Member Spotlight: Emmaus Services for the Aging

We believe seniors deserve a dream, not just a memory.

Step through the doors at Emmaus Services for the Aging, a set of renovated row homes in the historic Shaw community, to see those dreams in the making.

In the second floor computer lab, seniors 60 and over are in the midst of an eight-week computer skills development course. In the first floor recreation room, they’re doing Yoga. Downstairs, at the “Feast for All Market,” they’re selecting quality, nutritious foods to supplement meals at home.

And in homes throughout Ward 2 and across the District of Columbia, seniors are receiving confidential visits from licensed social workers, home health screenings and monthly deliveries of free groceries.

Helping to create those dreams is a dedicated team of 13 staff, led by Rev. Joseph Williams, and more than 600volunteers. Together, they provided programs and services for more than 1,000 seniors in 2008–the organization’s 30th year serving the community. And as calls for safety net services increase, they’re gearing up to serve as many as 2,000 seniors this year.

The list of programs and services available to seniors through Emmaus is extensive. each—from light home cleanings,to eviction prevention, reassurance calls, blood pressure checks and emergency monetary assistance—contributes to the goal of helping seniors remain active, respected, independent and vital members of their community.

Collaborations help make it all possible.

As the DC Office of Aging’s Lead Agency for Aging Services for Ward 2, Emmaus receives all calls for senior services in the Ward. They network with other community organizations in an effort to create and maintain effective systems of care, sponsoring community planning meetings with organizations, developing and implementing structured outreach activities and maintaining a strong knowledge base of national and local aging populations, trends, needs and forecasts.

In collaboration with SeniorNet, the HFC Foundation and AT&T, Emmaus’ SeniorNet Computer lab, equipped with accessibility software, introduces seniors to computers and the Internet and helps them connect through on-line communities—decreasing isolation for those seniors who may be physically challenged.

With the Richard B. and Lynne V. Cheney Cardiovascular Institute at George Washington University, Emmaus is also helping to ensure that automated external defibrillators are available to those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest in buildings across the District.

Similar innovative collaborations are found throughout Emmaus’ work.

Behind the scenes.

In 2007, his first year as Emmaus’ executive director, Rev. Williams and the board of directors instituted a three-year strategic and resource development plan for the organization— which board members, staff and volunteers are active in implementing. Now, in year two of the plan and in the midst of current economic conditions, the team is already looking ahead toward future goals, activities to achieve them, and ways to meet an anticipated doubling of demand for services.

Opportunities like community room and library rentals as well as office subleasing in the group’s Shaw Center contribute to revenue.

Monthly reports track quantifiable objectives and outcomes for the number of volunteer hours associated with each activity, financial revenue and projections, new seniors served and the level of service used in each program area.

A Senior Advisory Council, with a 14-member board comprised entirely of seniors receiving services from Emmaus, meets monthly with program staff to provide feedback on existing programs and offer insights into new ones.

Weekly staff meetings help the team compare achievements on paper with stated objectives—and ultimately Emmaus’mission: to build trust with seniors to provide advocacy and services that help them remain active, respected, independent and vital members of their community.

Click here to learn more about Emmaus Services for the Aging and to find out what you can do to help support their mission.

This member Spotlight was originally published in the March/April 2009 Nonprofit Agenda, a bi-monthly publication of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.

Center members, would you like to be featured in an upcoming Member Spotlight? Contact Beth Hess to learn more.

Join the Corporate Social Enterprise Initiative

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement has launched a new Corporate Social Enterprise Initiative to create partnerships between like-minded corporations and nonprofits in the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

This initiative provides financial and in-kind charitable support to increase the capacity of area nonprofits—directly benefiting the people and neighborhoods they serve.

