Strategy and Tactics Work Session: Budget Advocacy in Northern Virginia

Budget Advocacy in Northern Virginia: What is happening and how can you take action? Join the discussion on Friday, February 26 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Northern Virginia Family Service (10455 White Granite Drive Suite 100 Oakton, VA 22124).

• Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William and Loudoun's budgets will all be released
• Hear from Northern Virginia Family Service's Mary Agee and Reston Interfaith's Kerrie Wilson about what is in the budgets and how you can make an impact!
• We need to make sure our county and state officials "Think Twice Before You Slice"

Click here to register.

New Form 990: Changes Made to Clarify/Modify Requirements

From the IRS:

"The IRS has finalized the 2009 Forms 990, 990-EZ, schedules and instructions, for filing in 2010-11. Learn about changes made to clarify and modify reporting requirements and find links to the new forms, schedules and instructions on IRS.gov."

Registration Open: Building Strong Relationships with Donors in a Contracted Economy

Join Booz Allen Hamilton on Tuesday, March 16 from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm in McLean, Va., for an informational session taking an insightful look at fundraising in today’s economy. Nonprofit organizations are making tough decisions on whether or not to keep or change long standing special events as well as trying to identify new fundraising streams utilizing new tools or systems that they already have. Panelists will share insights into the decisions their organizations are making and new practices put in place to help sustain revenue and programs.

Event Details:

Date: March, 16, 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.

Seeking Applicants: Celebrated Pro Bono Coaching Program for 12 Executive Directors

Would you like to be one of 12 top executives selected for a pro bono program called Leadership Sanctuary. This six-month program (3 hours per month) is specifically designed to guide a cohort of nonprofit executives to broaden their options in response to today’s turbulent environment. Give yourself the gift of sanctuary! Join like-minded leaders to safely and wisely determine how to meet the current leadership challenges of our times. An informational Preview Event is being held at the Center on Tuesday, March 2 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. The next program will begin March 9 at 2:00 pm. Click here to learn more.

In partnership with the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, the Leadership Sanctuary is a pro-bono forum for executives of Washington area nonprofit agencies to create a more abundant future. Led by Kanu Kogod and Heather Kaye, expert coaches and facilitators, the first six-month program was launched last summer and completed to rave reviews. There is great enthusiasm for the collective wisdom and collegial support. A new program will begin March 9 and applications are being accepted until March 3.

Please click here to learn more. E-mail info@leadershipsanctuary.org to RSVP to the preview event, submit your application and/or to get answers to your questions.

Open House: Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program

The Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership at Georgetown University is hosting its Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program Open House on Wednesday, March 31 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The Certificate Program is designed to strengthen the leadership and management capacity of mid-to-senior level staff, board members, government and foundation grant makers, career transitioners, and others working with nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.

The Open House will provide prospective students with an opportunity to meet with the Program Director, Faculty and Alumni, as well as to receive more detailed information about the program.

Click here for more information about the Open House. Click here to RSVP.

Grant Opportunity: Capacity Building Project

"Upgrade for Uplift" (UFU), a project of the Howard University Center for Urban Progress and Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers, seeks applicants to the 2010 program. The project was developed to support the viability of faith- and community-based organizations serving economically vulnerable residents in neighborhoods of greatest need in Wards 1, 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8.

It is anticipated that up to 25 faith- and community-based organizations will be selected to be recipients of UFU training and technical assistance, and up to 10 of those 25 organizations who participate in training and technical assistance will be awarded capacity-building grants of $10,000 to $30,000.

An orientation for interested organizations will be held March 8. Applications are due by 6:00 pm on Monday, March 15. Click here to learn more.

Maryland Budget Update Call This Friday

The Center and the Roundtable's Think Twice Before You Slice campaign invite you to weekly 45-minute conference calls at 12:00 pm each Friday in February focused on budget shortfalls across our region.

Our call on Friday, February 19 is focused on Maryland. This call will feature Neil Bergsman of the Maryland Budget & Tax Policy Institute and Rebecca Wagner of the Safety Net Coalition of Montgomery County and Interfaith Works. The format will be an overview from our speakers with time for Q & A. REGISTER ONLINE

When you register, we will e-mail you the call-in number and password.

About the Calls:
The Center and the Roundtable's Think Twice Before You Slice campaign is hosting weekly 45-minute conference calls at 12:00 pm each Friday in February focused on budget shortfalls across our region. These calls will focus on information sharing, strategies and opportunities.

Join us each Friday in February to hear from local experts, share any coalition work and opportunities, and ask questions on budget issues in a particular jurisdiction. Each call will include a call to action -- ways you, your staff, Board members and community partners can make a difference in the budget process.

• The Friday, February 26 call has a District of Columbia focus. REGISTER ONLINE

• Read the summary or listen to the February 12 call on the Virginia budget process. The first 18 minutes highlights what The Commonwealth Institute's Michael Cassidy says nonprofits should expect.

Click here to learn more about the Think Twice Before You Slice campaign.

Free Webinar for Nonprofits: IRS Filing Requirements for Charitable Nonprofits

Do you know that the tax exempt filing requirements for nonprofits will change this year? The National Council of Nonprofits wants to ensure your organization preserves and protects your tax exempt status.

Join the Webinar on Tuesday, February 23 from 3:30 to 4:30 pm to "Learn from the Experts: What Forms Must Charitable Nonprofit, Tax-Exempt Organizations File to Meet IRS Requirements and Preserve Tax Exempt Status?" The Webinar will cover:

• What forms are tax-exempt organizations required to file with the IRS annually?
• What information is required to be reported on the forms?
• Why your organization may need to file NOW, so that it won't lose its tax-exempt status
• How to file complete, accurate returns to avoid IRS penalties.

Don't miss this important opportunity to have your questions answered by the IRS. Click here to register.

Member News: DCTV Open House

Join Center member DCTV for an Open House on Thursday, February 25 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm.

The night will include a live taping and interviews with the Producer, Cast and Crew from ANACOSTIA THE SERIES, and a tour of their brand new high definition (HD) facilities!

Click here to learn more or here to RSVP.