President's Message:
Why nonprofits must stay
connected and informed
Several issues arose in May highlighting why nonprofits must stay connected and informed. Following a trend set in other states, the Honolulu City Council Budget Committee introduced a bill to cap the amount of nonprofit property tax exemptions. This would affect nonprofits that own property and those that pay lower rents because their landlords claim the tax exemption and pass the savings back to them.
Fortunately, this year the measure died in committee. HANO was warned, however, that the Council might explore this idea next year. Our work is cut out for us, to inform elected officials of likely consequences and articulate a thoughtful and compelling argument in opposition. Click here to read more about this issue.
Meanwhile, Tim Delaney, president of HANO’s national organization, the National Council of Nonprofits, went to the White House in May to discuss critical nonprofit issues with members of the Obama Administration. Beforehand, Tim gathered information from across the state-association network on the effects of late payments by local, state and federal government contractors.
HANO asked Hawaii nonprofits to participate in a quick survey on this issue and 60 agencies responded in two days, providing pertinent information and anecdotes for the White House meeting. NCN is still analyzing the nationwide data, but the Hawaii survey suggests that late payments are a problem here that frequently results in cash-flow problems and over-tapped credit lines. In some cases, nonprofit staff and board members have taken out personal loans to continue delivering services. HANO will keep working to improve this funding environment.
As a conduit of information to and from the nonprofit sector, HANO appreciates your rapid response to requests for information that can positively impact public policy. Our monthly newsletter is one way we connect, inform and strengthen the sector. We hope you find value in this month's issue.
Aloha,
Lisa Maruyama
HANO president & CEO
News for Nonprofits
- State cracks down on charity telemarketing fraud
- 840 nonprofits are registered now with Hawaii AG
- Easter Seals Hawaii will merge with Arc of Kauai
- The list of AUW partner agencies grows to 97
- Hawaii nurses’ union forms Rescue, new nonprofit
- Hauoli Mau Loa Foundation launches new website
- Grants support needy and elderly patients, children
- Hawaii Public Radio exceeds pledge goal early
- Number of Hawaii H1N1 swine flu cases reaches 82
- Hawaii nonprofit people in the news
- Head Start kids to get greater access to dental care
- New guide helps nonprofits navigate the IRS website
The Economy
- Oahu nonprofits get $3.9 million for homeless programs
- ARRA includes nonprofit capacity building funds
- Survey: 80% of nonprofits say donations are flat or down
- Lingle directs departments to cut spending even more
- DBEDT lowers forecast for Hawaii economic growth
- FDIC says banks rebounded a bit in first quarter
- Economists forecast modest rebound to start in the fall
- Hawaii jobless rate improves slightly in April
- Layoffs can mean workplace burnout for those spared
- Employers struggle to find qualified job candidates
- Despite economic gloom, worker confidence is up
Advocacy & Public Policy
- Cashed-strapped governments threaten tax exemptions
- UH cancer research center moves forward, funds intact
- Where are nonprofit funds in Obama’s FY2010 budget?
- Arts Alliance urges nonprofits to seek ARRA funds
- HECO plans credits for low-income customers
Announcements
- Learn nonprofit budgeting techniques, hands on
- Association executives’ conference set for June 5
- Free workshops for Maui, Molokai and Lanai nonprofits
- KANU Hawaii kicks off June 20 ‘Live Aloha Campaign’
- Wellness Institute offers nonprofits coping skills
- Green coupon books available for nonprofit fundraising
- Office space available in AUW’s Honolulu building
- HCF offers nonprofit capacity-building grants
