| This is an urgent request that you write or tweet your U.S. Senators and Representatives and insist that they do more in their federal COVID-19 stimulus bill to support the ability of charitable nonprofits to serve and survive the pandemic and its impact on the economy. The next stimulus bill from Congress may be enacted as soon as this coming Monday, March 23. The latest draft, from Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY), provides minimal support for charitable organizations, but certainly not enough to help nonprofits succeed and survive. And certainly not as much as business interests, many of which are focusing on their long-term policy goals rather than getting through the next few months.Earlier this week, the charitable nonprofit community sent a very strong package of policy solutions that would address the immediate needs of organizations and the people they serve. Read the letter here. Some of these details show up in small measure in the McConnell bill and other draft bills. But the importance of the charitable community is not getting the respect that we know it deserve As soon as possible, deliver these “asks” to your Senators and Representatives: 1. Expressly include charitable nonprofits in the $200 Billion loan fund for businesses, including airlines. The charitable sector needs an immediate infusion of $60 billion and the loan program is a fast way to get cash in the hands of organizations serving immediate needs in communities, yet facing lost and declining revenue due to the pandemic. 2. Improve the above-the-line charitable deduction by raising the cap to $2,000 and allowing all taxpayers to immediately claim the deduction on their 2019 taxes (due on July 15), and afterwards through 2021. 3. Clarify that charitable nonprofits of all sizes are able to participate in the emergency Small Business Loan Program by using the tax-law definition of charitable organizations (Sec. 501(c)(3) public charities) and removing the language that excludes nonprofits that are eligible to receive Medicaid reimbursements. We have included recommendations and tips below for directly contacting Senators and Representatives below. Please contact us if you have any questions or stories to share here. Thank you for all you are doing to support our sector and our communities during the Coronavirus pandemic. Sincerely, Common Good Vermont |
| TAKE ACTION NOW Don’t bother calling their offices (all are closed due to COVID-19). Send an email or tweet as soon as possible. Writing your senators and representatives is easy; just click those links and find your officeholders. Tweeting is easy too. Go here to find your Senator’s or Representatives Twitter handle Write your own using the text below or re-tweet here!Writing Tips: 1. Keep it simple. “I want you to understand what this pandemic is doing to the ability of my nonprofit to serve your constituents.” 2. Tell your story. “I urge you to include the policy solutions proposed by the nonprofit community in any COVID-19 relief and stimulus legislation.” |
| Thank you to the National Council of Nonprofits for helping Vermont nonprofits respond to COVID-19. Please visit National Council on Nonprofits’ website for national COVID-19 information and advocacy news. For Vermont resources and information, visit our website at commongoodvt.org. |