It is difficult to ignore the divisiveness in our country. It is almost palpable. Its wounds puncture headlines. Institutions that once stood as pillars of compromise and collaboration have been violated by the throws of partisan politics. In the middle of it all, we are left weakened by division. Ending this discord lies in embracing our common humanity through service – something the nonprofit sector models daily.

Oklahoma’s charitable sector is as vast and as diverse as our state’s demographics. Its causes range from food insecurity to mental illness to animal welfare and everything in between. No one is out of its reach or outside its capacity. If someone (or something in some insistences) is in need, a nonprofit is ready and willing to help. There are no contingences on political party, race, creed or religion. We help others without question or expectation. We serve in the spirit of service by looking past labels and seeing that which binds us – our shared human experience. By focusing on our similarities, we are better able to relate, to understand and to help others.

One of the most remarkable things about Oklahoma’s nonprofit community is its ability to rally around a common goal. When COVID-19 swept across the nation, sector leaders dropped whatever alliances they might have held and united to help. Coming together to address the needs of others can instantly erase divisions. The importance of charity supersedes any political or social label, thus we become servants of the greater good, moving towards a common goal.

If we are going to successfully recover from the economic, social, emotional and mental impacts of COVID-19, we must – as Oklahomans and as Americans – abandon the rhetoric that emphasizes our differences and focus on what brings us together. Nonprofits have proven time and time again that this is not only possible, it is the only way forward. 

Clarity comes with closure. Once we cross a certain divide we are able to look back and understand events from a different, almost academic perspective. We’re out of the fire, and it’s easier to assess what happened. As life trickles back to normalcy after the COVID-19 pandemic, my perspective on the past year has shifted. I am able to take stock of all the lessons – some I learned naturally, others came through the hardships accompanying an unprecedented time; however, I am sure all of them will stay with me.

First and foremost, Oklahoma’s nonprofit sector is second to none. I knew that before March 2020, but I have a new resolve to beat that drum wherever I go. Seeing what Oklahoma’s nonprofit professionals endured and overcame during the pandemic will forever humble and amaze me. Simply put – it was herculean. The 5,308 nonprofits that filed income with IRS stood ready when rising unemployment numbers triggered a demand for social services. As many professionals retreated to home offices, the nonprofit sectors stormed the frontlines of suffering. Regardless of what was happening in their personal lives, nonprofit employees showed up to man food bank lines, call centers and help desks. Most Oklahoma charitable organizations lost important funding during this time period, but 92% of them did not lay off any employees. There was a need, and Oklahoma nonprofits stepped up. Yes the world slowed its pace over the last year, but the nonprofit sector did not. 

Nonprofits’ pandemic work could not have been done without strategic partnerships within our nonprofit sector. My work at the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits allows me to act as the connector for our state’s charitable organizations. Since last year, hundreds of nonprofit leaders join a weekly call that OKCNP hosts. We let one another know about funding opportunities, helped each other with similar issues and came together to solve problems as a team. Reflecting on the power of those partnerships makes me realize that we are better together. The power of one person is amplified by working in concert with others. Regardless of background, working together around a common goal makes all of us better. I am proud of the nonprofit sector for its ability to come together to support one another and all Oklahomans during such a critical time.

As the pandemic’s grip on our lives loosens, there is a certain lightness in the air. It hasn’t taken Oklahomans much time to embrace life without social distancing or mask mandates. People are excited to engage in the most common activities – going to dinner, working at the office or having a neighbor over. The tireless efforts of the nonprofit sector and the generous Oklahomans who help fund it are the reason we have galas, educational camps, ballets and art festivals to attend this summer. Those who are still struggling will not be forgotten. Nonprofits will continue to care for Oklahomans in whatever ways needed. The disaster declaration might be over, but our work is not. Because of the efforts of the Oklahoma charities, families have food on the table; children have critical resources, and the state map is dotted with some of the country’s most beautiful parks. In short, Oklahoma is a better place because of our thriving nonprofit sector.

