Friday, August 28, 2009

Center Members: See Your Organization on TV


Through a new partnership with the Public Access Corporation of the District of Columbia (DCTV), Center for Nonprofit Advancement members have the opportunity to share their work and best practices with more than 300,000 in the community including potential volunteers, funders, clients and policy makers.

The Center and DCTV will launch a new channel this fall to highlight the work of local nonprofits and provide resources, training and tips for nonprofit professionals, board members and volunteers.

Center Members, your existing video content may be eligible to air on the nonprofit TV channel! Share your PSAs or other videos highlighting your organization, its services or work in the community.

Member Contributed Video Content:

If you have video that…

  • tells a story about your organization
  • tells a story about your cause
  • profiles a client, service or resource
  • covers an event or interview
  • gives an introduction to your organization

…please share it with us!

Videos should meet the following technical specifications:

  • Length: any length up to 30 minutes maximum
  • Format: DVD or DVCAM

How to Submit:

Center members, send information about your content and/or a link to existing footage posted online to Beth Hess, Center director of communications and membership. Content will be reviewed on a rolling basis. For final consideration, all footage will need to be submitted in hard copy.

Not yet a Center member? Join today! Click here to learn more.

Questions?

Please contact Beth Hess at 202-457.0540.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Free Workshop: How the New IRS Form 990 Impacts Your Organization

On Thursday, September 24 in Bethesda, Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman, CPAs (GRF) is hosting a free workshop that focuses on the significant changes to the IRS Form 990.

Two nonprofit tax specialists from Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman will explain exactly how the form has changed and provide practical tips on completing the new Form 990 and interpreting the many new instructions (which run over 300 pages!).

Click here for additional information or here to register.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Health Reform: What Nonprofit Employers Need to Know

The Center for Non-Profits, in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits, is presenting a special Webinar briefing on Thursday, August 27 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. on what nonprofit employers need to know about health reform.

Learn how the different federal health reform proposals would affect nonprofit employers. What are the particular concerns of nonprofits on this issue? How can nonprofits educate the media, the public and policy makers about our unique issues?

Special Cost: $40 for Center members; $55 for others. Space is limited.

Click here for additional information or to register.

Click here for a side-by-side comparison
by the Kaiser Family Foundation of the House and Senate Health Reform bills.

Grant Opportunity: Neighbors in Need Fund Systems Reform Grants

The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is accepting applications for Neighbors in Need Fund Systems Reform Grants. Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations within the greater Washington region for systems reform efforts focused on strengthening the safety-net infrastructure and helping people mitigate the effects of the current economic recession. The Fund is interested in proposals that support Advocacy/Organizing and Alignment/Coalition-Building to Improve Service Delivery. Funding is available to support Implementation Grants of up to $75,000. The Fund will award a total of up to approximately $500,000 in grants.

A Grantseeker Information Session webinar will be held on Tuesday, September 15 from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. The number of participants is limited. Register online no later than Tuesday, September 8.

Click here for additional information and the full Guidelines and Request for Proposals. Applications must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Grant Opportunity: Make a Difference Day

From Serve DC:

"The Mayor’s Office on Volunteerism is offering grants to support community service projects organized for 2009 Make A Difference Day, October 24, 2009, the most encompassing national day of helping others. Three grants worth up to $3,700 each will be awarded."

Applications are due by 12:00 pm on Tuesday, September 8. Click here for additional information.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Special Series for New Nonprofit Executive Directors--Register Today!

Is there anything more challenging than leading a Washington area nonprofit organization? How about being new to the executive role, too? If you're a new executive director (two years or less of experience), join the Center for Nonprofit Advancement for Start Smart!

This is a four-part series tailored specifically for new executive directors. Each session will focus on essential skills and strategies to successfully meet the challenges of executive leadership in today's fast-paced nonprofit sector.

The 2009 series begins September 11. Class size is limited to 20, so reserve your seat today! Click here for additional information.

Our thanks to The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation for the generous financial support and leadership in developing this new program.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Registration Open: Communicate Organizational Impact Through Storytelling

Join the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and Booz Allen Hamilton on Wednesday, September 30 in McLean, Va., and learn how to use your organization's most powerful communications tool— your story. Use storytelling to cultivate connections to your organization, help people better understand what you do, make a strong case for support and attract new donors, and deepen relationships with all of your constituencies.