Nonprofits benefit from:

• Much needed support for capacity building, training and technical assistance
• In-kind contributions to include supplies, equipment and corporate volunteers
• Access to Center for Nonprofit Advancement resources
• Support for long-term sustainability

Corporations benefit from:

• Demonstrated commitment to community benefit in the areas you serve
• Visibility among area policy makers, corporate decision makers and nonprofit organizations
• Increased business revenue as a result of your support for nonprofit capacity building

Click here to learn more about the Corporate Social Enterprise Initiative and how you can get involved.

Click here to read more about Charter Social Enterprise Partner, Kear IT, in the Center's 30th anniversary publication with SmartCEO magazine.

Nominate an Outstanding Nonprofit Leader

The Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award

An Award to Recognize and Honor Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is pleased to accept nominations for the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award.

This competitive award spotlights up to three outstanding nonprofit leaders in the Washington metropolitan area for outstanding nonprofit chief executive leadership. Candidates must show leadership excellence in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, inclusiveness/diversity and/or ethical integrity.

The competition is open to any chief executive of a Washington-area nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $10 million and under.

Each winner receives a $5,000 professional development account to use in their role as an organization’s chief executive. In addition, the winning organization receives a $2,000 grant to provide professional development opportunities for their staff.

Any individual meeting the competition’s requirements may be nominated. There is no fee to participate. Board members, staff members, volunteers, clients or community members can nominate chief executives.

The nomination deadline is June 30. Click here to download the nomination packet.

If you are considering nominating an outstanding Washington-area chief executive for the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award, members of the Selection Committee can help you! Join them Friday, May 8, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. for a free, EXCEL Award Application Workshop.

Tips on what the committee looks for in a winning application and the selection process will be discussed. This workshop is not a requirement for award participation.

Register Now for this free event!

Is your name here?

The 10th Annual Public-Private Partnership Conference is just days away (Thursday, May 7). If your name isn't already on the list, register today!

When: May 7, 2009, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: Washington Convention Center, 801 Mount Vernon Place, NW

Click here to learn more.

Free Workshop: Workplace Giving: A Strategy for Diversification

Join the Foundation Center-Washington, D.C. for a free workshop on Thursday, April 30, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on Workplace Giving. Speakers include Don Sodo, President and Chief Executive Officer, America's Charities; and Steven Sanderson, Chief Development Officer, United Way of the National Capital Region.

Click here for additional information and to register.

Grant Opportunity: Neighbors in Need Fund

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is accepting applications to the Neighbors in Need (NIN) Fund.

Grants will be awarded to nonprofit direct service organizations whose primary purpose is to help low-income and disadvantaged adults and children meet basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, emergency financial assistance, and foreclosure prevention. Priority will be given to groups experiencing an increase in demand for service (within the past 12 months) as a result of the current economic crisis.

The deadline to apply is 4 p.m. on Monday, May 18. Click here for additional information and to download the application materials.

Community Forum on The Forward Together Declaration

“Empowering Greater Washington for the Change We Need”

Come join nonprofit, corporate and community leaders, volunteers and Board Members from around our metropolitan region to learn more about The Forward Together Declaration on Wednesday, May 20.

Lester Salamon, the convener of ‘Forward Together’ will facilitate and lead a discussion on short-term and long-term next steps and how national organizations as well as other regions are connecting. Hundreds of civic, nonprofit and other leaders around the county have signed on to this new declaration to declare that the Federal government has not done enough to help them weather the economic meltdown. What steps should be taken to improve nonprofit performance, financing, and relations with government?

Co-hosted by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Community Foundation for the National Capital Area, Leadership Greater Washington, Nonprofit Roundtable, United Way of the National Capital Area.

Special Cost: Free

Special Location: 1201 15th St., NW in the District (NAHB Building)

Register Now

Join Us Next Week

We hope to see you next week at one of these upcoming workshops at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Click each listing below for event and registration details.

