The
next meeting of the
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Human Services Leadership Council Meeting January 11th Announcement
Friday, December 28, 2012
Community Foundation Hires Gift Planning Officer
December 28, 2012 (Syracuse, NY) - The Central New York
Community Foundation has hired Tom
Griffith as Gift Planning Officer.
Griffith’s primary responsibility will be to connect the Community Foundation
with local professional advisors across its five-county service area, as well
as continuing to develop and implement its gift planning program.
Prior to joining the Community Foundation, Griffith served
as a Financial Advisor at First Command Financial Planning. During that time, he earned the designation
of Chartered Financial Consultant. Prior
to becoming an advisor, Griffith was an officer in the United States Navy and a
Department of Navy civilian working as a nuclear engineer and program manager
at the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program headquarters. Griffith holds a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical
and Astronautical Engineering, with highest honors, from the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Established in 1927, the Central New York Community
Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a
permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region. The
Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with
assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to
nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the
community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward
of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the
administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic
leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen
nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more
information, visit www.cnycf.org.
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Community Foundation Awards $193,127 in Performance Management Grants
December 27, 2012 (Syracuse, NY) – The Central New York Community
Foundation awarded $193,127 in Performance Management grants to 11 local
nonprofit organizations. This is the second time the Community
Foundation has dedicated a pool of grant dollars to improve the ability
of nonprofits to function more efficiently and effectively.
“Performance Management helps organizations with continuous improvement—this translates into first class services for those who live in our communities,” said John Eberle, Vice President, Grants & Community Initiatives at the Community Foundation. “Tracking data can have a profound impact on an organization’s ability to share the story of their personal and collective impact in the community.”
The Community Foundation piloted its Performance Management program in 2011 by awarding grants to projects that helped organizations better measure their community impact. Grantees of this program are invited to participate in year-long, monthly meetings of a ‘learning community’ to share their experiences and challenges with their peers. The first round was so successful that the Community Foundation decided to request proposals from organizations again this year.
In this round, some organizations will serve as mentors within the learning community. Three organizations, two of which are previous performance management grantees and received additional grants in this round, will serve as mentors. The success of their initial projects and commitment to the learning community process will allow them to serve as excellent mentors to the new organizations participating.
The following organizations will serve as mentors:
Salvation Army received $15,000 to collect and analyze data for the Family Plan Visitation program to determine its effectiveness at reducing children’s length of stay in the foster care system.
Vera House received $15,000 to integrate three existing databases into one system and study new intervention methods.
OnCare will serve as a role model, consultant and active participant in this year’s learning community. Due to its extensive experience in performance management, it agreed to serve as a mentoring organization on a purely volunteer basis.
In addition, nine new first year performance grantees were awarded funding for projects to measure community impact:
Aurora of Central New York received $20,000 to expand on the information captured through its In-Home Assessment tool and Home Modification Stages of Change questionnaire for seniors. Analysis of these measurements will demonstrate the intention of seniors to modify their safety behaviors, as well as barriers to implementing home modifications that could reduce dangerous safety hazards.
Baltimore Woods Nature Center received $15,000 to examine surveys from Syracuse City School District (SCSD) students to determine the impact of its Nature in the City program. Researching the outcomes will give a better understanding of what parts of the programming are most effective with specific student populations.
Child Care Solutions received $14,080 to implement a data tracking system to report and compare outcomes from the various kinds of technical assistance it offers to child care providers. Analyzing the services will allow comparison on a rating scale.
Elmcrest Children’s Center received $20,000 to create electronic “report cards” that measure the impact and progress of three key programs – Family Transitions, Residential Treatment, and the Family Support Center. With these reports, the project can track children’s outcomes and analyze the impact of its programming.
Farmers Market Federations of New York received $18,140 to evaluate the Farmers Market Wireless EBT program to determine whether it is meeting its three major goals of healthier eating behaviors: increasing the number of SNAP/EBT purchases, bolstering the revenue of farmers, and encouraging healthy food choices among SNAP consumers.
