SACRAMENTO — Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara) was appointed by Speaker Anthony Rendon to Chair a Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector.
According to California Association on Nonprofits, a statewide policy alliance of more than 10,000 nonprofits, the nonprofit sector is a vital part of California’s economy generating $260 billion in total economic activity every year and employing more than one million people. California nonprofits rank as the fourth largest private employer sector in California and account for 15 percent of the state’s GDP. There are 72,000 nonprofits in California, of which 50,000 are all-volunteer organizations.
“Because nonprofits are economic engines in our state, I believe it is vital the Assembly take a role to ensure public awareness about how these entities operate and how they benefit the economy,” said Limón. “Nonprofits have always filled gaps in services to ensure our values are protected and sustained. This committee will realize California’s collective goals and enhance partnerships between government and the nonprofit sector.”
The Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector will be the nexus between California’s elected officials, government agencies, philanthropic leaders, and nonprofit organizations. Its goal will be to collaborate on strategies, policies, and programs that focus on the intersection of economic and social well-being for millions of Californians.
These hearings will promulgate information about better ways to connect the public’s interest, government, and nonprofit work.
Jan Masaoka, CEO of the California Association on Nonprofits, heralded the announcement, “Our state’s nonprofit and philanthropic sectors not only represent the dreams and aspirations of California’s varied communities, they are robust with human capital, financial capacity and innovative potential. Government, nonprofits and philanthropy working together can identify and advance partnerships and solutions that will benefit all Californians. We thank Speaker Rendon and Assemblymember Limón for their commitment to the nonprofit community and their leadership on this valuable endeavor.”
“Assemblymember Limón is a thoughtful, pragmatic voice on the importance of nonprofits,” Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount) said. “Her experience in the nonprofit world will help her lead this committee as it works to highlight the role charitable and philanthropic dollars play in job creation, economic impact in communities, volunteerism, and addressing disparities.”
Speaker Rendon comes from the nonprofit world. He led Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. as Executive Director, serving over 2,300 children and families throughout Los Angeles County.
Assemblymember Limón worked with nonprofits in the community including the Santa Barbara City College Foundation, the Katherine Harvey Fellows Program of the Santa Barbara Foundation, the McCune Foundation, Leading from Within, and the Community Engagement Committee for the Santa Barbara Center for the Performing Arts.
Committee membership and hearing dates will be determined at a later date.
— Monique Limón currently serves as an Assembly Assistant Majority Whip. She represents the 37th Assembly District which includes Santa Barbara, Ventura, Goleta, Carpinteria, Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Buellton, Solvang, Summerland, Isla Vista, Montecito, and parts of Oxnard. Visit https://a37.asmdc.org for more information.