In this Update:

Westchester County

• Nonprofits and Elections - What Your Organizations Can Do Quick Guide
• Westchester Voter’s Quick Guide
• NPW Advocacy Toolkit

New York State

• Contracting Reform: Businesses and Nonprofits - Sign On Today to Urge Governor Hochul to Support Transparent, Efficient Contracting and Responsible Use of Taxpayer Dollars

Federal

• Support Rep. Latimer’s Food Access in Community Health Centers Act
• Urge Congress to Block Proposal to Overhaul and Politicize Federal Grants

WESTCHESTER

Westchester Votes 2026

Help ensure community voices are heard. NPW’s nonpartisan voting guides offer practical information for individuals and tools for nonprofits to encourage nonpartisan voter participation. 

• NPW Westchester Votes 2026 Resource Page
• Nonprofits and Elections - What Your Organizations Can Do Quick Guide
• Westchester Voter’s Quick Guide 

NPW Advocacy Toolkit

A surprising number of people believe that 501(c (3) organizations cannot lobby.
This is not true.
Nonprofits are vehicles for democratic involvement, positive change and social justice, and are LEGALLY allowed to advocate and lobby.

• NPW's Advocacy Toolkit

NEW YORK STATE

Help Us Get to 1,000 Signatures! 
>> Take Action Today on Nonprofit Contracting Reform

THE TIME IS NOW FOR A BETTER CONTRACTING SYSTEM WITH NEW YORK

NPW and organizations statewide - now formally The Coalition to Fix Government Contracting* - are urging Governor Hochul to sign S.9761/A.10741 and S.9855A/A.11179, legislation that would establish clearer contracting standards, improve accountability, upfront payment and create more predictable payment practices for nonprofits.

A transparent and efficient use of taxpayer dollars should matter to all businesses and nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits should not have to borrow money to support government mandated and other critical services.

>> Read More about Nonprofit Contracting Reform HERE.

>> TAKE ACTION

SIGN ON NOW to tell Governor Hochul to sign into law S.9761 (Mayer) / A.10741 (Paulin) and S.9855 (Mayer) / A.11179 (Paulin)

*The Coalition to Fix Government Contracting strengthens New York State’s nonprofit sector through government contract reform and empowering the sector with a strong advocacy voice. Members include Human Services Council, New York Council of Nonprofits, The New York Legal Services Coalition, Nonprofit New York, Nonprofit Westchester and Partnership for the Public Good.

FEDERAL

Support Congressman Latimer’s Food Access in Community Health Centers Act

U.S. Congressman George Latimer (D-NY) and U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-IL) have introduced the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act of 2026. This legislation would create a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services program to provide grants of up to $500,000 to expand and create partnerships between food banks and community health centers and emergency feeding operations to provide access to food at these centers.

In the face of unprecedented cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, emergency feeding operations and community health centers have provided critical support to countless Americans and have enabled underserved populations to reduce food insecurity. It is well established that access to food is critical to primary health. As Americans continue to struggle with access to food and healthcare, partnerships between organizations like these are vital tools to alleviate these crises.

Read endorsements from NPW leaders Kristine Borok, President and CEO of Feeding Westchester, Anne Kauffman Nolon, MPH, CEO of Sun River Health and Judith Watson, RN BSN MPH, HD, CEO of Westchester Community Health Center HERE.

Find the Bill HERE

NPW urges Westchester residents and nonprofit organizations to support the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act of 2026 (H.R. 10680). Here’s how you can help:

• Contact your U.S. Representative. Thank Congressman Latimer for introducing the bill and urge him to build support for its passage. If you are represented by another House member, ask them to cosponsor the legislation and help advance it. Find and contact your representative here.
  
  
• Contact Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Ask them to champion companion legislation in the Senate.
  
  
• Share this alert with colleagues, board members and community partners. Include examples of how food insecurity affects the people your organization serves.

Sample message to your House representative:

“As a Westchester [resident, nonprofit leader/profession], I urge you to support H.R. 10680, the Food Access in Community Health Centers Act of 2026, and help secure its passage. This legislation would strengthen partnerships between community health centers and food providers, helping people access nutritious food where they receive care. Please cosponsor the bill if you have not already done so. Food access is essential to building a healthy community.”

Urge Congress to Block Proposal to Overhaul and Politicize Federal Grants

Last month, Congress voted to enact bipartisan legislation to temporarily block the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) from finalizing and implementing a government-wide proposal to overhaul and politicize federal grantmaking. Congress enacted the temporary delay after nearly 500,000 public comments were submitted, the majority of which were submitted in opposition to the proposal. See NCN’s chart of key provisions.

When Congress returns to Washington after the mid-term elections, it will have just four legislative weeks to decide whether to continue to block the OMB proposed rule.

>> TAKE ACTION

• Sign a National Letter to urge Congress to permanently block the proposed changes to federal grants, joining nearly 2,000 organizations nationwide.
  
  
• Call or Email your Members of Congress — both Republicans and Democrats — and urge them to block the proposed changes and protect our communities.
  
  
• Participate in a Day of Action on November 10th. Join advocates across the nation by contacting your members of Congress and posting on social media.