2024 Nonprofit Power Players

Donna Lieberman has been the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union since 2001. She founded the NYCLU’s Reproductive Rights Project. During her tenure, the NYCLU has become the state’s leading voice for freedom, justice, and equality, especially for those whose rights are most at risk. Under her leadership, the NYCLU has developed an integrated strategy that combines litigation, public education, advocacy, and lobbying to promote and protect civil rights and civil liberties.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Policymakers can continue to engage with our expert staff and deliver on an uncompromising civil rights and civil liberties agenda.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Passing Prop 1 and enshrining abortion rights and anti-discrimination protections in the New York Constitution.

Luisa Lopez, executive director of the Latino Social Work Coalition and Scholarship Fund, has a distinguished background in government relations and social work advocacy. She has held pivotal roles with the Manhattan Borough President’s Office, NYC Council, and Congressman José E. Serrano. Luisa’s work spans national and local levels, focusing on breaking barriers in social work and advocating for culturally competent social workers to enhance public life and civic participation across New York.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
My favorite thing about working in nonprofits is the opportunity to create meaningful, lasting impact. It’s incredibly fulfilling to align efforts with a mission that directly empowers future social work leaders, strengthens their skills, and promotes equity in the profession. The collaborative spirit within these programs, where passionate mentors and mentees come together to grow and learn, is both inspiring and energizing. Seeing mentees thrive and succeed makes the hard work deeply rewarding.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Policymakers can support our organization by advocating for legislation like the Social Work Workforce Act, removing licensing barriers, and promoting workforce diversity. Investing in scholarships, mentorship programs, and continuing education can prepare future social workers to serve vulnerable communities. Additionally, allocating resources for culturally and linguistically competent social work services and partnering with us to amplify mental health and social work in legislative discussions will strengthen efforts to build a more equitable system.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
In 2024, the Latino Social Work Coalition celebrated its 24th year, marking over two decades of community impact. This year, we transitioned our mentorship program to an in-person format, offering hands-on enrichment opportunities and collaborations to support students’ social work education. We also surpassed awarding over $900,000 in scholarships in partnership with social work school partners across the state, empowering bilingual Latino/a/x MSW students to serve and uplift underserved communities.

David Ludwigson is the president and CEO of God’s Love We Deliver. David began his journey at God’s Love as a volunteer for 10 years before joining the staff in 2007. Through the years, the organization has grown exponentially. David serves on the advisory board of the National Food is Medicine Coalition and serves as an advisor to the nonprofit Project Eats in New York City.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
What we do makes a tangible difference to thousands of New Yorkers. The work that I do on a daily basis, along with our staff and volunteers, directly impacts so many lives. We are the only nonprofit provider of medically tailored meals in the city. That’s a great incentive to come to the office enthused and energized to make something good happen.

How can policymakers support your organization?
As a policymaker in the health care space, we can uplift and champion programs and policies that improve the quality of life of the LGBTQ+ community. At God’s Love, when we advocate for equitable access to medically tailored meals, we are taking active steps forward to close the gaps in health disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community. When an individual receives a medically tailored meal, their health outcomes improve, and their quality of life improves.  

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
God’s Love delivered 4.2 million meals and served more than 15,000 clients with the help of more than 23,000 volunteers – all-time records. The research is astounding. When clients have access to medically tailored meals, they go to the emergency room 70% less often and are 50% less likely to be admitted to the hospital. Medically tailored meals bring 60% net savings to the health care system.

Rickke Mananzala has been active in grassroots organizing, advocacy, and social justice philanthropy in service of racial, economic, and gender justice movements for more than two decades. He currently serves as president of the New York Foundation, which supports community organizing and grassroots advocacy for racial, economic, gender, and climate justice in New York City. Rickke serves on the board of the Public Welfare Foundation, Philanthropy New York, and Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
What I love most about working in the nonprofit sector is seeing how philanthropy can support communities in building their own power to solve problems. When philanthropy stands in true solidarity with grassroots movements, it fuels transformative change and helps turn bold visions for equity and justice into reality.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Policymakers can support the New York Foundation by ensuring nonprofits are paid on time for government contracts and provided with adequate resources to fairly compensate their staff and sustain their critical work in communities. They can support policies that create a stronger, more equitable environment for grassroots organizing and social justice efforts. By prioritizing timely payments and sufficient funding, policymakers can help amplify our impact and the resilience of the communities we support.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
We made over $6 million in grants to more than 60 community-led organizations doing powerful work advancing racial, economic, gender, and climate justice in communities across New York City and beyond.

Edward R. Matthews has been the CEO of ADAPT Community Network since 1989 following a career in NYS Government. During the past 33 years, Matthews has overseen the growth of the agency from supporting individuals and families in four boroughs of NYC to now supporting over 25,000 families and individuals in a wide variety of services in eight counties, including the Hudson Valley, and employing over 3,000 staff.

Patrick McGovern is the CEO of Callen-Lorde, which provides comprehensive, judgment-free health care regardless of ability to pay and pioneers research, advocacy and education to drive positive change for LGBTQ+ people. McGovern is a seasoned and accomplished executive in health care, previously holding roles as chief operations and strategy officer at Amida Care and VP of government affairs at Gilead. He was CEO at Harlem United from 1999-2010, where his leadership transformed access to HIV testing statewide.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
I have the privilege of working with passionate, intelligent and dedicated colleagues to shape policies and programs that contribute to a more just world where individuals and communities can thrive. And, I am happiest when I can directly interact with our patients and program members.