The moderated panel discussion will focus on these key areas:
  1. Laying the groundwork and how to understand and re-purpose your organization's story
  2. The effective use of evaluation data and metrics as part of your story
  3. The impact on revenue, your donor base, and volunteers
  4. Engaging your board
The session will be moderated by Kathy Jankowski, director of special projects, The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington. Panelists include Isaac Castillo, director of learning and evaluation, Latin American Youth Center; Amy Harbison, director of communications, Meyer Foundation; George Jones, executive director, Bread for the City; and Brooks Kenny, president, Promoting Public Causes.

Event Details:
Date: September 30, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Booz Allen Hamilton Newman Auditorium, McLean, VA or via the Web
Cost: $25 (space is limited)

Click here for additional information. Click here to register.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Grant Opportunity: Social Justice and Racial Equity Fields

From The Partnership for Equity of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region.

"The Partnership for Equity (The Partnership) of The Community Foundation for the National Capital Region is seeking applications from non-profit community-based organizations in the greater Washington region to build the capacity of organizations working in the field of social justice and racial equity.

"Grants are intended to further the work of local nonprofits working to create racially equitable change by simultaneously supporting senior-level leaders and the nonprofit they lead through general operating support for the organization, paired with intensive technical assistance and peer-to-peer networking for the individual leader."

Proposals are due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9. Click here to learn more.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Seeking Applicants: Community Development Block Grant Program

From the Arlington Nonprofit Assistance Network:

"Nonprofit organizations serving low-income Arlington residents are invited by the Department of Community Planning, Housing and Development to submit proposals for funding through Arlington County's Community Development Fund and the Affordable Housing Investment Fund (AHIF). This invitation is midway through a two year grant cycle and limited funding is available July 1, 2010 (Fiscal Year 2011). These funds are Community Development Block Grant, Community Services Block Grant, and County General Funds.

"Requests for one year grants between $10,000 and $50,000 will be considered for services to support households in affordable housing developments, activities aimed at assisting low income residents reduce housing costs, and services to assist low income families and individuals to obtain and keep housing.

"Proposals are due by
September 14. Application materials are on the County Web site, or call (703) 228-3760 for more information."

Form 990 Filing Tips

The IRS has released a new set of Form 990 FAQs and tips for nonprofit organizations. The latest set addresses reporting of arrangements between the filing organization and its related organizations ("Schedule R" Related Organizations and Unrelated Partnerships).

Click here to view the FAQ and tips.

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.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Seeking Applicants: Community Project Proposals

The ELI Community Service Project Committee of the Emerging Leaders Institute (ELI), an initiative of Leadership Fairfax, is soliciting community project proposals for the 2009-2010 program year, which begins in September 2009.

If your organization project proposal is accepted, the project will be planned by a team of ELI class participants September through December 2009. Projects are executed January through May 2010.

The Leadership Fairfax program for emerging leaders is a 10-month leadership development program for emerging leaders in corporations, nonprofits, and the government. The program focuses on developing core leadership competencies, mentoring support and community service. ELI’s constituency are individuals (generally 25-35 years of age) who are moving up in their organizations and have the desire to sharpen their skills and learn how to give back to their community.

Project applications are due by September 10. Questions or requests for additional information can be addressed to Moniek Janczewski at 703.752-7504.

Save the Date!

Celebrating
Save the Date for the
Center for Nonprofit Advancement
Annual Celebration and Meeting

Thursday, October 29, 8:30-10:30 a.m.
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center


Join the Center as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Greater Washington region’s nonprofit sector in 2009 and 30 years of service to the community at this year’s Annual Celebration and Meeting. With a theme of “Building on Success,” the event will include addresses from the Center’s executive and president as well as recognize outstanding leaders from the region’s nonprofit and policy maker arenas.

The celebration will include the presentation of the
Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman EXCEL Award and the Phyllis Campbell Newsome Public Policy Leadership Awards.

Presenting sponsors for the 2009 Annual Meeting include
M&T Bank and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Benefits Trust.

Special Cost: $45 per ticket; Tables of 10 for nonprofits are $450; Tables of 10 for corporations are $1,000

Special Location: Pavilion Room, Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, D.C.

Register now to reserve your seat!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Seeking Proposals: Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building Program

Arlington Economic Development invites proposals for its’ Nonprofit Organization Capacity Building Program to be submitted by Thursday, September 3.

Selected Executive Directors and Board Members of local nonprofits will be given a detailed assessment that will include the use of the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the nonprofit's capacity overall. Once its critical capacity needs have been identified, we will work with the nonprofit over the next 12 months to address them and enhance its sustainability and impact.

For more information, contact Tara Miles at (703) 228-0853 or visit the Arlington Economic Development Web site for application materials.

