Strengthening Nonprofits Task Force

Nonprofit organizations in New York City collectively employ more than 490,000 New Yorkers—15% of the City's non-government workforce. 

In April 2009, Mayor Bloomberg announced the formation of several initiatives to help New York City nonprofits survive the economic downturn and beyond.  Guiding this work is the Strengthening Nonprofits Task Force, co-chaired by Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Linda I. Gibbs and UWNYC President & CEO Gordon Campbell.  This group's efforts fall into three categories: Reducing Costs, Improving City Contracting Procedures, and Strengthening Nonprofits. 

Since its launch, the Task Force has helped to shape key initiatives such as

• HHS Accelerator, which, in 2012, will result in the launch of an online portal where providers can store and electronically share frequently requested enterprise data and documents with the City and other funders;
• The Human Services Data Project (HSData), a cross-sector initiative to enable New York City's nonprofit organizations to more easily and effectively manage data, benchmark performance, and share information with stakeholders and funding sources; and  
• GreaterNY, a strategic partnership program that pairs business executives with nonprofit executive directors in an effort to collaboratively address strategic issues and build stronger and more effective nonprofits.

Most recently, in early October 2011, the Mayor's Office announced a new group purchasing plan—developed by the Task Force—that will help maximize savings on purchases and give New York City–funded nonprofits access to discounts on a wide range of goods and services. The City has previously estimated that group purchasing could potentially save up to $5 million for nonprofit groups in contract with the City alone.