New York City is a hub of non-profit organizations, ranging from small startups to long-standing organizations, from groups with a few volunteers to corporations with hundreds of employees, and from organizations that focus on a particular community to those that work with diverse groups. These organizations are essential for sustaining the work of thousands of artists each year, yet many are ineligible or denied public aid opportunities. To address this issue, the Government Relations Council (GRC) of the New York nonprofit organization meets monthly to consider and discuss legislative and regulatory developments affecting the sector. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coalition for the Advancement of Nonprofit Organizations (CAN) was formed. This sectoral coalition is composed of more than 100 non-profit organizations and is coordinated by Nonprofit New York.
CAN brings together voices from the industry to represent the issues that matter most to the sector. The evaluation process for these organizations is a huge undertaking, as it reveals both strengths and areas of improvement. However, ongoing reflection is essential to achieve meaningful and authentic change. Common Practice New York (CPNY) conducted relevant research that points to the unique abilities of small-scale organizations to engage meaningfully with artists and audiences for extended periods of time. This research encourages ideas from which larger organizations benefit and for which the indicators needed to assess value simply don't exist. In recognition of this, CoSA NYC was formed.
This coalition brings together small organizations that are exceptionally resilient and form a cornerstone of New York City's cultural life. Organizations such as Alice Austen House, America on Tech, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Asian are just a few examples.
