Nonprofit Communications: Writing For A Better World

By James D’Ambrosio

Doug Sauer, CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), recently issued a memo to members with some welcome news: New York State has introduced new resources to streamline the grants process for nonprofits doing business with the state. New York State Grants Gateway, part of an effort by Gov. Cuomo to ease burdens on nonprofits, includes state agencies collaborating to create a uniform grants contract, making multi-year contracting a priority, and a statewide grants management system.

INTRODUCING THE NEW YORK STATE GRANTS GATEWAY

Here are three components of the new system:

1) GRANT OPPORTUNITY PORTAL: A comprehensive resource to locate grant opportunities with state agencies all in one place. Open to the public, agencies are not required to be registered users. It’s suggested that new users begin by using the ‘Browse’ and ‘Search’ features, allowing you to sign up for e-mail notification(s) when the grants you specify become available, eliminating the need to continually check back.

2) GRANTEE DOCUMENT VAULT: A service for existing grantees and potential applicants, it’s an online repository to store key agency information in one secure location for use by all state agencies, eliminating the need to repeatedly furnish the same documents for the same programs year after year. It’s recommended to first upload those documents you’re most frequently asked for by agencies you contract with.

To use the vault, you register as a user and provide information for a delegated administrator to manage the account. Accounts require a registration form and accompanying organizational chart. The form must be signed, notarized and mailed to Gateway Administrators. Note: Through July 31, the state is exclusively processing applications from agencies with active state contracts; nonprofits without state contracts can still apply, but they won’t be processed until after July 31.

3) PREQUALIFICATION: This is a way for nonprofits to more directly interact with state agencies prior to competing for  contracts, providing an opportunity to make adjustments before entering into a competitive bid. Once registered with Gateway, nonprofits can upload key documents and complete an online Prequalification Questionnaire  inquiring about organizational capacity and integrity. Notably, nonprofits have to prequalify just once every three years, keeping information current during that time.

GETTING STARTED

More detailed information is available to help you get started:

1) NEW YORK STATE GRANTS GATEWAY VENDOR USER GUIDE

2) ACCESS THE GRANT OPPORTUNITY PORTAL

3)Visit www.grantsreform.ny.gov, click on “Grantees” at the top, then scroll down and click on “Questions and Documents” on the lower left.

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QUESTIONS TO READERS:

a) What do you think of Grants Gateway? b) How might it positively impact your organization?

Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Governor Andrew Cuomo, Grants Reform, New York State grants, New York State Grants Gateway, Streamlining State Grants | 69 Comments »