Nonprofits must be considered for additional federal financial assistance in the next COVID-19 emergency funding relief package, said U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) and several of his colleagues.
“As we work to build on the CARES Act in the next relief package, we cannot overlook the needs of these community-based institutions and must ensure that charitable nonprofits are fully supported in their service on the front lines of responding to the COVID-19 crisis,” wrote Sen. Gardner and the lawmakers in a May 7 letter sent to U.S. Senate leadership.
Among the members who joined Sen. Gardner in signing the bipartisan letter were U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC), Martha McSally (R-AZ), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Richard Burr (R-NC), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Angus King (I-ME).
The senators wrote that Congress in the next relief proposal for the coronavirus pandemic should expand the eligibility for nonprofits to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program by modifying the current 500-employee cap or by other means.
Additionally, Sen. Gardner and his colleagues suggested that Senate leaders treat self-funded nonprofits fairly by increasing the federal unemployment insurance reimbursement for self-funded nonprofits to 100 percent of costs, and that they encourage donations to the nonprofits in local communities by enabling taxpayers making donations on and after March 13 and before July 16 to claim the deductions on their 2019 tax filings.
“Cities and states are relying on nonprofits to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic,” wrote the senators. “We will continue to rely on the experience, expertise and ingenuity of the sector during future recovery efforts.”
Among the numerous nonprofits and charities that support the letter are the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, the American Council on Education, Catholic Charities USA, the Child Welfare League of America, Covenant House International, Girl Scouts of the USA, Goodwill Industries International Inc., Habitat for Humanity International, Lutheran Services in America, Mental Health America and the National Council of Nonprofits.