Red Tape Commission Hears Non-Profit Concerns
Non-profit working group details contracting issues at Red Tape Hearing
posted 7/18/2012
Read the recommendations:
Executive Summary including list of media contacts
On July 17, 2012, on behalf of a coalition of non-profits and provider organizations across the state, the Center for Non-Profits presented a joint statement and recommendations to a Trenton hearing of the Red Tape Review Commission chaired by Lieutenant Governor Guadagno.
Since July of last year, a small working group comprised of Red Tape Commission staff and non-profit and provider representatives has been meeting regularly to continue exploring solutions to the broader issues presented previously to the Commission.
With "contracting and procurement" the Commission's stated focus for its July 17 hearing, our working group's submission concentrated on the wide array of contracting problems that have burdened non-profits and which have significant implications for service delivery. The statement also included data from the recent "Rapid Response Survey on Government Grants and Contracting" conducted in early July 2012, in which respondents shared how their contracting experiences have changed -- for better or worse -- over the last two years. For more details, see the executive summary and full report.
We thank everyone who has continued to share their experiences and suggestions with us throughout this process. The Center for Non-Profits has made improving non-profit/government partnerships as one of its top policy and program priorities. Your insights continue to be invaluable to our work to advocate to the Red Tape Review Commission, the Legislature and others.
Watch this page or your e-mail for updates, or feel free to contact the Center with your comments or suggestions.
Recommendations presented at July 19, 2011 hearing
updated 7/21/11
Read the recommendations:
July 2011 Executive Summary including list of media contacts
On July 19, 2011, on behalf of a coalition of non-profits and provider organizations across the state, the Center for Non-Profits presented a joint statement and recommendations to a Trenton hearing of the Red Tape Review Commission chaired by Lieutenant Governor Guadagno. The hearing, the second of three public hearings to be held by the commission this year, focused exclusively on small business and non-profit concerns.
Among the items highlighted in the testimony:
- the need for better communication among government agencies and increased input from non-profits and providers in developing policies and solving community problems;
- the myriad problems with contracting;
- duplication of monitoring/compliance requirements;
- the vast amount of reporting and filing that must be done manually rather than electronically;
- the need for more easily available plain-language online summaries of the laws and regulations governing non-profits;
- the antiquated and confusing legalized games of chance (bingo/raffle) requirements; and
- NJ Division of Consumer Affairs’ pre-proposal #2011-001, which would impose onerous donor designation requirements on many charities.
The Red Tape Review Commission was created to review and streamline burdensome regulations and government policies that have a negative impact on New Jersey businesses. With our partner advocates, the Center has been working to advance the philosophy that non-profits – an important contributor to the economic engine of the state – are just as vulnerable as for-profit businesses to the effects of duplicative, unnecessary government policies and regulations. While many government policies are necessary, many others are needlessly burdensome and siphon precious resources from core programs and services that benefit the people of New Jersey. In response to our requests, the commission has broadened its focus and is exploring ways to ease the burdens on non-profits.
We thank all who shared their experiences and recommendations with us for use in developing the joint report and recommendations. Your stories helped to drive home in real terms how red tape issues affect non-profits. The Lieutenant Governor, commission members and commission staff expressed a keen interest in the stories that you provided.
We will continue to follow up with the Commission, the Legislature and other appropriate channels to pursue these recommendations. In the meantime, please continue to provide your input to us. Share with us any problems that you may be experiencing in complying with New Jersey government regulations, policies or contracting procedures, as well as your specific recommendations of where red tape could be reduced or where streamlining could prove beneficial. Examples could include:
- onerous contract application or reporting requirements;
- duplicative or administratively wasteful monitoring procedures;
- needlessly contradictory requirements between various state offices or departments;
- ways in which technology could boost effectiveness and efficiencies;
- ways to streamline fund raising or games of chance regulations;
- and many others.
You can share your feedback with Linda Czipo at the Center at 732-227-0800 or via email at
lczipo @ njnonprofits.org. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can share your story and ask that your name not be used publicly.
Your views will aid our immediate and long-term efforts to strengthen non-profit/government partnerships in New Jersey.