Current e-Journal

Dear friends,
This is not our normal newsletter. But then, these are not normal times.

Last week, a congressional committee grilled the CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, accusing nonprofits and NGOs of "incestuous, back-dealing money-laundering, funneling money into the pockets of Democratic activists."

The name of the hearing says it all:
NGO's Gone Wild

And no, we're not making that up. You can see a full transcript of the hearing at this link.

Diane Yentel, the CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, kept her cool - something we are confident we could not have done under the circumstances. She told the story of what nonprofits are all about, the work we all do to make our communities more livable. Attacked over and over, she stood up for all of us doing the work our communities depend upon. As part of these attacks, they even accused her of being a "covert white supremacist." (Read the transcript. We're not making any of this up.)

On Fox News after her testimony, Congressman Brandon Gill called her a “radical left activist with a deep history of saying vile, despicable things.” Laura Ingraham called her a “run of the mill lunatic.” All while continuing to bash nonprofits with wild accusations that could not be farther from the truth.

The National Council of Nonprofits has been working diligently on behalf of this entire sector since these attacks began. Filing legal challenges. Lobbying. And yes, testifying under the harshest of circumstances, in the halls of our nation's capital.

So this week, we are writing for three reasons. 

1. First, we are writing to keep you apprised of what is happening in the U.S. as it relates to nonprofits. This will affect not just American nonprofits, but international nonprofits based in the U.S., as well as American organizations that benefit people in other countries. For good or for bad, what happens in the U.S. affects the whole world. And so our first goal is to encourage you to follow the news as it relates to the American government's actions against nonprofits. Subscribe to the Chronicle of Philanthropy (their online version is only $8 per month). Subscribe to the free newsletters at Nonprofit Quarterly. 
2. Second, we are writing to urge our U.S. subscribers to call your congressional reps and senators, urging our leaders to support nonprofits and our communities. Whether it is a budget bill that has harmful aspects for nonprofits and our communities, or simply attacks like the subcommittee hearing last week, talk to your representatives about the importance of the work we all do. And while you're at it, call with the same message to your state representatives, because so much is happening at the state level as well these days.
3. Lastly, we are writing to urge you to donate to the National Council of Nonprofits. Their team is standing up for all of us and the critical work we do. Whatever you can afford, know that your donation will directly help your organization's ability to keep doing the work you do. You can make that donation here.

Next week, we will be back with our regular newsletter, helping you to create a world that works for all of us. For now, creating that better world starts with our sector's continued ability to do the work we do.

Sending you all so much gratitude,