This year’s Annual Meeting of Members was unlike any we’ve held before. Amidst growing concerns about the health and future of New York nonprofits, Nonprofit New York held a virtual meeting on Thursday, March 26, 2020 with 268 members, sponsors and guests in attendance. Now more than ever, it is critical to convene however we can to share information and resources with one another. The meeting consisted of critical business, the announcement of Nonprofit New York’s new President & CEO, and a panel discussion with Pat Swann, Senior Program Officer at New York Community Trust and New York City Comptroller, Scott Stringer. Chai Jindasurat, Nonprofit New York’s Policy Director led the discussion on both government and philanthropic responses to COVID-19.
BUSINESS AGENDA
Ian Benjamin, Nonprofit New York’s Board Chair, opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and thanking event sponsors. Ian also reported on the transformative work Nonprofit New York accomplished in Fiscal Year 2019: the launch of our Declaration of Nonprofit Rights, our name change and move to the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice, and the launch of the Best Nonprofit Conference - the only conference focused on nonprofit management best practices in our area. Check out our annual report.
He also announced and introduced Nonprofit New York’s new President & CEO, Meg Barnette, effective June 1, 2020. Read our announcement.
Charlene Laniewski, Board Treasurer, reported on the finances for Nonprofit New York’s Fiscal Year 2019 (October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019). Nonprofit New York received an unqualified opinion on our financial statements from our independent auditor. As of 9/30, our cash and investment portfolio were at approximately $1.1 million and we have a reserve to cover about 5.6 months of operating costs.
Karen Pearl, Board Secretary, led the annual Board election. A motion was made, seconded, and a poll vote was conducted amongst members in good standing to re-elect Ronda Kotelchuck, Roland Lewis, Carolyn McLaughlin, and Emily Smith and elect three new members--Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Peter Gee, and Meridith Maskara--to the Nonprofit New York Board. Nonprofit New York’s full Board of Directors is listed here.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Pat Swann, Senior Program Officer at The New York Community Trust, and New York City Comptroller, Scott Stringer joined Nonprofit New York’s Policy Director, Chai Jindasurat, to discuss the government and philanthropic responses to COVID-19.
● According to our Pulse Poll, 90% of respondents have been moderately to severely impacted by COVID-19.
● Over 460 organizations have signed on to our Open Letter to the Government.
● Our sector’s advocacy has paid off and nonprofits have been included in many relief efforts.
● The philanthropic community has rallied to raise $80M to date in support of the NYC COVID-19 Response & Impact Fund, which will be managed by The New York Community Trust (grants) and the Nonprofit Finance Fund (loans), and will support our area's arts and human services organizations
● City officials want to hear from every sector so that they can push for what will meet your needs - tell them what you’re thinking.
Visit our COVID-19 webpage to stay updated on news, events, and resources. Please continue to share your stories with us on how you’re innovating, collaborating, and responding so that we can uplift the great work the nonprofit sector is doing to stay strong.