Montana NonProfit Association – Policy Alert: Economy – Stimulus Bill, Nonprofit Grants, and Advocacy

These are challenging times for many of us in the nonprofit community and for those we serve. At MNA http://www.mtnonprofit.org , the Obama transition, legislative session, and economic recession, have kept us very busy as public policy has dominated our days. With the economic downturn as context, I write to share with you important and time sensitive information regarding the stimulus bill, new resources on our website, and advocacy efforts that are underway on your behalf.

Stimulus Analysis Special Reports – Grant Opportunities for Nonprofits

Available for your immediate review are two new Special Reports on the economic stimulus legislation from the National Council of Nonprofits and the Montana Nonprofit Association. The first Special Report (click here) http://www.mtnonprofit.org/uploadedFiles/Files/Research-Info/Stimulus_Overview.pdf analyzes from a nonprofit perspective the 407-page economic stimulus legislation that President Obama recently signed into law: the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The second Special Report (click here) http://www.mtnonprofit.org/uploadedFiles/Files/Research-Info/Stimulus_GrantTips.pdf focuses on grant information, tips, and considerations for federal stimulus bill grants.

We are pleased to share this analysis and information so you can better understand this historic piece of legislation and consider ways your nonprofit might qualify for grant funding. Future Special Reports will explore not only the stimulus bill, but also promote a deeper understanding about the intersection between the nonprofit sector and our nation’s economic recovery.

Stimulus Advocacy – Communications to Governor Schweitzer and Legislative Leadership

Many thanks to all of you who responded to our request (through the Listening Post Project) regarding Montana "shovel ready" projects waiting in the nonprofit sector. We have sent a letter http://www.mtnonprofit.org/uploadedFiles/Files/Research-Info/Schweitzer_Letter_Economic_Stimulus.pdf , shovel ready fact sheet http://www.mtnonprofit.org/uploadedFiles/Files/Research-Info/MT_Highlights_ShovelReady_Feb_2009.pdf , and nonprofit economic impact fact sheet to Governor Schweitzer and Legislative Leadership highlighting the nonprofit sector’s critical role in economic recovery. Our main "50,000 foot" message is that nonprofits are critical to this nation’s economic recovery and that we stand ready as partners with government and business. We are now working towards securing a meeting with the Governor to explore these issues. Look for updates in our monthly Public Policy news on the outcomes of this work.

MNA Nonprofit Economic Resource Center

To facilitate information sharing, we have established a new resource home on our website focusing on the economy and nonprofits. The Nonprofit Economic Resource Center (NERC) provides additional information and resources on the federal stimulus bill, Montana nonprofit economic survey (soon to be released), resources and strategies to strengthen your organization during this recession, and news articles across Montana on the impact of the economic downturn on nonprofits. Please let us know if you come across resources in your work that are worth sharing with others. All of the documents and tools referenced in this email are posted on the NERC. Click here to visit the NERC http://www.mtnonprofit.org/economy.aspx .

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We know that many of you are facing difficult and uncertain circumstances. Going forward, you have our commitment to serve you to the best of our ability, keep you informed of opportunities, and assist you in meeting the challenges ahead. While there are many aspects of the economic recession that are beyond our control, we do know that Montana’s nonprofit community is home to the knowledge, experience, and services that will bring us through to a better tomorrow. The nonprofit community has always been resilient – we may need to dig much deeper this time, but we will come through stronger.

Please call on us if we can be helpful in any way.

Sincerely,

Brian Magee
Executive Director

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