Last night, the U.S. Congress passed legislation aimed at addressing the ongoing economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislation is critically important to ensuring nonprofits can continue helping people in our communities. It is helpful in many ways, but more must be done to provide #Relief4Charities.
A statement from the leading coalition of the nation’s nonprofits follows:
“The nonprofit sector represents the nation’s third-largest industry, with more than 12 million employees who are at the forefront of helping Americans through these difficult times. These charitable nonprofit organizations provide everything from food and shelter to medical and mental health services to education and cultural and spiritual support. Yet, at a time when Americans need these services the most, donations and other earned revenue sources continue to decline as demand for many services continues to grow.
“We are grateful that Congress heeded our calls to enact additional coronavirus relief. The new round of Paycheck Protection Program loans and the extension and expansion of the Employee Retention Tax Credit will help nonprofit organizations continue to address our nation's urgent unmet needs. But the omission of forgivable loans to nonprofits of all sizes creates significant impediments for nonprofits trying to protect vulnerable families and frontline responders. The failure to provide full coverage of unemployment costs for reimbursing employers means nonprofits still face mounting bills that will force them to lay off even more workers when nearly 1 million nonprofit jobs have already been lost.
“An engaged and effective charitable sector is critical to helping our nation’s communities and economy recover. Charitable nonprofits, like the millions of people they serve, are struggling amidst the ongoing turmoil caused by the coronavirus pandemic. We appreciate that Congress recognizes that nonprofits are suffering. However, nonprofits offering critical services and supporting jobs in communities across the country need more assistance to keep their doors open and to continue offering support to individuals and families.
“We look forward to working with the incoming 117th Congress and Biden-Harris Administration to ensure nonprofits can continue their essential work as part of our nation’s social and economic fabric through this pandemic and beyond.”
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Alliance for Strong Families and Communities
American Alliance of Museums
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
Americans for the Arts
American Heart Association
American Lung Association
Association of Art Museum Directors
Catholic Charities USA
Ducks Unlimited
Goodwill Industries International
Habitat for Humanity International
Independent Sector
Lutheran Services in America
Meals on Wheels America
National Council of Nonprofits
The Jewish Federations of North America
YMCA of the USA
YWCA USA