• April 28: Grant Writing for Greater Impact: A Grant Writing Practicum
• April 28: How to Lead a Charismatic Organization
• April 29: How to Jump-Start Your Grants Program in a Down Economy
• April 29: Best Practices in Individual Giving for a Small Development Shop
• April 30: Leadership Care: Preventing Burnout in Times of Economic Stress

President signs the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

On April 21, President Obama signed a historic expansion of national service programs, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, into law. Click here to learn what this new legislation will do to improve and expand national and community service programs, and strengthen the infrastructure for volunteerism within the nonprofit community.

Click here to see how local nonprofits played a part.

Shared Back Office Support Launched for Greater Washington Region Nonprofit Organizations

Center for Nonprofit Advancement Continues Efforts To Address Decreasing Revenue and Increasing Demand for Nonprofit Services


The Center for Nonprofit Advancement announced today the launch of Back Office in a Box (BOB), a suite of high-quality administrative services made available at a reasonable cost to nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Washington region including the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. The program, which begins with financial management and accounting (BOB Finance), is designed to help nonprofit leaders maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of their organizations.

Foundation partners supporting the creation and launch of BOB Finance include the World Bank Group and the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region. BOB Finance was developed in partnership with Real Change Strategies in response to the needs of the region’s nonprofit sector and the Center’s more than 800 member organizations.

According to a February Center survey of nonprofits across the region, 42% of nonprofits anticipate that giving will decrease this year. At the same time, more than half (60%) anticipate their organization will experience an increase in demand for services in 2009.

“This is one more resource we are providing for nonprofit organizations to meet the increased demand for services amidst drastic funding cuts,” said Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie. “Our leaders are being forced to do even more with less revenue. High quality financial statements will help inform critical decision making.”

BOB Finance is powered by Easy Office, a team of expert nonprofit finance professionals highly skilled in accounting software, including QuickBooks, and financial management and operational processes specifically designed for nonprofits. Examples of service offerings include: management reporting and financial restructuring, transactional bookkeeping, monthly financial reporting, grant tracking and audit preparation.

“For nearly 30 years, the Center has leveraged its robust membership of more than 800 nonprofits to obtain quality goods and services at a reasonable cost for all,” said O’Gilvie. “The Center has long provided access to group health benefits and retirement plans, liability insurances and an unemployment program. Today we add financial services to this suite of offerings and we will not stop there.”

“BOB is a powerful concept whose time has come. The Center is again leading a trend that is gathering momentum nationwide and we’re excited to be a part,” said Jeff Russell, Easy Office CEO. “Focused back office support can really improve nonprofits’ efficiency, accuracy and effectiveness. Back office administration drains most people and we exist to help them focus on their programs, their missions and their true passions.”

Research shows that there is a tremendous need in the nonprofit sector for improved financial management. Indiana University’s Nonprofit Overhead Cost Study Project reveals that more than 50 percent of nonprofits do not follow the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); only 16 percent of nonprofits followed the IRS guidelines for properly filing their IRS 990 form; and 50 percent of nonprofits submit inaccurate cost allocations that make their overhead allocations (% program vs. % administration/fundraising) look worse than they really are.

Visit the Center's Web site to learn more.

The Coalition for Community Investment Supports the Equitable Income Tax Act of 2009

As part of the Coalition for Community Investment, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement has signed on to the following letter in support of the 2009 Equitable Income Tax Act, which would adopt revenue-raising measures without unduly burdening the most vulnerable DC residents in this time of economic crisis.

"The Coalition for Community Investments supports the Equitable Income Tax Act of 2009, a bill that would set a new income tax bracket for households earning more than $500,000. This proposal, which closely follows one of the Coalition’s revenue-raising recommendations, would raise revenues to address DC’s serious budget shortfall and help preserve services that support DC families and neighborhoods. The Equitable Income Tax Act would raise revenues in a progressive way, with no effect on low-and moderate income households. It offers a good alternative to several revenue proposals in the FY 2010 budget that would fall most heavily on low-income residents.

