Office of Nonprofit Empowerment.

Existing law contains numerous provisions authorizing state agencies to award grants or contracts to nonprofit organizations to carry out various services and programs. Existing law authorizes a state agency that administers a grant program or contract to advance funds to a private nonprofit organization to which it has awarded a grant or contract, subject to certain limitations and requirements, as specified. This bill, upon appropriation by the Legislature, would create the Office of Nonprofit Empowerment within the Government Operations Agency with the primary responsibility of overseeing and coordinating state-level policies and strategies that support California's nonprofit organizations. The bill would specify various duties and functions of the office, including providing guidance, resources, and technical assistance to nonprofit organizations on procurement and grantmaking laws, regulations, and best practices. The bill would also require the office to develop and administer training and materials, in consultation with the appropriate control agency, for state entities on advance payment and other strategies to reduce hurdles for nonprofit organizations to access state funding and implement state projects, as specified. The bill would, upon appropriation by the Legislature, place the office under the control of a director who would be appointed by the Governor, as specified, and require the director to hire staff to assist in the fulfillment of the duties and responsibilities of the office. The bill would also require the office to post on its internet website, on or before July 1, 2028, opportunities to improve how nonprofits and the state partner, as specified. The bill would establish the Nonprofit Empowerment Fund in the State Treasury and would make moneys in the fund available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to carry out the purposes of these provisions in support of the office. The bill would authorize the office, or the agency on behalf of the office, to collect and receive any gifts, bequests, grants, or donations from private, foundation, or nonstate sources to carry out the purposes of these provisions in support of the office, as specified. The bill would repeal these provisions on January 1, 2037. The bill would define various terms for these purposes and would include related legislative findings and declarations.