Sign up for the Legislative Update to receive regular e-mail or fax updates about what is happening at the State Legislature and how it will affect nonprofits. Click here to print out a sign up sheet (this is a PDF document).
View a timeline of these events.
Tough decisions are ahead
Minnesota is in the midst of our largest economic downturn in a decade.
So elected officials face tough decisions to balance the budget. Government
and nonprofits have long been partners in providing essential services that
benefit all Minnesotans. To reduce the budget shortfall, this partnership and
the services it provides are in jeopardy. Nonprofits are targeted for
significant cuts. Let's not break the government-nonprofit partnership.
We all profit from nonprofits.
Think twice before breaking the government-nonprofit partnership
- Government relies on nonprofits to provide the essential services people depend on.
- Nonprofits provide these services efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Individual donors and foundations can't contribute enough money to replace government support to nonprofits.
- Therefore, without government support, some nonprofits will be forced to stop programs.
- Budget cuts will end essential services for Minnesotans who need them most right now.
Act now to save essential services!
View the press release announcing this campaign.
On November 20, 2001, Pam Wheelock, Commissioner of Finance, issued a letter directing all state agencies to immediately freeze any new grant agreements (including any agreements not yet fully executed). Although the motivation was to preserve the state's options for responding to the state's expected deficit, the effect was to freeze funding going to nonprofits serving extremely vulnerable populations.
Deeply concerned that the historic partnership between government, nonprofits, and philanthropy might be in jeopardy, the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits initiated this campaign to create awareness about the problem, and inspire action by the public. The Minneapolis Foundation has provided support and collaborated in this effort.
The goals of the Think Twice Campaign are:
- To educate the public, opinion shapers and decision-makers about the essential work of nonprofits and the value of nonprofit organizations, their services and programs. Nonprofits are efficient, cost-effective, innovative, responsive, competent and accountable.
- To affirm, build, and solidify the public's understanding of the importance of the nonprofit and government partnership. Government funding is an essential component for community services and programs. Private philanthropy cannot make up the difference if government cuts its support.
- To inform, inspire, train and animate nonprofits to engage in effective advocacy work.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits does not accept any government funds, so our organization does not have any funding at stake - but we are a statewide membership organization that works for the benefit of all Minnnesota nonprofit organizations.
Questions? Comments? Contact thinktwice@mncn.org
(Page last updated: January 28, 2002)