Remember when we thought April and May were the longest months of this unique year? Well, in case you were not near your calendar we are at the midpoint of June. As nonprofits this is a critical time of year, we are watching the state budget process intently given what it means for our organizations’ operational and programmatic needs.
To date, the Joint Finance Committee has pulled together a draft of the final budget, while waiting for the final revenue projections to be confirmed by DEFAC. Today, DEFAC met and approved the Fiscal Year 2021 revenue estimate, allowing the General Assembly the freedom to finalize the FY 2021 Operating Budget, Bond Bill and Grant-in-Aid.
Overall, based on the financial decisions in 2019, the state is utilizing resources set aside in the Budget Stabilization Fund and money not spent in the current fiscal year to make up for some of the shortfall. In addition, today it was noted that projections of other payments that are forthcoming from business entities warranted an increase in projected revenue of $88.2. Thus, improving upon the projections made at the May DEFAC meeting. This is positive news for now, but much of the conversation centered around the array of unknowns that await us in the future. As COVID-19 related hospitalizations slowly decrease our Delaware economy is reemerging, but all remain cautious about our collective economic future.
With DEFAC projections approved, the Joint Finance Committee will move forward next week with a hearing to consider Grant-in-Aid. If you’d like to participate, the meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 22nd at 1:30pm and will be broadcast online.
Last week, DANA sent a letter to Governor John Carney to appeal for federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to be dedicated to the purchase of and/or reimbursement of COVID-19 related personal protective equipment, additional cleaning supplies and professional disinfecting services necessary to meet the guidelines to serve. To date, we have not received a response to our request, but we remain vigilant. This could be an opportunity to reach out to your legislators and remind them of how critical these funds are to support our needs as small businesses. To find your legislator, or their contact information, you may go here and type in your nonprofit’s address.
At the federal level we continue to work with the National Council of Nonprofits on issue related to pandemic relief efforts as well as addressing the specific needs of self-insured nonprofits relating to unemployment.
We will continue to monitor policy changes at both the state and federal level that have an impact on the sector. As always, if you have questions, or concerns, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]