A Reflection on the 2020 Election

Maryland Nonprofits congratulates President-Elect Joe Biden and Vice President-Elect, Kamala Harris. We applaud the record numbers of Americans and of Marylanders who voted in the election. Nonprofit organizations played a big role in non-partisan voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, as well as efforts to ensure a free and fair election. 

We salute Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris for making history as the first woman, the first African American, and the first Indian-American elected to the position of vice president. She is a role model for children and adults as she forges a path toward more fully embracing the diversity of our great nation in leadership positions at all levels.

Maryland Nonprofits also congratulates Mayor-Elect of Baltimore City, Brandon Scott, as well as Councilmember-Elect Odette Ramos, who made history as the first Latina to be elected to the Baltimore City Council, and all elected and re-elected officials in Maryland. We look forward to working with them in the weeks and months ahead.

As we move forward through these transitions, nonprofit organizations play an important role in bridging divides in our communities. We work for solutions every day and seek policy change that addresses the many challenges we are facing related to COVID-19 and racial injustice. As non-partisan organizations, we do not support or oppose candidates, but we can and do advocate for public policy. In this transition time, our policy advocacy continues, especially the importance of Congress passing the coronavirus relief that includes funding for healthcare, testing, and safe schools and workplaces, expanding the Paycheck Protection Program for nonprofits of all sizes, and providing aid to the states to address historic budget shortfalls.

Be well and stay safe.

Heather Iliff is President & CEO of Maryland Nonprofits, responsible for advancing the organization’s vision to create a highly effective, ethical, and accountable nonprofit sector that drives change through collective action and advocacy.