Donna Murray-Brown was recently named to Crain's Detroit Business 100 Most Influential Women of 2021 list. Murray-Brown reflects on various career highlights, milestones, and general learnings from her years of experience. Read the transcript of the article below.

On Thursday, October 21st, Michigan's Redistricting Commission heard feedback and thoughts on early drafts of new maps for state and congressional legislative districts. Michigan Nonprofit Association's External Affairs Officer, Joan Gustafson, represented the organization's efforts to bring transparency to the process and shine a light on why these forums are important.

An article in the Flint Courier highlighted the continued challenges and opportunities that redistricting has created for residents of communities all-across Michigan. The article and included YouTube video introduces people to the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission and background on it's mission. In addition, Michigan Nonprofit Association talks about their Communities First initiative and describes it's importance, particularly in assisting those disproportionately affected by redistricting.  

In a September 26 article in MiBiz, written by Kate Carlson, the Grand Rapids-based news publication spoke with state of Michigan nonprofits and organizations regarding the need for more virtual events. 

Earlier this summer, 2021, a bipartisan statewide bill was introduced to give temporary relief to charitable gaming events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Effectively, the bill would temporarily waive fees and expand the ability to hold specific nonprofit events that include games of chance. In these scenarios, the participants would use imitation money or chips, similar to a casino. 

Over the last 18 months, nonprofit organizations in the region have spent much of their days in a reactive state: responding, experimenting and working to survive in order to continue serving community needs.

But the critical events of COVID-19, vaccination engagement, a heightened sense of racial justice and issues of climate change have also forced nonprofit leaders and those who support their work to look beyond the immediate, to consider the future.

How has this storm of challenges altered the nonprofit world, for better or worse, causing leaders to question and reimagine their systems of funding, models of work, governance and values? 

There's a lot of discussion about things getting back to normal, but that's not yet the case for nonprofits and the people they serve.

In 2018, voters passed an amendment to Michigan’s Constitution, establishing the Michigan Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission (MICRC). Michigan citizens have a historic, first-time ever opportunity to actively participate in the process of drawing new district lines that will govern where they vote and influence the kind of candidate who will represent them. This process is called redistricting — it happens just once every decade, and it is happening right now in Michigan. It is a nonpartisan, transparent and fair and open process.

"We're working to specifically promote racial equity so that communities of color, most importantly, who happen to be often the ones who are underrepresented and underserved, have a voice in processes like these for the next ten years," says Mariana Martinez, director of civic engagement initiatives for MNA. "We know that these maps will be drawn for the next ten years, so this is a good time to get involved."

Funds for a paycheck protection program loan also known as a ‘PPP loan’ may run out before the May deadline. The Michigan Non Profit Association is urging small businesses and non-profits to apply before it’s too late.