Page 52 - 2020 Westchester Economic Development Guide

Non-Profits
Making a Difference, Changing Lives
In Westchester’s thriving social entrepreneurship sector, nearly 5,000 non-profits are contributing to the County’s collective quality of life.
A New Vision
Employing nearly 54,000 peo- ple, Westchester County’s non- profit sector is the County’s largest employer. This diverse group of 5,000 organizations of vary- ing sizes – such as the March of Dimes, Greyston Bakery and Blue Path Service Dogs – provide arts, education, health- care, environmental, housing and other services for children and adults.
Girls Inc.
Established in 2007, Girls Incorporated of Westchester County - which receives $50,000 in annual funding from the County government - inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. They are the local affiliate of Girls Incorporated, a 150-year-old national nonprofit provid- ing more than 140,000 girls across the U.S. and Canada with life-changing ex- periences and solutions to the unique challenges girls face. Executive Director Michelle Nicholas shares her view of Girls Inc. and its Westchester location:
What makes Westchester
a unique venue for a non- profit?
Westchester County is a richly diverse community that houses some of the na- tion’s wealthiest citizens. Here, you will also find pockets of poverty and some of our most vulnerable and underserved citizens as well. In Westchester, you will find a very astute, politically active and
philanthropic citizenry. Westchester is a large county with a very engaged politi- cal structure focused on helping its citi- zens improve their condition.
What are the benefits
of establishing a non-profit here?
The fact that we have several collabora- tive resources from non-profits to gov- ernment, to corporations to profession- al organizations all willing to dig in and provide services to those who need it most, speaks volumes to their commit- ment. Some of those resources include the Business Council of Westchester, the Association of Development Officers, Westchester Women’s Agenda and Nonprofit Westchester.
What do you envision for your organization in 2020? I must say that we have done a lot in 2019. When I joined Girls Inc. Westchester in early March, we were in seven schools in four cities. Today, we are in 14 schools, eight cities and we are expanding. In 2020, I am look- ing forward to expanding the organi- zation to increase the number of girls we serve, to move into previously un-served areas and to serve an even more diverse population of girls.
Spectrum Designs
Founded in 2011, Spectrum Designs is a custom apparel and promotional items business with a social mission - to help individuals with Autism, a group that faces an estimated 80 percent un- employment rate in the country, lead full and productive lives through the world of work. Spectrum offers a wide range of custom logo’d items such as t-shirts, hoodies, and tote bags, as well as promotional items such as pens, mugs, lanyards and much more. As a non-profit, 100 percent of profits go directly back to serve the mission with
employees of all abilities working in every phase of production.
In 2020, this Long Island based com- pany is expanding and opening its doors in Westchester with a new 8,000-square- foot printing facility in Pleasantville. The company’s neurodiverse workforce is made up of approximately 75 percent of people with different abilities. The facil- ity plans to create at least 20 new jobs in the next year.
Spectrum Designs was award- ed a $240,000 Regional Economic Development grant in December 2019 to aid their expansion to the Westchester region. “We were grateful that County Executive George Latimer and Head of Economic Development Bridget Gibbons attended our Hard Hat Party welcoming the community to our new facility,” says company Co-Founder and CEO Patrick Bardsley. “Bridget was enthuasiastic to learn more about our business model and goals in the region and has been incredibly supportive of our efforts since we first met. They truly are ‘do-ers’ and we’re so appreciative and reassured to have their support.
Above Left: Girls Inc. Westchester participants tour facility of luxury airline Million Air. Above: Spectrum Designs creates a custom logo items and job opportunities for those with Autism.
Since 2011, Westchester Non-Profits:
• Generated nearly $6.9 billion in revenues.
• Spent nearly $6.6 billion.
• Held over $8.4 billion in total
assets. Source: Non-Profit Westchester
© Courtesy of Spectrum Designs
© Girls Inc. Westchester Staff
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WESTCHESTER COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GUIDE