About MNA Public Policy News Events Public Policy Resources Michigan Participation Project Serve Michigan Projects and Campaigns

How Nonprofits Will be Impacted by the "MCRI" Proposal — Anti-Affirmative Action Ballot Proposal

** NEW ** Television ads on the importance of Affirmative Action

In November, Michigan residents will vote on the “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative,” a proposal that eliminates opportunities for women and minorities to have equal access to education, employment and contracting.  Similar to proposals enacted in California and Washington, this amendment would immediately eliminate local and state affirmative action and outreach programs.  In addition to the overarching concerns regarding the set-back for women and minorities in terms of access to education, employment and contracting, the nonprofit community should be concerned regarding how this initiative will impact programs funded by government and provided by nonprofits.

Nonprofit organizations often partner with government to provide targeted services and programs to women and minorities. State or local municipalities may directly contract with or support nonprofits on these efforts in the areas of public education, health care, social services, workforce development, the arts and more.  Programs that could be cut include, but are not limited, to the following:

• apprenticeship programs;
• pre-college and educational programs;
• workforce development/ training programs;
• summer job programs;
• minority business enterprise programs;
• fair housing and lending programs;
• gender based programs;
• minority oriented career programs; and
• support service programs.

This proposal would have a significant impact on the advancement of women and minorities in this state and on the programming of many nonprofits. If this initiative passes, it is unlikely that the nonprofit community would be able to find alternative funding to continue providing these worthy programs. For more information on this proposal visit www.oneunitedmichigan.org.