Int. No. 1784-A

By Council Members Louis, Kallos, Rosenthal, Brannan, Ampry-Samuel, Ayala, Cornegy, Reynoso, Chin, Vallone, Lander, Riley and the Public Advocate (Mr. Williams)

A Local Law to amend the New York city charter, in relation to establishing an office of not-for-profit organization services

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

Section 1. Chapter 1 of the New York city charter is amended by adding a new section 20-m to read as follows:

§ 20-m. Office of not-for-profit organization services. a. Definition. As used in this section, the term “executive director” means the executive director of the office of not-for-profit organization services.

b. The mayor shall establish an office of not-for-profit organization services. Such office may be established in the executive office of the mayor and may be established as a separate office or within any other office of the mayor or within any department the head of which is appointed by the mayor. Such office shall be headed by an executive director who shall be appointed by the mayor or the head of such department. Subject to appropriation, such office shall also include such other employees as may be appointed or designated to assist in the performance of the duties of the office.

c. The executive director shall have the power and duty to:

1. Serve as a liaison to not-for-profit organizations in relation to city policies, procedures, regulations, contracting and funding opportunities, programs and benefits affecting the not-for-profit sector and, in such capacity, shall:

(a) Conduct outreach to not-for-profit organizations to provide information and assistance to such organizations in relation to existing city policies, procedures, regulations, contracting and funding opportunities, and programs and benefits, including but not limited to maintaining a central website containing information and assistance that can be accessed by not-for-profit organizations;

(b) Work with agencies to refer not-for-profit organizations to city services that assist such organizations in obtaining relevant exemptions, waivers, permits, registrations or approvals from agencies; and

(c) Make referrals to relevant state agencies and other organizations that provide information and assistance to individuals or groups who are seeking to incorporate or register as not-for-profit organizations;

2. Advise and assist the mayor, offices established within the executive office of the mayor, including the mayor’s office of contract services, and agencies that interface with not-for-profit organizations on simplifying and streamlining interactions between not-for-profit organizations and any such offices and agencies, including such interactions regarding applications, contracts, and regulations;

3. Develop standing advisory committees comprised of representatives from agencies and not-for-profit organizations representing the range of not-for-profit organizations doing business with the city, and the range of services provided, including but not limited to health and human services, cultural, capacity building and technical support, and education, that shall serve as a central source for:

(a) Identifying challenges affecting not-for-profit organizations, including any challenges associated with procurement platforms, or with applications, contracts, and regulations, and supporting efforts to devise solutions to such challenges; and

(b) Encouraging communication, collaboration and consultation between the city and not-for-profit organizations, including the sharing and receiving of information related to not-for-profit organizations including, but not necessarily limited to, ways in which the city could improve its interaction and engagement with not-for-profit organizations;

4. Study conditions affecting the not-for-profit sector in the city and assess its health and economic well-being;

5. Recommend to the mayor policies, programs and projects which promote the well-being of not-for-profit organizations and not-for-profit service delivery in the city; and

6. Perform other duties as the mayor may assign.

d. Within 12 months of the effective date of the local law that added this section, and annually thereafter, the executive director shall prepare and submit a report to the mayor and the speaker of the council that shall include, but not be limited to, the activities of the office of not-for-profit organization services, any recommendations made by the executive director pursuant to this section, and the implementation of any such recommendations.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 90 days after it becomes law.

RKC/cjm

LS #9968

11/15/2021, 7:57pm