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Virginia's
Attorney General Ken
Cuccinelli issued an Advisory Opinionlate
last week that would prohibit direct state budget appropriations to charities,
as reported by the Washington Post and other media.
This is not about contracts that state agencies have with
nonprofits - if it were, that would be something
we would fight against 100%. While the logic of direct state budget
appropriations may be in the "grey area", what is clear is that needs
are growing in Virginia. What is also clear is that funding like this
makes a big difference in people's lives.
Attorney General
Cuccinelli's Opinion does not dispute that investments in trusted,
in-the-trenches nonprofit organizations have helped enhance the quality of life
for all of us, and that these kinds of nonprofits provide lifelines to our
neighbors in need.
The Washington Post's annual column on corporate
philanthropy featured 12 Roundtable Member's partnerships with local
corporations (see below). One of our favorites was the law firm of Bryan Cave which helped the YWCA of the National Capital Area "come up with a new status that not only freed the organization from paying future taxes but also generated three years of tax rebates."
Kudos to these and all our corporate partners who make the National Capital Region a better place to live for all our residents.
►Capital Area Food Bank/JBG Companies ►Community Bridges/Statland & Katz ►DC SCORES/Willkie, Farr & Gallagher ►For Love of Children/TerpSys ►Goodwill of Greater Washington/Capital
One ►New Hope Housing/Modern Technology
Solutions ►Metro TeenAIDS/Downtown Locker Room ►NOVACO/Northern Virginia Building
Industry Association ►N Street Village/Accenture ►PHILLIPS Programs/BB&T ►Women Empowered Against Violence/US Chamber of Commerce
In addition, the article highlighted the philanthropic impact of Roundtable partners like:
►Acumen Solutions ►Board of Trade ►Catalogue of Philanthropy ►Deloitte ►Freddie Mac ►Meyer Foundation ►Kaiser Permanente ►United Way of the National Capital Area
This Thanksgiving, the Roundtable is thankful for our members who are providing essential services to families who need help most in our region. Some examples include:
Children's Law Center Ms. White has cared for her four grandchildren for most of their young
lives – always able to give them the love they needed, but struggling to
find the financial resources to support them. Children’s Law Center
helped her win legal custody and then secure financial support under the
grandparent caregiver subsidy program. Once she had financial
assistance, Ms. White was able to move to safer housing. Ms. White's
grandchildren are thriving in her care.
Latino Economic Development Corporation
As mortgage lenders temporarily halt foreclosures across the country
and public officials debate the impact of a possible national moratorium
on foreclosures, LEDC housing counselors are continuing to negotiate
the best long-term solution for struggling homeowners stuck in the home
loan modification process. "We
are doing everything we can to fight scams and confront unresponsive
lenders who are moving the foreclosure process forward without giving
our clients proper notice and the opportunity to qualify for mortgage
relief," says LEDC Regional Director of Homeownership, Manuel Ochoa.
FACETS
FACETS has been working with Dory, a single mom with a seven-year-old son. She was a successful business
owner in Africa but war caused them to flee to the United States. She got a
job making $8.50 an hour at a newspaper, and worked two years until she
was laid off. She and her son became homeless, applied for Public
Housing and completed an intake for placement on the Fairfax County
Family Shelter Waiting List. FACETS is helping Dory on making a
budget, finding a job and procuring housing.
These organizations are just three examples of the important work that our members are doing every day. Share your organization's stories with us by emailing Amy or commenting on this blog post.
In DC, the Council will decide in the coming weeks how to fix a $175 million budget shortfall. Rather than more cuts, it is time for a balanced approach that will support and preserve essential services like these. More information about the District's budget shortfall.
I am an avid reader of a few blogs written by nonprofit professionals including Jeff Raderstrong's Change Charity. Jeff's most recent blog A Glossary of Useful Terms attempts to define some of the jargon used by nonprofits. As I read it, I was reminded of two words and/or phrases that I hope nonprofits would exclude from their vocabulary:
TARGET - Referring to donors as "targets" often creates the impression that donors serve only one purpose - to finance our programs, organizations, communities etc. Treating our donors as targets creates donor fatigue. Even within our departments, donors should be refered to as friends and supporters. It will only serve to create an atmosphere of lifelong giving. And isn't that what we all strive for with our donors?
LOWEST HANGING FRUIT - I have often wondered why some nonprofits think that doing the least is often the best. Why not strive for doing more? I understand the insurmountable stress that nonprofits face all year round - trying to meet increasing demands with very limited resources, overworked staff, etc. - but reaching for the "lowest hanging fruit" - as many term it, will never allow us to comepete on the same scale with the for profit world. Besides, I've never heard a for-profit company say lets reach for the lowest hanging fruit this year! If its not good enough for them, why is it good enough for us?
I am concerned about budget cuts in Montgomery County. Last year’s huge budget shortfall was felt across the board – including cuts to key nonprofit service organizations. Next year’s budget also looks challenging.
Beyond our advocacy efforts (see Think Twice Before You Slice), what else can we do? It’s time for nonprofit leaders to look at the whole fiscal picture. Beyond simply saying, “Don’t cut!” we need to take a balanced approach to balancing the budget and examine the revenue side of the budget. That’s why I agree with the Washington Post’s October 4 editorial in favor of the so-called “ambulance fee” in Montgomery County. (See Washington Post: “The case for ambulance service fees” on October 4.)
This works in other jurisdictions in the region, including Fairfax, Frederick, Prince George’sand Price William, to name just a few.. I take Ike Leggett’s point that neighboring jurisdictions are getting millions of dollars “to improve fire and rescue services and save lives” – with no adverse effects. Leggett says that this would “not cost County residents one dime.” As I understand it, this is paid by private insurance or Medicare/Medicaid, and this would bring 14 million dollars each year to the County. If this doesn’t happen -- imagine $14 million more being cut from key services!
Yes, we ought to ask about the impact, especially on low- and no-income populations. But, the County’s Office of Public Information writes, “There is no evidence that those in need of transport will be dissuaded from calling 911because their insurance is going to be billed or because they are uninsured. In the jurisdictions that have been collecting this fee, there is no evidence of that happening. Montgomery County will fund a public education campaign to make sure that residents know that they will not receive a bill for any out-of-pocket expenses.”
Yes, as advocates, we would only support revenue raising measures that are both balanced and fairly distributed. I think this fits. In fact, the Washington Post writes, “Neither insured nor uninsured county residents would receive a bill” – it’s paid by private insurance or Medicare/Medicaid.
Revenue raisers are not easy. But, Ibelieve such measures are necessary in order to maintain services delivered by the County and the County’s network of nonprofit organizations. We know that a "cuts-only" approach would result in further reductions in services and quite possibly the actual elimination of some services and programs that will be devastating to those in need in Montgomery County.I think it’s the right thing for Montgomery County. County Council President Nancy Floreen sums it up: “If residents vote against the ambulance fee, they will be voting for $14 million in cuts to services.”
Last night, I stumbled upon Wyclef Jean's interview on Larry King Live announcing his candidacy for the Haitian presidency while channel-cruising during a commercial break from the series premiere of the Real Housewives of DC (another topic for another blog). Although, I've been a huge fan of the Fugees and Wyclef since the 90's, the announcement bothered me for a few reasons.
The publicity stunt - Why was the announcement made on an American television show to the American people?
Is fame the new pre-requisite for seeking political office?
I guess hoping for a Fugees reunion is futile
In a recent interview, Wyclef stated that although he may not know much about politics, "I am a natural leader, and I will surround myself with top-notch policy experts." (New York Times, 08/04)