Advocacy

2020 Census Convening for Nonprofit Leaders in Montgomery County

2019-06-14T11:21:51-04:00June 14th, 2019|Advocacy, Nonprofit Resources, Training Opportunities|

The Office of Community Partnerships is leading 2020 Census outreach efforts in Montgomery County and is hosting a discussion with leaders from the nonprofit community on July 11 from 5-6:30pm at the County Executive Office. The purpose is to provide information on the 2020 Census, discuss education and outreach strategies and specific messaging around the citizenship question in anticipation of the SCOTUS decision to be announced at the end of June.

As nonprofit leaders, we play a critical role in the County’s 2020 Census Campaign. Come and learn about the resources available for nonprofits to engage in the census. RSVP to Jennifer by June 28.

NM Advocacy – County Council Approves Increases for Nonprofit Contracts

2019-05-30T14:37:19-04:00May 30th, 2019|Advocacy|

Nonprofit Montgomery is pleased to announce that the Montgomery County Council approved a budget reconciliation list that included a 3% increase for nonprofits with contracts in DHHS. The reconciliation list was originally over $32 million.

The Council reduced the list to $16,590,556, with nonprofit contracts included. A 3% increase to nonprofit contracts was a focus of Nonprofit Montgomery’s advocacy this year. We are thrilled that the Council approved the whole 3%.

The Council also approved recommendations for $14.5 million in Community Grants. A total of 335 grants were awarded. Note that this list includes both County Executive and County Council grants combined, including grants for capital improvements.

We’d like to thank the Nonprofit Montgomery members who attended advocacy visits to Council members, and all those who testified at hearings, emailed Councilmembers and mobilized others to do the same. Our strength and visibility as a sector increase when we pull together. Nonprofit Montgomery would also like to thank our Councilmembers for their continued support of our sector.

Nonprofit Montgomery Advocacy Updates

2019-05-14T10:28:19-04:00May 13th, 2019|Advocacy|

Nonprofit Montgomery works year round to advocate for the nonprofit sector. This activity heats up at budget time, when we mobilize members to advocate for funding for nonprofits. This year Nonprofit Montgomery focused on asking for a 3% increase for County contracts with nonprofits. This increase is essential to help nonprofits keep up with rising costs and demands for service. Click here for more information about this issue.

Each year Nonprofit Montgomery invites members to join our visits County Councilmembers to talk about nonprofit needs. We also encourage nonprofits to testify at budget hearings. We’re asking all nonprofits to email Councilmembers to let them know the importance of contract increase to sustain essential services to county residents. Final budget negotiations are underway—now is the time to email your Councilmembers. Click here for Councilmember contact info and a message you can customize. Volume really counts—please take a minute to send an email to each Councilmember.  Let them know that nonprofits really matter!

Thanks to all the nonprofit leaders who attended Councilmember advocacy meetings and testified at the budget hearings.

Nonprofit Montgomery Action Alert – May 10, 2019

2019-05-14T11:23:43-04:00May 10th, 2019|Action Alerts, Advocacy|

Dear Nonprofit Montgomery Members:

If you have not contacted our Councilmembers to emphasize the importance a 3% increase in County contracts with nonprofits, please do so today.   

Work on the reconciliation list is coming to a close. We need many voices to support contract increases—emails to the Councilmembers from nonprofits, board members, and friends are very important.

The County Council Health & Human Services (HHS) Committee has recommended a 3% increase for County contracts with nonprofits in DHHS—but in increments. Please emphasize the importance of the full 3%. Here is the background on why this is so important, and click here for the sample email you can send.

Take a few moments this afternoon to forward this request to board members and volunteers. Tell them why it’s important to your organization, and ask them to email the Councilmembers.

Funders Dialogue on Equity Follow Up

2019-05-14T11:26:42-04:00May 9th, 2019|Advocacy|

We are excited to include programs like the Equity Dialogue and our upcoming workshop Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Individuals: How to Be An Ally.

We encourage you to read/explore the issue of equity to better understand it as a lens through which to view your work. Here are some helpful links:

  • OLO Report: “Racial Equity in Government Decision-Making: Lessons from the Field.”
  • Leadership Montgomery’s Racial Equity Training.
  • The three Racial Equity Principles adopted by the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County are: 1) A commitment to Brave Conversations. 2) An understanding that Power Dynamics may shift and that we must share power. 3) Nothing about us, without us can be for us. Here’s a short video of background on how they came to these principles:
  • Finally, each funder that was on our panel has helpful resources on their respective websites.

