The pandemic and the economic downturn have severely damaged charitable giving in America. Despite a few bright spots and big headlines, the latest data shows a troubling decline in donations this year, with an 11 percent drop in March alone — a trend that would lead to $25 billion in lost revenue for nonprofits like Goodwill®.
Category: Advocate
Make Virtual Advocacy a Reality
Office closures and social distancing has not stopped Congress from their ability to conduct their business, and it should not prevent advocates from engaging with lawmakers and staff. In fact, it’s more important now that constituents be able to contact elected officials and share the impact that the pandemic is having on individuals, families, communities and employers.
Congress is Holding Hearings, But Are They Listening?
Since shortly after the pandemic began, a group of charitable nonprofits (including Goodwill®), recognized that many organizations will be in need of various forms of federal relief as they continue to provide critical services at a time when they had to cancel fundraisers, close businesses that provide mission revenue, and face delays in contract payments among other struggles. Hundreds of organizations have since joined the effort seeking #Relief4Charities.
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From Reflection to Action
For more than a century, we at Goodwill® have prided ourselves in our work and our mission to help people with perceived barriers to employment overcome their challenges and gain employment. We now need to challenge ourselves as a human service provider to not only help people who have struggled to find employment, but to actively work to remove systemic and institutional racism and other barriers that prevent people from having equal opportunities in the first place.
House Committee Examines Sobering COVID-19 Statistics
This week began with many observing service members on Memorial Day who gave the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country. A few days later, we mourned the passing of more than 100,000 lives lost in America’s battle against COVID-19. These were disproportionately people of color, older Americans and people with pre-existing medical conditions — and they were so much more than a statistic.
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White House Policy Board Tackles COVID-19 Workforce Recovery
On Tuesday, May 19, the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board held a virtual meeting to discuss strategies for supporting workers who have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Comprised of leaders from industry, higher education, government and nonprofit organizations, the board advises the Administration on workforce development policy and work to promote career education and job training opportunities.
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Urge Congress to Support Nonprofits in the Next COVID-19 Relief Package
Another week has gone by and another 3 million individuals have filed for unemployment, bringing the total number of unemployed to more than 36 million over the last two months. What started as a public health crisis became an economic crisis and morphed into an employment crisis. Lawmakers play a significant role as well, which is why Goodwill Industries International continues to join 450 other charitable nonprofits in asking Congress to provide #Relief4Charities.
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Finding Good During Goodwill Week
As part of Goodwill® Week, both Goodwill Industries International and local Goodwill organizations around the country have encouraged people to “Find Good Everywhere.” Amidst partisan bickering, it’s not always easy to find good on Capitol Hill, but there were a few highlights to acknowledge, which have been beyond good for our advocacy efforts seeking #Relief4Charities in the next congressional package.
Lend Your Voice During Goodwill Week
Goodwill® Week has taken place the first full week of May since 1951. In years past, local Goodwill organizations around the United States and Canada would host career fairs, donation drives, tours of their facilities and services, and other community-wide events to commemorate the week. While it is understandably difficult to celebrate during this time of crisis, it’s important to highlight the contributions that Goodwill and other charitable nonprofits continue to make in their communities.
Support Goodwill on the Hill
A bipartisan effort is underway in Congress to seek relief for charitable nonprofits. Please take a moment to take action and contact Congress and ask that they support nonprofits during their time of need. We currently have two pre-written letters that you can send your local law-makers.
Your Advocacy Matters
Goodwill Industries International is proud to be working with many fellow charitable organizations seeking relief for nonprofits in future legislation. We need your continued help to urge Congress to include nonprofit tracks in future relief packages. In this time of uncertainty and waiting, one thing remains sure: your advocacy matters.
Urge Congress to Remember Nonprofits
The COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic facing the country is having a profound impact on charitable organizations like Goodwill® to provide additional services in an unprecedented manner. Goodwill Industries International has joined more than 200 nonprofits in a request that Congress include a nonprofit track in any future COVID-19 relief package.
