Hope In Hard Times: A Year-end Message from LANO

As we enjoy this special season of the year, fortunate to share our gifts and good company, we know that for many in Louisiana, harsh realities remain. More of us are out of work, and have been out of work longer, than in any time since the Great Depression. Many with jobs struggle to meet basic needs on ever-tighter family budgets. Planning for a brighter future is a gift too few can afford this year.

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Louisiana’s nonprofit community knows from daily experience how these hard financial times affect local citizens and our own bottom lines. Resources are shrinking just as demand for service is on the rise. According to LANO’s 2010 Wages and Benefits survey, Louisiana nonprofits are cutting workforce, holding salaries stagnant, reducing benefits, and outsourcing essential business functions in significant numbers. This year LANO also tracked the effects of the oil spill disaster on coastal charities and documented widening gaps in staff and financial resources.

And yet we know there is reason for hope. As they do every year, nonprofits have responded in remarkable ways. As a sector we are more active, creative and vocal than ever. Many organizations have applied a vigorous entrepreneurial spirit to their charitable missions, working to fund and sustain diverse social, environmental, cultural and economic services. Many are reaching beyond traditional means of support, forming new partnerships with other nonprofits, community-minded businesses, local and state governments and a concerned public. The social network is expanding, and nonprofits are leading the way.

The economy, they say, is improving. Whatever the pace of recovery in the coming years, clear opportunities exist to promote nonprofit excellence through networking, strategic partnerships and collective representation. Shared nonprofit resources, information exchange and group purchasing will directly benefit our sector. It is critical too for nonprofits to stay informed and positioned to advocate and develop public policy solutions.

As your state association of nonprofits, LANO is committed to leveraging multi-sector partnerships and expanding access to resources you need. Together we can assure the short term and sustained vitality of Louisiana in this and every season.

All the best to you and your families, and a very Happy New Year from LANO!

LANO Issues December Public Policy Newsletter Today

LANO issued its monthly Public Policy Newsletter today, which covers up-to-date information around state and federal policies that pertain to nonprofits and the clients they serve.

This month's newsletter covers three main topics: The Better Choices for a Better Louisiana coalition, 6 month follow up nonprofit needs re-assessment survey around the oil spill, and details about the recently signed into law tax cut bill entitled, "Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act".

To view a copy of the newsletter please visit LANO's website.

If you would like to receive LANO's Public Policy Newsletter each month please contact Elisabeth Gehl at elisabeth@lano.org.

LANO Releases Oil Spill Needs Re-assessment Data

LANO’s initial Nonprofit Needs Assessment, conducted in June of 2010, demonstrated the immediate impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on nonprofits and the citizens they serve. 

The results of a limited re-assessment, conducted in the fall of 2010 and released today, illustrate ongoing effects on nonprofits as reported by organizations from the parishes most affected by the spill.

[Download report here]

More than half of respondents reported a noticeable change in the number of clients and the kinds of services needed in response to the oil spill.

Of nonprofits experiencing an increase in demand for services, the most significant issues facing clients continued to be loss of job or income, followed by increased stress and mental health issues. Nonprofits also identified problems meeting mortgage, rent, or car payments as a significant or somewhat significant concern. Most nonprofits report that at least 10% of their clients continue to be impacted by the spill. 

About half of respondents said that they still have insufficient resources to meet the demand of additional clients or increased service requests. Funding ranked highest in needed resources, followed by additional staffing.

Despite these problems, only a small minority of respondents report having un-reimbursed expenses related to the oil spill that can be documented. A larger percentage is not yet sure.  Of those reporting expenses incurred, staff time was greatest.

LANO is working with the nonprofit sector in Louisiana to assist in filing claims for un-reimbursed expenses with the Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF). Responses suggest that organizations may also need assistance identifying documentable expenses. 

According to the LANO report, the post-oil spill situation presents opportunities to promote nonprofit stability through networking and strategic partnerships. The increased value of shared nonprofit services and savings will directly benefit the recovering communities. Nonprofits will benefit from financial support but also by leveraging multi-sector partnerships and volunteerism, working together to assure short term and sustained vitality.