The KNN Blog Has Moved!

The KNN Blog has moved. Visit us at www.kynonprofits.org/blog and check out our NEW website while you’re there.

5 Ways Your Generosity is a Powerful Investment in Community

For many, the holiday season is a time of gratitude and giving. Beyond the feel-good factor, donating to charitable nonprofits is a powerful investment in your community. Here are five ways your contributions generate lasting change during the holidays and throughout the year.

Help Build a Stronger Local Economy

Nonprofits aren’t just charitable organizations—they’re economic drivers. Nationwide, nonprofits employ 12.8 million people, representing nearly 10% of the private-sector workforce. In Kentucky, nonprofits are the fourth-largest private-sector employers, contributing $27.4 billion annually to the state economy. Only 5% of people believe they directly benefit from nonprofits—in reality, 100% of us benefit from programs and resources these organizations provide. When you donate, you sustain jobs, support local businesses, and strengthen your community’s economic foundation.

Help Solve Problems at Their Roots

Though charitable donations have seen a decline in recent years, needs remain strong. Nonprofits tackle systemic challenges like poverty by driving innovative solutions and advocating for policy changes. In 2022, nonprofits contributed $1.4 trillion to the U.S. GDP, demonstrating their essential role in society. Donations aren’t just quick fixes—they’re long-term investments in your community.

Provide Critical Safety Nets

Nonprofits are often the first responders for those facing homelessness, hunger, or abuse. Feeding Kentucky reports that 710,000 Kentuckians face hunger. Over 15,000 individuals utilized services through domestic violence programs in Kentucky last year. Your donations ensure these essential organizations continue to meet urgent needs.

Support Enrichment Programs

Nonprofits enhance quality of life through education and the arts. Kentucky’s creative industries added $4.9 billion to the state economy, while enriching lives and fostering innovation. Donations help ensure that everyone can access these transformative programs.

Strengthen Community Connections

Nonprofits foster a sense of belonging by uniting people to volunteer, engage, and support shared goals. Research shows that communities with active nonprofits experience higher rates of civic engagement and volunteerism. By donating your time and skills, you strengthen the bonds that help your community thrive.

Helping This Holiday Season

Giving to nonprofits doesn’t always mean writing a big check. Here are other ways to make a difference:

• Donate funds: Every dollar counts.
• Donate in-kind items: Check with your favorite nonprofits for most-needed items. 
• Volunteer your time: Whether preparing meals, mentoring a child, sitting with someone who’s ill – your support matters.
• Spread the word: Share your favorite nonprofit’s mission on social media to help them find new champions.
• Consider a recurring donation: Regular, year-round donations help nonprofits plan for ongoing expenses. 

This holiday season and throughout the year, every act of generosity helps create lasting change. Supporting mental health organizations, shelters for the unhoused, arts programs and other worthy causes strengthens the resources that keep your community thriving. If you need help finding a great cause, check out the Kentucky Nonprofit Network member directory (members.kynonprofits.org/nonprofit-members). We encourage you to research their websites, social media or use tools like Candid’s GuideStar (www.guidestar.org). Let’s turn holiday cheer into meaningful action and build a stronger future together.

Kentucky Nonprofit Network Welcomes New Leader to Empower Nonprofits in the Bluegrass and Beyond

Winchester native to lead public policy, advocacy efforts for Lexington Nonprofit Coalition

Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN), the Commonwealth’s statewide association of charitable nonprofits, is strengthening its coalition-building, public policy, and advocacy efforts in the Bluegrass region and beyond with the addition of Ashleigh Dunsmoor, its newest director of regional advocacy and engagement.

A Winchester native and proud Lexingtonian, Dunsmoor holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Kentucky. She brings nearly a decade of experience in public affairs, community organizing, and public policy to the Network’s mission, and will provide leadership and support to their Lexington Nonprofit Coalition – a local alliance of KNN members that launched in the spring of 2020, in addition to helping support nonprofits in communities east of Lexington.

