Friday, January 29, 2010

Innovative Partnership Brings Human Resources Support to Greater Washington Area Nonprofit Organizations

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement announced today the addition of human resources support to its Back Office in a Box (BOB) program. BOB is a suite of high-quality administrative services made available at a reasonable cost to Center member nonprofit organizations throughout the Greater Washington region including the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

The newest service offering, BOB Human Resources, is designed to help nonprofit leaders maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of their organizations. BOB HR was developed in response to the needs of the region’s nonprofit sector and the Center’s nearly 800 member organizations.

“Nonprofits are a critical part of our communities and a high functioning human resources program helps them to recruit, develop and retain the talent they need to meet their missions,” said Center CEO Glen O’Gilvie. “BOB HR brings high-quality support that nonprofits cannot adequately function without. This partnership expands further on our 30 year history of bringing quality goods and services to member organizations at a reasonable cost for all”

BOB HR is powered by Nonprofit HR Solutions and RAFFA, P.C. Their teams of expert nonprofit human resources professionals are highly skilled in areas of recruitment, human resource compliance, and performance and compensation management. Examples of service offerings include: policy development, HR compliance audits, compensation reviews/management and employee performance management design.

“The Center for Nonprofit Advancement has a long history of serving the needs of nonprofit organizations across the region. The creation of BOB HR meets a critical yet largely unmet need within the local community,” said Lisa Brown Morton, president and CEO of Nonprofit HR Solutions. “We are excited to be part of this unprecedented initiative to provide high quality HR services to nonprofit organizations.”

“Employees are an organization’s greatest asset, and ensuring that they get the attention and support they deserve is the wisest investment management can make,” said RAFFA, P.C. Founder and CEO Tom Raffa. “We are delighted to partner with the Center in their effort to help nonprofits more effectively address their HR functions which are so critical to their success.”

Taproot Foundation’s 2007 survey of more than 250 nonprofits found that fewer than 25 percent had even one dedicated human resources employee. Follow-up interviews suggest that even when nonprofits can name one or more staff members working on human resources, they are often referring to a role that is more transactional than strategic. The strategic human resources functions—those that ensure the effective recruitment, retention, development and organization of employees—are often overlooked.

Click here to learn more about BOB Human Resources.

About the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
The Center for Nonprofit Advancement strengthens the capacity of nonprofit organizations throughout Greater Washington, D.C. The Center directly partners with nearly 800 nonprofits helping them achieve their missions through training and technical assistance programs, networking, advocacy and group buying power.

About Nonprofit HR Solutions
Nonprofit HR Solutions is the nation's only full-service consulting firm dedicated exclusively to meeting the human resources needs of nonprofit organizations. Since 2000, Nonprofit HR Solutions has worked exclusively with the nonprofit sector, generating results for organizations supporting advocacy, health and human services, arts and culture, education, the environment, faith-based missions and more.

About RAFFA, P.C.
Working with thousands of nonprofit organizations across the United States over its 25 year history, RAFFA understands the particular needs and culture of nonprofits. Employing over 200 experts in HR and IT outsourcing, accounting, audit and tax, employee benefits, consulting and other financial services, RAFFA delivers meaningful, practical and affordable solutions that enable nonprofits to focus on advancing their missions.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Nonprofits, Elections and the Supreme Court's Recent Decision

The U.S. Supreme Court recently issued a decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (decided January 21, 2010), that has confused some writers who are not as familiar with the important legal distinctions between different types of “nonprofits” that exist or with the differences between federal election laws that the Court changed and tax laws that the Court did not change.

To make sure nonprofits in the Greater Washington region are aware of their full legal rights – and limitations – when it comes to participating in elections, the Center for Nonprofit Advancement is sharing for your review a brief analysis that the National Council of Nonprofits prepared to help 501(c)(3) nonprofits avoid taking actions that could jeopardize their tax-exempt status.

The Center and the National Council of Nonprofits share the concern that nonprofit leaders need to know not only what 501(c)(3) nonprofits cannot do, but also what we can do. That is why the brief analysis answers these questions:

  • How Does the Recent Supreme Court Case Impact Nonprofits?
  • What Can 501(c)(3) Charitable Nonprofits Do in Connection with Political Campaigns?
  • What Else Can Charitable Nonprofits Do?

For those who want to know more in general, the brief analysis provides several good references.

For those who want to know even more about the effect of the Supreme Court’s decision on 501(c)(3) nonprofits, the Alliance for Justice also has published a solid overview.

Don't Miss This Arlington Workshop


If managing change has become central to your work, what specific steps do you need to do to ensure success? Join Arlington County Economic Development and the Center in Arlington for "Doing the Difficult Work: Effectively Making Changes in Your Organization."

We’ll discuss developing a vision and setting clear goals, increasing buy-in from staff and other stakeholders, recognizing resistance to change and managing that resistance. Come prepared with a change you would like to make.

This workshop takes place Tuesday, February 17 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Arlington County Central Library.

Free to Arlington-based nonprofits and Arlington residents. Others are welcome for a fee ($49 for Center Members; $89 for all others).

Click here to register.

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Make a Nomination: Service Awards

The Governors of Virginia and Maryland are now accepting applications for Service Awards in their states.

In Virginia:
"The 2010 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards will be presented in several categories, including youth, senior, faith-based, family, community organization and business or corporation. Winners will be honored during an awards ceremony in April 2010." Nominations are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 1. Click here to learn more.

In Maryland:
"The Maryland Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism awards recognize significant contributions of Maryland citizens to the life and health of the State and its people. The awards are presented during National Volunteer Week, April 18 – 24, 2010." Nominations are due by Monday, March 1. Click here to learn more.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Join Us This 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.


Make a Nomination: 2010 Exponent Award

The Meyer Foundation's Exponent Awards honor five exemplary nonprofit leaders who may be in danger of burnout or who would benefit from a leadership development grant to take their skills and organization to a new level. The award comes with a two-year grant of $100,000 for leadership development, which could include coaching, continuing education, or funds to strengthen the board and senior management team.

Nominations are due by Tuesday, April 6.

Click here to learn more.

Friday, January 22, 2010

2010 Employment Trends Survey Seeks Respondents

Nonprofit HR Solutions has partnered with the University of San Diego’s Caster Family Center
for Nonprofit Research to conduct the 4th Annual Nonprofit Employment Trends Survey. According to the groups, this national survey of nonprofit employment practices is designed to address the lack of statistical information available on nonprofit human resources practices and trends.

Click here to take part in the survey. Responses are due by Thursday, January 28.