is a face of hope and comfort to the people they serve as well as the many volunteers and staff who help the work carryon. You can help them be that face that is needed now as much as ever.

When you want your life to make a difference FOREVER……you need a FOREVER partner.

Central Kentucky Community Foundation has a long history of serving this community through 52 years as North Central Education Foundation.

Today, we offer you even more options to help your dreams make a difference…FOREVER.