“The addition of Ashleigh to the KNN team will strengthen the Lexington Nonprofit Coalition’s commitment to a unified local advocacy voice and stronger nonprofit partnerships with city and other officials, as well as provide resources and support to communities east of Lexington,” said Danielle Clore, KNN’s CEO. “She brings the skills and enthusiasm we sought to support our members in advocating for solutions with their government partners to the complex issues facing Kentuckians.” 

Prior to joining KNN, Ashleigh served as legislative aide to a member of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council and held prior positions in external and public affairs with Fayette Alliance in Lexington and with nonprofits in Florida and upstate New York.

“I’m thrilled to join the Kentucky Nonprofit Network team to support and advocate for nonprofits across the Bluegrass and Eastern Kentucky. Nonprofits are vital to healthy communities, and I look forward to advocating alongside organizations and the people they serve,” said Dunsmoor.

With its statewide mission of a strong, unified voice for Kentucky’s nonprofits, KNN’s focus is on expansion as organizations continue to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The pandemic clearly highlighted the need for more coordinated advocacy on behalf of the sector at the local, state, and federal levels,” said Clore. “Our Coalitions in Lexington and Louisville, along with support we strive to provide in other communities and regions, will help ensure that the expert voices of Kentucky’s third largest private sector employer are at the table to effectively partner with government to create communities where all residents thrive.”

Over 1100 members strong, Kentucky Nonprofit Network was founded in 2002 and exists to strengthen and advance the Commonwealth’s nonprofit organizations, which are essential to vibrant communities. It provides quality professional development opportunities, access to nonprofit management recommended practices and resources, time and money-saving member benefits, and a unified public policy voice.

KNN’s Lexington Nonprofit Coalition Hosts Breakfast Event with Rep. Barr to Address Nonprofit Challenges

Nonprofit leaders from the Lexington area gathered over breakfast Monday morning for an in-depth discussion with U.S. Representative Andy Barr, R-Ky., focusing on the pressing issues facing their organizations and the communities they serve. The event, hosted by the Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN) and their local alliance of members, the Lexington Nonprofit Coalition, was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the relationship between federal lawmakers and the nonprofit sector, which plays a critical role in Kentucky’s economy and quality of life.
 
Sponsored by Traditional Bank and held at the Hilton in downtown Lexington, the forum allowed the more than 150 nonprofit leaders in attendance to engage with the Congressman on topics ranging from mental health services to affordable housing, charitable giving and more. The attendees represented charitable organizations with unique missions, but united by common challenges, including workforce and funding shortages, declining charitable donations and volunteerism, and the complexities of federal grants and contracts.
 
Danielle Clore, CEO of Kentucky Nonprofit Network, opened the event, emphasizing the vital role nonprofits play in strengthening Kentucky communities. “KNN’s mission is to advance and protect Kentucky’s nonprofit sector so that you can do what you do best—serve and strengthen Kentucky communities,” Clore said to attendees. She highlighted the formation of the Lexington Nonprofit Coalition, which mobilized in the spring of 2020 to address funding cuts to the city’s nonprofit partnerships that were proposed by Mayor Linda Gorton.
 
“The Coalition worked to get those funds restored by the Urban County Council and has since engaged in significant advocacy around American Rescue Plan Act spending, speaking out about contracting practices that are hampering nonprofit effectiveness, hosting forums for candidates running for Urban County Council, and hosting visits with Central KY state legislators,” remarked Clore.
 
The morning’s dialogue covered several key legislative priorities for nonprofits, one of which Rep. Barr is a co-sponsor: The Charitable Act (H.R. 3435) which aims to address continued declines in charitable giving by providing a tax deduction of up to one-third of the standard deduction for all taxpayers, regardless of whether or not they itemize their deductions. The Congressman also agreed at a meeting with Coalition members prior to the breakfast to co-sponsor the Streamlining Federal Grants Act (H.R. 5934) – legislation that improves the effectiveness and performance of federal grants and cooperative agreements, as well as simplifies application and reporting requirements. Nonprofit leaders emphasized the importance of this legislation in reducing the administrative burden of federal funding, which they argue hinders their ability to effectively serve their communities.
 
