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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ariane Cruz, Manager of Public Policy & Collaboration at Philanthropy New York
4:35:59
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130 sec
Ariane Cruz, representing Philanthropy New York, expressed strong support for the City Council's proposed legislation to address delayed contract payments to nonprofits. She emphasized the critical role of nonprofits in New York City and the urgent need to tackle systemic inefficiencies in the contracting process.
- Philanthropy New York represents over 260 grant-making institutions investing $7 billion annually in NYC.
- Cruz highlighted the importance of government contracts, which total about $12 billion annually for human services, as a major source of nonprofit income.
- She commended the Council's efforts to address issues such as contract registration backlog, staffing shortages, and procurement system problems.
Ariane Cruz
4:35:59
Good afternoon Chair Juan and members of the Committee on Contracts.
4:36:04
My name is Ariane Cruz and I'm here on behalf of Philanthropy New York representing over two sixty grant making institutions that invest over $7,000,000,000 annually in the well-being of New York City.
4:36:15
We are here with a clear and urgent message.
4:36:17
PNY supports the City Council's leadership and proposed legislation to address the impacts of delayed contract payments on nonprofits.
4:36:25
We deeply appreciate the council's clear recognition, and particularly Chair Juan, council members Stevens and Brannan, that nonprofits are essential to New York's functioning, yet face actions pushing them to a breaking point.
4:36:40
We commend your efforts to address the systemic inefficiencies that fuel this crisis including the range of bureaucratic bottlenecks such as contract registration, backlog, staffing shortages, issues with the city's procurement system and invoicing complications, all of which deeply resonate with our members and nonprofit colleagues.
4:37:00
Your commitment to tackling these root causes alongside securing crucial COLA increases, although it was quite disheartening to see how little of our colleagues have been have had that paid out.
4:37:13
We see that you recognize the invaluable contributions of the nonprofit sector.
4:37:18
P and Y is deeply invested in our nonprofit ecosystem and stand in allyship with our nonprofit colleagues.
4:37:24
As the comptroller report highlights, this $80,000,000,000 sector employing over 18% of the city's workforce is a critical social safety net.
4:37:32
While PNY members offer essential grant funding, we know that philanthropy alone cannot replace government contracts which total roughly $12,000,000,000 annually for human services and often represent the largest portion of a non profit's income.
4:37:47
Passport data analyzed by our colleagues at SeaChange revealed concerning multi year realities, all of which have been said today.
4:37:57
We appreciate the council's ongoing engagement with us and our partners at HSC and Nonprofit New York and their members to allow meaningful dialogue and collective action on this urgent issue.
4:38:07
Thank you so much.