Public Input Wanted 4Business: Benchmarking to Be the Best for Business

2019-05-05T18:11:54-04:00May 3rd, 2019|Advocacy, MoCo Government News|

County Executive Marc Elrich and Council Vice President Sidney Katz are embarking on a multi-pronged joint initiative: 4Business – Benchmarking to Be the Best for Business. The objective is to engage the local business community in a grassroots campaign to assist businesses to locate, grow and prosper in Montgomery County.

The schedule of information sessions:

  • May 6, 7 p.m. to 8:30 pm, East County Regional Services Center, 3300 Briggs Chaney Road, Silver Spring
  • May 13, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Charles W. Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center (Mid County service area), 11002 Veirs Mill Road, Wheaton
  • May 22, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring
  • June 10, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Upcounty Regional Services Center, 12900 Middlebrook Road, Germantown

Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Individuals: How to Be An Ally

2019-05-05T14:00:01-04:00May 1st, 2019|Advocacy, Events, Training Opportunities|

The Safe Space workshop is a dynamic and hands-on approach to creating safe space for all; focusing specifically on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual (LGBTQIA) community. From the classroom bully to the unintentional exclusion by the use of certain language, LGBTQIA people frequently find themselves excluded and uncomfortable in a variety of settings.

This workshop aims to reduce the often unwelcoming and even hostile environments in which LGBTQIA people navigate in their daily lives. Workshop participants will explore their role and responsibility in creating a more welcoming environment at work, school, and in our communities. All attendees will leave the workshop with greater understanding and workable solutions for promoting Safe Spaces of Respect, Acceptance, and Support for all.

Through the workshop participants will:

  • develop an understanding of the lived experiences of LGBTQIA people through current statistics and examples.
  • be able to identify sources of unwelcoming behaviours in a variety of settings.
  • become more familiar with and comfortable in using LGBTQIA-inclusive terminology.
  • learn to dispel negative stereotypes and develop strategies to create a more welcoming and inclusive environments for LGBTQIA people.
  • be able to recognize many of the issues and scenarios that LGBTQIA people experience in their workplace, community, or school and formulate effective responses.
June 5, 2019 – 8:30am to 12:30pm (breakfast provided)
The Universities at Shady Grove
Cost: $10 for Nonprofit Montgomery members, $25 for non-members
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
in partnership with The Collaboration Council

County Council News and Updates

2019-04-20T22:51:11-04:00April 20th, 2019|Advocacy, Events|

Represent our sector and learn more at County Council committee sessions.Click here for the current committee schedule.

PHED/HHS: April 24, 9:30am

  • FY20 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
  • Housing First
  • CIP Amendments – Affordable Housing Acquisition & Preservation
  • DHHS Services to End and Prevent Homelessness

E&C: April 25, 9:30am     

  • FY20 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
  • Montgomery County Public Schools

GO: April 25, 2pm   

  • FY20 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
  • General Services: Fleet Mgmt and NDA: Motor Pool Fund
  • General Services: Facilities (including CIP)
  • Finance, Risk Management, and NDA for Risk Management
  • NDAs: Leases, Working Families Income Supplement, State Property Tax
  • Services, Grants to Municipalities, Future Grants, Takoma Park Police
  • Rebate, Municipal Tax Duplication
  • Debt Service

HHS/E&C: April 26, 1:30pm

  • FY20 Operating Budget and CIP Amendments
  • Early Childhood Services, Infants and Toddlers, Child Care Subsidies, School Health Services, Linkages to Learning, High School Wellness Center, Public Private Partnerships, Children’s Opportunity Fund, and the Kennedy Cluster Project

Nonprofit Montgomery Advocacy

2019-04-20T19:06:50-04:00April 19th, 2019|Advocacy|

The County budget process is underway, with over 150 individuals testifying before the Council at budget hearings last week in a great demonstration of democracy in action. Nonprofit Montgomery is leading teams of nonprofit leaders in meetings with Councilmembers and their staff. The goal of these meetings is to educate Councilmembers about the vital programs offered by nonprofits on behalf of County Government.

This year Nonprofit Montgomery is advocating for a 3% increase in contracts the County holds with nonprofits.  Without increases, nonprofits can’t keep up with rising costs. There is still time to engage in budget advocacy–Nonprofit Montgomery members will receive a complete advocacy update early next week.

Downcounty Service Providers Network Meeting on CENSUS 2020

2019-03-08T12:50:17-05:00March 13th, 2019|Advocacy, Events|

The Downcounty Providers Network Quarterly Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2-4 pm at Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center. The meeting will include the fundamentals and challenges of the upcoming Census and how government, nonprofits, business leaders, philanthropy, faith communities and community members can work together to count everyone in the County. Contact Kaori Hirakawa for more information.

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