In her remarks, Clore underscored the economic impact of nonprofits in Kentucky and Lexington, noting that Kentucky nonprofits generate more than 162,000 jobs, creating nearly $27.4 billion in annual expenditures, benefiting Kentucky’s economy. “In addition to the important work of nonprofits, we are critical to the economy in many ways,” she noted. She also addressed the sector’s ongoing challenges, including declining charitable giving, decreased volunteer engagement, and workforce shortages, which have led to waiting lists for vital services and, in some cases, closed programs.
 
The breakfast featured a series of questions posed to Congressman Barr by Coalition members, covering topics such as mental health services, federal grants and contracts, affordable housing and child care. Congressman Barr responded to each question, sharing what his office has done or plans to do to support nonprofits and the causes they champion. Barr acknowledged the importance of the nonprofit sector as a “gap filler” within our communities.
 
“You do something that neither the market, neither the business community, can do, nor the government,” said Barr. “You’re closer to the problem. You observe it, you have a human touch. You have personal interaction with people in ways that the government cannot. You’re creative.”
 
In closing, Clore thanked Congressman Barr and all attendees for the “life-saving work” they do. “Nonprofits are here as your partners in solving problems and leveraging opportunities,” she said. “The work of Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the Lexington Nonprofit Coalition, the Louisville Nonprofit Coalition… and additional alliances and coalitions forming around the state will amplify the role of the nonprofit sector for the betterment of our Commonwealth.”
 
Serving as the state’s association of nonprofits, KNN was founded in 2002 and exists to strengthen and advance the Commonwealth’s nonprofit organizations, which are essential to vibrant communities. KNN provides quality education, sharing of best practices and resources, time and money-saving member benefits and a unified public policy voice for its 1,000+ member nonprofits. The Lexington Nonprofit Coalition is KNN’s alliance of nonprofits focused on strengthening the operating environment for nonprofits in Lexington through advocacy, collaboration and collective action.
 

KNN’s Louisville Nonprofit Coalition Hosts Breakfast Event with Rep. McGarvey to Address Nonprofit Challenges

Nonprofit leaders from the Louisville area gathered over breakfast Thursday morning for an in-depth discussion with U.S. Representative Morgan McGarvey, D-Ky., focusing on the pressing issues facing their organizations and the communities they serve. The event, hosted by the Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN) and their local alliance of members, the Louisville Nonprofit Coalition, was part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the relationship between federal lawmakers and the nonprofit sector, which plays a critical role in Kentucky’s economy and quality of life.
 
Sponsored by Pinnacle Financial Partners and held at the Louisville Marriott Downtown, the forum allowed the more than 170 nonprofit leaders in attendance to engage with the Congressman on topics ranging from mental health services to affordable housing, charitable giving and more. The attendees represented charitable organizations with unique missions but united by common challenges including workforce and funding shortages, declining charitable donations and volunteerism, and the complexities of federal grants and contracts.
 
Danielle Clore, CEO of Kentucky Nonprofit Network, opened the event, emphasizing the vital role nonprofits play in strengthening Kentucky communities. “KNN’s mission is to advance and protect Kentucky’s nonprofit sector so that you can do what you do best—serve and strengthen Kentucky communities,” Clore said to attendees. She highlighted the recent formation of the Louisville Nonprofit Coalition, which began official meetings in April 2023. “This Coalition is about action. At KNN, we believe that convening without action is simply a meeting—and while meetings have their place, this work is about creating real solutions.”
 
