Lexington, KY - Many of you share a passion with me of helping our community to be the best it can be. I see you taking your lunch breaks or trading after-hours family time for a function hosted by a nonprofit near and dear to your heart. And your leadership on boards and committees is well appreciated. Trust me - - I couldn't possibly do my job without the hardworking volunteers that are involved in United Way.
In these tough economic times, you are hard at work trying to make the most for your company. These challenges further complicate things in the difficulties our local nonprofits are facing at this time. I'm sure you've found yourself asking the staff at your favorite nonprofits how the economic downturn has affected the organization, especially in terms of giving. Or perhaps those around you are asking you how the nonprofits you serve are fairing. It certainly has been a daily question in our offices.
Take heed. While the recession and hard times might not be so quick to end, there is a resource in sight. The National Council of Nonprofits launched a new Nonprofit Economic Vitality Center, a free online clearinghouse of resources designed to help agencies understand and deal with the challenges created by the faltering economy.
According to the Web site, The National Council of Nonprofits developed this ever-evolving resource to help nonprofits better understand this current situation and have ready access to strategies to help them navigate the economy. The site has three focus areas: basic facts & analysis, impact on nonprofits and proactive positioning.
In tough economic times, people turn to their local nonprofits for help in meeting basic human needs. But such surges of increased demands for help hit nonprofits at the same time that their own revenues decline because of the economy. The 'Basic Facts & Analysis' section provides links to materials designed to help the public, policy-makers, journalists and nonprofits understand the mounting economic challenges. The site boasts information on the impact that this economic downturn is having on the country and the nonprofit sector.
As the nonprofit sector and our community deals with the current crisis, nonprofits of all types and in all areas are being affected. The 'Impact on Nonprofits' section identifies ways the economy is hurting nonprofits - - and thereby the communities we serve. The section features real-life stories of how nonprofits are dealing with this economic downturn.
The current economic crisis will force us, as nonprofit and corporate leaders, to work together as never before to continue to thrive. The 'Proactive Positioning' section shares resources and action steps to help nonprofits not only weather this economic storm, but also emerge even stronger. Nonprofits will need new solutions and to share strategies that work. This section serves as a resource bank for these ideas. As new resources and quality strategies are identified, nonprofits will be encouraged to post them online so that others can learn and implement these winning ways.
I hope that you will share this information with the nonprofit organizations you care about. The Center is updated continuously with new resources that help nonprofits adapt to changes in the economy as they happen. While it might not ease all the pain, it will certainly help as we all work through these challenging times together. Take a look at www.councilofnonprofits.org/economy, and see how you can help our local nonprofits care for those in need right here in Central Kentucky.