Building the Non-Profit Sector

As a sector of business, the non-profit sector in Louisiana has traditionally lagged behind those of other states. However, there are many outstanding non-profit organizations in Louisiana that do great work on behalf of people. The ability for those within the sector to come together as a strong sector will only make the state of Louisiana stronger, especially during times of disaster when non-profits can most efficiently and effectively reach those in need.

Because of this fact, it is essential that the state work with the Recovery Corps and its non-profit sector partners to assist in more effectively delivering recovery-related resources to the people who desperately need them in times of disaster. While the state does currently disburse some federal recovery funds to non-profit organizations for use in recovery-related programs, the role that the non-profit sector plays in this realm should greatly increase. Non-profits by their very nature have advantages associated with flexibility and efficiency which allow them to more quickly receive and distribute recovery funds. The Recovery Corps and others have proven this fact time and again and can greatly assist the state in making the process much more efficient.

The Recovery Corps has become a strong leader within Louisiana's non-profit sector. The Recovery Corps is working with the Louisiana Association of Non-Profit Organizations (LANO) and philanthropic groups to foster a public policy environment where non-profit organizations can thrive. Via training and practice of program delivery through our processes, we can also further strengthen the sector systematically.

In addition to working with other non-profits to help build the sector, Act 313 of the 2007 Louisiana Legislature specifically allows the Recovery Corps to create a registry of non-profit providers of recovery-related services and provide data related to the registry to state and local recovery agencies. By taking advantage of this Recovery Corps role, the state can be assured that the specific non-profit organizations it chooses to deal with relative to receiving and disbursing recovery-related funds have demonstrated the scale, scope, and capacity for doing long-term recovery work. This process will allow the Recovery Corps to continue to work with its non-profit partners to strengthen the capacity of the entire nonprofit sector in Louisiana. Non-profit organizations in Louisiana must not see recovery work simply as a funding stream, but instead an opportunity to help improve the lives and well-being of Louisiana citizens. The Recovery Corps has already started that process with its proprietary programs and has identified some outstanding non-profit partners who continue to do great work for our citizens. This process will allow certain non-profit organizations to be groomed to fill specific needs within the recovery process in order to eliminate gaps and holes in services.

Further, the Recovery Corps and its non-profit partners can help be the eyes and ears of the state on the ground following disasters. A coordinated effort between the Recovery Corps, its non-profit partners, and the state can assist in more accurately determining the real needs of those affected by disaster and in providing real-time information, ultimately reporting that information to the state.

Finally, the Recovery Corps will assist the state as it continues its ongoing work to improve its social and human service systems. When disasters strike, thousands of additional Louisiana residents turn to the state for assistance, whether they seek those social services on their own accord or they are referred to state services by case management programs executed by non-profit organizations. Far too often those referrals become “referrals to nowhere”, as the state systems simply cannot handle this influx in new clients. The Recovery Corps can provide data to the state relative to what the needs of impacted citizens will likely be during various stages of the recovery process, allowing the state to better prepare for the increased demand on its services and resources.

Key Recovery Corps positions related to building the non-profit sector:

• It is essential for the non-profit sector in Louisiana to be built into a powerful sector that plays an extremely active role in disaster recovery in the wake of catastrophic events
• The state must utilize the non-profit sector in the dispursal of resources following disasters, as the non-profit sector has the ability to more efficiently and effectively deliver services and resources to those impacted by disaster
• A coordinated effort by the state and the non-profit sector can help to quickly identify on-the-ground needs during the various stages of the recovery process, thus allowing the state to better prepare for the increased demand on its services and resources that will come as citizens are able to access them