Report Released Outlining the Reform of San Francisco’s Nonprofit System

Mayor Gavin Newsom and Sandra R. Hernández, M.D., today announced the release of the Mayor’s Community-Based Organizations Task Force report, “Partnering with Nonprofits in Tough Times.”

Mayor Newsom commissioned the Task Force and report, and appointed Dr. Hernández and City Attorney Dennis Herrera as co-chairs. Comprised of key city, nonprofit, and philanthropic leaders, the Task Force was charged with reviewing and analyzing the city’s Departments of Public Health and Human Services’ nonprofit relationships and contracts totaling more than $500 million.

“This report provides the City with a roadmap for how to maintain core services for San Francisco's most vulnerable, while at the same time reforming our nonprofit system,” said Mayor Newsom. “As our residents become more reliant on support from safety net services because of the economic downturn, we must become more strategic and supportive to do more with less.”

“Our nonprofit sector is an essential component of our vibrant city. It is not only an economic engine, but also a critical workforce and resource for some of our most valued facets such as the arts, advocacy, innovation, and our most essential health and human services,” said City Attorney Herrera. The 12 person team – convened from February through April – delivered the report this week, with six key recommendations for the city and the nonprofit sector, including: consolidation of nonprofit administration, supporting nonprofit mergers and closures, aggressively pursuing funds to maximize revenue, improving management and oversight, promoting financial sustainability measures, and developing a strategic plan for delivery of the most vital community-based services.

“While the City provides capital to the nonprofit sector, it is clear the sector also draws significant philanthropic resources to San Francisco. We all have an extraordinary opportunity and urgency to build on this partnership and support the conversations and strategies that are emerging to address this recession,” said Dr. Hernández.

Please click here to download the full report.