Advocacy

Making Sense of the Census—The Role of Nonprofits

2019-08-12T12:27:47-04:00August 12th, 2019|Advocacy, Nonprofit Resources|

Mobilizing around the 2020 Census is critical for Montgomery County and the nonprofit sector. In addition to providing demographic data that is essential for planning purposes, the US Census determines the allocation of billions of dollars in federal funds for schools, roads, hospitals and many public benefits. Representation in Congress is also determined by Census data.

Last week Nonprofit Montgomery convened nonprofits with the County’s 2020 Census leadership—Diane Vu, Director of the Office of Community Partnerships and Shawn Ellis, Montgomery County Census Director for a conversation about how nonprofits can support the effort in 2020.

Guest speaker Barry Robinson, former lead counsel for the US Census Bureau, explained the laws safeguarding the confidentiality of Census data. Data gathered in the Census is shared only in the aggregate. Individual data is protected. This is an important message for nonprofits to convey to the people we serve. For more information, read these articles authored by Mr. Robinson.

Montgomery County has already convened a 2020 Census Complete Count Committee. Regional subcommittees are organizing to support the effort. These committees are convened by the Directors of the Regional Services Centers. Nonprofits are encouraged to connect with the regional committees to learn more.

Stay tuned for more information about how nonprofits can get involved, and County resources to support this work. Contact Shawn Ellis, 2020 Census Director.

RESOURCES: 

Important Community Grants Updates

2019-07-29T10:07:13-04:00July 28th, 2019|Advocacy, Grants & Funding|

Last Thursday the Montgomery County Council Health and Human Services and Government Operations committees held a worksession to develop a new vision and strategy for Community Grants. While the details remain to be worked out, the committees approved a three-year transition plan with the following general principles:
  • “Legacy” Community Grants will be reviewed for multi-year service delivery contracts, with a July 1, 2020 contract start date. This work will be coordinated with County departments and will begin in the fall of 2019.
  • In the future grant funding will be aligned with County priorities and outcomes.
  • A central County grants office will be created to help County departments apply for federal, state and other grants. The grants office will also manage nonprofit grants.
  • Beginning in FY21 a set funding level for Community Grants will be established in the County Executive FY21 recommended budget.  Grants will be awarded in priority areas with grant cycles on a rolling schedule throughout the year.
The Community Grants program (with separate County Executive and County Council grants) will not exist in its current form going forward. The HHS and GO committees have scheduled a second worksession on October 24 to review progress on the changes.

Nonprofit Montgomery will continue to provide updates and let nonprofits know when there are opportunities for input. Watch for our Community Grants dialogue with County staff in the fall.

Click here to read the full memo.

Want to know more? Join or renew your membership in Nonprofit Montgomery to get Advocacy Alerts about important up-to-date County issues.

2019 Online Resident Survey

2019-07-10T12:08:35-04:00July 10th, 2019|Advocacy, MoCo Government News|

County Executive Elrich has launched an online survey to gauge residents’ assessment of the local government, its services, and quality of life. The 2019 Resident Survey was mailed to 5,000 randomly selected County households in the first week of June, and residents who did not receive the questionnaire in the mail are invited and encouraged to participate online. The online survey for all residents will be open for a three-week period, from June 28 to July 19.

Council News and Updates

2019-07-10T11:57:22-04:00July 10th, 2019|Advocacy, Events|

Represent our sector and learn more at County Council committee sessions.Click here for the current committee schedule.

GO/HHS – July 18, 3pm
Discussion: Community Grants Process

HHS – July 22, 9:30am
Briefing: Foster Care

E&C – July 22, 2pm   
Discussion: Arts & Humanities

PHED – July 29, 9:30am 
Briefing: Report on housing, population, and employment trends since 1990
Update: Economic Development functions

Recent OLO Reports: Common Ownership Communities and Student Loan Market Demand Study and Cost Analysis

New OLO Report: Racial Equity Profile Montgomery County

2019-06-28T11:00:32-04:00June 28th, 2019|Advocacy, Nonprofit Resources|

The Office of Legislative Oversight released a new report conducted by the Jupiter Independent Research Group, “Racial Equity Profile Montgomery County.”  The objectives of the report: to provide a collection of tables on different demographic factors from various sources by race and ethnicity and to identify disparities, where relevant, between different racial/ gender groups in different categories.

