Don't be left out!

Excerpted from Nonprofits Count!:

Data collected by the Census next year will be used to determine a host of issues critical to the nonprofit community. Lower income and more mobile populations, precisely those served by many nonprofits, are frequently undercounted by the census, leading to underfunding of critical services and infrastructure and under-representation in government.

Nonprofits can play an important role in making sure their communities are fully and accurately counted by educating them on the importance of the census and how to participate.

Nonprofits Count, a project of the Nonprofit Voter Engagement Network (NVEN), has released a new Census Toolkit for Nonprofit Organizations. This toolkit is available free at http://www.nonprofitscount.org and includes information to help nonprofits get involved with the 2010 Census.

An Interview with Manny Hidalgo

Meet Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Winner Manny Hidalgo.

Manny has transformed the Latino Economic Development Corporation into a strong player in Latino and other cultural communities. The organization’s budget has grown by 30% every year under Manny’s leadership.

Manny is passionate about picking the right staff…and gives them the room to learn, shine and laugh. Manny knows what’s important in life, stressing that dedication to work and to home are equally important.

What does this award mean for you and your organization?
Manny: The EXCEL award is an immense honor for both me and my staff at the Latino Economic Development Corporation. Over the past five years, we at LEDC have really worked hard to change what we do through a comprehensive team building strategy involving every stakeholder in the organization. Our collective leadership has helped us double in size to help meet the critical need for quality small business, affordable housing preservation and homeownership services in the DC metro area. I’m honored to share this award with my staff and Board, and we hope to continue our innovative work within the Latino community and other underserved populations in the years to come.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit executive directors?
Manny: One of the best pieces of advice that I can offer is find a coach and mentor who helps you believe in your ability to bring change to an organization. When times are tough, you need to know you have the guidance from someone who’s been there before. Secondly, the quality of an executive director’s ongoing relationship with the board of directors is central when realizing your goals as an executive director. If you gain the trust of your board, you can do a lot of good for your organization. Lastly, recruit a passionate and innovative staff that embraces the journey of change with you.

An Interview with Pam Michell

Meet Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Winner Pam Michell.

Serving as New Hope Housing executive director for the past 20 years, Pam has built an organization that not only faces the immediate needs of the homeless in Northern Virginia, but also takes responsibility for seeking long-term solutions to break the cycle of homelessness.

Pam looks for greatness in individuals, even when their greatness has yet to be seen. She challenges and empowers staff. Seeing residents, staff and board soar to new heights is part of her style.

What does this award mean for you and your organization?
Pam: We executive directors don’t spend much time thinking about our leadership and what we do well. So to read the nomination, listen to four people sing my praises to the panel [from the selection committee], and then to win is both humbling and affirming. Most importantly, the Excel award is an opportunity to tell the story of homeless people and what the dedicated staff of New Hope Housing is doing to prevent and end homelessness.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit executive directors?
Pam: Believe passionately in your mission. Know your values and stick to them, come what may. Think beyond your agency to achieve the greater good. Tell it like you see it.

An Interview with Eleni Rossides

Meet Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Winner Eleni Rossides.

Eleni Rossides thought her seven-year career on the pro-tennis circuit was tough, until she took on the challenge of a lifetime, as executive director of the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (WTEF). In addition to juggling a 50-plus member board of directors, a small staff and a large annual event, under Eleni’s leadership the group seeks to build a second tennis center with land and approval from the District Government.

As a board member told us, Eleni did not predict this recession, but she did prepare the organization just in case to position WTEF to succeed in every economy.

What does this award mean for you and your organization?
Eleni: This award means a great deal to me and WTEF. We are in the middle of a very exciting time for WTEF as we plan to build a new, tennis education and community center in Ward 7 of Washington, D.C. Validation of the strength of the organization and its leader will be very helpful as we continue to execute plans to build the center to help the neediest children of the District and raise the funds to do so.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit executive directors?
Eleni: The EXCEL Award process has been an extremely helpful one to go through. Thinking through how one leads an organization and what leadership means to one’s organization is a very important process. It is important to take a step back and think through one’s strengths and weaknesses and where one would like to improve. I am thankful for this process and the award which enabled me to take the time to go through it.

