AUGUSTA — Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) will hold its 20th annual Nonprofit Day at the State House on Thursday, February 15. More than 120 nonprofit staff and volunteers representing approximately 85 organizations are registered to attend. Each year, Nonprofit Day showcases Maine’s nonprofit sector, which employs 1 in 6 Maine workers, and strengthens the partnerships between nonprofit leaders and public officials to address community needs.

Nonprofit Day at the State House takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the Hall of Flags, at the Maine State House, in Augusta. 

MANP selected twelve charitable organizations to highlight the work and worth of the sector: Boots2Roots; Community Connect Maine; Congolese Community of Maine; EqualityMaine; Hope Acts; Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault; Maine Grain Alliance; Maine Island Trail Association; Maine Lakes; Maine Multicultural Center; Midcoast Youth Center, and Side x Side.

“Nonprofits are essential, daily partners to state government in addressing community needs — from housing, food security, and support for children, veterans and families to economic development, education and the arts,” says Jennifer Hutchins, MANP Executive Director, in a news release. “Effective, trusting relationships between nonprofit leaders and government officials are critical to ensuring Maine’s resiliency and prosperity.”

Nonprofit Day at the State House features programming for both nonprofit staff and volunteers — those new to advocacy and those more experienced — through a morning of networking, opportunities to connect with lawmakers, a panel on crafting effective testimony, and a tour of the State House.

“Many nonprofits are intimidated by advocacy, but the laws that get made in the State House have a huge impact on the work of mission-driven organizations. Nonprofits across the state can, and should, know how to get involved to help lawmakers learn more about the communities they serve,” says Mary Alice Scott, MANP’s Public Affairs Manager. “Not only does Nonprofit Day promote the richness and diversity of the sector, it also creates a unique opportunity for nonprofit leaders to connect with legislators and other nonprofit leaders, to establish meaningful connections that can have lasting positive impact on their work.”

Speakers and panelists will include Joann Bautista, Deputy Secretary, State of Maine; Victoria E. Morales, Executive Director of the Quality Housing Coalition; and Brian Langley, Executive Director of Bridge Academy.

For more information about MANP’s advocacy work, please visit NonprofitMaine.org/About-our-Advocacy-Work. 

About MANP

Founded in 1994, MANP has grown to become Maine’s comprehensive resource for the tools, knowledge, and connections nonprofits need to be effective and well-run. This growing statewide membership consists of more than 1,000 charitable nonprofits and 160 partners in government, business and philanthropy, representing all 16 Maine counties. MANP advances the public profile of Maine nonprofits by highlighting their vital contribution to the quality of life in our state, connects people, organizations and resources from all sectors to foster collaborative problem solving, and strengthens nonprofits by providing management training and leadership development programs, resources and services to help staff and board leaders enhance their community mission impact.