Charity Inc.: Nonprofits can’t be Oklahoma’s bailout
Marnie Taylor
The demand for human services is greater than ever. The pandemic, coupled with past cuts to social programs, has stretched the nonprofit sector to its limit. Now, as lawmakers debate Gov. Kevin Stitt’s $8.3 billion budget plan, it is imperative that legislators come to an agreement that does not include reduced funding to critical programs.
Oklahoma’s philanthropic community stands ready and eager to assist our communities. During the pandemic, the nonprofit sector took the place of the state’s grocery stores, mental health providers, child care agencies and employment advocates. Yes, private charities are positioned to be more nimble and less bureaucratic than government programs. However, they need government funding to effectively and efficiently address today’s societal issues. Nearly 32% of nonprofits’ revenue comes from the government through grants and contracts. Without those dollars, the sector cannot continue to lift up communities.