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Moving Forward: Addressing Current Opportunities and Challenges Together
The nonprofit sector offers a unique combination of expertise, innovation, professionalism, and compassion that has and will continue to help move Westchester forward from the devastating events of the past few years. Nonprofit Westchester (NPW) and its member organizations are proud to work alongside partners in government and business to strengthen our neighborhoods, villages, towns, and cities. We are proud to work collaboratively to develop solutions to our most complex social issues including, but not limited to, affordable housing and homelessness, child welfare, mental health and wellness, food insecurity, disabilities rights, the impact of systemic racism, workforce development and the great resignation, and so much more.
In Westchester County and New York State, the nonprofit sector employs nearly 20% of the workforce. In addition to this important contribution to the regional economy, our organizations play a vital role locally and nationwide by providing critical services that promote the economic vibrancy, stability and mobility, and the emotional and physical well-being for people of all ages, backgrounds and income levels. Tens of thousands of Westchester residents, including those employed by our business and government partners, turn to 501c3 nonprofit organizations every day. And every day we meet the unprecedented demand for services. Yet, nonprofit agencies continue to operate with insufficient financial resources. This has strained our workforce and operational infrastructure and is not sustainable. Our workforce, comprised of approximately 80% women and 55% people of color, and the clients that seek our services, deserve more. Fair wages for nonprofit workers and fair reimbursement for nonprofit services are essential for the continued offering of high-quality programs regardless of a person’s zip code or income, and so the nonprofit workforce — those people who contribute to the health and economic vitality of our county — can live here and enjoy all that Westchester has to offer.
We invite you to continue to financially support the nonprofit organizations that keep Westchester thriving, but also to learn more about, and become advocates for, fair wages and reimbursement for services to reduce reliance on your philanthropic generosity and to advance equity in our communities.
It is an honor to represent Nonprofit Westchester’s member organizations. Thank you for being a fierce force for good today and every day.
Anahaita Kotval Jan Fisher President Executive Director
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