Clore also introduced KNN’s Director of Regional Advocacy and Engagement who leads the Louisville Nonprofit Coalition, Laela Kashan. She provided an update on the Coalition’s efforts. Kashan noted, “The power of advocacy and collective action is real, and together we will make a difference!” She shared that the Coalition was testifying before the Louisville Metro Council’s Budget Committee later in the day and is focusing on improving partnerships and funding opportunities, including two planned listening sessions and a survey aimed at gathering insights from nonprofits across Louisville to then share with city officials.
 
The morning’s dialogue covered several key legislative priorities for nonprofits, two of which Rep. McGarvey is a co-sponsor: The Charitable Act (H.R. 3435) which aims to address continued declines in charitable giving by providing a tax deduction of up to one-third of the standard deduction for all taxpayers, regardless of whether or not they itemize their deductions, and; the Streamlining Federal Grants Act (H.R. 5934) – legislation that improves the effectiveness and performance of federal grants and cooperative agreements, as well as simplifies application and reporting requirements. Nonprofit leaders emphasized the importance of this legislation in reducing the administrative burden of federal funding, which they argue hinders their ability to effectively serve their communities. The Congressman remarked that in this election year, neither measure is likely to pass, but he’ll continue to champion them.
 
“I know we have not been giving enough funding to our communities. We’ve not been giving enough funding to the people who need it. I told you my religion. I believe, in my life, not just in politics, we are judged by how we treat those in the margins. We’ve not been doing a good enough job. You all have stepped into the gaps. You’re the ones who are doing it and we need your help so that we can push [the legislation] so you can get the resources you need,” remarked   Rep. McGarvey.
 
In her remarks, Clore underscored the economic impact of nonprofits in Kentucky and Louisville, noting that Kentucky nonprofits generate more than 162,000 jobs, creating nearly $27 billion in annual expenditures, benefiting Kentucky’s economy. “In addition to the important work of nonprofits, we are critical to the economy in many ways,” she noted. She also addressed the sector’s ongoing challenges, including declining charitable giving, decreased volunteer engagement, and workforce shortages, which have led to waiting lists for vital services and, in some cases, closed programs.
 
The breakfast featured a series of questions posed to Congressman McGarvey by Coalition members, covering topics such as mental health services, gun violence, federal grants and contracts, affordable housing and homelessness. Congressman McGarvey, who has been a strong advocate for the nonprofit sector throughout his career, responded to each question, offering insights into current legislative efforts and his commitment to supporting the nonprofit community. He mentioned one measure that has vast bipartisan support is increasing mental health services.
 
“We all recognize the mental health crisis, particularly in the aftermath of COVID,” said McGarvey. “This has become one of those issues in Washington that’s a little more front and center, and it is one that is no different between Democrats and Republicans, urban and rural, there are mental health problems in every congressional district in this country. We know we have to get more funding. We have underfunded mental health. We’ve underfunded a lot, but we’ve underfunded mental health significantly in the decades leading up to this moment.”
 
In closing, Clore thanked Congressman McGarvey and all attendees for the “life-saving work” they do. “Nonprofits are here as your partners in solving problems and leveraging opportunities,” she said. “The work of Kentucky Nonprofit Network, the Louisville Nonprofit Coalition, the Lexington Nonprofit Coalition, and additional alliances and coalitions forming around the state will amplify the role of the nonprofit sector for the betterment of our Commonwealth.”
 
Serving as the state’s association of nonprofits, KNN was founded in 2002 and exists to strengthen and advance the Commonwealth’s nonprofit organizations, which are essential to vibrant communities. KNN provides quality education, sharing of best practices and resources, time and money-saving member benefits and a unified public policy voice for its 1,000+ member nonprofits. The Louisville Nonprofit Coalition, launched in 2023 by KNN, is a local alliance of nonprofits focused on strengthening the operating environment for nonprofits in the Louisville Metro through advocacy, collaboration, and collective action.