An Interview with Dallice Joyner

Meet Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Honorable Mention Recipient Dallice Joyner.

As Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center, Dallice is leading an organization that works in the growing world of medical language interpretations – serving immigrant and other vulnerable communities in need of health information or facing a health crisis.

Dallice often says that if an employee leaves her organization as the same person, without growth or a broader comfort zone, then she has failed as a leader.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit leaders?
Dallice: Share. Keep your focus on what’s important for your organization. Work outside of your comfort zone.

What does this award mean for you and your organization?
Dallice: This award comes at a perfect time in our organization’s life. It serves as a spring board for our next level of growth. It markets and promotes our organization and expertise past our current realm of exposure. Since I plan to use the award money attend a special political school, it will propel us into a broader and more influential political arena.

An Interview with Aleta Margolis

Meet Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Honorable Mention Recipient Aleta Margolis.

Aleta is the chief inspirer at the Center for Inspired Teaching which exists to ensure schools make the most of children's innate desire to learn. They do this by investing in teachers.

Board members tell us that she pushes them to be a high impact board. Staff members are challenged professionally – think big/dream big. Teachers are transformed through Aleta’s charismatic and persuasive ideas…all while keeping the benefits of the kids in mind.

What does this award mean for you and your organization?
Aleta: It reflects positively on the critical work we do to support high quality education and teacher training in the District, and provides meaningful exposure for our expanding programs. It is an honor to be recognized within the greater community of outstanding DC nonprofits.

What advice would you offer for other nonprofit executive directors?
Aleta: Be clear about your goals, and support the people working with you. Make sure you learn as well as give feedback and keep lines of communication open with your staff. Most importantly, make sure the work you do is both meaningful and challenging, and always make time for reflection.

Center Recognizes Excellence in Washington Region Nonprofit Leadership

Winners and Honorable Mentions Named in
Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement announced today recipients of the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award for excellence in chief executive leadership. This competitive award spotlights up to three outstanding nonprofit leaders in the Washington metropolitan area for outstanding nonprofit chief executive leadership.

2009 Award recipients include the following executive directors:

• Manny Hidalgo of the Latino Economic Development Corporation in Washington, D.C
• Pamela L. Michell of New Hope Housing, Inc. in Alexandria, Va.
• Eleni A. Rossides of the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation in Washington, D.C.

The 2009 Award winners were recognzied at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s 30th Anniversary Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 29 in Washington, D.C.

Also announced, the following executive directors were Honorable Mention recipients for the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award:

• Dallice Joyner of the Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center in Alexandria, Va.
• Aleta Margolis of the Center for Inspired Teaching in Washington, D.C.

“The Center is excited to celebrate and recognize excellence in chief executive leadership throughout Greater Washington,” said Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie. “Our 2009 awardees are leading organizations that ensure the success of communities throughout the region.”

This is the fifth year for this competition, and the fourth year that the Bethesda-based accounting firm Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman has sponsored the award.

Each award 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. Each honorable mention recipient’s organization receives a $1,000 award to support professional development programs for the candidate and/or its staff.

Awardees are selected by a committee of nonprofit leaders, business professionals, consultants and community members. Award recipients must show excellence in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity and strategic leadership. The selection process includes four stages including nomination, interview, site visit and selection.

The competition is open to any chief executive of a Greater Washington-area nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $10 million and under. Board members, staff members, volunteers, clients or community members may nominate chief executives.

The award is administered by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement.

Is Your Organization Prepared for H1N1?

Center member, the DC Bar Pro Bono Program, has shared two e-alerts prepared by the law firm of Nixon Peabody for the Pro Bono Partnership of Greater New York to help your organization prepare for H1N1. The alerts explain what steps employers should consider in case they experience an outbreak of H1N1 flu among their workers. The following are available for download in PDF format:

• Employment Law Alert: Swine flu in the workplace: an update and proactive response
• OSHA Alert: The latest guidance for employers for flu season: the CDC sees employers on the "front lines" of potential outbreak

Be sure to also check out, the National Council of Nonprofit’s Toolkit on H1N1 Flu Preparedness for Nonprofits.

