Relating to: proclaiming October 2025 as Careers in Construction Month.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Rachael Cabral-Guevara and 8 co-sponsors

Designates August 17 as Permanent Nonprofit Day in New Jersey to recognize volunteers and nonprofits, with an annual governor's proclamation and public observances.

Failed to adopt pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

Summary: Senate Joint Resolution No. 96 (SJR 96) – Nonprofit Day in New Jersey

Purpose

Designate August 17th of every year as “Nonprofit Day” in New Jersey to recognize the contributions of nonprofit organizations and their volunteers and workers.

What the bill would do

Establish August 17 as “Nonprofit Day” permanently in New Jersey.

Require the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and call upon public officials and all New Jersey residents to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.

Take effect immediately upon enactment (per the introduced and related text).

Key provisions and content

Recognizes the essential role of nonprofit organizations, which operate for public or social benefit rather than profit.

Highlights the reliance on donations and volunteers to operate.

Provides context on the impact of nonprofits in New Jersey, including:

Approximately 1.5–1.8 million nonprofit volunteers nationwide (with New Jersey contributing roughly 1.8 million volunteers annually).
About 225 million hours of volunteer service in New Jersey each year.
Roughly 330,000 nonprofit employees in New Jersey, representing about 10% of the private sector workforce.
An estimated $5.3 billion in value to the state from nonprofit activities (services, employment, and volunteer contributions).

Notes that August 17 is already observed as Nonprofit Day nationally, and New Jersey would join this broader recognition.

Who/what would be affected

Nonprofit organizations operating in New Jersey (across all sectors and missions) and their volunteers and employees.

State and local government officials and agencies, which would be prompted to participate in observances and programs.

The general public, whose observance would be encouraged through proclamations and activities.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced in the New Jersey Senate on March 4, 2024.

Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee reported favorably on June 5, 2025; Senate passed the measure on June 30, 2025 (39-0).

The bill has moved to the Assembly, where it was received on July 24, 2025 and referred to the Assembly Committee on Community Development and Women’s Affairs.

Related companion: AJR 161 (same concept in the Assembly).

Potential impact

Primarily ceremonial and awareness-raising, with no explicit fiscal appropriation.

Aims to elevate public recognition of the nonprofit sector, potentially encouraging greater civic engagement, volunteering, and philanthropy within New Jersey.

Related information

Companion bill: AJR 161.

The designation would be permanent, reinforcing ongoing recognition of nonprofit contributions to state and local communities.