Federal funding for nonprofits has been all over the news recently. It’s worth remembering that nonprofits not only provide essential services to Americans, but they also help power our economy. These organizations employ millions of people, many of whom deliver critical care to individuals who need it while allowing their family caregivers to go to work. But nonprofits don’t do it alone, demonstrating the power of partnerships. The services they provide are often through an impressive collaboration between the business community and federal, state, and local officials.

The Power of Partnerships: A Mutually Beneficial System

As the president and CEO of a nonprofit that provides life-changing services for people with disabilities, aging adults, veterans, children and caregivers in communities across the country, I know firsthand the power of partnerships and how nonprofits can improve people’s quality of life.

I began working in the nonprofit sector after graduating from college in 1988. Since then, I have worked for multiple domestic and international nonprofits, all of which help fill a pressing societal need—from early childhood education to direct support for people with disabilities. I believe nonprofits are a source of tremendous good that positively benefits our society in countless ways, making them a force multiplier.

Nonprofits across the country support people of all ages and backgrounds, often acting as an extension of the services provided by the U.S. government, showcasing the power of partnerships. Nonprofits address community needs that are otherwise unmet—empowering millions to work, go to school, raise and support families and realize the American dream. They step in when crisis strikes—feeding, clothing, housing, caring for and providing medical assistance to people in immediate need.

Nonprofits also serve as an important bridge to private sector companies with which many of the nation’s largest and oldest nonprofits have forged impressive, long-standing and mutually beneficial relationships, further demonstrating the power of partnerships. Such companies, many household names, play an integral role in delivering in-kind donations of products as well as significant financial support to promote and sustain important programs that benefit millions of Americans of all ages.

Read the full article about the power of collaboration by Kendra Davenport at Forbes.