January 21, 2008
My name is Robert Egger, and like you, I go to work every day at a nonprofit organization.
I work at the DC Central Kitchen (www.dccentralkitchen.org), an organization in Washington, DC that collects food donated by area foodservice businesses, which we use to train unemployed men and women for foodservice jobs while we convert donations into 4,500 meals every day of the year.
And every day, like many of you, we are asked to do more, for more, with less. Every day we compete with you, our fellow nonprofits, for money. Every day we struggle to get media to report on the broader issues we address or provide in-depth analysis of the work we do and the economic contributions we make. And, like many of you who have ventured into city halls, state houses and federal buildings to advocate for your issues, we see our causes and concerns falling on semi-deaf ears.
And that was before the economic meltdown we are now in the middle of.
We, the nonprofit sector cannot sit on the sidelines anymore—hoping that candidates for higher office or elected officials will take into consideration the economic contributions we make in every city and state. Nor can we wait for our social contributions to be a viewed as a vital component in keeping our country safe, strong, healthy and just.
That is why I launched the V3 Campaign, and why I am asking you to join a growing and committed network of colleagues, volunteers, funders and friends in building a new nonprofit movement.
The V3 Campaign is simple: we are going to ask every candidate for higher office—from small town mayoral contenders to presidential nominees—to provide details about their experience with nonprofits and their plans for partnering with, and strengthening the nonprofit sector if they are elected.
And over the next 10 years, we want to impact every election, in every town, in every state and fundamentally change the way nonprofit organizations are involved in the political process.
The V3 campaign is totally legal and there are no rules or regulations that prohibit any nonprofit from participating. With the simple click of a button, you can send these questions to the candidates in your city and state. The V3 Campaign will collect the answers, post the replies and track our accomplishments.
If a candidate proposes a bold new vision, you’ll see it on V3. If they win, you’ll see it on V3. When they make good on their pledge; you’ll see it on V3. When others follow; you’ll see it on V3.
We employ 14 million people, and channel the energy and ideals of 80 million Americans volunteers annually. We stimulate the economy in every town and city. We put billions into tax coffers. Perhaps most importantly, with the right leadership, we can become partners with our elected officials to make this great country, greater still.
Stand together with your fellow nonprofit employees and volunteers so that your work, your dreams, your community and this country can be better served.
Robert Egger
President, DC Central Kitchen