Nonprofit Leaders Rally for Legislative Support at State Capitol
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Braving the bitter cold, Kentucky Nonprofit Network (KNN), the state’s association of charitable nonprofits, and dozens of their members gathered in the Kentucky State Capitol’s House Chamber Thursday morning to generate momentum for critical legislation such as House Bill 622, which is making its way through the General Assembly this session to address delayed payments on government grants and contracts.
KNN’s CEO Danielle Clore mentioned to members in attendance that a big focus of their advocacy work revolves around articulating, not just to legislators but the general public, that nonprofits are vital to Kentucky’s communities and its economy, generating over $10 billion in wages in the Commonwealth every year and pumping $27 billion in expenditures right back into Kentucky’s economy.
“We have one in 10 Kentuckians employed by a nonprofit, over 162,000 Kentucky jobs are at nonprofits, and I would argue hundreds of thousands of other jobs happen because of the supports of nonprofits, whether that’s childcare, transportation, mental health… so we are critical as employers and we are critical to support employees all across this Commonwealth,” said Clore.
Much of the day’s focus was trained on HB 622, which addresses state payment practices on grants and contracts. HB 622’s primary sponsor, Rep. Shawn McPherson (R – Scottsville), filed the bill this week with the hopes of picking up where he left off last year with a similar bill that that ran out of time in the last session.
“House Bill 622 is a framework for more efficient government,” said Rep. McPherson while addressing the nonprofits in attendance this morning. “This is going to give a reporting requirement but it’s also going to give a net 30, net 60, whatever your contract says, we’re going to hold people to those contracts… because the worst thing in the world when you’re trying to negotiate a contract is not knowing when your money is going to be there.”
The bill also has support from Kentucky Nonprofit Caucus co-chairs, Rep. Samara Heavrin (R–Leitchfield) and Rep. Adrielle Camuel (D–Lexington). “It’s imperative that we pass this bill so that you all continue to do the work that you do. There’s 4.5 million Kentuckians relying on you, so thank you,” said Rep. Camuel.
Rep. Heavrin mentioned that timely payments are critical for nonprofits to be there when you need them the most. “Nonprofits show up for us day in and day out, in the good times and the bad times… With the flooding in Eastern Kentucky and even some of the flooding we had in Western Kentucky, we appreciate that you all step up and do things that government isn’t able to do,” said Rep. Heavrin while addressing KNN members.
In the wake of potentially crippling executive orders freezing federal funding, all while charitable giving and volunteerism is down, KNN contends that prompt payments are even more essential to helping nonprofits survive to provide crucial services to Kentuckians. Some member nonprofits reported paying as much as $75,000 in interest on lines of credit used to address cash flow issues caused by late payments on state grants and contracts.
The morning also included many moments to celebrate nonprofit and legislative successes from 2024, with awards presented to:
Nonprofit Voice Awards
- Bluegrass Land Conservancy
- Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kentucky
- Children’s Alliance
- Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky
- EC LEARN
- Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky
- Kentucky Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs
- Kentucky Association of Rape Crisis Centers
- Kentucky Birth Coalition,
- Kentucky Voices for Health
- Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass
- Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky
- The Center for Women & Families
- The Coalition for the Homeless
- UP for Women & Children
- ZeroV
Nonprofit Advocacy Partner Award
- Senator Julie Raque Adams
- Senator Shelley Funke Frommeyer
- Senator David Givens
- Senator Chris McDaniel
- Senator Stephen Meredith
- Senator Robby Mills
- Senator Max Wise
- Rep. Kim Banta
- Rep. Jared Bauman
- Rep. John Blanton
- Rep. Josh Bray
- Rep. Randy Bridges
- Rep. George Brown, Jr.
- Rep. Lindsey Burke
- Rep. Emily Callaway
- Rep. Beverly Chester-Burton
- Rep. Mike Clines
- Rep. Stephanie Dietz
- Rep. Daniel Elliott
- Rep. Ken Fleming
- Rep. Al Gentry
- Rep. Samara Heavrin
- Rep. John Hodgson
- Rep. DJ Johnson
- Rep. Nima Kulkarni
- Rep. Chris Lewis
- Rep. Suzanne Miles
- Rep. Kim Moser
- Rep. David Osborne
- Rep. Jason Petrie
- Rep. Steve Riley
- Rep. TJ Roberts
- Rep. Steven Rudy
- Rep. Sarah Stalker
- Rep. Wade Williams
- Rep. Lisa Willner
- Rep. Susan Witten