A number of states have established a new income tax rate for higher-income households in recent years, including Maryland, California and New Jersey — and other states such as Delaware are considering doing so. The new tax rate of 8.9 % in the DC bill would increase taxes by just $400 for a family earning $600,000. It would leave the DC’s top income tax rate below the top rate in the Maryland suburbs — now 9.45 percent when both state and county income taxes are considered.

Leading economists endorse this approach to addressing state budget deficits. Peter Orzag (now head of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget) and Nobel Prize-winner Joseph Stiglitz have noted that "tax increases on higher-income families are the least damaging mechanism for closing state fiscal deficits in the short run.”[1] They note that cuts in government programs can be damaging to local economies. Tax increases on higher-income families have a more limited effect because these families spend and invest much of their income outside of the local area and because modest tax increases are unlikely to affect their consumption.

The revenues that would be raised by the Equitable Income Tax Act could be used to restore funding to a number of programs that have been cut in recent years — such as affordable housing or pre-K education. These services are important to DC residents and to the DC economy.

The proposal to raise revenues through a new income tax bracket offers a good alternative to regressive revenue-raising provisions in the FY 2010 budget. The budget would eliminate cost-of-living adjustments to three tax benefits that are important to low-income families: the personal exemption, standard deduction, and property tax homestead deduction. And it would establish a new streetlight maintenance fee and increase the E911 fee, adding roughly $60 to annual utility bills for DC households. These would fall especially hard on low-income families who already struggle to pay utility bills and often face the threat of a utility shut-off.

In February 2009, the Coalition for Community Investment released recommendations for raising revenues or finding budget savings, including a recommendation to create a new bracket for families above a certain income level. The Coalition thus supports the Equitable Income Tax Act as one of several possible ways to raise revenues and preserve services, without adversely affecting low- and moderate-income families.

[1] Peter Orszag and Joseph Stiglitz, “Budget Cuts vs. Tax Increases at the State Level: Is One More Counter-Productive than the Other During a Recession?” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, revised November 6, 2001.

The Coalition for Community Investment represents over 160 D.C.-based businesses, congregations, nonprofit organizations and advocacy organizations that have come together in response to the District's budget crisis. The Coalition is working to ensure that the District maintains public investments that support neighborhoods and families during economic downturns. We urge Mayor Fenty and the D.C. Council to be transparent in their efforts to address the city's budget shortfall and to include residents in these important decisions. Further, the Coalition seeks a balanced approach to deficits, one that includes revenue increases and appropriate use of emergency reserve funds in addition to spending reductions."

Free Webinar: How to Handle Laying-off Employees

The Community Economic Development Project of the DC Bar Pro Bono Program is hosting a series of free webinars for nonprofits on dealing with employees. Each webinar is 60-75 minutes long. The presenters are lawyers from some of the top law firms in DC who specialize in counseling companies on employment law matters.

The next session at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21 looks at "How to Handle Laying-off Employees." Details below:

Session Topic: Given the difficult financial times we are in, many nonprofits may have to lay off some of their employees. This session will walk you through the legal steps you should take in order to avoid any claims of unfair treatment or discrimination and what your legal obligations are to the laid-off workers.

Presenter: La Tanya James, Morrison & Foerster

To register, e-mail Lauren Paley.

Join Us Next Week

We hope to see you next week at one of these upcoming workshops at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Click each listing below for event and registration details.

• April 21: Individual Giving: Discovering, Asking and Keeping Your Best Donors
• April 22: Doing the Difficult Work: Effectively Making Changes in Your Organization
• April 23: Speak and Be Heard: Communicating as a Dynamic Leader

Free Workshop: Fundraising Activities: Getting All the Legal Ins and Outs Right

From the DC Bar Pro Bono Program:

The DC Bar Pro Bono Program, in conjunction with DLA Piper and Pfizer Inc, is sponsoring a free videoconference seminar on Wednesday, May 13, on “Fundraising Activities: Getting All the Legal Ins and Outs Right.”

