2024 Advocacy and Policy Agenda COLLABORATING FOR EQUITABLE CONTRACTING Responsible. Efficient. Fair. Nonprofit and Government Partners Working Together for a Better Contracting System PURPOSE Nonprofit Westchester's Collaborating for Equitable Contracting Initiative seeks to create a task force of government and nonprofit partners committed to advancing changes in the contracting system that:
NPW’s Policy Committee is comprised of nonprofit organizations of diverse missions, sizes and locations throughout Westchester County who join together to discuss and develop recommended actions impacting the nonprofit sector. On the recommendation of the committee and approval by the Board of Directors, in 2022, NPW distributed a survey to Westchester’s 501c3 nonprofits to gain a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities experienced with government contracting. Survey results, meetings of the committee, research and intensive subcommittee work helped to frame and prioritize challenges and identify policy solutions presented in this report. SUMMARY The most prevalent challenges that Westchester nonprofits experience fall into three categories:
All of these challenges impact the majority of nonprofits who contract with the government. Research and member input shows that the impact is significantly greater for small and Black, Indigenous, People of Color led (BIPOC-led) nonprofits who experience the greatest disproportionate impact from contracts that do not cover administrative costs, late payments, reimbursement-based contracting, and growing and burdensome insurance requirements. How governments can make the nonprofit sector more equitable. Westchester nonprofits are grateful for government partnerships that meet common goals. Nonprofits understand that the issues highlighted are part of a a two-sided equation. From our perspective, the partnership can be improved in the following ways:
At the County and State level, Westchester nonprofits expressed appreciation for the accessibility, knowledge and support of elected officials, members of their teams. At the County level additional appreciation was expressed for contracting staff, Westchester County’s contracting assessment project, and discretionary funding that helps to meet the needs of specific communities. Westchester nonprofits value their partnerships with government. If barriers and complexities can be eliminated, more funding, time, and energy can go toward maximizing quality services to Westchester residents. The next step is twofold:
Read the full 2024 Advocacy and Policy Agenda » Join Us at a Public Policy Committee Meeting Join other changemakers in the NPW Public Policy Committee (members only) to advocate for these issues and more! Register for an upcoming Public Policy Committee meeting. Don’t miss out on Westchester County budget discussions during our upcoming government relations series. Make your voice heard and register today! Learn more. | Take Action.Join other changemakers in the NPW Public Policy Committee to advocate for these issues & more! Share your concerns and together we can create change. Download a PDF of our 2024 Advocacy and Policy Agenda. Register for an upcoming Public Policy Committee meeting. Register Now »How else can I advocate for my nonprofit, clients and community?
Many Missions. One Voice.Nearly 20 % of Westchester’s workforce is employed by nonprofit organizations, and thousands of people, across all income levels and backgrounds, benefit from nonprofit programs and services: Racial Equity Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Child Care Youth Development Healthcare Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Co-Occurring Disorders Hunger, Food Insecurity and Distribution Advocacy Housing, Affordable Housing, Homelessness, Homelessness Prevention Domestic Violence Immigrant Rights LGBTQIA The Environment and Climate Change Home Care Older Adults Physical, Intellectual, Developmental Disabilities Workforce Development Community Development Economic Development Arts & Culture Cancer Care and other Support Groups and Services Criminal Justice |