FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 5, 2026
Contact:
Sue Tornicelli, VP, Marketing and Communication 
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518-434-9194 Ext. 121

NONPROFIT LEADERS APPLAUD LEGISLATURE FOR PASSING CONTRACTING REFORM BILLS TO FIX NEW YORK'S BROKEN PAYMENT SYSTEM

Sponsored by Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblymember Amy Paulin, the legislation would establish clearer payment schedules, strengthen accountability, and help nonprofit providers focus on serving New Yorkers rather than navigating bureaucratic delays

ALBANY, NY — The Human Services Council, New York Council of Nonprofits, New York Legal Services Coalition, Nonprofit New York, and Nonprofit Westchester today applauded the New York State Legislature for passing S.9761 (Mayer) / A.10741 (Paulin) and S.9855 / A.11179 (Paulin), landmark legislation designed to address longstanding delays and inefficiencies in the State's contracting system with nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofits are a critical part of New York's social safety net, providing housing assistance, legal services, healthcare, workforce development, services for older adults and people with disabilities, and support for children and families. Yet many organizations routinely wait months—and in some cases more than a year—to receive payment for work already completed. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Shelley Mayer and Assemblywoman Amy Paulin would establish clearer payment timelines, improve transparency and accountability, expand access to bridge financing, and help prevent minor administrative issues from delaying payments to organizations delivering essential services on behalf of the State.

State Senator Shelley Mayer said, “I am proud that both my bills with Assemblywoman Amy Paulin have passed both the Senate and the Assembly and now head to the Governor for her signature.. Our nonprofit organizations are on the front lines every day, providing critical services and support to individuals and families across New York. Yet far too often, these organizations face delays in reimbursement and payment. This legislation will help ensure that nonprofits receive funding in a timely manner by establishing clearer standards, greater accountability, and a more efficient contracting process. At a time when demand for services continues to grow, and federal funding remains uncertain, New York must be a reliable and responsible partner. I am deeply grateful to the advocates, nonprofit leaders, and community organizations who championed this legislation. Their work strengthens our communities every day, and we are all better off because of their dedication and care.”

"Nonprofits are the backbone of our communities," said Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. "They deliver essential services and help our most vulnerable residents. That is why I'm proud to pass legislation A.10741 and A.11179 with my colleague State Senator Shelley Mayer, which delivers the contracting reforms our nonprofit sector sorely needs to be paid on time when they show up for New Yorkers every day. I am grateful for the partnership of the broader nonprofit community to pass this bill, and look forward to working with the Governor to sign these important bills into law."

“Nonprofits are proud to partner with New York State to provide critical services in all communities,” said Megan Allen, CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits. “But to continue this important work, we need relief now from the decades-long state contracting challenges. Thank you to the Legislature for recognizing the need for change, and we urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign these bills into law.”

"Nonprofits deliver essential services that help New Yorkers stay housed, access healthcare and benefits, navigate legal challenges, and support their families," said Kristin Brown, President of the New York Legal Services Coalition Board and CEO of Empire Justice Center. "For years, providers have been forced to absorb the costs of the State's inefficient contracting system—taking on debt, draining reserves, and diverting resources away from services while waiting to be paid for work already completed. This legislation is an important step toward a contracting system that works better for nonprofit providers, taxpayers, and the communities they serve."

"At a time when nonprofits are facing growing demand and increasing financial pressure, these reforms will help ensure that organizations can continue providing the essential services New Yorkers rely on every day,” said Jacqueline Ebanks, President and CEO of Nonprofit New York. "Our 2025 coalition report, Nonprofits in Peril documented what nonprofit leaders across New York have been saying for years: delayed contracts and late payments are weakening nonprofit operational infrastructure and negatively impacting the community members most in need of supportive services."

“The passage of S.9761/A.10741 is an important step toward addressing longstanding contracting challenges that have burdened nonprofit organizations for far too long,” said Jan Fisher, Executive Director of Nonprofit Westchester. “We are grateful to the Legislature for recognizing the urgency of these reforms and advancing this legislation. As nonprofits continue to respond to growing community needs amid significant financial pressures, we urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill into law and help ensure that organizations can focus their resources on serving people - not navigating administrative barriers.”

