2025 Nonprofit Town Hall
Assemblymember Steve Bennett and Senator Monique Limón, in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Leadership - California Lutheran University, Ventura County Community Foundation and Ventura County Office of Education, held their annual nonprofit town hall to provide state legislative and budget updates affecting the nonprofit community.
Our keynote speaker, Geoff Green, CEO of CalNonprofits, shared valuable information regarding the latest issues impacting our nonprofit organizations.
Assemblymember Bennett and Senator Limón had the opportunity of highlighting the accomplishments of their 2025 Nonprofits of the Year, Community Action of Ventura County and Westminster Free Clinic.
Legislation
AB-880 – State government grants and contracts: payment of claims and grantees' indirect costs.
- Introduced by Assemblymember Steve Bennett (2025-2026)
AB 1039 – State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments
- Introduced by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (2025–2026)
AB 1318 – Public social services: tax-exempt nonprofit organizations.
- Introduced by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (2025-2026)
SB 324 – Medi-Cal: Enhanced care management and community supports.
- Introduced by Senator Caroline Menjivar (2025-2026)
Learn more about legislation impacting the nonprofit sector.
Partners
- Dena Jenson, Director, CLU Center for Nonprofit Leadership
- Dr. César Morales, Superintendent, Ventura County Office of Education
- Mike Silacci, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Ventura County Community Foundation
Keynote Speaker
- Geoff Green, CEO, CalNonprofits
Nonprofit of the Year
- Susana Lopez-Garcia, Executive Director, Community Action of Ventura County
- Lisa Safaeinili, Executive Director, Westminster Free Clinic
Resources
- California Association of Nonprofits
- California Grants Portal
- Joint Hearing Senate Select Committee on Nonprofit Sector and Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector
2024 Nonprofit Town Hall
Assemblymember Steve Bennett and Senator Monique Limón, in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Leadership - California Lutheran University, Ventura County Community Foundation and Ventura County Office of Education, held to a nonprofit town hall to provide state legislative and budget updates impacting the nonprofit community. Invitees will hear from a panel of experienced nonprofit leaders who will take questions, address challenges, and share ways to strengthen partnerships throughout the county.
Asm. Bennett and Sen. Limón honored their respective 2024 Nonprofits of the Year, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County and Women's Economic Ventures, with Resolutions.
Asm. Bennett (right) and Sen. Limón (left) with Linda Braunschweiger (center) of Housing Trust Fund of Ventura County
Asm. Bennett (left) and Sen. Limón (right) with Nicki Parr (center) of Women’s Economic Ventures
Legislation:
- AB 590 State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments
Introduced by Assemblymember Gregg Hart (2023-2024)
- AB 2322 - Grant programs: administration
Introduced by Assembly Members Hart and Bennett (2023–2024)
- SB 336 - State grant programs: negotiated indirect cost rates
Introduced by Senator Umberg (2023-2024)
- SB 1246 - California Prompt Payment Act: nonprofit organizations
Introduced by Senator Limón (2023-2024)
Partners:
- Dena Jenson, Director, CLU Center for Nonprofit Leadership
- Dr. César Morales, Superintendent, Ventura County Office of Education
- Mike Silacci, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Ventura County Community Foundation
Panelists:
- Linda Braunschweiger, CEO, Housing Trust Fund Ventura County
- Kelly Brown, Community Information Officer, Interface Children & Family Services
- Geoff Green, CEO, CalNonprofits
- Nicki Parr, CEO, Women's Economic Ventures (WEV)
- Mike Silacci, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Ventura
Resources:
- California Association of Nonprofits
- Women's Economic Ventures: Impact Report
- Housing Trust Fund Ventura County Annual Report (PDF)
- California Grants Portal
- Joint Hearing Senate Select Committee on Nonprofit Sector and Assembly Select Committee on the Nonprofit Sector
2023 Nonprofit Town Hall
Assemblymember Steve Bennett, in partnership with Ventura County Community Foundation and Center for Nonprofit Leadership CLU, hosted nonprofit organizations to a town hall to discuss state budget updates and its impact on the nonprofit community.
Asm. Bennett honored his 2023 Nonprofit of the Year, Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), at the event.
CAUSE honored as AD-38's Nonprofit of the Year at Sacramento Luncheon
Invitees heard from a panel of experienced nonprofit leaders who will take questions, address challenges, and share ways to strengthen partnerships throughout the county.
Panelist Organizations:
- Central Coast Climate Justice Network
- Interface Children & Family Services
- Westminster Free Clinic
- Women's Economic Ventures (WEV)
The panel was moderated by Dena Jenson, Director of Center for Nonprofit Leadership CLU.
California Nonprofit Equity Initiative Legislation
AB-885 Public contracts: nonprofit organizations; Introduced by Assembly Member Luz Rivas. (2023-2024)
AB-590 State-funded assistance grants and contracts: advance payments; Introduced by Assemblymember Gregg Hart. (2023-2024)
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB590
- AB 590 Fact Sheet
AB-696 State agency grants and contracts. Introduced by Assembly Member Josh Lowenthal (2023-2024)
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB696
- AB 696 Fact Sheet
AB-860 Grant programs: administration. Introduced by Assembly Member Avelino Valencia. (2023-2024)
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB860
- AB 860 Fact Sheet
AB-619 State government: emergency services: nonprofit service providers. Introduced by Assembly Member Vince Fong. (2023-2024)
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB619
- AB 619 Fact Sheet
SB-336 State grant programs: negotiated indirect cost rates. Introduced by Senator Umberg. (2023-2024)
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB336
- SB 336 Fact Sheet
SB-557 California Prompt Payment Act: nonprofit organizations. Introduced by Senator Monique Limón. (2023-2024)
- https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240SB557
- SB 557 Fact Sheet
Partner/Panelist Bios (View PDF)
Partners
- Dena Jenson, Director, CLU Center for Nonprofit Leadership
- Mike Silacci, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Ventura County Community Foundation
Panelists
- Kelly Brown, Community Impact Officer, Interface Children and Family Services
https://www.icfs.org
- Nicki Parr, Chief Operating Officer, Women's Economic Ventures
https://www.wevonline.org
- Lisa Safaeinili, Executive Director, Westminster Free Clinic
https://westminsterclinic.org
- Lucas Zucker, Member, Central Coast Climate Justice Network
https://www.cccjn.org
Resources
- CalNonprofits: https://calnonprofits.org
The California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) is a statewide membership organization that brings nonprofits together to advocate for the communities we serve.