June 4, 2020

Florida counties pushing Gov. DeSantis to release almost $1.3B in COVID-19 aid sitting in state coffers  Source:  Tallahassee Democrat

TALLAHASSEE — Florida counties are pushing Gov. Ron DeSantis to release nearly $1.3 billion in federal money that has been sitting in state coffers for more than two months, as local officials struggle to keep their communities afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Read more. 

May 29, 2020

LobbyTools for Information

LobbyTools is providing free coverage to help Floridians stay informed of state and local government responses to the COVID-19 crisis. Please email [email protected] to contribute to this resource.  Visit the covid19lobbytools.com for the latest government orders in the Big Bend Area and state. 

May 28, 2020

See a list of local nonprofit organizations that received Blueprint grants. Source: Tallahassee Democrat

In mid-April, the Blueprint Intergovernmental Agency approved $1 million in tax money to be made available to nonprofits in the community. To-date, $582,500 in assistance has been given out to 233 organizations, which employ more than 2,300 people. 

See the full list here.  

May 26, 2020

More than $528K went out to struggling local non-profits amid Coronavirus Pandemic. Source: Tallahassee Democrat

Read the article here.   

May 19, 2020

"Dear Leon County and City of Tallahassee Commissioners.  Collaboration letter between COCA, INIE and UPHS to advocate for reserving balance of the LEAN Grant funds for the nonprofit sector."  Read the full letter. 

May 19, 2020

Nearly 300 Donors and Grant Makers Join Push to Require Philanthropic Funds to Give More Now  Source:  The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Nearly 300 philanthropists and foundation leaders have joined an effort to require that foundations and donor-advised fund account holders put more money into the hands of charities.  Read more. 

April 15, 2020

Blueprint votes for another $1 million grant package to local nonprofits  Source:  WCTV

THANK YOU INIE MEMBERS!  Your responses to the INIE COVID19 Survey are included in this report:  The effects of COVID-19 on Florida Nonprofits.  Report released representing nonprofits across the state of Florida.  Source:  Florida Nonprofit Alliance

Florida Nonprofit Alliance has produced a report assessing the impact of COVID-19 on Florida's nonprofit sector. This report was funded by Wells Fargo.

Key Findings include:

• 98% of nonprofit organizations that responded have been affected by COVID-19
• Almost 80% have experienced a negative financial impact because of the virus
• 73% of nonprofits have had a disruption in their services, and more than 1/3 have experienced an increase in demand
• More than half have had disruptions to the work of their staff and/or volunteers
• Organizations are doing the best they can in a rapidly changing world, but they need additional resources, especially funding, to survive and recover
• Advocacy continues to play a vital role to ensure nonprofits are included in all stimulus and relief packages
• Nonprofit recovery from COVID-19 will not be immediate once the virus is under control, and recovery will require help, especially financial, from funders

 The full report can be accessed here. 

For questions, please email Sabeen at [email protected]

Blueprint Taps $1M to help ailing nonprofits.  Source:  Tallahassee Democrat

Read the full article. 

April 10, 2020

INIE Releases COVID19 Impact on Nonprofits Survey results to local commissioners and Florida Nonprofit Alliance.  See survey results.

April 6, 2020 

Coronavirus and Nonprofits:  Groups face financial uncertainty and possible layoffs.  Source:  Tallahassee Democrat

Read the full article. 

April 3, 2020

Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence hosts Town Hall Meeting  Source:  WCTV

By: Monica Casey | WCTV Eyewitness News
April 3, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- The Institute for Nonprofit Innovation and Excellence hosted a virtual town hall on Friday morning for local non-profits, addressing challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Panelists included Tim Center (Capital Area Community Action Agency), Jim McShane (CareerSource Capital Region), Meg Baldwin (Refuge House) and Kathleen Spehar (Council on Culture & Arts.)

Mayor John Dailey was also at the Town Hall, urging listeners to stay home if possible.

Meg Baldwin of Reguge House explained that the pandemic has created new issues for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

She says abusers are likely now at home, and children could be in danger as well.

She says survivors or no longer able to call the Refuge House hotline as often.

Mondays are usually the busiest day; with an abuser away at work and children at school, survivors have alone time to make the call. Refuge House usually receives about 40 calls on Mondays; this past Monday they received only five.

March 25, 2020

Letter to State Officials to support relief funding for Nonprofits.  Read letter.  Source:  Florida Nonprofit Alliance