Celebrating Nonprofit Day 2024
Thank you to all who participated in our 20th Annual Nonprofit Day! It was a smashing success.
On Thursday, February 15th, over 130 nonprofit advocates from 80+ organizations came together at the State House to celebrate the work and worth of our sector. Pictured below, attendees gathered on the steps in the Hall of Flags with a key message: Nonprofits Work for ME!
We were thrilled that so many legislators stopped by to say hello and learn about Maine’s vital nonprofit sector. A special thanks to Senator Trey Stewart, Senator Nicole Grohoski, Representative Jennifer Poirier, and Representative Melanie Sachs for sponsoring our legislative fliers.
Thanks as well to Joann Bautista, Maine Deputy Secretary of State, Hon. Victoria Morales, Executive Director of Quality Housing Coalition, and Hon. Brian Langley, Executive Director of Bridge Academy Maine (and owner of Union River Lobster Pot in Ellsworth), for participating in our panel discussion on "Crafting and Delivering Effective Testimony." One participant said she had never given testimony before, but was now feeling prepared to try it!
The whole day was full of great energy and enthusiasm for moving the nonprofit sector forward, including exhibit tables showcasing the work of the following nonprofits:
- Boots2Roots
- Community Connect Maine
- Congolese Community of Maine
- EqualityMaine
- Herring Gut Coastal Science Center
- Hope Acts
- Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
- Maine Grain Alliance
- Maine Lakes
- Maine MultiCultural Center
- Midcoast Youth Center
- Side x Side
In the photo collage at right, Senate President Troy Jackson shakes hands with Bill Benson, Executive Director of Boots2Roots (top); Representative Holly Stover, Martha Stein, Executive Director of Hope Acts, and Representative Deqa Dalac; and Representative Jessica Fay (bottom left); Mary Alice Scott, MANP, and Representative Jennifer L. Poirier (bottom right). Find more photos from the day in our full album.
Action Needed! Continuing the Momentum
Nonprofit Day was made extra special this year because we had a theme: a blanket sales tax exemption for 501(c)(3) nonprofits. We were thrilled that the day before Nonprofit Day, Governor Mills announced that this policy priority had been included in her supplemental budget!
Action is still needed! Contact your legislators and tell them you want a blanket sales tax exemption for 501(c)(3) nonprofits to STAY IN THE BUDGET!
What's Next
After the legislative session ends later this Spring, we'll take a nap! After our nap, in June, MANP will return to Washington DC for a Lobby Day hosted by the National Council of Nonprofits, where we'll highlight the work and worth of our sector, along with key priority issues like the universal charitable deduction.
Then, before you know it, Election Day (Tuesday, November 5th) will be here! Charitable nonprofits can never endorse candidates or support one party or the other, but that doesn't mean your organization can't participate in elections season, especially by helping get out the vote. Read this great Election Checklist from Bolder Advocacy to learn more about staying nonpartisan in election years.
Keep an eye out for more MANP-related Election Day content... coming later this spring and summer!
Additional Resources
Want to learn more about the ins and outs of nonprofit advocacy? Check out our Advocacy Resources page!