Calif Governor affirms contracting changes needed for nonprofits

Sometimes the first step is being heard. Today, with a few simple words in his budget, Governor Newsom affirmed an important principle from hundreds of nonprofits across the state that want to continue to play the crucial roles that California needs us to play: as the backbone of services for the state’s most vulnerable communities.?

The Governor’s remarkable, explicit commitment to work toward improving how government and nonprofits work together demonstrates his administration’s awareness that the Governor's ambitious goals for California lean heavily on nonprofits to provide our services and our hearts.

Two months ago more than 500 nonprofits submitted this letter laying out what nonprofits need to do our work. It details that current contracting practices often impede nonprofits’ abilities to hire and retain a qualified workforce, secure grant and contract dollars in a prompt manner, cover critical costs associated with achieving grant and service outcomes, and generate meaningful access to state funding for organizations based in communities of color and other vulnerable communities.

We love what Assemblymember Luz Rivas had to say about the Governor's statement: “Nonprofits are the pillars of our communities. They work around the clock to support the needs of families and provide critical services to Californians. As Chair of the Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector and founder of a nonprofit, I understand the challenges that exist. I look forward to working with CalNonprofits and the administration to ensure that our nonprofits are provided with the necessary resources to serve our communities.”

We continue the arduous, detailed work turning the language of goals into the language of legislation, regulation, and practice. We have strong allies in the legislature and the administration already working with us. With today's commitment from the Governor, that work can move forward more quickly and with confidence.