Advocates for Kentucky's nonprofits rallied at the state capitol in Frankfort Thursday to garner support with state lawmakers.
Organizers say they’re focusing on visibility in the face of potential funding freezes from the federal government. The Kentucky Nonprofit Network says nonprofits make up the fourth largest private sector employer in Kentucky, making up around 10% of the workforce.
Danielle Clore is the CEO for the network and helped organize the rally. She says the yearly event is to call attention to the role nonprofits play in the state government and the economy.
“Frankly, nonprofits are the experts on any number of community issues, and if they are not voicing their expertise, then it is difficult for state legislators, members of our federal delegation, local government officials, to often make good policy decisions without the information that they need,” Clore said.
She says much of the event focused on the amount of services nonprofits help provide.
“That can be transportation, childcare, housing assistance, mental health services,” Clore said. “All of the support that folks need to participate in the workforce are typically delivered by nonprofits, and so that's a lot of times things that folks don't even realize.”
This year, Clore says they’re raising awareness to support House Bill 622, which would streamline payments for government contract work.
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