As charitable organizations come under greater public scrutiny, state regulators, the Internal Revenue Service and donors are devoting more attention to how charitable organizations raise money and their compliance with applicable laws. This seminar will discuss state charities registration requirements, including the multi-state uniform registration form and common exemptions from state rules, as well as special issues related to telemarketing, internet fundraising and commercial co-ventures.

This seminar also will address the IRS rules regarding acknowledging and receipting donations, determining the value of in-kind donations, and what kinds of gifts are and are not deductible, including rules related to galas and other special events. Finally, the IRS is encouraging nonprofits to establish gift acceptance policies to accept and process non-cash donations. This seminar will discuss the legal issues involved in establishing such a policy as well as the implications of various policy options.

The speakers will include an attorney with experience in state regulation of charitable fundraising, a consultant with expertise in gift acceptance and donor acknowledgement policies and attorneys who advise nonprofits on their fundraising activities.

This seminar is free. It runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and lunch will be served. The seminar will be held at the offices of DLA Piper US LLP, 500 8th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004. The offices are located right off the Gallery Place Metro Station (yellow, green and red lines).

The seminar is designed for executive directors, board members, fundraising professionals and finance directors.

To register, please e-mail registerdc@dlapiper.com.

(For those organizations located in Northern Virginia, there will also be a site at DLA Piper US LLP, 1775 Wiehle Avenue, Suite 400 Reston, Virginia. To register for the Northern Virginia site, please email registernova@dlapiper.com.)

Center Member Event: Nonprofit Survival Kit Summit & Awards Luncheon

Join the Human Services Coalition of Prince George's County for a half-day “Nonprofit Survival Kit Summit & Awards Luncheon” on Wednesday, May 13, from 8:30 am to 2:30 p.m. at the Prince George’s Ballroom.

In lieu of the annual full day Empowerment conference, this is your opportunity for superior focus on new ways to work, create and collaborate for sustainability and future growth. Panel discussions, with Chuck Bean and Carolyn Mambu, offer practical material presented in an intimate yet no-holds-barred setting give you the tools you need to map your organization’s short and long-term success.

Click here for details. Click here to register.

Street Sense Reports: Nonprofits in Peril

Pick up the current issue (April 15 to April 28) of Street Sense for a look at how some of our local homeless shelters are weathering the current economic storm.

Apply Now: 2009 Technology Innovation Awards

Is your nonprofit effectively using technology in your operations to fundraise, communicate, advocate, or even change the world?

NPower Greater DC Region, a nonprofit technology consulting firm serving other nonprofits and foundations, is now accepting online applications for the 2009 Technology Innovation Awards (TIA), presented by Accenture. This is a very short application that can be completed in under an hour. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 12.

Now in its fifth year, the TIA recognizes nonprofits in the Greater DC area whose innovative use of technology enables them to more effectively fulfill their missions. Two nonprofits will each receive an NPower Technology Assessment and free Microsoft software.

Award applications will be judged by Accenture and a panel of judges from the local business community, including AOL, Capital One, Microsoft, Washington Post, XO Communications, and more! The finalists will have an opportunity to make a live presentation to the panel.

To learn more about the Awards and obtain tips on how to write a strong application, you can register for a FREE 30 minute Technology Innovation Awards webinar:

• Thursday, April 30 at 2:00 p.m.
• Tuesday May 26 at 2:00 p.m.

Questions can be directed to Matthew Coffman at (202) 234-9670. Click here for more information about NPower Greater DC Region and the TIA.

Click here to Apply Online today!

Center Member Event: 13th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser

Miriam's House 13th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser

MIRIAM'S STORY, MIRIAM'S SONG

Special Guest Narrator: JC Hayward of WUSA*Channel 9 News

Miriam's Story, Miriam's Song is an original program written by founding Executive Director, Carol Marsh. The stories of two former residents and of Miriam's House are woven together with art and music in a unique format that celebrates 13 years of Miriam's House, and, more importantly, the courage and spirit of the women who live and have lived here.

