February 26, 2021 - Reliance Health, along with many community nonprofits across the state, has a long-standing history of providing affordable, high-quality services. While the cost of living has increased, cost of service delivery has increased, the cost to do business has increased, and a global pandemic has sparked the need for services, community nonprofits continue to see cuts to funding, or remain flat-funded. As our budgets atrophy year after year due to lack of adjustments for inflation, nonprofits nimbly reallocate and rearrange and create the false impression that we can continue down this dangerous path.
Essential services have been underfunded for over a decade, despite proving how essential they truly are. Since 2007, community nonprofits have lost at least $461 million in state funding that has not kept pace with inflation or adequately covered increased costs and demand for services. Senator Cathy Osten and Representative Toni Walker, chairwomen on the appropriations committee, have committed to prioritizing nonprofit funding this legislative session and support The Alliance: The Voice of Community Nonprofits’ proposal to increase nonprofit funding by $461 million by 2026. But further advocacy is needed to ensure House Bill 6439 passes.
How can you help? Contact your legislatures today to let them know that you support increasing funding for community nonprofits. The Alliance: The Voice of Community Nonprofits is an excellent resource when it comes to navigating nonprofit legislative advocacy. They provide a direct link to your legislatures as well as templated messaging. Want to do even more? Consider testifying in support of House Bill 6439, demonstrating your support of increased funding for community nonprofits. The budget hearing will be taking place on Tuesday, March 2nd at 10 am. Sign up here no later than 3:00 pm, Monday, March 1st to testify virtually.
As we move forward from the pandemic, the need for services will continue to grow. This is not the time to flat-fund mental health and addiction services, or any community nonprofit. We need our advocates, we need you!