End to Shutdown? Not quite. Keep up the volume.
Many thanks to everyone who submitted responses to our Flash Poll last week on the impact of the federal government shutdown on our members! Results have been shared in a statewide news release. While the shutdown is temporarily resolved, uncertainty remains and we still need your help.
Congress and the President must still negotiate to continue funding the full federal government and other crucial budget decisions are forthcoming. To avoid slipping back into the shutdown, MANP along with our colleagues at the National Council of Nonprofits will keep pushing ahead, gathering more stories, and elevating the visibility of nonprofits and their commitment to putting people first.
Results from MANP’s Flash Poll last week speak to the mounting strain on nonprofits caused by political stalemate in Washington D.C. Many organizations are on the front lines serving furloughed federal employees and others who have been impacted. True to the nonprofit commitment to the common good, many even increased their services or operated free of charge despite funding uncertainty. It’s clear that deadlock in Washington D.C. has direct impacts on the people of Maine. MANP recognizes the heightened need caused by crises of this type and will continue to serve the nonprofit sector by advocating on the behalf of Maine nonprofits and the people they serve.
Here’s How You Can Help
- Nonprofit Board Members, Staff Members, Volunteers, Donors: Increase the pressure on your elected officials to end the shutdown permanently.
- Contact the White House. Dial 202-456-1111 and tell the President to end the shutdown for good.
- Call your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative.
| Senator Susan Collins Washington, D.C. (202) 224-2523 Augusta 622-8414 Portland 780-3575 Bangor 945-0417 Biddeford 283-1101 Caribou 493-7873 Lewiston 784-6969 @SenatorCollins |
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree Washington, D.C. (202) 225-6116 Portland 774-5019 Waterville 873-5713 @chelliepingree |
| Senator Angus King Washington, D.C. (202) 224-5344 Augusta 622-8292 Bangor 945-8000 Presque Isle 764-5124 Scarborough 883-1588 @SenAngusKing |
Congressman Jared Golden Washington, D.C. (202) 225-6306 Caribou 492-6009 Lewiston 241-6767 @repgolden |
- Nonprofits: Share your stories with us. With the National Council of Nonprofits, we will be identifying emerging trends and elevating key issues for greater visibility. Place a call to your local newspaper and TV station, so people understand the real consequences of this shutdown. You can also share your story on Twitter, using the hashtag #NonprofitShutdownStories.
- Foundations and Other Grantmakers: Reach out to your grantees to hear their needs. Some may be doing fine, others may inspire you with how they’re putting your most recent grants to work helping others, and a few may need extra support – financial and moral.