When: Tuesday, May 12; Doors open for Reception at 6:00pm, Program begins at 6:30pm
Where: True Reformer Building1200 U Street, NWWashington, DC 20009

Click here for additional information and to purchase tickets.

How Nonprofits, Foundations and Public Agencies Address Smart Growth, Affordable Housing and Social Equity

From the Montgomery County Planning Department:

An expert in housing and philanthropy will bring ideas to tackle development challenges, such as planning for affordable housing, to the Montgomery County Planning Board on Thursday, April 23 as part of its Growing Smarter Speaker Series.

Rick Cohen, a thought-provoking author who once directed the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy, will explore the role of nonprofit and private organizations in creating social equity as communities grow.

His talk, “Leveraging the Role of Organizations in Housing and Development,” is the latest in a series of presentations as part of the board’s 2009 series. Cohen’s focus on what nonprofits might bring to the discussion of diverse housing needs is of interest to the Planning Board as it prepares to approve a new housing plan and form recommendations for the 2009-2011 Growth Policy.

Cohen will make a case that the civic sector has an even greater role to play during times of economic crisis. He will cover what nonprofits, foundations and public agencies should be doing to address smart growth, affordable housing and social equity during the economic downturn, particularly in the dynamic communities of Montgomery County.

With governments strapped for funds, Cohen’s message about what foundations around the nation are supporting in the areas of smart growth is timely. He will lay out the opportunities he sees for partnership and collaboration between nonprofits, foundations and government in good planning and development and what government might look to nonprofits to accomplish.

Cohen writes for Nonprofit Quarterly magazine, the nation’s premier journal of nonprofit policy and practice, as national correspondent and editor of the widely read Cohen Report. Cohen’s writing advocates increased philanthropic giving and access for disadvantaged and disenfranchised constituencies.

Prior to directing the philanthropic organization, he served as vice president of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation in charge of national strategic planning, vice president of the Enterprise Foundation directing field programs, and director of Jersey City’s Department of Housing and Economic Development. Cohen continues to provide consulting services to nonprofits, foundations and government agencies. He also worked for the Trust for Public Land in New York City and began his professional career as a planner with Action for Boston Community Development, one of the nation’s original anti-poverty agencies.

When: Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Park and Planning Headquarters auditorium, 8787 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring

Click here for additional information.

Join Us Next Week

We hope to see you next week at one of these upcoming workshops and events. Click each listing below for event and registration details.

• April 15: Conducting Effective Performance Appraisals
• April 15: How Nonprofits Can Capture Media Attention
• April 15: Volunteer Boot Camp
• April 16: Fundraising Communications: Managing Your Message To Raise More Money
• April 17: Center 101

Area Leadership Programs Seek Class of 2010 Applicants

Leadership programs around the region are accepting applications for the 2009-2010 program year. Each provides local leaders the opportunity to participate in networking and community knowledge-building programs.

Check out the March/April issue of the Nonprofit Agenda for a list of local programs, application deadlines and contact information. Download the PDF or click here for the current and past issues of the Nonprofit Agenda.

A video preview of the Center

Center Member Event: 7th Annual Carpenter’s Cook-Off at The Birchmere

More than 20 area restaurants offer their finest tastings at Alexandria’s best family fun event! Join Center member Carpenter's Shelter for food, fun and great live music as Carpenter's Shelter raises money to support homeless children and families.

7th Annual Carpenter’s Cook-off
When: Sunday, April 26, 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Where: The Birchmere, 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305

Click here for details and to purchase your ticket.

Center Member Event: 2009 Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards

Dive into volunteerism: attend the Fairfax County Volunteer Service Awards Breakfast on Friday, April 24, presented by Center member Volunteer Fairfax.

When: Friday, April 24, Doors open at 7:30 a.m., Ceremony from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Where: Fairview Park Marriott, 3111 Fairview Park Dr., Falls Church, VA 22042
Deadline to RSVP: April 15

Click here for additional and to purchase a ticket.

