CalNonprofits Proposes New Nonprofit Office in Sacramento

At the August 19th joint hearing of the CA Senate and Assembly Select Committees on the Nonprofit Sector, legislators heard directly from several nonprofit and foundation leaders about the pressing challenges facing nonprofits in California.

A key highlight: CalNonprofits CEO Geoff Green proposed the creation of an Office of Nonprofit Empowerment as a formal bridge between the government and the nonprofit sector. With so many state agencies relying on nonprofits to deliver essential services, a centralized office would help nonprofits navigate the complexities of state government, strengthen compliance, and provide a channel for their input on state priorities.

Read details in the hearing’s background paper.

“There’s really no ‘bat phone’ [nonprofits] can pick up to try to solve a problem or access help immediately.” Green told committee members. “So in short we really need better infrastructure within state government and nonprofits really need a voice.”

Other panel discussions addressed the impact of federal funding cuts and new tax policies, the role of nonprofits in wildfire recovery, and needed reforms to state contracting.

CalNonprofits was instrumental in the creation of these two important committees, which provide leadership in Sacramento on behalf of our sector and help inform legislators about the critical role nonprofits play in communities across the state. Watch the full hearing recording here.

The hearing was co-chaired by Senator Monique Limón (D-Ventura) and Assemblymember Gregg Hart (D-Santa Barbara). Speakers included: Laura Seaman, CEO, League of California Community Foundations; Monica White, CEO, Food Share of Ventura County; Abby Browning, Chief of Private Sector & NGO Coordination Office, Governor’s Office of Emergency Services; Bruce Yerman, Director of Operations, Camp Fire Collaborative; Annie Chang, Vice President, Nonprofit Finance Fund; and Wilfredo Cruz Jr., Executive Director, Community Resource Project.