“The passage of these bills is a hard-fought victory for the dedicated human services workers who show up every single day to support New York’s most vulnerable residents. By voting to fix this broken system, the state legislature has finally recognized the resilience and worth of these essential professionals. The Human Services Council is grateful to Senator Mayer and Assemblymember Paulin for standing up for the people who keep New York moving,” said Michelle Jackson, Executive Director, Human Services Council.

The legislation responds to findings from Nonprofits in Peril, a May 2025 report prepared by Human Services Council, the New York Council of Nonprofits, the New York Legal Services Coalition, Nonprofit New York, and Nonprofit Westchester found:

• 1 in 3 nonprofits with State contracts are owed money for services already provided
• The State owes at least $650 million to nonprofits
• 65% of nonprofits are concerned about funding basic operations in 2025

Governor Hochul launched a broader push to cut red tape and improve how New Yorkers interact with government, including a statewide review of regulatory barriers and a new customer experience strategy. Advocates say these contracting reform bills align directly with that effort by streamlining processes, increasing transparency, and ensuring nonprofits can deliver services without unnecessary delays.

Similar legislation passed unanimously last year but was ultimately vetoed by Governor Hochul. The coalition noted that the challenges facing nonprofits have only become more urgent since then and urged the Governor to sign the legislation into law. Advocates said the reforms would represent an important step toward building a more effective, accountable, and sustainable partnership between New York State and the nonprofit organizations that serve millions of New Yorkers every day.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Susan Tornicelli, VP Marketing and Communications
New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc
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800-515-5012 Ext 121

Good Causes Inc. to Conclude Fiscal Sponsorship Services This Spring

New York State — After thoughtful review and consideration by its Board, Good Causes, Inc., a NYCON affiliate, will conclude its fiscal sponsorship services in May 2026.

For 28 years, Good Causes has served as a trusted fiscal sponsor. It provided administrative oversight, financial stewardship, and a supportive home for emerging nonprofits, collaboratives, and programs in transition. Through this work, community leaders were able to build new nonprofits and create meaningful impact. Groups that started with Good Causes and became standalone nonprofit organizations are today helping communities across New York State through youth development, arts, food programs, and more. NYCON affiliate BoardStrong also got its start through Good Causes.

“The time was right for this change, as we have seen the increasing challenges in the nonprofit sector and a greater need to help existing nonprofits,” said Joshua Sabo, Esq., Chair of the Good Causes Board. “This decision fits with NYCON’s strategic plan and keeps resources focused where they can have the greatest statewide impact.”

This change will not result in any staff layoffs. Good Causes Executive Director Kelly S. Mathews will lead the organization through the transition period and continue to serve as Chief Operating Officer, Senior VP of Financial Management Group of NYCON, and Chief Operating Officer of BoardStrong.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 27, 2026
Contact: Kate McNally, Senior Capacity Building Advisor
800-515-5012 ext. 114
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THE SCRIVEN FOUNDATION AND NYCON ANNOUNCE 2026 CAPACITY BUILDING “MINI GRANTS” AVAILABLE FOR OTSEGO COUNTY NONPROFITS

Cooperstown, NY – The New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Otsego County Mini-Grant Program in partnership with The Scriven Foundation. The focus of this effort is to measurably improve the governance and management of qualifying Otsego County 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits.

Applications will be accepted immediately and through Friday, February 27, 2026. Initiated in 2004, this program is made possible with underwriting from The Scriven Foundation. The Mini-Grant Program is an important resource for local nonprofits facing significant challenges or striving to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational management, governance, and/or program services.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Susan Tornicelli, VP Marketing and Communications
New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON)
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800-515-5012 ext. 121

Statement on Governor’s veto of the Nonprofit contracting bill 

December 8, 2025 - Human Services Council of New York, New York Council of Nonprofits, New York Legal Services Coalition, Nonprofit New York, and Nonprofit Westchester have been working together to help the state address its broken nonprofit contracting system, including releasing a white paper, Nonprofits in Peril, earlier this year. The State Comptroller also released a report, the Critical Role of Nonprofits, which outlines their economic role in New York.

The coalition released the following statement in response to the Governor’s veto of their priority legislation:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Susan Tornicelli, VP Marketing and Communications
New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON)
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800-515-5012 ext. 121

NYCON CEO Megan Allen Featured on Spectrum News: Nonprofits Collaborate to Meet Community Needs

Nonprofits in New York are finding creative ways to support their communities

December 2, 2025 - Megan Allen, CEO, New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), was featured on Spectrum News 1 Rochester discussing how nonprofits across the state are collaborating to maximize their impact.