Top Leaders Join Kentucky Nonprofit Network Board of Directors

Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN), the state association of nonprofit organizations, has elected new members and selected its 2024 slate of officers for its board of directors. New board members include Mason Dyer, president of the Association of Independent Kentucky Colleges and Universities (AIKCU), attorney Elizabeth Ann Johnson of Stites & Harbison PLLC and Tawanda L. Owsley, chief marketing and development officer for Hosparus Health. Newly elected officers include Jeffrey L. Ashley, founder and president of Ashley Rountree and Associates, and attorney Eileen M. O’Brien of Osborne Family Law.

A 19-year veteran of AIKCU, Mason Dyer has served in many capacities in the organization including vice president of public affairs and external relations and information and director of communications and research. Previously he served as program manager for Junior Achievement (JA) of the Bluegrass. He previously served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Kentucky College and Career Connection Coalition.

Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnson is a member at Stites & Harbison’s Lexington office, where she concentrates her practice in health law, focusing on regulatory matters impacting both providers and payors. Kentucky’s former Medicaid Commissioner, her diverse background includes serving in both legal and policy roles in state government and the private sector. She previously served as president/executive director of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities/ Kentucky Center for Assisted Living and serves on the American Health Care Association Legal Committee.

At Hosparus Health, Tawanda Owsley leads the organization’s $24 million People of Compassion comprehensive campaign. She has headed the American Red Cross’ Bluegrass Chapter, was market director of philanthropy at KentuckyOne Health and served as director of major gifts for Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. Her past board experience includes the Transit Authority of River City, Greater Louisville Inc., the Leadership Louisville Center, the Louisville Urban League, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Commerce Lexington and the Lexington Transit Authority. She was selected for the Leadership Louisville Bingham Fellows Class of 2021

Jeff Ashley of Ashley Rountree and Associates, a KNN board member since 2019 and KNN’s new board vice chair, has 30 years of fundraising and nonprofit experience. He previously held the positions of Spalding University’s vice president for university advancement and director of major gifts for the University of Louisville’s “Challenge for Excellence” campaign. Currently, he serves as the board chair for the Regional Cancer Center Corporation, the University of Kentucky National Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Twisted Pink Board of Directors.

New board secretary Eileen O’Brien has been with Osborne Family Law (formerly Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC) since 1981, where her practice focuses on insurance, employment law, product liability and personal injury as well as family law. The organizer of the firm’s Women in Business Conference each autumn, she currently serves as treasurer for the Kentucky Bar Foundation Board and president of the boards of the Chrysalis House and the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning. O’Brien was a member of the KNN board from 2013 to 2020 and rejoined the board in 2022.

Additionally, Sarah H. Jefferson, vice president and cash management director of Traditional Bank, was re-elected as KNN’s board chair and Judy Simpson, director of finance for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, was re-elected treasurer. Both joined the KNN board in 2020.

KNN was founded in 2002 and exists to strengthen and advance the Commonwealth’s nonprofit organizations, which are essential to vibrant communities. KNN provides quality education, sharing of best practices and resources, time and money-saving member benefits and a unified public policy voice for its more than 1,000 members statewide.

Kentucky Nonprofit Network Strengthens Investment in Louisville

Louisville native to lead public policy, advocacy efforts for Louisville Nonprofit Coalition

Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN), the Commonwealth’s statewide association of nonprofits, is expanding its coalition-building and public policy advocacy efforts in Louisville Metro and beyond with the addition of Laela Kashan, its new director of regional advocacy and engagement.

A Derby City native, Kashan has dedicated her career to ending gender-based violence with nonprofit organizations on the local, state, national, and international levels. She brings expertise in public policy advocacy, coalition-building, and project management to the Network’s mission, and in particular, will provide leadership and support to their Louisville Nonprofit Coalition (LouNC) – a local alliance of KNN members that launched in April 2023.

“Laela is eager to roll up her sleeves to strengthen and expand the impact of the LouNC in creating a unified advocacy voice and stronger partnership with the city and other officials to create solutions for the issues facing the Metro Louisville community. Her skills, passion for the work of our sector, and enthusiasm are the perfect combination we sought in someone filling this position,” said Danielle Clore, KNN’s CEO.