Building Your Team: Making Your Board Members Your Greatest Asset

Join the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and Booz Allen Hamilton on Tuesday, December 1, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in McLean,Va., for the latest session in the 2009 Fundraising Development Conference Speaker Series.

The session will focus on mapping board assets to optimize their engagement with your organization. Learn best practices from executive directors and board members who have been successful in developing a functional board for high impact.

Session registration is $25.

Click here for additional event details and to register.

Deadlines Approaching: Local Awards Programs Seek Nominees

The deadlines are fast approaching for several awards to recognize excellence in our region are seeking nominations. Click each below to learn more.

• SmartCEO Magazine is seeking nominees for its annual Smart100 program. Nominations close Friday, October 30. Click here to learn more about submitting a nominations for the Greater Washington region.
• The Washington Area Women's Foundation is accepting nominations for its 2010 Leadership Awards. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, November 3. Click here to learn more.

And remember, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is now accepting applications for The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. The application deadline is Monday, December 7.

Technology Day of Service

From Center member NPower Greater DC Region:

On Friday, December 4, NPower DC is coordinating volunteers from IT departments of several local corporations to provide pro bono Stable & Secure Scans for nonprofits.

Tech savvy volunteers will conduct a 12 Point Review of your organization's technology using a method developed by the NPower Network. Areas where your organization can make effective improvements or changes will be identified.

A Stable and Secure Scan is a particularly powerful tool for small to medium sized nonprofits with limited tech resources. Space is limited, so don’t wait to take advantage of this opportunity!

Interested organizations must complete this brief online request form.

Join Us Next Week

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

• Tuesday, October 27, Conflict Resolution in the Workforce
• Tuesday, October 27, Cutting Back Strategically With a Minimum of Anguish

Join the Celebration!

Reserve your seat today for the 30th Anniversary Meeting and Breakfast on Thursday, October 29 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. with keynote address by Debbi Jarvis, Pepco Holdings, Inc. Vice President of Communications.

Join more than 200 leaders from the region’s nonprofit, foundation, legislative and business communities in recognizing excellence in the region's nonprofit leadership, saluting outstanding public servants, networking and connecting across the community and celebrating the Center's 30 years of service to nonprofits.

Presenting Sponsors M&T Bank and the Center for Nonprofit Advancement Benefits Trust | Supporting Sponsor Early, Cassidy and Schilling | Sustaining Sponsor Booz Allen Hamilton | EXCEL Award Sponsor Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman | Table Sponsors.

Register Today!

Free Proposal Writing Class Offered in Spanish

The Foundation Center-Washington, DC is offering a free proposal writing class offered in Spanish on Monday, November 2 from 9:00 am to12:00 p.m. at their Washington, D.C. office. Click here to learn more.

Clase especial: Principios de la escritura de propuestas, 2 de noviembre 9am-12pm. Enteramente en español!

Program Seeks Nonprofit Leadership Fellows

Atlas Service Corps seeks nonprofit leaders from around the world to apply for their 2010-2011 fellowship positions in Washington, DC, Baltimore, MD and Bogota, Colombia. Expenses for fellowship participants are paid including a living stipend, health insurance and training. Applicants must have three or more years of experience in the nonprofit sector, a college degree, fluency in English (and Spanish if applying to volunteer in Colombia) and a commitment to return to their home country after one year.

In addition to volunteering full time at their host organizations, Fellows are enrolled in a management development training program and join a growing network of nonprofit leaders from around the world.

Click here for details about eligibility requirements and the application process.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, November 10.

Click below to watch a short video about the application process.

Survey for Nonprofits: Free or Low-cost Computer Classes for your Staff?

Center member Byte Back is considering offering free or low-cost computer classes for nonprofit staff members and is inviting area nonprofits are invited to complete an online survey. All surveys completed by Sunday, November 1 will be entered into a drawing to win $200 for your organization.

Click here to complete the survey.

