December 9, 2020
Re: City of London Budget 2021
Dear Mayor Ed Holder and City Council,
Pillar Nonprofit Network is writing to express our appreciation for your support and consideration of nonprofits and social enterprise during COVID19 and to request your continued understanding of the impacts on nonprofits and social enterprises and ultimately, Londoners and our community.
We have three recommendations:
- Bring an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens to budget discussions.
- Continue to support nonprofits and social enterprises.
- Consider the environmental impacts and sustainability in your budget discussions.
Bring an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens to budget discussions.
We believe that we need communities that are safe and inclusive of every Londoner. We know that there are inequities that have been revealed but were here long before COVID-19. We recognize that an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens was brought forward to the budget review this year and we encourage you to continue to embed this in your discussions and considerations during your budget deliberations. We believe that discussions surrounding anti-black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, gender inequality, and anti-oppression in all its forms are essential to bring to processes like the budget in order to build a just and equitable London.
Continue to support nonprofits and social enterprises.
Our partnership with the City of London is essential for nonprofits and social enterprises to thrive. In addition to delivering vital social services to our community, nonprofits and social enterprises are essential to our economy and are significant employers that contribute to job creation.
To date, 1 in 5 nonprofit organizations in Ontario has indicated they may need to close their doors in the next 6 months. As demonstrated on the London Community Recovery Network, nonprofits and social enterprises are uniquely positioned to be invaluable partners in the recovery from COVID-19 also demonstrated through the City's Basic Needs work and the recent collaboration on homeless relief with the WISH coalition. We are nimble and can identify and respond quickly to community needs as we recover.
Consider the environmental impacts and sustainability in your budget discussions.
City Council has declared a climate emergency and recognizes the importance of climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation, sustainable energy use, related environmental issues and the need for a more sustainable and resilient city. We encourage you to bring this lens to your decision making around the budget and our future.
In conclusion, nonprofits and social enterprises are the foundation of our community and we are your partners. Our partnership provides mutual benefit. Continue to invest in us and bring an anti-racism and anti-oppression lens to all that you do and together we will create a London that is just, equitable and sustainable.
Sincerely,
Nicole Spriet, Board Chair
Dharshi Lacey, Director, Equity, Inclusive & Governance