Landmark Bill to Strengthen Nonprofit-Government Partnership Introduced

The National Council of Nonprofits and State Association Leaders with Congresswoman Betty McCollum

At a press conference at the Capitol on June 16th, 2010, the National Council of Nonprofits and the New York Council of Nonprofits applauded the leadership of Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04) for introducing the Nonprofit Sector and Community Solutions Act (HR 5533) a bill that will transform the way that the federal government thinks about and deals with the charitable nonprofit community in the United States.

"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," said Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. "This landmark legislation removes the cloak of invisibility that the federal government seems to have draped over the nonprofit sector. For too long, government has ignored the third sector – the nonprofit sector that employs 10 percent of America’s workforce and often is a key, but unrecognized, partner in delivering government services. This bill opens the door for needed dialogue among nonprofits, government agencies, and the American public."

Marcia Avner, Public Policy Director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, added, "The U.S. collects and reports current economic performance information of nearly every other industry, but we do not know how many individuals work for charitable nonprofit organizations, how federal dollars flow to nonprofits through state and local governments, or even how much public support is given each year to distinct charitable activities. Congresswoman McCollum’s legislation takes the steps necessary to provide answers and show the government and public the incredible work of the nonprofit sector at the national level."

The National Council of Nonprofits was joined at the press conference by their State Association Members, including the New York Council of Nonprofits as well as partner organizations: America Forward, American Association of Museums, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA), and Independent Sector.

For more information, visit www.councilofnonprofits.org/nscsact.

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NYCON is a proud State Association Member of the National Council of Nonprofits. The National Council of Nonprofits, the nation’s largest nonprofit network, works through its member State Associations to amplify the voices of America’s local community-based nonprofit organizations, help them engage in critical policy issues affecting the sector, manage and lead more effectively, collaborate and exchange solutions, and achieve greater impact in their communities.