Grant Opportunity: Children and Youth Education Issues

The law firm of Ober, Kaler, Grimes & Shriver (OberKaler) is accepting grant applications from nonprofit organizations serving at-risk youth living in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Two grants totaling $10,000 and one totaling $15,000 will be awarded for programs focused on educating, clothing, sheltering or feeding disadvantaged youth living in these areas.

Applications are due by Monday, August 3. Visit the Web site for additional information and application guidelines.

Comment on the New Form 990

The IRS is accepting comments on the redesigned Form 990 (the return that charities and other tax-exempt organizations are required to file annually) and would like to hear from you. E-mail your comments for consideration in future revisions of the Form 990, schedules and instructions.

Click here information on the new Form 990.

Center Meets with Turkish NGOs

On Monday, four Turkish human and civil rights experts visited the Center for Nonprofit Advancement through the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program.

As one of their first stops in the U.S., the group met with Center CEO Glen O'Gilvie and Director of Communications and Membership Beth Hess to learn about the nonprofit sector both nationally and locally. Some key differences between nonprofits in our two countries:

• Tax incentives for charitable contributions to nonprofits/NGOs (Non-governmental organizations) in Turkey are scarce.
• While nonprofits in the United States number in the millions, in Turkey, they can be counted in the thousands.
• Rather than deliver services, Turkish NGOs often serve as a watchdog for government services.

Make Connections

Meet recent new and renewing members of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement!

• Adoption Center of Washington
• Baltimore Yearly Meeting
• Digital Library Federation
• Dominican Retreat
• Envelope Manufacturers Association
• Hope House
• IONA Senior Services
• Israel Policy Forum
• Landscape Architecture Foundation
• National Forum for Black Public Administrators
• NPower Greater D.C. Region
• Poverty & Race Research Action Council
• Public Leadership Education Network
• Sasha Bruce Youthwork
• Sitar Arts Center
• United States International Council on Disabilities
• Us Helping Us, Inc.

Helping You Meet Economic Challenges: Reduced Rates at Nonprofit Careers

In our ongoing effort to provide tools and resources to help your nonprofit succeed in today's economy, the Center is pleased to introduce new, reduced rates for job postings at Nonprofit Careers.

Now post your job listing for 30 days for just $50 for Center members and $100 for all others (that's a savings of 50% per listing!). Target your recruiting and reach qualified candidates quickly and easily with Nonprofit Careers.

Free Training Call: What Should a Website Cost?

The Network for Good Learning Center is hosting a free training call on Tuesday, April 7 at 1 p.m. to help you answer the question, "What Should a Website Cost?"

Click here to learn more about, or register for, this session.

Explore the Benefits of Center Membership

Curious about the many ways that the Center for Nonprofit Advancement can help your nonprofit succeed?

Join us for the next Center 101 on Friday, April 17, to learn about the many membership benefits – programs and services – of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Come and network with other nonprofit leaders, meet the Center staff and talk to the representatives of our Group Buying programs.

This presentation is perfect for new and potential members. It is also great for current Center members who want a refresher on their many membership benefits.

Event Details:

When: Friday, April 17, 9:15–11:00 am
Where: Center for Nonprofit Advancement, 1666 K Street, NW, Suite 440 Washington, DC 20006
Cost: Free

Register now!

How to Lead a Charismatic Organization

Wouldn't you like to make your nonprofit more charismatic in these tough economic times?

Join the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington on Tuesday, April 28 for a discussion with Shirley Sagawa, founding Managing Director of the Corporation for National and Community Service, about the concepts in her new book, The Charismatic Organization.

Not every charismatic leader runs a successful organization, and not every successful organization has a charismatic leader. Rather, nonprofit boards and staff through careful design and active outreach can build an organization that is both effective and enduring. They can do so by investing the non-profit with crucial qualities we see in all highly charismatic nonprofits and by using proven methods that have succeeded in all types of organizations.

