government grants as soon as the information hits the Federal Register. Of course, this list literally just scratches the surface of this organization, and what it provides.
While the largest membership sector of NPCC is comprised of social services agencies, arts-related organizations make up between 10 to 20 percent of the coordinating committee's 1100 members, according to Brown. NPCC's arts constituents are as diverse as its general membership, ranging from large organizations such as the Actor's Fund of America, Alliance of Resident Theatre/New York and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts to individual companies like Bond Street Theatre, Chekhov Theatre Ensemble, La Mama, Manhattan Theatre Club, MCC Theater and New York Theatre Workshop. Though the overall percentage of arts-related NPCC members is small, there is no structural reason preventing that number from increasing.
"NPCC embraces all the sub-sectors of the nonprofit world," Brown says.
"And while I think we are valuable to larger institutions, I think we are particular valuable to small nonprofits in the city. Because we provide resources in terms of referrals and basic information, network opportunities for people operating in small groups and tangible ways to saves on things that you could not get on your own."
Instead of focusing narrowly on the problems facing one sub-sector versus another subsector, the coordinating committee focuses on supplying programs and assistance that can benefit all of its nonprofit constituents.
The committee's most popular service is Staples Business Advantage. Brown estimates that more than 500 members use the office supply discount program, which makes 1,500 brand name supplies available to members at discounted prices through a custom NPCC member catalogue. Members also save on Staples full list of products and receive orders the following business day without needing to meet a minimum order requirement.
Roughly 400 members currently take advantage of NPCC's Directors' and Officers' Liability Insurance, a low-cost comprehensive policy that covers the organizational itself, its directors, officers, employees, trustees, committee members and volunteers at all locations. Coverage includes a number of liability issues and defense costs including some IRS Code violations such as excessive compensation.
About 20 percent of NPCC's membership participate in two retirement benefits plans sponsored by NPCC, in conjunction with Charles W. Cammack Associates, Inc. and Metropolitan Life.
In addition, Paychex offers significant discounts to NPCC members for its payroll and tax services. Meanwhile, NPCC makes its conference room available for rental to those companies short on meeting space. NPCC also has made arrangements with two labor relations attorneys to provide its members with their legal services at a reduced cost.
With its small staff size (five people with a couple part-timers), NPCC has its limitations.
"One thing we don't do is offer one-on-one technical assistance," Brown says.
But the workshops and programs they maintain manages to cover much of this ground.
"We try to provide workshops for all things that drive non-profit managers nuts," Brown says.
NPCC meetings touch on a wide variety of topics such as financial management, technology, personnel practices and health insurance trends and policies. Meetings are free to all organizational members.
"For the membership price, it really cannot be beat," says Michael McGuigan, managing director of Bond Street Theatre Company.
Bond Street Theatre has been a member of the committee for close to ten years. One of the reasons, McGuigan says, is that NPCC keeps business issues consistently on his radar screen. Plus he can always call Brown or another member of the staff with a question about press releases or computer networking and get directed to someone with an answer.
Even though Bond Street Theatre has not taken advantage of all NPCC has to often, McGonigan has seen enough to recommended them to other arts organizations and theatre companies.
"I think they are one of the better advocacy groups."
Floyd Rumohr, artistic director of the Chekhov Theatre Ensemble, also recommends the organization to any theatre company over three years old. The reason is that NPCC services are geared toward organizations with institutional goals, something most start-up companies have little (or no) time to consider at length. According to Rumohr, they are especially useful in the human resources management area.
"We deal with children," he says, adding: "So I need to know things like: Is it legal for me to do background checks on potential staff. If so, how could I do it? Are others doing it? Where can I get advice on it?"
Since September 11, NPCC has tried to take an active role in leading nonprofits through the attack’s aftermath.
"We have a portion of our Web site that is completely devoted to disaster-related information," Brown says.
This disaster page lists resources wanted, funding, loans and information resources, office, conference and meeting space availabilities, donated items and services as well as volunteer and donation opportunities in the New York metropolitan area.
Brown has no doubts that non-profits will endure the economic downturn and potential terror attack fallout.
Non-profits flourish in good times and bad times, she says, because they "lead with their hearts and provide for both essential and esoteric needs of the city."
And this fact is not lost on this city's citizenry.
"I think there is a pretty good understanding of nonprofits and what they do to keep the city running," Brown says.
How To Join
Joining the organization is easy. If your company is interested in joining the NPCC, you can either print out an application from the organization's Web site or request a copy sent through the mail. Fill in the information and send it in along with a check for the membership fee.
Fees are determined using a sliding scale geared toward budget size. But no matter how small your budget is, all services are available to all members.
To Those Starting a Non-Profit, NPCC Offers Advice
