Nonprofits are feeling the pinch - not only financially, but politically, in this economic climate. Why politically? Because nonprofits stand to lose their tax status if they promote candidates or become too political. But their hands aren't complete tied, and the*Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN) counsels their thousands of members to advocate and collaborate and coalesce to push for public policies that benefit the organizations and their hurting constituencies.

FPR's LAURA WATERMAN WITTSTOCK (Seneca) and RICHARD LaFORTUNE (Inuit) talk with MCN stalwarts, retired Public Policy Director, now Fellow, Marcia Avner and long-time Executive Director, Jon Pratt about the conditions nonprofits must face these days and days to come.