“We are seeing in the sector a lot of nonprofits saying, 'How can we work more together? How can we collaborate with other nonprofits to work as efficiently as possible?’” - Megan Allen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Alex Dery Snider, Policy and Communications Director
Empire Justice Center
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202.641.5124 

Susan Tornicelli, VP Marketing and Communications
New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON)
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800-515-5012 ext. 121

Over 500 Nonprofits Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Contracting Reform Legislation paper

Broken contracting system pushing critical nonprofits to the brink

June, 24, 2025 - A sign on letter was delivered to Governor Hochul today, urging her to sign S7001 (Mayer) / A7616 (Paulin) into law. Per the letter, “Chronic contracting delays, inefficiencies and inconsistencies across agencies, burdensome processes, and reimbursements regularly delayed by six months or more totaling hundreds of millions of dollars are pushing New York’s nonprofits to the breaking point.” The over 550 signatories, representing an array of sectors including civil legal services, domestic violence support, civil rights advocacy, arts & culture, education, health, community services, environmental and more, echo the Coalition's urgent call to the Governor for contracting reform in New York state.

About the bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT
Alex Dery Snider, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
202.641.5124 

Nonprofits put in jeopardy by state contracting and payment delays, per white paper

Persistent delays in payment, an over-reliance on nonprofits to front costs, and a burdensome contracting process are undermining New York State’s nonprofit sector and its ability to serve, according to a white paper released today by the Human Services Council, the New York Council of Nonprofits, the New York Legal Services Coalition, Nonprofit New York, and Nonprofit Westchester. 

New York State Finance Law requires that reimbursements should be paid within 30 days, however, in practice, delays in payments consistently last months and can last more than a year.   Nonprofits

Often need to take out interest-bearing loans and then absorb the interest payments themselves.

NYCON Update: Federal Follow Up

March 4, 2025 –We have a few updates and resources to share, as NYCON continues to monitor federal actions:

2025 State of the Sector: Thank you to everyone who responded to NYCON’s annual member survey, which we held open longer than usual so it could reflect members’ views on the impact of federal changes. The full report is now available on our website. Please use this data-filled resource in your advocacy work, grant applications … or anywhere it is helpful. And as always, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for future reports.

Save The Date: On Wednesday, April 9 from noon-1 pm NYCON is hosting a virtual “Federal EOs: Member Conversations,” part of NYCON’s free monthly webinars for members. We will begin with brief updates, then attendees will self-select breakout rooms for smaller facilitated discussions. There remains much unknown, but we hope this will give members a chance to share what they are hearing and doing. Register here

Scriven Foundation and NYCON Announce 2025 Capacity Building Mini Grants for Otsego County Nonprofits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kate McNally, Senior Capacity Building Advisor
New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON)
800-515-5012 ext. 114
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THE SCRIVEN FOUNDATION AND NYCON ANNOUNCE 2025 CAPACITY BUILDING “MINI GRANTS” AVAILABLE FOR OTSEGO COUNTY NONPROFITS

Oneonta, NY – The New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2025 Otsego County Mini-Grant Program in partnership with The Scriven Foundation. The focus of this effort is to measurably improve the governance and management of qualifying Otsego County 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofits. 

Applications will be accepted immediately and through Friday, March 14, 2025. Initiated in 2004, this program is made possible with underwriting from The Scriven Foundation. The Mini-Grant Program is an important resource for local nonprofits facing significant challenges or striving to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of organizational management, governance, and/or program services.

NYCON Update: Federal Follow Up

February 19, 2025 –Thankfully the release of federal Executive Orders impacting nonprofits has slowed. (There was one released on Feb. 5, though it is too vague to act on at this point; see the latest in the National Council of Nonprofits tracker.)

But we are now in a time of uncertainty with federal Executive Orders, as legal actions to stop many of the orders continue and exact impact of others remains unclear.

We are continuing to talk with members, lawyers and others in the sector to bring you clarity, information and resources. To that end, we have created a new Member Exchange, a doc of resources recommended by NYCON members or staff that you may find helpful. (Thank you to NYCON’s Member Advisory Council, for this suggestion!) This downloadable PDF is available now in the Member Dashboard and will be updated as other resources are available. (Have a suggestion to add? Please share with Erica at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .)