(WASHINGTON, June 28, 2020) –The following is a statement by Daniel J. Cardinali, president and CEO of Independent Sector:
“In ordinary times, the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools (HEALS) Act and many of its provisions would seem like a significant federal response to this pandemic and the crushing challenges faced by nonprofit organizations nationwide. Unfortunately, we are far from ordinary times and this legislation is simply inadequate to support the continued vital work, and very existence, of the charitable sector.
There are some welcome pieces of this legislation: it bolsters the Paycheck Protection Program, offers improved unemployment insurance relief, and injects emergency funding into the 2020 Census. However, the HEALS Act falls far short of the operational needs recently expressed to Congress by thousands of nonprofit organizations and the dire demands of our national community and civic infrastructure.
If this package is going to be the last lifeline that policymakers throw to the charitable sector before leaving town for August, they are going to have to do better. Independent Sector is ready to work with policymakers and our partners to improve the HEALS Act in the days to come.”
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Independent Sector is the only national membership organization that brings together a diverse community of changemakers at nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs working to ensure all people in the United States thrive. Learn more at independentsector.org.
