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.