New Resources from the IRS on the Form 990

To help nonprofit organizations understand the new Form 990, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has created a case study and a series of videos about a hypothetical organization. According to the IRS Web site, the video series "walks you through key reporting issues common to most organizations required to file Form 990."

Click here to learn more.

Special Series for Veteran Executive Directors: 2009 Class Now Enrolling!

CEO Leadership Series: Journey to a Sustainable Organization

As the economy has changed, the skills that a nonprofit leader needs to succeed have not changed. Understanding one's self is key to understanding one's competencies, motivations and challenges as a leader of a sustainable organization.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement presents the CEO Leadership Series, a special, four-part series that focuses on helping nonprofits survive this financial downturn and face a “new normal” as you lead your organization to move forward. The series sets a path for CEOs who wish to go on a journey of self-discovery to build a sustainable organization.

The four-class series begins on October 30 and will run through mid-December. Registration is now open. Class-size is limited to 20.

Click here to learn more or here to register today!

Bailing Out Your Year-End Fundraising in the Ongoing Recession

Don't miss this session on Thursday, October 15 hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Washington DC Chapter.

Attend this session and leave with:

• Tips, tools and techniques for successful fundraising to maximize year-end giving
  
• Ideas you can implement today
  
• Ten Tips to improve your Online and Direct Mail fundraising at Year End
  
• Ten Tips to Maximize Major Gifts and Campaign Activities at Year End
  
• Learn from successful non-profit organizations as they share what they are planning for the last quarter of 2009 and beyond.
  
• Explore successful case studies that provide helpful insights into best practices and lessons learned.

Special Location: Charlie Palmer Steak House, 101 Constitution Ave, NW, Washington, DC 20001

Registration Fee: $45 Center Members and AFP/DC Members; $60 Non-Members

Special Registration: Please contact Association of Fundraising Professional at 202-547-0155 or register now!

Demystifying State Charity Registration Laws

Do you have a donate button on your Web site? Are you confused about state charity registration laws?

Tony Martignetti, the author of "Charity Registration: State-by-State Guidelines for Compliance," is joining us at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement on Wednesday, October 14 from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. to explain what the laws are and what they mean for your nonprofit. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from the expert who wrote the book on this important topic!

Special Cost: $39 for Center members; $79 for all others

Click here to register.

Grant Opportunity: Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

From the DC Office of Partnerships and Grant Services:

The District of Columbia Department of Human Services (DHS) has two different grant opportunities available regarding housing: both fall under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 -Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program. One grant opportunity is to provide housing counseling and housing search assistance to individuals and families. The other opportunity is to provide homeless prevention, re-housing and rental assistance to individuals and families. Pre-Application Conferences will be held on Tuesday, October 13, at the DHS Headquarters located at 64 New York Avenue, NE, 6th Floor, Director’s Conference Room. RSVP via telephone to Mr. Darrell Cason, Policy and Research Analyst, (202) 671-4389, or via e-mail at darrell.cason3@dc.gov.

To learn more and view the NOFAs (Notice of Funding Availability) and RFAs (Request for Application), click here.

Form 990 Filing Tips

The IRS has released a new set of Form 990 FAQs and tips for nonprofit organizations. The latest set addresses the use of attachments when filing your Form 990.

Click here to learn more.

Recognize and Honor Outstanding Nonprofit Leaders

Join the Center for Nonprofit Advancement in saluting our region's outstanding nonprofits leaders as the Center for Nonprofit Advancement presents the Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman 2009 EXCEL Awards at the 2009 Center Annual Celebration and Meeting on Thursday, October 29. Meet the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Finalists:

• Manny Hidalgo, Executive Director, Latino Economic Development Corporation (LEDC)
• Dallice Joyner, Executive Director, Northern Virginia Area Health Education Center (NVAHEC)
• Aleta Margolis, Executive Director, Center for Inspired Teaching
• Pamela L. Michell, Executive Director, New Hope Housing, Inc.
• Eleni A. Rossides, Executive Director, Washington Tennis & Education Foundation

This is the fifth year for this competition, and the fourth year that the Bethesda-based accounting firm Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman has sponsored the award.

