Nonprofit Westchester (NPW), the county’s only membership organization solely dedicated to advancing the needs of the nonprofit sector, has responded to the New York state budget agreement that includes a 2.84 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 800,000 nonprofit workers across the state, but that is .36 off what the nonprofit sector sought. (The agreement requires 1.7% of this total figure to be allocated directly to eligible workers’ salaries.)
The nonprofit sector advocated for a 3.2% COLA, which would have gone further to address the needs of the workforce, the majority of whom are women and people of color. Nonprofit organizations providing government mandated and other essential services are already underfunded by New York state, a spokeswoman said. While this year’s COLA is noteworthy, too many nonprofit essential workers in Westchester County and throughout the state continue to be part of the working poor, living close to or at the federal poverty level or part of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.
Jan Fisher, executive director of Nonprofit Westchester, stressed, however: “NPW will continue to collaborate to ensure that nonprofit workers are not a bargaining chip in budget negotiations, and we will continue to advocate for a contracting process that is fair, timely and equitable and where government is accountable.
“The services that the nonprofit organizations provide – for people with disabilities, those experiencing trauma and mental health issues, childcare, child welfare and after-school programs, residential services for older adults and so much more – benefit all people. Those delivering these critical programs deserve better and they deserve to live with financial security.”
Michelle Jackson, executive director of the Human Services Council, stated: “Nonprofits continue to strain under enormous demand for their services, and their employees often struggle to get ahead on government-sanctioned, poverty-level wages. This investment, while significant, falls short of the just pay essential workers deserve. It also complicates an already overly confusing and burdensome process that will delay money getting into the pockets of workers. “
