Lena Gonzalez — During the hearing, Chairwoman Monique Limón is addressed and then thanks Ms. White for her testimony, noting it was a great story. She then opens the floor for questions and asks whether anyone has anything they would like to ask the two speakers.
Gregg Hart — Monica White addresses Chairman Hart.
Gregg Hart — The speaker refers to Member Hart as someone who has experienced repeated natural disasters during their time in the legislature.
Gregg Hart — Gregg Hart is mentioned in a positive, collegial context: first, he is thanked for plugging the Ventura event, and later he is addressed as one of the co-chairs alongside Limón.
Gregg Hart — The speaker addressed Chairman Hart as part of the committee leadership.
Abby Browning — Abby Browning, chief of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services’ Office of Private Sector and NGO Coordination, introduced her role and described the office’s mission and work with nonprofits before, during, and after disasters. She then concluded her remarks by thanking the committees and offering to answer questions.
Bruce Ehrman — Introduced as the director of operations for Camp Fire Collaborative.
Ms. Browning — Committee chair acknowledged her testimony and deferred questions until the next witness concluded.
Ms. Browning — Asked whether there is an opportunity to help coordinate private philanthropy with the public or private sector response.
Mr. Yerman — Referenced as the next witness before questions are taken.
Bruce Yerman — Bruce Yerman, director of the Camp Fire Collaborative, described how the organization formed after the 2018 Camp Fire to coordinate long-term recovery across nearly 100 partner organizations. He explained that long-term recovery groups (LTRGs) are recognized best practices but lack dedicated funding, especially in rural areas, so local community foundations and donations are keeping the collaborative alive. Yerman emphasized that FEMA and Cal OES provide valuable training and support, but local groups still must cover operations, fiduciary systems, office space, and unmet-needs assistance. He illustrated the collaborative’s structure as a "wagon wheel" with many nonprofit, civic, faith-based, and government partners working through committees led by nonprofit leaders, and said that this managed collaboration is what makes long-term recovery sustainable. In response to a question about how local government can help, he said state or local support for both operational and unmet-needs funding buckets would help sustain the work, since the collaborative is still finding new families in need years after the disaster.
Heather Hadwick — Asked what can be done to make the witness’s work easier and how local government can help encourage support.
Steve Bennett — Mentioned as co-hosting a Ventura town hall to spotlight nonprofits.
Steve Bennett — Steve Bennett was credited for his leadership on AB 880 and for helping advance AB 1039, with the discussion recognizing his legislative contributions alongside others.
Jeff Green — Jeff Green is introduced as the CEO of Cal Nonprofits, and then he introduces himself as the CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (Cal Nonprofits).
Annie Chang — Introduced as Vice President of the Nonprofit Finance Fund and a panelist.
Annie Chang — Introduced herself as Vice President of Community Engagement for Nonprofit Finance Fund.
Wilfredo Cruz, Jr. — Introduced as Executive Director of Community Resource Project and a panelist.
Cal Nonprofits — Proposed a new Office of Nonprofit Empowerment and a formal bridge between government and the nonprofit sector.
Mr. Green — Thanked by the chair after his presentation; likely Jeff Green of Cal Nonprofits.
Ms. Chang — Introduced as the next presenter and identified herself as Annie Chang, Vice President of Community Engagement for Nonprofit Finance Fund.
Nonprofit Finance Fund — Identified as Annie Chang's organization.
Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) — Described as a national CDFI providing lending, financial consulting, and research/advocacy for nonprofits.
NFF — Praised the committee’s leadership and described nonprofits as essential state infrastructure.
AB590 — Speakers thanked the committee for passing AB 590 and described it as an important first step and a meaningful step in the right direction for nonprofit contracting reform. They explained that the bill expands advance payments or startup funds to all state grants and contracts, helping nonprofits launch programs without waiting for reimbursement, leveling the playing field, and encouraging more state agencies to adopt the practice.
AB590 — Referenced as a bill mirroring requirements from a pilot advance pay program.
Thomas Umberg — Credited with working to advance AB 880.
Gregg Hart — Credited with advancing AB 1039.
AB880 — Referenced as a bill being advanced this year to address nonprofit payment and contracting issues.
AB1039 — Referenced as a bill being advanced this year to address nonprofit payment and contracting issues.
Mr. Cruz — The prior speaker was thanked as Mr. Cruz before Alfredo Cruz Jr. began his testimony.
Mr. Cruz — Thanked for his testimony and presentation on nonprofit contracting challenges.
Alfredo Cruz Jr. — Alfredo Cruz Jr. introduced himself as the executive director of Community Resource Project and began his testimony, describing the organization’s mission and its partnerships with government agencies.
Ms. Chan — Asked about examples from other states and communities that handle delayed payments better.
Lisa Calderon — An Assembly Member says they were glad to join panel two and are interested in nonprofit reform and helping new nonprofits emerge.
Vanessa Cahina — Introduces herself as speaking on behalf of Vision and Compromiso and its statewide network of promotoras and community health workers.
Rachel Mueller — Speaks on behalf of the California Coalition for Community Investment and describes the role of nonprofit CDFIs.
Jennifer Fearing — Speaks on behalf of the California Association of Nonprofits and discusses prompt pay and advance pay costs.
Brian Miramontas — Speaks on behalf of ASME California and describes workers in government and nonprofit sectors.
Shonda Moore — Shonda Moore introduces herself as representing California Humanities and explains that the organization supports filmmakers, libraries, and community-based nonprofits across California.
Monique Limón — Senator Monique Limón is referenced in connection with the hearing and her district, which has one of the highest concentrations of nonprofits per capita in California. She is also identified as a colleague who will discuss the hearing’s multiple goals, tying her role to the broader purpose of the discussion.
Monique Limón — Senator Monique Limón is referenced in connection with local community engagement and leadership: she is noted as co-hosting a Ventura town hall to highlight nonprofits, as emphasizing the importance of understanding local needs and expertise, and as serving as a co-chair alongside Hart.
Monique Limón — Credited, along with others, for leadership on AB 880.
Monique Limón — The speaker addressed Chairman Limón as part of the committee leadership.
Monique Limón — The chair addresses the member, thanks Mr. Cruz, and opens the floor for questions to the panel. The exchange continues immediately with discussion touching on budget constraints, veto messages, and possible interim steps, all within the same ongoing conversation.
Ms. Seaman — The chair thanks Ms. Seaman for her helpful remarks.
Ms. White — Ms. White is invited to speak next and identified as the CEO of Food Share of Ventura County.
Ms. White — Referenced for describing drive-through services intended to reduce trauma for an immigrant community fearful of deportation.
Food Share of Ventura County — Ms. White is identified as the CEO of this organization.
Monica White — Monica White, president and CEO of Food Share Ventura County, introduces herself and continues her testimony by describing the organization’s long-standing front-line work combating hunger and the effects of federal funding cuts on its mission.