On Friday, January 3rd, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Michael Sedillo as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services. Sedillo will oversee initiatives to improve nonprofit contracting processes, foster stronger partnerships with the city, and ensure timely payments for essential services provided by nonprofit organizations.
The announcement comes alongside significant strides made by the Adams administration to reduce delays in payments to nonprofit providers. As part of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services’ (MOCS) Payment Backlog Initiative launched in October 2024, over $1 billion was disbursed to nonprofits within three months, addressing more than 3,700 outstanding invoices. Additionally, reforms introduced last year have cut discretionary contract processing times by nearly 90% reducing an average wait of 366 days in Fiscal Year 2024 to just 46 days in Fiscal Year 2025.
“Nonprofit workers never hesitate to answer the call from our city,” said Mayor Adams. “The last thing they should have to worry about is getting paid on time. Today’s announcement is a step in the right direction, proving that reforms are working on cutting red tape, and agencies are sprinting to unlock hundreds of millions for providers. Leading our efforts to get that work done is Michael Sedillo, a leader with a track record of delivering for working-class New Yorkers.”
Deputy Mayor Ana Almanzar highlighted Sedillo’s ability to deliver results, stating, “Michael Sedillo has a proven track record of cutting through bureaucracy and driving results that directly benefit New Yorkers, especially those most in need. His leadership in reforming city contracting processes and unlocking critical resources for nonprofits has already made a significant impact,” she said.
Sedillo, who has worked extensively in city government, expressed his commitment to serving nonprofits and addressing the challenges they face. “I am a proud public servant with a clear North Star: Use the power of government to ensure people — especially those in need — understand they are not alone,” he stated.
The Adams administration also announced the creation of the Nonprofit FOCUS (Facilitating On-Time Contracting & Urgent Solutions) Working Group, which will meet weekly to oversee progress in reducing payment delays. This initiative builds on previous efforts, including a $741 million investment in cost-of-living adjustments for nonprofit workers and the launch of the city’s first Nonprofit Advisory Council.
Under Sedillo’s leadership, the city aims to strengthen partnerships with nonprofits, ensuring they can deliver essential services such as housing, health care, and community outreach without delays or financial uncertainty.
