BYU NewsNet - Nonprofit organizations gather at State Capitol

With the tight budget and financial woes of the economy, Utah organizations are fighting for the attention of their representatives.

Nonprofit organizations from across the state gathered at the State Capitol Monday to meet with legislators and raise awareness for their cause.

Nonprofit Day on the hill was “mostly an information day and a chance for legislators and nonprofit organizations to get acquainted,” said Don Gomes, executive director of the Utah Nonprofits Association. “It’s a confidence booster for nonprofits and it will help them learn who their legislators are.”

Fifty-six organizations gathered at the rotunda where they set up information booths and called legislators and representatives off the floor to remind them of the importance of their individual programs.

Gomes explained that nonprofit organizations face numerous challenges, largely a result of financial shortfalls and increased service demands.

“The biggest challenge of the legislators is dealing with budget cuts,” Gomes said. “This is a chance for them to have an understanding of the impact they have at a community level.”

Community Health Connect, one of the 56 organizations represented on the hill, hoped to introduce their program to legislators and get funding for one of their projects.

The organization’s goal is “to improve the access to healthcare for men, women and children in Utah County,” said Starr Strapford, executive director of Community Health Connect.

Entrada Institute, a nonprofit organization based in Wayne County, came to support legislator’s decisions for funding arts and culture organizations, according to Nan Anderson, executive director.

Entrada “strives to support artists, musicians, scholars and scientists in the development and celebration of new work,” Anderson said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah was also excited to meet with legislators Monday.

“We want to be able to talk with senators and representatives about what our mission is,” said Linda Schott, marketing coordinator for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah.

Schott believes programs administered by Big Brothers Big Sisters will, in the long run, help reduce some of the problems legislators face.

“If we take time to make sure [children] have a positive role model it will essentially ease upon budget problems,” Schott said.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters program hopes to help children in need reach their potential through one on one, mentoring relationships.

Nonprofit organizations hoped their “day on the hill” would increase awareness of the varied and important roles that nonprofits have in the community.

Gomes said the day was a complete success and enabled numerous individuals to interact and become acquainted.

“Members of the house and senate were very gracious with their time,” he said.

Laurb2288@yahoo.com