I am hearing from nonprofits that their optimism of getting back into offices and seeing one another at events is giving everyone hope about our future. With the passage of the American Rescue Plan, many of the families our nonprofits serve are getting further relief after a tumultuous last year. CARES Act funds have helped our sector immensely through PPP loans, eviction prevention assistance, grants from the Oklahoma Business Relief Program, funding specifically for arts organization and may other initiatives helping our organizations in a time of great challenge.

A survey from BKD found that 61% of nonprofits lost fees and donations in the last year and that 29% intend to cancel programs or reduce services. Nine of ten had to drastically alter operations. Nonprofits need relief. Now.

With the new American Rescue Plan, there will be further funds coming to Oklahoma to help individuals and businesses. My hope is that we will also develop a mechanism to get money from the ARP straight to nonprofits. The last rounds of stimulus for nonprofits were truly stop-gaps to help organizations survive an unpredictable economy. While donors stepped up in a big way last year, nonprofits will continue to need more cash to sustain programs and help Oklahomans long-term following the Pandemic.

I can tell you that most nonprofits increased service delivery over the last year. Needs were great, and nonprofits responded. However, few were funded for this extra work. When they did receive support, much of it had to cover budget holes created by lack of special events or major donors focusing on recovery.

Increased services were part of the operations of nonprofits. For instance, call volumes to our 211 system statewide increased 600-800% at times in the past year. All of our direct service organizations reported higher need. To sustain this into the future, we must continue investing in these programs so that they’re ready for the next civil disaster.

Nonprofits will need continued support. We expect high needs to continue long after we reach herd immunity. I urge our state leaders to consider using some of the America Rescue Plan funds to underwrite the work of nonprofits. While the situation looks less challenging, the people served by nonprofits may not see the relief for years come.

This week, the Legislature convened for the 2021 legislative session. Last year as you recall, COVID-19 created a number of barriers for our state Legislature to get much policy work completed or bills passed. This year, they are hopeful that they will be able to return to a more normal session.

And they have their work cut out for them.

Oklahomans will be dealing with several important issues this year, and many of those directly impact the nonprofit sector. One of the most talked about is Oklahoma healthcare. Last week, the Healthcare Authority voted 5-4 to allow for managed care in Oklahoma. It was announced later that Oklahoma had chose four third-party managed care providers to help oversee the management of our state’s Medicaid population.

The possibility of managed care has both proponents and detractors, including within our nonprofit sector. It will have enormous effects on the way healthcare providing nonprofits are paid in Oklahoma and will influence their business practices. Additionally, the state will need to find nearly $200 million to fund the Medicaid expansion that was narrowly passed in a statewide vote.

Education – particularly K-12 schools – are also going to be a focus of the Legislature again this year. From operating during a pandemic to funding issues and school outcomes, there are a number of bills that address learning. For nonprofits that work alongside schools (early childhood programs, school supporting charities and foundations, along with other nonprofits), education funding and transparency will be major issues this session.

We are also hopeful that our Legislature will make changes to the Open Meetings Act, allowing once again nonprofit boards to meet virtually. It is our understanding that this will be addressed early in the session based on remarks made last week by Senate and House leadership at the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce online event. Sen. Greg Treat made mention that other issues for the Open Meetings Act would be addressed with other legislation later in the session.

And nonprofits will again need to carefully monitor various bills this year. I am encouraging nonprofits to again have advocacy at the forefronts of their mission. I also encourage board members to “Stand for the Mission” and get more involved in advocacy and government affairs. Nonprofits must continue working to keep a seat at the table for advocacy, and this year will be a pivotal moment for nonprofits working in healthcare, education, criminal justice reform and community services.

Let’s get to work.

It was only 35 years ago when many of us didn’t wear seatbelts. Car seats for babies and children weren’t the norm. We laugh about the days when family road trips included riding in the rears of station wagons untethered. America had a problem — high death rates in accidents. Safety was a big issue. And the only solution was to get people to wear their seatbelts.

It was the nonprofit sector that came together to challenge policymakers to enact laws that protected people, particularly our children. Just think, without nonprofits, people would likely still be smoking in offices and we would not have the Americans with Disabilities Act. Today, every nonprofit in Oklahoma could have a “seatbelt story.” Whether that is strengthening laws to protect families from domestic violence or ensuring every child has access to food, health and education services, nonprofits have the power to create lasting change.

