The Election Is Over. Our Work Continues.

Yard signs are being collected, campaign mail has halted, and our “friends” who have been calling and texting us non-stop have gone silent. This can only mean one thing – the current election season is over!

Key takeaways:

• Kentucky’s congressional delegation gained two new members of the House of Representatives – Ed Gallrein (R-Shelbyville) in District 4 and Zach Dembo (D-Lexington) in District 6.
• 6th district Congressman Andy Barr (R-Lexington) was elected to the U.S. Senator.
• Kentucky’s General Assembly will also see some new faces. While the balance of power will not shift, the KY Senate will go from 32 Republicans and 6 Democrats to 30 Republicans and 8 Democrats. The KY House will go from 80 Republicans and 20 Democrats to 74 Republicans and 26 Democrats.
• Of the eight members of the General Assembly not re-elected, six were members of the Nonprofit Legislative Caucus.
• Local elections also bring new faces and some incredibly close races. Unofficial results indicate the Morehead mayoral race was decided by just ONE vote!
• While much of the nation saw historically high mid-term voter turnout, Kentucky’s unofficial vote count was at a near 30-year low for a mid-term election.

While we bask in the quieting of our emails and phones and wait for the official results to be certified and released by Secretary of State Michael Adams, there are indeed important next steps for charitable nonprofits.

* New faces mean new opportunities – and new relationships
With changes in Congress, the General Assembly, and local government, we have new opportunities to educate all elected officials about the critical role of charitable nonprofits in Kentucky communities. Our impact on Kentucky’s residents, workforce, economy, and quality of life is a story that must be told – and retold. Whether engaging with one of KNN’s local/regional Coalitions, joining us this winter for KY Nonprofit Day at the Capitol, or taking the opportunity to directly connect with returning and newly elected officials – every conversation about your mission AND the work of the larger nonprofit sector matters.

KNN has tools and opportunities to help:

• Connect with your elected officials. Schedule a visit with new and returning officials, and ALWAYS share relevant More Than Charity sector data! Help them understand that every single Kentuckians benefits from the work of charitable nonprofits, the economic impact of our sector, and that nonprofits are the workforce behind the workforce.
• Join us at a KNN Regional Forum in early December! Registration is open – we’d love to see you in Fort Wright, Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Morehead, Prestonsburg or Corbin. These Forums provide opportunities to connect with colleagues and understand – among other discussion topics – the policy environment impacting your work.
• Engage with a KNN Local/Regional Coalitions. Our coalitions bring nonprofit leaders together to strengthen their collective voice and advance their communities. No Coalition in your area? Let us hear from you if you need resources to support your advocacy.
• Spread the word – Nonprofits Get It Done! Participating in KNN’s campaign and sharing the messaging is a simple and direct way to help us highlight the work of nonprofits and those we serve, dispel myths, and identify nonprofit champions.

*Urge Congress to BLOCK the proposal to overhaul and politicize federal grants
Only a few weeks remain to urge our current Federal Delegation to act on bipartisan legislation that temporarily blocked OMB’s proposal that could have significant consequences for thousands of nonprofits, as well as local and state governments and the communities we serve. See below for ways to take action – particularly during the November 10 National Day of Action!

*Looking ahead – Strengthening civic participation
Kentucky’s low voter turnout raises important questions for our sector: what role can charitable nonprofits continue to play in encouraging civic participation helping Kentuckians engage in the decisions that shape our communities? How can we come together to strengthen civic engagement that keep our democracy and our communities strong. If this election reminded us of anything, it’s that EVERY VOTE COUNTS – just ask the mayoral candidates in Morehead!

I’ve learned many many things in my almost 25 years of leading KNN and one of the most important is this: relationship-building with elected officials never stops. Champions leave office. New leaders are elected. Misinformation can cloud understanding of our work. That’s why we must consistently communicate the impact, needs, and value of charitable nonprofits and the people and communities we serve. And whether we are disappointed or excited or uncertain about the election’s results – one thing remains unchanged: our responsibility to further our missions and advance and protect our sector’s ability to serve and strengthen Kentucky communities. 

I urge you to join me in prioritizing building relationships with newly elected and returning officials and sharing the incredible story of your organization and Kentucky’s charitable nonprofit sector. From the lives changed by your programs and services to the workforce behind the workforce – it is a KNN priority that every elected official representing Kentucky communities understand the role and importance of a vibrant charitable nonprofit sector. Join us in this work!

Know that the KNN team is proud to stand with you. And I’ll continue to shout it from the rooftops – Kentuckians and Kentucky’s communities are worth fighting for!

Danielle Clore
CEO, Kentucky Nonprofit Network