Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Landmark Bill to Strengthen Nonprofit-Government Partnership

The North Dakota Association of Nonprofit Organizations (NDANO) and the National Council of Nonprofits applaud the leadership of Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), who earlier this week introduced the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act (HR 5533), a bill that will transform the way the federal government thinks about and deals with the charitable nonprofit community in the United States.

"In North Dakota, nonprofits are at the heart of our communities. We are too important to be invisible. It is essential that nonprofits are recognized as an indispensable partner with government in delivery services and strengthening communities," says Dana Schaar, NDANO executive director.

"Congresswoman McCollum recognizes the vital role nonprofits play in communities across America and the essential need to strengthen the partnership between government and nonprofits in order to deliver vital services, build capacity, enhance accountability and save taxpayers money," says Tim Delaney, president & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. "This landmark legislation removes the cloak of invisibility the federal government seems to have draped over the nonprofit sector."

According to Delaney, the United States collects and reports current economic performance indicators for nearly every other industry, but does not know basic facts about the nonprofit sector such as how many individuals work for charitable nonprofit organizations, how many federal dollars flow to nonprofits through state and local governments, or even how much public support is given each year to distinct charitable activities.

"This legislation will finally provide a way for North Dakota to have access to that data and help both nonprofits and policymakers establish better partnerships to serve local communities," says Schaar.

NDANO is the statewide membership association advancing nonprofit organizations through advocacy, education and training, public policy, information and research, and cost-saving programs. Learn more at the NDANO website.

From the NDANO
Posted by Kelly Greenlees, NRS, Grand Forks

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