Nonprofit leaders have a unique view of their communities. Every day, they work alongside people navigating challenges related to housing, health care, child care and other essential needs. They see what is working, where gaps remain and what it takes to move communities forward.
That perspective was at the heart of our second annual Elected Officials Nonprofit Tour in Twin Falls. The tour brought nonprofit leaders and elected officials together for an honest, firsthand look at the issues affecting the Magic Valley.
Participants visited South Central Community Action Partnership, where they learned how programs such as Self Help Housing help families work toward financial stability and homeownership. At Family Health Services, they heard how accessible medical and dental care supports residents who are uninsured or underinsured. The final stop, Boys and Girls Club of Magic Valley, highlighted the many ways after-school and summer programs support young people throughout the region.
Each organization serves its community differently, but the visits underscored a shared message: Nonprofits understand what is happening on the ground because they work alongside Idahoans every day.
That is why advocacy and relationships with elected officials matter. When nonprofit leaders share their experiences, challenges and ideas, they help decisionmakers better understand the people and communities affected by public policy.
At the end of the tour, my message to the elected officials was simple: If you want to know what is really happening in your community, ask a nonprofit
I’m grateful to the nonprofit leaders who opened their doors, the elected officials who joined us and everyone who continues to advocate for Idaho’s nonprofit sector.
Kevin Bailey, Vice President of Impact & Nonprofit Center
Kevin joined the Idaho Nonprofit Center in July of 2021 after previously serving as CEO of the United Way of Southeastern Idaho. He brings experience in both the education and social impact sector internationally and domestically, having worked in both Uganda and Chile.