On Point for College received $19,207 to implement additional data fields in its database. The organization will more effectively utilize student records and experiences to demonstrate program impact to funders and communicate events to students more efficiently.
PEACE, Inc. received $20,000 to analyze the similarities and differences between two Head Start/Early Head Start assessment tools used by local school districts in an effort to achieve a more comprehensive picture of kindergarten readiness.
Spanish Action League received $20,000 to develop an agency-wide Access database to help in its management decisions. The organization plans to focus on tracking the outcomes and achievements of children in its after-school programs.
United Way of Central New York received $16,700 to review and refine its existing indicators, then collect data to establish the impact of its grantmaking. Its goal through the new grant reporting measures is to connect the outcomes with community impact.
Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region. The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.
“Performance Management helps organizations with continuous improvement—this translates into first class services for those who live in our communities,” said John Eberle, Vice President, Grants & Community Initiatives at the Community Foundation. “Tracking data can have a profound impact on an organization’s ability to share the story of their personal and collective impact in the community.”
The Community Foundation piloted its Performance Management program in 2011 by awarding grants to projects that helped organizations better measure their community impact. Grantees of this program are invited to participate in year-long, monthly meetings of a ‘learning community’ to share their experiences and challenges with their peers. The first round was so successful that the Community Foundation decided to request proposals from organizations again this year.
In this round, some organizations will serve as mentors within the learning community. Three organizations, two of which are previous performance management grantees and received additional grants in this round, will serve as mentors. The success of their initial projects and commitment to the learning community process will allow them to serve as excellent mentors to the new organizations participating.
The following organizations will serve as mentors:
Salvation Army received $15,000 to collect and analyze data for the Family Plan Visitation program to determine its effectiveness at reducing children’s length of stay in the foster care system.
Vera House received $15,000 to integrate three existing databases into one system and study new intervention methods.
OnCare will serve as a role model, consultant and active participant in this year’s learning community. Due to its extensive experience in performance management, it agreed to serve as a mentoring organization on a purely volunteer basis.
In addition, nine new first year performance grantees were awarded funding for projects to measure community impact:
Aurora of Central New York received $20,000 to expand on the information captured through its In-Home Assessment tool and Home Modification Stages of Change questionnaire for seniors. Analysis of these measurements will demonstrate the intention of seniors to modify their safety behaviors, as well as barriers to implementing home modifications that could reduce dangerous safety hazards.
Baltimore Woods Nature Center received $15,000 to examine surveys from Syracuse City School District (SCSD) students to determine the impact of its Nature in the City program. Researching the outcomes will give a better understanding of what parts of the programming are most effective with specific student populations.
Child Care Solutions received $14,080 to implement a data tracking system to report and compare outcomes from the various kinds of technical assistance it offers to child care providers. Analyzing the services will allow comparison on a rating scale.
Elmcrest Children’s Center received $20,000 to create electronic “report cards” that measure the impact and progress of three key programs – Family Transitions, Residential Treatment, and the Family Support Center. With these reports, the project can track children’s outcomes and analyze the impact of its programming.
Farmers Market Federations of New York received $18,140 to evaluate the Farmers Market Wireless EBT program to determine whether it is meeting its three major goals of healthier eating behaviors: increasing the number of SNAP/EBT purchases, bolstering the revenue of farmers, and encouraging healthy food choices among SNAP consumers.
On Point for College received $19,207 to implement additional data fields in its database. The organization will more effectively utilize student records and experiences to demonstrate program impact to funders and communicate events to students more efficiently.
PEACE, Inc. received $20,000 to analyze the similarities and differences between two Head Start/Early Head Start assessment tools used by local school districts in an effort to achieve a more comprehensive picture of kindergarten readiness.
Spanish Action League received $20,000 to develop an agency-wide Access database to help in its management decisions. The organization plans to focus on tracking the outcomes and achievements of children in its after-school programs.
United Way of Central New York received $16,700 to review and refine its existing indicators, then collect data to establish the impact of its grantmaking. Its goal through the new grant reporting measures is to connect the outcomes with community impact.
