Think Twice Before You Slice

An Unprecedented Regional Campaign by Area Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement announced today a joint advocacy campaign for the 2011 fiscal year budget cycles in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland. The campaign, “Think Twice Before You Slice,” is designed to advocate for and educate local elected officials during this critical budget cycle about the incredible assets and services nonprofits bring to their communities. It will also empower the region’s nonprofits and the people they serve to lend their voice to the efforts.

“It’s clear that the next six months are going to be crucial for everyone,” Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie said. “By partnering with the Nonprofit Roundtable we are able to amplify the collective voices of our members and all nonprofits in the region. Nonprofits are a crucial piece of fabric in our communities and our public servants need to understand their impact.”

“This budget cycle is going to be tough for all communities, and nonprofits are not going to go unscathed. The question is to what degree. By joining forces with the Center and its members, our goal is to have an impact on the severity of the cuts,” said Chuck Bean, executive director of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington.

Along with the campaign, the Nonprofit Roundtable and the Center announce the hiring of Jeanne Ellinport, a long-time local nonprofit advocate to lead the efforts. Most recently Jeanne served as the communications director for the American Red Cross’s Katrina Hurricane Recovery Program.

“Our elected officials need to understand that the services nonprofits provide a community enhance and complete a community,” said Ellinport. “People move to an area specifically wanting the services nonprofits provide—arts, job training, after-school programs—things that will enhance their quality of life.”

The campaign’s website www.thinktwiceb4youslice.org will include information on the budget process for each jurisdiction and avenues for nonprofits throughout the region to get involved.

Together the two organizations represent more than 1,000 organizations across the metropolitan region.

For additional information or to get involved, please contact Jeanne Ellinport.