Augusta - Nonprofits from different parts of the state with different missions came to the State House for the same reason on Thursday. They came to celebrate Nonprofit Day with members of the legislature.

"Every year we organize this to showcase the diversity of the non-profit sector and to get the non-profit comfortable with what goes on here at the State House," said Brenda Peluso, Director of Public Policy at the Maine Association of Nonprofits.

Leaders in nonprofits can meet and mingle with leaders in government to explain what roles both groups play and how they can work together.

"I think there's a lot of really good efforts here and it just helps to put a face with the efforts, but unless you can have a chance to talk about what it is that you're doing and how effective it is, it might be just hard to get the attention of people," said Jeff Johnson, CEO of the Cobscook Bay Company.

The Maine Association of Nonprofits says these organizations deserve that attention because they're a big part of the small business community and a major contributor to the state's economy.

Peluso said, "Non-profits employ 1 in 7 Maine workers and they also contribute $8.2 billion to the Maine economy and that's more than manufacturing and construction industries combined."

"I think it's important for the people in the State House especially to understand what a vital part we are of the Maine economy and the picture of what Maine is as a state," said Connie Carter, Executive Director of Operation Breaking Stereotypes.

Because they serve so many people from all over the state, Nonprofits have an understanding of the problems Mainers face. They hope events like this will help form a partnership with lawmakers so they may work together on the solutions.

Print this Story

Recent Stories