Food Security Plan Community Update

2019-06-14T11:45:46-04:00June 17th, 2019|Advocacy, Events|

Please join the Montgomery County Food Council, the Department of Health and Human Services and CountyStat for a “Food Security Plan Community Update” on Friday, June 28 from 9:30am to noon. The 9:30am reception will be at the Executive Office Building. Click here for more information and to register.

Montgomery County Council News and Updates

2019-06-14T11:28:10-04:00June 16th, 2019|Advocacy, Events|

Represent our sector and learn more at County Council committee sessions.Click here for the current committee schedule.

E&C/HHS – June 20, 9:30am
Discussion: Vaping in Schools

PHED – June 23, 9:30am 
Update: Purple Line Coalition draft housing plan

GO/HHS- July 11, 2pm
Discussion: Community Grants Process

Community Conversation on Racial Equity and Social Justice
Council President  Navarro and County Executive Elrich will host a Community Conversation on Racial Equity and Social Justice on June 26 at 7pm at BlackRock Center for the Arts in Germantown. The purpose of this discussion is to engage with residents on how county leaders can build a better and stronger Montgomery County that meets the needs of all residents through the creation of a new Racial Equity and Social Justice Policy.

2020 Census Convening for Nonprofit Leaders in Montgomery County

2019-06-14T11:21:51-04:00June 14th, 2019|Advocacy, Nonprofit Resources, Training Opportunities|

The Office of Community Partnerships is leading 2020 Census outreach efforts in Montgomery County and is hosting a discussion with leaders from the nonprofit community on July 11 from 5-6:30pm at the County Executive Office. The purpose is to provide information on the 2020 Census, discuss education and outreach strategies and specific messaging around the citizenship question in anticipation of the SCOTUS decision to be announced at the end of June.

As nonprofit leaders, we play a critical role in the County’s 2020 Census Campaign. Come and learn about the resources available for nonprofits to engage in the census. RSVP to Jennifer by June 28.

NM Advocacy – County Council Approves Increases for Nonprofit Contracts

2019-05-30T14:37:19-04:00May 30th, 2019|Advocacy|

Nonprofit Montgomery is pleased to announce that the Montgomery County Council approved a budget reconciliation list that included a 3% increase for nonprofits with contracts in DHHS. The reconciliation list was originally over $32 million.

The Council reduced the list to $16,590,556, with nonprofit contracts included. A 3% increase to nonprofit contracts was a focus of Nonprofit Montgomery’s advocacy this year. We are thrilled that the Council approved the whole 3%.

The Council also approved recommendations for $14.5 million in Community Grants. A total of 335 grants were awarded. Note that this list includes both County Executive and County Council grants combined, including grants for capital improvements.

We’d like to thank the Nonprofit Montgomery members who attended advocacy visits to Council members, and all those who testified at hearings, emailed Councilmembers and mobilized others to do the same. Our strength and visibility as a sector increase when we pull together. Nonprofit Montgomery would also like to thank our Councilmembers for their continued support of our sector.

Nonprofit Montgomery Advocacy Updates

2019-05-14T10:28:19-04:00May 13th, 2019|Advocacy|

Nonprofit Montgomery works year round to advocate for the nonprofit sector. This activity heats up at budget time, when we mobilize members to advocate for funding for nonprofits. This year Nonprofit Montgomery focused on asking for a 3% increase for County contracts with nonprofits. This increase is essential to help nonprofits keep up with rising costs and demands for service. Click here for more information about this issue.

Each year Nonprofit Montgomery invites members to join our visits County Councilmembers to talk about nonprofit needs. We also encourage nonprofits to testify at budget hearings. We’re asking all nonprofits to email Councilmembers to let them know the importance of contract increase to sustain essential services to county residents. Final budget negotiations are underway—now is the time to email your Councilmembers. Click here for Councilmember contact info and a message you can customize. Volume really counts—please take a minute to send an email to each Councilmember.  Let them know that nonprofits really matter!

Thanks to all the nonprofit leaders who attended Councilmember advocacy meetings and testified at the budget hearings.

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