Established in 1927, the Central New York Community Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region. The Community Foundation is the largest charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Community Foundation Awards $215,062 in Community Grants
December 21, 2012 (Syracuse, NY) - The Central New York
Community Foundation awarded $215,062 in grants to 10 charitable organizations
in Onondaga and Madison counties from its unrestricted and field‑of‑interest
funds.
Animal Alliance of
Greater Syracuse received $20,000 to
equip temporary mobile spay/neuter clinics in low income Syracuse neighborhoods
to provide low-cost services and help regulate the stray and feral pet populations.
Cazenovia College received
$30,000 to support programming at
the New York State Center for Equine Business Development. Rural business
owners from across the region will be offered workshops, an annual symposium
and individual business consulting to help strengthen their equine businesses.
Hamilton Central School received $7,000 to support the building of a new
children’s playground.
Izaak Walton League
of America received $32,982 to
support after-school watershed and environmental stewardship education through
the Creek Freaks program. The program
will provide training and support to educators who work with youth in an
extracurricular context.
Oneida Healthcare
Center received $10,480 to collaborate
with the YMCA Tri-Valley, the Madison County Health Department, and local
pediatricians on a pilot program that provides health education, nutrition and
fitness training program for overweight and obese children and their families.
Onondaga Historical
Association (OHA) received $25,000 to
support its Creekwalk Mobile History Tour,
including signage and a mobile device app. OHA plans to utilize mobile QR code
technology to make video content available to those reading the Creekwalk
signs.
Syracuse Stage received
$34,600 to introduce a community
engagement program for veterans, active military and their families. The
organization will offer complimentary tickets, transportation, pre-show welcome
receptions, and small discussion groups in an effort to build lasting
connections to the military community.
Community Folk Art
Center (CFAC) received $5,000 to
expand the Caribbean Cinematic Festival. The second annual festival, to be held
February 6 – 10, 2013, will feature film, dance, spoken word, photography,
discussion and food from the Caribbean.
The Great Swamp
Conservancy (GSC) received $25,000 to
support improvements to its Community Outreach Center in Canastota. Renovations of the
current space will allow the center to offer new programs, expand attendance
for existing programs, and display artifacts in a year-round facility.
YMCA of the Greater
Tri-Valley received $25,000 to provide
aquatic exercise and safety equipment at the Oneida branch. Purchasing and
installing a pool lift and four underwater treadmills will allow the YMCA to
better serve its members and comply with ADA regulations to allow therapeutic
and recreational accessibility for all.
Established in 1927, the Central New York Community
Foundation encourages local philanthropy by supporting the growth of a
permanent charitable endowment for the betterment of the region. The Community Foundation is the largest
charitable foundation in the region with assets of more than $130 million. It
awards close to $6.7 million in grants to nonprofit organizations annually and
has invested more than $100 million in the community since its inception. The
Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals,
families and corporations through the administration of nearly 600 funds. The
organization also serves as a civic leader, convener and sponsor of special
initiatives designed to strengthen nonprofits that address the region’s most
pressing challenges. For more information, visit www.cnycf.org.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Idealware: Helping Nonprofits Make Smart Software Decisions
Nonprofit Technology Survey
How much do nonprofits budget for technology annually? How effectively do nonprofits feel they are applying technology to fundraising for their cause? To find out the answers to these and other key questions about nonprofit technology practices, we're helping to distribute a survey created by NTEN, a membership organization of nonprofit technology professionals.
The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.
Everyone who takes the survey before December 21st will be invited to enter a drawing for a $500 Amazon Gift Card.
This survey is intended for the person at your nonprofit organization most likely to manage technology and/or staffing decisions. Not you? Please forward the survey to the person who is.
If you are a consultant or provider who works with nonprofits, please forward this invitation on to your nonprofit clients.
NTEN is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides education and resources regarding effective technology management in the nonprofit sector. All responses will remain anonymous and only be reported in aggregate. A report based on the findings from this survey will be made available in the first half of 2013, as a free resource for the nonprofit sector.
Nonprofits and the ‘Fiscal Cliff’: What Lies Ahead?