“The LouNC effort will give voice to the diverse residents that nonprofits serve in Louisville, and then extend to other interested alliances of nonprofits west of Louisville.”

Kashan holds a Juris Doctor degree from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University and a BS in justice administration from the University of Louisville. In her new position, she returns to local community advocacy from her position as housing project coordinator with the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence based in Washington. Prior to this position, she served for seven years as staff attorney and led public policy efforts with the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. 

“Nonprofits are a core service sector impacting every Kentuckian and it’s a privilege to join KNN to support nonprofits using their voices to make impactful change,” said Kashan.

With its statewide mission of a strong, unified voice for Kentucky’s nonprofits, KNN’s focus is on expansion in the wake of COVID-19.

“The pandemic clearly highlighted the need for more coordinated advocacy on behalf of the sector at the local, state, and federal levels,” said Clore, “Our Coalition in Lexington, and now our new Coalition in Louisville, will help ensure that the expert voices of Kentucky’s third largest private sector employer are at the table in these two communities – and others as we grow – to effectively partner with government to create communities where all residents thrive.”

Over 1000 members strong, Kentucky Nonprofit Network was founded in 2002 and exists to strengthen and advance the Commonwealth’s nonprofit organizations, which are essential to vibrant communities. It provides quality professional development opportunities, access to nonprofit management recommended practices and resources, time and money-saving member benefits, and a unified public policy voice.

We Grieve. And We Must Also Act.

Dear nonprofit colleague: Since the horrific mass shooting in downtown Louisville one week ago, I’ve been struggling with what to say in this space that hasn’t already been said. Thoughts, prayers, condolences, we are grieving with you, we are angry and frustrated too… I deeply feel all of those things and yet, such statements feel so empty and hollow to me without a call to action. When I worked on this message last week, I decided I’d sit on it over the weekend and send today. In that time, another mass shooting happened in Louisville – this time at Chickasaw Park on Saturday. And a mass shooting at a sweet 16 party in Alabama. And a child shot twice in the head while knocking on the wrong door in Missouri when picking up his little brothers. And. And. And… A new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation says most Americans – 54% – say they or a family member have personal experience with some form of gun violence. I am among this 54%, and I don’t want to live like this any longer. Do you?Each of us deserves to feel safe at work. Our kids deserve to feel safe at school and in their neighborhoods. Our clients and constituents deserve to feel safe at our organizations and our events. We deserve to feel safe as we shop for groceries, go to the movies, visit a park, or attend a worship service. And the fact is: many do not feel safe. The fact is: many are not safe.  We all agree this must change. But what does this mean exactly? I’m not sure. But I am sure that like most complex issues, it’s clear to me that more nonprofits are going to need to step up, and step up in a big way. And by this I mean not just nonprofits whose missions focus on gun violence (they’re already doing the heavy lifting), but ALL nonprofits (like KNN and many of you reading this). Why? Because your nonprofits are the ones on the front lines providing intervention, prevention, and other services to individuals, families, and communities. Nonprofits working with at-risk populations have employees afraid to come to work, afraid to conduct in-home visits, afraid to exist – they cannot continue to provide services without a workforce. Nonprofits are the ones willing to hold difficult conversations. Nonprofits are the ones willing to help hold elected officials accountable. As Whitney Austin, a gun violence survivor who was shot 12 times at a Cincinnati bank in 2018 and set up Whitney/Strong, a nonprofit on violence prevention and gun safety said: “This is not about divisiveness. This is not about guns are good, guns are bad. This is about finding where there is common ground and working together. I always have hope that change will come.” I never anticipated that gun violence would be a KNN legislative priority for the sector, but now it’s become clear that there is no other choice. For us to address this complex issue, nonprofits – once again – are needed to lead the way. It’s the only way that I too can have hope that change will come. To Louisville – and every community in Kentucky – we are with you, both in your quest for healing and in finding short and long term solutions. Even though I am not certain what that looks like yet… we are with you. Danielle Clore CEO