How can policymakers support your organization?
We have heroes in our legislatures and executive branches who recognize that our battles are not yet won. For instance, the HIV epidemic is not yet over and won’t be until there is equal access to testing, treatment, prevention and ultimately a cure. The right to marry was a tremendous victory but equality is not yet won when legislatures across the country enact anti-LQBTQ+ legislation. Our public policy heroes must keep up the fight.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Callen-Lorde was instrumental in advocating for state laws that will accelerate an end to HIV. First, a modernized HIV testing law in New York will make it a routine part of health care. Additionally, New York is expanding access to lifesaving treatment and prevention by prohibiting insurance plans from imposing prior authorizations for HIV treatment and PrEP along with no copays for PrEP and PEP. Game-changing advancements in HIV treatment and prevention are on the horizon.

Iman Mergen is the founder and executive director of We Belong Here, a leading nonprofit organization championing safety and social justice for communities in New York. With over a decade of activism in human rights and humanitarian causes, Mergen’s commitment to empowering marginalized communities shines through her work. Her advocacy has garnered attention from global platforms, reflecting her dedication to building a world where everyone has equal opportunities.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
I love so many aspects of my work, but some efforts that make me exceptionally proud have been the opportunities to spearhead several humanitarian, relief and advocacy efforts in New York and around the world.

How can policymakers support your organization?
Some important changes policymakers can make to support our work is prioritizing unrestricting general operating grants to AAPI-led organizations and serving communities.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
I strongly believe in positive change through collective action. Throughout 2024, the accomplishments that have made me the most proud have always involved some sort of collaboration and connection with communities that have shared values and align with the organization’s mission and vision.

Mark Meridy is the executive director of DOROT, a NYC nonprofit with the mission to address social isolation and loneliness among older adults and bring generations together. He serves on the Board of Directors of Generations United and the Steering Committee of the Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness. He has participated in Governor Hochul’s Master Plan on Aging Workgroup and Senator Gillibrand’s Workgroup on Aging.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
The people! Individuals who choose to commit themselves to the nonprofit sector, whether as employees, members of the board of directors, volunteers, or donors, are extremely dedicated to the cause for which they support. They are mission-driven, compassionate, and empathetic. Having spent my entire career in the nonprofit sector, it is empowering and extremely gratifying to see the positive impact nonprofits make in the community.

How can policymakers support your organization?
For DOROT, as well as the nonprofit sector at large, acknowledging the important work being performed by these invaluable and often overlooked organizations cannot be underestimated. This recognition validates the critical contributions being made. Policymakers can also make a significant difference by authorizing financial resources to DOROT and the overall sector. Every year we start fresh, having to raise the funds necessary to operate the organization, and this budget relief can make a significant difference.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
DOROT’s biggest accomplishment in 2024 was increasing the level of participation of older adults by 33%, engaging over 7,500 individual participants. This, coupled with engaging more than 6,000 volunteers, has enabled us to help fulfill our mission of addressing social isolation and loneliness. We are also proud of the fact that DOROT has received recognition for our work from “NYC Imagine Awards” and “City & State Nonprofit Trailblazer Award.”

Tia Morris is an advocate for equity, dedicating more than 25 years to improving educational opportunities for young people. In 1998, she began her teaching career with the NYCDOE through Teach For America and returned in 2020 as executive director. Tia has served as executive director for Teach For America New Jersey, a founding member of a school network, and held chief level central office positions in both the Newark and Camden school systems.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
Passion. Purpose. Persistence. These three words epitomize the character of so many that choose to work in nonprofits and these words also reflect the essence of why I love this field. The heart of the nonprofit sector is a belief that the world could be more just and a commitment to make it so. Therefore, the everyday heroes that dare to defy the odds are my favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector.

How can policymakers support your organization?
It would be catalytic for policymakers to alleviate barriers to entering the teaching profession. This could be done by providing educators with greater access to affordable housing, increasing compensation to account for inflation and cost-of-living, and shifting policies to make the certification process easier. Additionally, expanding innovative programs, such as high-dosage tutoring opportunities that accelerate student academics while also building a pipeline for the next generation of excellent educators would be a great support.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
Post pandemic, there are 600,000 fewer educators in public schools. As many districts still face a teacher shortage, especially in hard-to-staff subjects and under-resourced communities, we’re on a trajectory of growth. With 66% teachers of color and 61% licensed in special education, Teach For America NY remains one of the state’s largest and most diverse alternative teacher pipelines. Over 35 years, we’ve built a community of over 7,000 in New York.

Msgr. Greg is the founding CEO of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the largest grantmaking organization in New York dedicated to improving health outcomes for underserved communities. Previously, he led the daily operations of the Archdiocese of New York as the vicar general and chancellor. He holds a law degree from St. John’s University and has advanced degrees in canon law and theology from institutions in Rome.

What is your favorite thing about working in the nonprofit sector?
I find fulfillment in knowing that our efforts are focused on improving the health and well-being of vulnerable communities. I’m very privileged to have a talented staff that has built a collaborative environment to partner with and support a diverse group of nonprofit organizations. Most importantly, I truly value the opportunity to carry on the legacy of our namesake, Mother Frances Cabrini, who worked tirelessly for social justice and dedicated her life to serving the poor.

How can policymakers support your organization?
New York State policymakers are needed more than ever to protect and support the nonprofit sector. Together, we must continue to support organizations and initiatives that provide services to immigrant families with dignity and respect, strengthen the health care workforce, address food insecurity, and offer affordable and supportive housing. We must also create effective alternatives to increase access to health care in our rural communities and expand mental health services to New Yorkers of all ages.

What was your organization’s biggest accomplishment in 2024?
In just six years of grantmaking, the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation has provided over $800 million in essential funding to 2,700 organizations of all sizes, ranging from small community-based nonprofits to large health care systems in New York State. We are proud to share that by the end of 2024, we will reach a significant milestone – $1 billion in grant funding to support our mission to create a brighter future for millions of New Yorkers.