McNerney’s New Bill Proposes State Office To Bolster Nonprofits

In a community forum at the Bankhead Theater on Feb. 20, California State Senator Jerry McNerney was joined by nonprofit leaders for a discussion titled “Shaping What’s Next for California, Lawmakers and Nonprofits.”

The conversation was hosted by the Tri-Valley Nonprofit Alliance and moderated by Geoff Green, CEO of CalNonprofits, with fellow panelists Chet Hewitt, president of the Sierra Health Foundation and chair of the CalNonprofits board of directors; and McNerney, who represents the 5th Senate District, including the Tri-Valley, and is chair of the Senate Select Committee on the nonprofit sector.

“Today is designed to be a true conversation grounded in what nonprofit leaders are experiencing right now and focused on what’s next for California in public policy, funding, partnership and in the long-term sustainability of the organizations serving our communities,” said TVNPA President, Kathy Young.

To the audience gathered, Green wasted no time unveiling a new piece of proposed legislation authored by McNerney. SB 1240, the Office of Nonprofit Empowerment, is designed to be a lifeline for the state’s nonprofit sector. “This is to establish an office at the state level that will actually be a resource and a go-to and an advocate and an ombuds and a problem solver. So sort of a go-to place for nonprofits working with the state,” said Green, prompting applause from the room.

“I was thrilled to see the proposal, which was the brainchild of (the) California Nonprofit Alliance, because it would create an office within the state government that would do the research and policy for our nonprofits to make sure (they) have the best path forward…in terms of grant-writing, proposal-making and so on,” said McNerney.

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