Nonprofit Communications: Writing For A Better World

By James D’Ambrosio

In the weeks before the March 1 deadline for $85 billion in across-the-board spending cuts to take effect (sequestration), I was doubtful there would be an agreement, given the prolonged partisan stalemate in Washington. Sure enough, nothing happened. Agencies must now deal with the fallout. Doug Sauer, CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), recently stated in an online message: “The cuts mean that nonprofit staff members and board members must raise billions of dollars more this year alone to handle the resulting increased demand for services.” However, he also discussed a new resource for nonprofits to speak out on the issue.

NEW WEB SITE TO DOCUMENT IMPACTS

The National Council of Nonprofits, based in D.C., recently created www.givevoice.org, a Web site for agencies to clearly demonstrate how spending cuts are/will negatively impact operations and the people and communities they serve. An infographic outlines increased burdens on nonprofits, impacts on service recipients, and direct/indirect funding cuts, stating: “Almost every nonprofit with a federally-funded contract or grant will lose approximately 9 percent of its federal funding for the Federal Fiscal Year 2013.” It also notes a potential ripple effect: State and local governments may reduce/reallocate resources due to federal cuts, which would further jeopardize agency’s ability to carry out their mission.

SHARE YOUR STORY AND MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

GiveVoice makes it easy to share your story and data: Answer a few questions about your agency and describe impacts in narrative form in a text box provided. There’s an option to add a photo and, if you grant permission, GiveVoice will share/post your story. The idea is to create a strong body of evidence documenting negative impacts and, hopefully, get the attention of lawmakers, letting them know the current situation is untenable. Nonprofits are constantly working to bolster others’ well-being. Now agencies must advocate for themselves. After all, if your resources are stretched too thin, how can you effectively help others?

Whether you’re an executive director, staff member, volunteer or board member, this is a great venue for self advocacy requiring  a relatively small investment: perhaps 15-20 minutes drafting a few paragraphs about impacts on your agency. If enough organizations step forward, in the aggregate, it can galvanize the nonprofit community. If charitable agencies are to continue helping those in need, they must assert themselves as vital entities deserving appropriate levels of funding.

CLICK HERE TO SHARE YOUR STORY

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QUESTIONS TO READERS:

A) Do you plan to share your story on GiveVoice?

B) If so, what points will you drive home?

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Give Voice, National Council of Nonprofits, Nonprofit Advocacy, Nonprofit Sector Advocacy, Nonprofits and Sequestration, Sequestration, Sequestration Effects on Nonprofits, Speak Out On Sequestration |