The Gelman, Rosenberg and Freedman EXCEL Award spotlights up to three outstanding nonprofit leaders in the Washington metropolitan area for outstanding nonprofit chief executive leadership. Candidates must show excellence in the areas of innovation, motivation, community building, ethical integrity and strategic leadership. The competition is open to any chief executive of a Washington-area nonprofit organization with an annual budget of $10 million and under.

Each award 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.

If you have questions about the Award, please contact Susan Sanow, Center deputy executive director at susans@nonprofitadvancement.org or 202-457-0540.

Join us in saluting the Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman 2009 EXCEL Award Finalists. Register today for the Center for Nonprofit Advancement 30th Anniversary Celebration and Meeting on October 29. Click here to learn more.

Thank you to our 30th Anniversary Celebration and Meeting supporters:

Presenting Sponsors:

Supporting Sponsor:

Sustaining Sponsor:

Local Awards Programs Seek Nominees

Several awards to recognize excellence in our region are seeking nominations. Click each below to learn more.

• Greater DC Cares is accepting nominations for its Class of Change 2009. The nomination deadline is Monday, October 12. Click here to download the nomination form.
• SmartCEO Magazine is seeking nominees for its annual Smart100 program. Nominations close Friday, October 30. Click here to learn more about submitting a nominations for the Greater Washington region.
• The Washington Area Women's Foundation is accepting nominations for its 2010 Leadership Awards. The nomination deadline is Tuesday, November 3. Click here to learn more.

And remember, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is now accepting applications for The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management. The application deadline is Monday, December 7.

Build Your Nonprofit Advocacy Capacity

Looking for resources to build your nonprofit advocacy capacity? Visit NPAction for rules on lobbying, voter engagement, media relations, the 2010 Census “Tool Kit” and more.

Join Us Next Week

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

• Wednesday October 7, Planned Giving: How It Works and How It Can Work for You
• Wednesday, October 7, What Every Fundraiser Should Know About Accounting
• Thursday, October 8, How to Target Your Communications to Bring Results

Is Your Organization Managed with Excellence?

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement is pleased to accept applications for The Washington Post 2010 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management.

Now in its 16th year, this competitive award recognizes outstanding management practices of area nonprofit organizations. Applicants are judged in board development and management; diversity; evaluation; fiscal management; information and communication; organizational development; people development and management; planning; resource development; risk management; and technology.

The winner of the competition receives a $10,000 cash grant and a scholarship to Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Executive Certificate Program. Up to four honorable mention award recipients will each receive a $2,500 prize.

As a benefit to program participants, all applicants receive individualized feedback for their application from the selection committee.

Click here for additional information on award eligibility and the application process.

The application deadline is December 7.

Free Washington Post 2010 Award Application Workshop on Friday, October 16. Click here for details and to register.

This award program is a program of:

Sponsored by:

Cosponsored by:

With additional support by:

Georgetown University’s Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership’s Nonprofit Executive Certificate Program.

Is your nonprofit ready for the H1N1 flu?

The National Council of Nonprofits has compiled a Toolkit on H1N1 Flu Preparedness for Nonprofits. Click here for suggested action steps, tips for preparedness and much more.

Free Seminar on Form 990

Pfizer Inc, in conjunction with the DC Bar Pro Bono program and the law firm of DLA Piper is sponsoring a free video conference seminar for nonprofit organization in the metro DC area.

The seminar on Thursday, October 22 focuses on "The Revised Form 990 – Preparing for a New World." The seminar will be held at the law offices of DLA Piper, 500 8th Street, NW. It will begin at 11 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be served.

This seminar is designed to walk you through the new requirements contained in the revised Form 990, the annual information return each nonprofit files with the IRS. This seminar will help you prepare for when you have to file the revised form. You will hear from attorneys and a CPA, including individuals who served on a taxpayer advisory group that provided feedback to the IRS while it was redesigning the form.

This seminar is designed for executive directors, CFO’s, administrative officers, and finance professionals, as well as in-house counsel for not-for-profit organizations.

To register for this free session, please e-mail: registerdc@dlapiper.com