New York City Mayor Eric Adams issued Executive Order 47 this week, mandating that city agencies involved in significant contracting or funding with nonprofit organizations appoint a chief nonprofit officer. These officers will collaborate with the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services (MONS) and the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) to enhance service delivery, improve communication, and expedite payments to nonprofit partners.
This initiative is part of the Adams administration’s ongoing efforts to support the city’s vital nonprofit sector. In October 2024, MOCS launched the Payment Backlog Initiative, which disbursed over $1 billion and processed more than 3,700 invoices in three months, addressing outstanding payments from Fiscal Year 2023 to Fiscal Year 2025. Additionally, reforms introduced in summer 2024 reduced the average processing time for discretionary contracts from 366 days in Fiscal Year 2024 to just 46 days in Fiscal Year 2025—a nearly 90 percent decrease.
Earlier in March 2024, the administration announced a $741 million investment to provide cost-of-living adjustments for approximately 80,000 human services workers employed by nonprofits with city contracts. To date, over $1.4 billion has been allocated toward wage enhancements for the human services sector.
The establishment of chief nonprofit officers aims to streamline internal and external communications, ensuring that nonprofits receive timely support and payments. These officers will be responsible for coordinating with MONS and MOCS, providing key agency performance data, responding promptly to nonprofit inquiries, and assisting organizations in navigating city bureaucracy. The executive order also formalizes the creation of a performance management dashboard to track contract registration and payments, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to data-driven decision-making.
This move has been met with support from various stakeholders. For instance, in a statement, a nonprofit leader expressed appreciation for the city’s efforts to address challenges related to delayed payments and lengthy contract processes, noting that resolving these issues will allow nonprofits to focus on their mission of delivering essential services to New Yorkers.
The Adams administration continues to implement policies and reforms to strengthen its partnership with the nonprofit sector, recognizing the critical role these organizations play in providing essential services across the city.