But these “seatbelt stories” don’t come without work or seats at the table to create this important change. This election, especially in Oklahoma, means that like our recent past, our legislative composition, budget issues and policy challenges will remain. Therefore, the nonprofit sector continues to need a bigger seat at the table. We are an incredibly large employment and business sector, yet we often continue to be unheard at these tables — even when we pull up our folding chairs. I’m urging our Legislature and governor to invite us wholeheartedly to the table, and to please listen and consider the importance of our sector in decision-making.

While we will welcome a number of new and eager policymakers, the challenges we face at the state level — particularly with regard to the state budget — will dominate the work of nonprofits in the next year. I always tell nonprofits that the time to meet with legislators is not when we are in the middle of a session or facing a crisis. I urge all nonprofit leaders and particularly board members to reach out to current and newly elected members of the House and Senate now. Introduce yourself if you haven’t already. And most of all, fill them in on what your nonprofit is doing and why it is so critical to the needs of your community and our state. Establish yourself as the expert on your mission. Legislators will rely on you for your stories and impact data.

On the federal level, central Oklahoma will have a new congresswoman in state Sen. Stephanie Bice. The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits worked with U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn on nonprofit issues the past two years and we look forward to working with Bice. Additionally, we expect to also work closely with Sen. James Lankford and his staff on stimulus for nonprofits and furthering charitable giving incentives.

Finally, I am asking nonprofits — particularly board members and leadership — to put politics aside and to engage in real policy work. We will come to the table together and be vocal on the issues and policy positions that we stand for as a sector. This is our time to be leaders. This is our time to create those “seatbelt stories.” This is our time to be bold and effect change in Oklahoma.

Build relationships. Advocate. Change the future. This is a perfect time for all of us to work hand-in-hand to create the lasting change that Oklahoma needs. To all of our hardworking nonprofits and the people who empower them through leadership, volunteerism and philanthropy, I say thank you.

*Read the original post on Oklahoman.com

by Marnie Taylor, president and CEO, OKCNP

I cannot believe it is already October. I believe we are all looking forward to a hopefully beautiful fall. Change is definitely in the air.

But with the changing of the leaves our nonprofits are facing a number of challenges based on the incurrent political and social climate in the United States. The upcoming elections and U.S. Census results will have repercussions for years for the nonprofit sector which is why nonprofits are closely following the processes. We have a major general election ahead of us with hotly contested races. Money from donors is pour into campaigns this fall, potentially having an effect on charitable giving. Get-out-the-Vote campaigns are underway, and we have only a short time left for voter registration. Mail-in voting has been a significant topic in the news because of the fulfillment problems with the U.S. Post Office. Needless to say, the elections will dominate the news for the next several weeks.

And of course, the Census is wrapping up in days. Oklahoma, in particular, has been struggling with its response rate. Two weeks ago, the national director of the U.S. Census Bureau visited Oklahoma and relayed they had dispatched more than a hundred extra enumerators as part of our sprint to the finish. I will be anxious to see how the response ends.

With all of the political issues happening seemingly at once, and Americans going into a seventh month of the Pandemic, nonprofits have many hurdles ahead. One of those is another stimulus package from the federal government. There have been a number of starts and stops over the past three months on various plans. In the moment I write this, the House has released a $2.2 trillion package that will have nonprofit relief as part of the bill. Nonprofit clientele are in need of further stimulus, particularly unemployment benefits, direct payments and continued student loan relief. While the student loan relief was extended through the end of the year, the others will require legislative action. With further COVID relief needed, I also know the Supreme Court confirmation process is already underway and will take much of the Senate’s energy in the next several weeks.

Most importantly, nonprofits continue to need stimulus of their own. More direct cash could help organizations stabilize during a challenging year of fundraising. Fair and equitable contracting along with more money for operations and loosening of restrictions will also give nonprofits relief. Sen. Lankford has continued to push for greater deductibility of charitable gifts to encourage more personal philanthropy from Americans.

It is my hope that not only nonprofit leaders, but that all community and business leaders will let their policy makers know that now is a crucial time for nonprofits and the people we serve. We know that elections and other political factors will be a distraction, but the hour for nonprofit support is upon us.