Friday, August 7, 2009

Call for Applications: Cause Consulting Nonprofit Communications

From the Center for Social Impact Communication.

"The Center for Social Impact Communication (CSIC) at Georgetown University is accepting applications from area non-profits to receive eight months of strategic communications consulting from its Public Relations/Corporate Communications masters degree students.

"Now in its third year the Cause Consulting program an initiative of the Center for Social Impact Communication in the Masters of Professional Studies in Public Relations and Corporate Communications is a two semester course that teaches students how to build the capacity of non-profit organizations through strategic communications. The course offers an applied learning experience by enabling students to work directly with non-profits to develop and implement a communications plan. The first semester students work with the client to learn about the organization and their communications goals while the second semester of the course is focused on implementation of the plan.

"The program serves a dual purpose, to provide hands on training for its students while also helping DC area nonprofits build their communications capacity.

"To apply for the program, fill out the
Cause Consulting Application Questionnaire. For more information about the Cause Consulting program, please click here."

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Hear Best Practices in Nonprofit Management

Five locally-based finalists for the The Washington Post 2009 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management shared best practices on a range of management areas with more than 300 members of the region's nonprofit community during The Washington Post 2009 Award Best Practices Workshop and Awards Presentation.

If you missed the 2009 workshop, be sure to catch it on DCTV throughout the coming weeks. Coverage airs on DCTV 1, Comcast 95 and RCN 10 on Friday, Aug. 7 at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 9 at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9:00 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21 at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 23 at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 30 at 6:00 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 4 at 11:00 a.m.

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Meet a Member: American Association of Suicidology

Tucked quietly in the back of an office building on Wisconsin Avenue, the American Association of Suicidology (AAS) appears modest and humble. With five full-time staff members, it is impressive that they are able to accomplish so much in any given calendar year. Not surprising, though, as they have had forty-three years to improve upon their best practices and gain the support of members, volunteers, interns, contractors and collaborators.

The goal of the American Association of Suicidology is to understand and prevent suicide. Where many suicide prevention programs work directly with those affected by suicide such as survivors and people in crisis, AAS is doing research to learn more about it. They strive to achieve this mission every day by directing efforts to advance Suicidology as a science; encouraging, developing and disseminating scholarly work in Suicidology; encouraging the development and application of strategies that reduce the incidence and prevalence of suicidal behaviors; compiling, developing, evaluating and disseminating accurate information about suicidal behaviors to the public; fostering the highest possible quality of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention to the public; publicizing official AAS positions on issues of public policy relating to suicide, and promoting research and training in Suicidology.

The American Association of Suicidology hosts an Annual Conference with more than 800 attendees including researchers, clinicians, survivors, school personnel, volunteers and other mental health professionals. Furthermore, it hosts a conference specifically for those who have lost someone to suicide and another for crisis center staff and volunteers.

AAS publishes a bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal, the only of its kind, titled Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior. Also published are newsletters for survivors, newsletters for members and a follow-up after each Annual Conference.

In addition to research, conference hosting and publishing, AAS provides suicide survivor services, training and four accreditation programs: organizational accreditation for crisis centers, individual accreditation for crisis center professionals, individual accreditation for school suicide prevention specialists and certification in forensic suicidology to certify individuals who provide testimony in legal cases involving suicide.. The organization recently hired a Training and Accreditation Director.

Recently, the American Association of Suicidology launched a nationwide fundraising campaign called "A Million Voices" to benefit survivor services. The campaign aims to raise one million dollars, one at a time, from one million people.

A Center member since 1996, AAS utilizes a number of Center benefits including access to group buying programs.

Click here to learn more about the American Association of Suicidology.

[Thank you to Center intern Lindsay Smith for contributing this post.]

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

Monday, August 3, 2009

Grant Opportunity: The National Harbor Fund Community Outreach Grant Fund

The Prince George's Community Foundation is accepting Letters of Intent from organizations serving residents of Prince George's County for the National Harbor Community Outreach Grant Fund (NHCOGF). NHCOGF supports organizations providing community, civic, educational and employment services for residents of Prince George’s County. The application deadline is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14.

Click here to learn more. Click here to download the Letter of Intent submission materials.

Final Regulations Published for "e-Postcard"

From the IRS: "The IRS and Treasury Department have issued final regulations clarifying how and when certain small tax-exempt organizations must file the annual electronic notice. The final regulations finalize the temporary regulations without substantive change."

Click here to view a PDF of the final regulations. Click here for additional information about e-Postcard filing requirements.