KNN Statement on Senate Bill 62

Senate Bill 62 is set to become law in mid-summer 2023. Kentucky Nonprofit Network stands with state associations of nonprofits across the nation in fighting similar unnecessary and confusing legislation in their states. We are disappointed that calls to improve this bill to protect the integrity of charitable nonprofits and address a host of implementation issues were ignored by the bill sponsor. We are disappointed that this bill was not vetoed by the Governor. 

Despite our disappointment, this is an important opportunity to remind charitable 501 (c)(3) nonprofits and donors that donor information always was, and still is, private and secure. Nothing about Senate Bill 62 changes that. What Senate Bill 62 does do is protect the privacy of donors to unincorporated nonprofits and nonprofit LLCs – entities lumped under the broad tent of the word “nonprofit,” but not subject to the same reporting requirements and now benefitting from the same protections as 501 (c)(3) charities. 

The 2021 U.S. Supreme Court ruling cited as the impetus for this legislation reinforced existing federal law protecting donor privacy for charitable nonprofits and for that reason, this legislation is at best – unnecessary. Unfortunately, it has mistakenly planted seeds of doubt and confusion regarding donor privacy among nonprofits and their donors. At worst, Senate Bill 62 is so broad that it is codifying protections into Kentucky law for entities with little to no oversight or required reporting, threatening the integrity of charitable nonprofits just when they need donors most. 

Senate Bill 62 also creates significant confusion on compliance that is certain to be a distraction and cause heartache for many worthy Kentucky charities. And we are troubled that Senate Bill 62 has the potential to weaken law enforcement’s ability to weed out bad apples who are taking advantage of donors. This legislation is fraught with unknown consequences that put the integrity of the sector and law enforcement’s ability to protect consumers at risk. 

If Senate Bill 62 only codified the U.S. Supreme Court ruling, it would have been unnecessary, but not risky for charitable nonprofits. The problem is that Senate Bill 62 does so much more. There are thousands of charitable nonprofits with critically important work to do in Kentucky. Donor trust is essential to their ability to raise needed funds to accomplish their missions and meet community needs. These charities cannot afford to be hijacked by partisan interests. Senate Bill 62 becoming law will make that easier.

Statement on Governor Andy Beshear’s 2021 Budget Address

January 7, 2021

Contact:
Danielle Clore
859-963-3203 x3
danielle@kynonprofits.org

Statement by Danielle Clore, CEO, Kentucky Nonprofit Network

Nonprofits are on the frontlines of Kentucky’s COVID-19 battle. As providers of critical services and as the fourth largest employer in the commonwealth, they need relief and they need it now. Tonight, Governor Andy Beshear proposed $20 million in relief and other aid – including small business relief funds – that can assist these essential organizations. The proposed relief will help ensure that programs for our most vulnerable continue, that communities thrive and that Kentuckians remain employed.

Nonprofits are unique. When a nonprofit closes its doors or must scale back its services, not only are jobs lost – vital services are lost as well. When another nonprofit cannot step in to pick up the slack, it’s Kentuckians who pay the price. Kentucky’s future depends on a thriving nonprofit sector and our Kentuckians will need nonprofit partners to support them and their families in the days and months ahead.

On a call earlier this week, the Governor told me, “Our administration is investing in relief, our people and Kentucky’s future. Nonprofits are essential to all three – that’s why my administration is committed to ensuring our nonprofit partners are here to help Kentucky communities thrive in our new economy.”

When nonprofits are hurting, the Kentuckians they serve are hurting. This investment of one-time funds would assist the organizations serving our neighbors and communities when they need help the most. The General Assembly has a history of supporting Kentucky’s nonprofit sector and we urge them to support this urgently needed relief.