2026 Advocacy and Policy Agenda

COLLABORATING FOR EQUITABLE CONTRACTING

Responsible. Efficient. Fair.

Nonprofit and Government Partners Working Together for a Better Contracting System

PURPOSE & GOALS FOR THE 2026 AGENDA

NPW promotes strong government–nonprofit partnerships that improve contracting systems, advance fair compensation for the nonprofit workforce, and support effective, sustainable operations to ensure that all people receive high-quality government mandated and other critical services delivered by nonprofit profit professionals. The goals of the 2026 agenda are to engage in activities that:

• Support the well-being of people and communities
• Strengthen the stability and resilience of the nonprofit sector
• Build systems that ensure livable wages for the nonprofit workforce
• Meet the increasing demand for services at a time of shrinking federal government funding

CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS

Sector challenges that need to be addressed to achieve the stated goals fall into three core areas:

• Complex, delayed, and reimbursement-based contracting systems
• Contracts that do not fund the true cost of service
• Low and near poverty level wages and an inconsistent COLA process

Core Operating Expenses: Fund the True Cost of Service

Administrative and overhead investments - finance, HR, technology, data, compliance, professional development and support for often challenging work and to ensure quality and best practices - form the backbone of nonprofit operations and the ability to deliver services. Yet contracts often cap these expenses well below what is needed, leaving nonprofits to absorb these necessary operational expenses and unfunded mandates.

Impact

• Inequitable compensation and suppressed wages
• Safety and infrastructure risks
• Reduced ability to achieve strong client outcomes

Policy Recommendations

• Eliminate arbitrary caps on administrative/overhead costs
• Accept verifiable indirect rates (organizational calculations, NICRA, or accountant-certified)
• Fund the full cost of mandated services

Nonprofit Wages: Achieving Equity and Stability

Impact

• Significant financial hardship among nonprofit workers and families. Nationally, more than 20% of the nonprofit workforce is living at the federal poverty level. We estimate that this is 30% for Westchester given the County’s high cost of living and as it is home to the third largest city in NY State and to other high density and low-income communities.
• Vacancy rates often exceeding 20–30%
• Inability to fully meet growing community needs

Policy Recommendations

• Create a fair statewide COLA system covering all programs
• Set a $25/hour minimum wage floor for nonprofit workers
• Require annual inflation-based contract increases
• Establish State and County wage boards
• Work toward compensation parity with government positions

NPW supports the #JustPayCampaign 

Procurement & Payment: Strengthening the Partnership

Complex, delayed, and reimbursement-based systems cause cash-flow crises, administrative burdens, and service interruptions.

Policy Recommendations

• Establish legislative accountability for late payments
• Reimburse nonprofits for costs caused by delays
• Provide a clear contracting calendar and standardized documentation and systems across all government departments

NPW is proud to be a founding member of a statewide coalition seeking to advance a fair contracting system with NY State.

Read the full 2026 Advocacy and Policy Agenda »

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