Nonprofits are scrambling to persuade Congress to avoid making spending cuts and tax changes that would hurt donors and the people charities serve.
But how can your organization make its voice heard during the debate surrounding the fiscal cliff?
View this live discussion that explains what might happen over the next few weeks and months and show you step by step how to influence budget debates on Capitol Hill and in state capitols across the country.
The Guests:
Tim Delaney, is chief executive of the National Council of Nonprofits.
Patrick Lester is director of federal fiscal policy for OMB Watch. Read Mr. Lester's analysis,Mitigating the Impact of a Temporary Sequester.
New York AG Eric Schneiderman to nonprofits: Show us your campaign money
New York AG Eric Schneiderman to nonprofits: Show us your campaign money
By
Syracuse, N.Y. -- Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has proposed regulations that would make certain nonprofit groups report their political spending, a change that could reveal the source of millions of dollars in campaign money currently hidden from public view.
The proposal could make most nonprofits -- including 501(c)(4)s -- registered with New York report the breakdown of spending that goes toward federal, state and local elections. If that spending topped $10,000, the group would be required to disclose money donated to the group and spending toward political candidates or issue advocacy in state and local races.
Schneiderman, the state's top law enforcement officer, has the authority to regulate nonprofits. He must hold public hearings on the proposal, but he ultimately has the ability to impose the new rules, The New York Times reported.
The changes are a way around the hidden campaign spending that has flourished since
U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision -- especially in 501(c)(4) groups.
U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision -- especially in 501(c)(4) groups.
Those organizations "have become vehicles for political activity, including funding sham 'issue ads' that attack candidates for public office," according to a news release from Schneiderman. The "501(c)(4)s have become attractive conduits for this sort of activity because they can raise and spend unlimited funds, conceal their funding sources, and avoid paying corporate taxes on donations. In the last two election cycles, election spending through 501(c)(4)s exceeded spending through traditional political action committees."
Under the new rules, nonprofits that spend $10,000 or more a year that way would have to list each expenditure and each contribution of $100 or more, including the contributor’s name, address and employer.
The information would be public, with an exception for donors who specify that their funds can’t be used for electioneering.
As the Times points out, the change could affect lawmaking in New York involving such high-profile issues as hydrofracking, gaming and redistricting.
As the Times points out, the change could affect lawmaking in New York involving such high-profile issues as hydrofracking, gaming and redistricting.
"The rules would also affect any tax-exempt groups that join expected battles over a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand casino gambling, a top priority of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo; another constitutional amendment that would alter the state’s redistricting process; and any local ballot measures regarding hydraulic fracturing," Nicholas Confessore wrote in the Times story.
The new rules would not apply to 501(c)(3) organizations, which are already strictly prohibited from intervention in political campaigns, according to Schneiderman.
For online article click here
Executive Director Opportunity
McMahon Ryan Child Advocacy Center has begun a search for the Center's Executive Director position.
The mission of the Center is dedicated to ending child abuse through intervention andeducation.This Executive Director opportunity allows the selected candidate to lead a dynamic organization that has a direct impact on the lives of the child in our Central New York community. Please click here to review description that details the positions focus along with the skill set and educational/experience that the ideal candidate will have.
Interested candidates should submit a detailed resume by December 20, 2012 to:
Executive Director Search Committee
PMB #158
4736 Onondaga Blvd
Syracuse, NY 13219
or email your credential to:
McMahonRyanSearch@gmail.com
- The ability to interpret, prepare
and present written material with a high degree of accuracy as necessary
to ensure compliance with grants, programs, and other initiatives of the
CAC.
- Excellent communication and
presentation skills.
- Should have experience in fund
development and regular annual fundraising and help to guide, foster and
coordinate regular fundraising events.
- Grant experience to help with the
oversight, reporting, approval, acquiring of and seeking out additional
new grant opportunities.
- Knowledge of the ten
accreditation standards for a CAC.
Education
& Experience
Bachelor’s degree
required, master’s preferred, from an accredited college or university or one
recognized by the NYS Educational Department in public or business administration,
organizational management, law enforcement or with a minimum of five to ten
years in a related field that aligns with the mission of McMahon/Ryan CAC.
