Leaders of the New York State Black Legislative Task Force report they were able to secure another year of funding for Black-run organizations in underserved communities throughout the state.
In the One House Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027, the task force has $30 million set aside for more than 200 small nonprofits and organizations that work in crisis intervention, housing, economic development, workforce development, healthcare, education, and civic engagement.
The final approval for the budget bills was expected April 1, however multiple outlets have reported that it will likely be later in the week because of disagreements over climate law rollbacks and a tax hike on the rich.
“We’re not going to tolerate this money coming out…it’s not even an option for us. And the truth is that I don’t even have to speak like that because our leadership showed how important it was for them because they put it in there. The governor voted on it last year,” said Assemblymember Chantel Jackson, the chair of the task force, about ongoing budget talks. “But I’m ready to fight though. I ain’t playing about this.”
Jackson said it was a little harder to get the funding in the budget bill last year because it was the first time the task force was requesting it. The initial request was for $50 million, before Gov. Kathy Hochul signed off on the agreed upon $30 million. Last year, the task force also hosted a statewide listening tour to identify local community needs.
“We were in Long Island, Buffalo, Syracuse, Albany, Westchester. We went to all five boroughs…sometimes people think that it’s just New York City, but there are underserved and specifically Black New Yorkers across this great state,” said Assemblymember Landon Dais. “And this task force really did something positive and we look forward to doing it again in this year’s budget and hoping that the governor and the speaker and majority leader will sign off on it again.”
At least 1,127 organizations then applied for the grants, totaling $25,000 to $250,000 in some cases. In New York City, that’s groups like VIP Services and Figure Skating of Harlem.
“I’m hoping that the nonprofits can build capacity and serve more people. I know that a number of them may have reduced funding because of federal cuts and things of that nature, or they just never were able to apply because they just didn’t have a grant writer to help them with the process. So I’m hoping that this funding can get them started,” said Jackson. “We just want to make sure that they can survive and thrive and compete.”
There are five groups tasked with distributing the funds to local groups: Elmcor, United Way of New York State, the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, the Local Initiative Support Corporation, and the New York Urban League.
“A big thanks and congratulations to the Black task force for having the vision, the leadership, the drive, and the tenacity to push for this funding. It is no small feat, and it really is historic,” said Arva Rice, CEO of the New York Urban League.
The actual funds from last year have not been dispersed yet. Rice explained that they are currently going through the contracting process with the Department of State, turning in required forms so that funds can finally be sent to grantees in the next couple of weeks.
“It is incredibly important for there to be an investment in these types of communities, particularly at the federal level where diversity, equity, and inclusion has become almost a bad word,” said Rice. “We know that when supported, Black excellence is everywhere throughout our state. And so we’re so grateful to the elected officials for recognizing it and advocating for it.”
The task force plans to increase their allocation in next year’s budget. “We need to show that it made a tangible positive difference. And if we can do that, I think we can demonstrate to the Governor that this needs to be replicated and increased,” said Dais. “I think we can have more success with this down the line.”
Jackson added that the task force is also focusing on the upcoming Census count and bolstering financial literacy in Black and Brown communities at the city and state level.
Thank you for reporting and thank our Bold and Bright – New York State Black Legislative Task Force. We will win together.
Ras Jomo