Event details:
When: Tuesday, April 28, 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Where: Carnegie Endowment, 1779 Massachusetts Ave, NW Washington, DC
Cost: Free

Space is limited--register today!

From OMB Watch: "How Nonprofits Helped America Vote: 2008"

How Nonprofits Helped America Vote: 2008, a recent report by OMB Watch, "documents the various ways that nonprofit organizations helped to register, inform, mobilize, and protect voters during the 2008 election season."

Click here for background or download the report PDF.

Member Spotlight: Our House

Carpenters. Beekeepers. Organic Farmers. Stewards of Sustainability.

These may not be the first words that come to mind when you think about at–risk adolescents, but they are titles that readily apply to the residents of Our House Job Training Center for Youth.

For more than 15 years, this Montgomery County nonprofit has provided a home, hands–on instruction in carpentry and other construction skills as well as academic and life skills classes to adolescent men between the ages of 16 and 21.

As a residential program, Our House provides services and support to its residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This intensive program isn’t for everyone, but there is a waiting list to get in.

Students spend 40 hours per week in a construction and renovation training program which provides hands–on experience in carpentry, drywall, electricity and plumbing. This work is not studied in the classroom, but rather on the job site as students renovate homes and buildings.

Weekday evenings are devoted to academic classes, life skills classes and group therapy sessions. Weekends include participation in weekly community service projects ranging from adding a wheelchair ramp to a senior citizen’s home to renovating the lower level of a local church.

But that’s not all. Our House is also home to two organic farm plots, honey bee colonies and a woodshop.

Residents may choose to tend and cultivate the farm’s organically grown crops, dividing the proceeds when goods are sold to local restaurants and residents. They may also choose to help in harvesting honey from their bee colonies,dividing proceeds from honey sales.

Running through it all is a respect for the land, people and resources. Step inside the student’s woodshop and you’ll find tables patiently crafted from salvaged wood. Duck into a small room tucked into the side of a barn to see shelves lined with ceramic vases and masks created by the students and fired in a donated kiln. Step around the side of the woodshop to see storage units constructed by the students to hold wood salvaged from a neighborhood barn awaiting its own turn in the woodshop.

A dedicated group of staff and volunteers, led by Founder and executive Director Richard Bienvenue, makes the work of Our House possible. The result: 80 percent or more of the students who complete the Our House program are employed and doing well. The recidivism rate among graduates is approximately 14 percent compared to the state of Maryland’s rate of approximately 60 percent.

Click here to learn more about Our House and to find out what you can do to help support their mission.

This member Spotlight was originally published in the November/December 2008 Nonprofit Agenda, a bi-monthly publication of the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.

Center members, would you like to be featured in an upcoming Member Spotlight? Contact Beth Hess to learn more.

Free Fundraising Seminar

Join Laura Fixler for a free seminar on creating sustainable funding in economically challenging times on Wednesday, April 29 from 3:00-5:00 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus in Arlington, Va. This seminar is being offered at no cost to nonprofits.

Click here to register. Questions? Contact Hayley Dale at 206-428-4354.

Congress Passes the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act

Following prompt Senate action last week, the House passed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, with the Baucus-Grassley Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment incorporated into the bill, on March 31. Thank you to everyone who picked up the phone in support of these measures!

Click here to learn more about the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the Nonprofit Capacity Building Amendment.

Click here to find out more on earlier action.

Seeking Host Agencies

Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s 2009 Summer Youth Employment Program is seeking host agencies for 2009.

Program Overview: The Department of Employment Services, Office of Youth Programs’ goal is to integrate learning opportunities and employment experiences to culminate in an enriched and meaningful summer for District residents between 14 – 21 years old.

Organizations interested in hosting youth can contact Anahlisia Samuels at (202) 698-4786. The deadline to submit a host agency agreement is April 20. Click here for additional information.