NEWS RELEASE
(Hartford, CT) — The Connecticut Community Nonprofit Alliance (Alliance) has launched a paid online, streaming video and social media campaign that urges lawmakers and the Governor to update the fiscal guardrails and increase spending on long under-funded community nonprofits.
The video script urges elected officials to find a balance between saving money and funding vital programs:
“Connecticut’s tax revenues have exceeded budget needs for seven years. And more surpluses are projected, putting billions in state savings. But, community nonprofits, serving some of the neediest in our state, are underfunded and struggling. We can save money AND fund vital nonprofit programs.”
The ad further notes that a 2024 poll of Connecticut voters showed that 63 percent agree the state should use some of the surplus dollars to support nonprofit programs.
The 30- and 15-second streaming video ads will begin running in early March, and combined with digital advertising, will run through the end of the legislative session.
Gian Carl Casa, President & CEO of the Alliance, said the campaign is more important this year than ever before.
“After more than a decade of underfunding and federal funding in doubt, we are facing a crisis for nonprofits and the people who depend on them. It is doubly important that state government protect our most vulnerable residents,” Casa said.
Community-based nonprofits contract with the state to provide a wide range of behavioral, developmental, community justice, shelter and other human services to thousands of people across the state every day.
The General Assembly and the Governor have approved some increases in recent years, but after two decades of underfunding, nonprofits today have 30 percent less buying power than they did in 2007.
This year, nonprofits are seeking a $264 million increase for FY26.
“Update the Guardrails” – 15 seconds
“Update the Guardrails” – 30 seconds