Major Renter to Students to Pay Millions for Civil Fraud
Major Renter to Students to Pay Millions for Civil Fraud
By SAM DOLNICK
The founder of a nonprofit group that has rented affordable apartments to a generation of New York City college students siphoned millions of dollars from the agency through a shell company, using the group’s money to fly back and forth to a second home in Aspen, Colo., and to pay for a luxury penthouse in Brooklyn, an investigation by the state attorney general’s office has found.
George Scott, the founder of Educational Housing Services, along with his wife, Yun Suk Scott, and the group’s board of directors, agreed to a $5.5 million settlement to resolve the inquiry, the attorney general’s office said on Sunday. Investigators found that the group’s board had acted with what the attorney general called “stunning” negligence in allowing a shell company, which Mr. Scott created, to charge Educational Housing millions of dollars for unnecessary services. The board was also faulted for approving Mr. Scott’s salary: $718,032 in 2010 and as much as $1.4 million in 2007, amounts the attorney general called excessive.
Most of the settlement, which included no admission of wrongdoing, will go toward reducing the students’ rents and improving conditions of their rooms, the attorney general’s office said.
“Siphoning millions of dollars at the expense of college students is deplorable,” Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman said in a statement. “We have no tolerance for officers and directors who treat a nonprofit organization as a vehicle for personal enrichment.”
Criminal charges were not expected because the attorney general’s office considered Mr. Scott’s actions a case of civil fraud that was approved by the board of directors.
Mr. Scott founded Educational Housing in 1987 and turned it into the city’s largest provider of student housing other than the colleges themselves, the attorney general’s office said. The group operates several residences in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Mr. Scott resigned as president last month. His lawyer, Robert S. Wolf, denied any wrongdoing and said Mr. Scott had done much to improve student life in the city.
“No monies were siphoned from E.H.S. and in fact all relevant decisions were ratified by E.H.S.’s board of directors,” Mr. Wolf said in a statement.
In 2002, Mr. Scott created a separate company, Student Services Inc., to provide cable, phone and Internet services to Educational Housing’s dorm rooms.
But investigators found that Student Services was only a middleman between the nonprofit agency and real cable companies, and that it charged Educational Housing millions of dollars over the years for no meaningful work.
The attorney general’s office depicted the board of directors as a willfully negligent group that allowed Mr. Scott to carry out his ruse over many years. In 2008, the board approved a contract for Student Services, the shell company, to provide services to Educational Housing at “unreasonably high rates” for the next five years, Mr. Schneiderman said.
“The breakdown in corporate governance at Educational Housing Services was stunning,” Mr. Schneiderman said.
The board members were found to have received exorbitant salaries, and some had inflated consulting contracts from the company as well, the attorney general’s office said.
As part of the settlement, the five-member board agreed to resign and pay $1 million from their personal funds. They were barred from ever serving on the board of a New York charity.
Educational Housing has two months to propose new board candidates to the attorney general’s office for approval.
For the online article click here
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Fiscal Cliff Campaign Update
Countdown to Tax Hikes: 22 Days
Countdown to Arbitrary Spending Cuts (sequestration): 24 Days
Need to Know: (action items in this message)
In this message we’re sharing several media ideas and tools that have been developed and utilized within the network. Please take a look, take action today, and tell us what you’re doing (so that everyone will benefit).
I. Big Picture
The media are reporting that momentum is building for Republicans to agree to a tax-rate increase of some level for upper-income taxpayers, which is President Obama’s top priority. There is also growing speculation that Democratic opposition is lessening on some entitlement reforms, such as raising the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67, and changing the index used for calculating inflation for Social Security payments. The oft-quoted mantra for congressional negotiations is that “nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to,” so no details are close to being final.
Yesterday, Senators Schumer (D-NY) and Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the “Hurricane Sandy and National Disaster Tax Relief Act” that, among other things, lifts the current cap on charitable giving (50 percent of Adjusted Gross Income) for qualified disaster contributions. Once again, policymakers are relying on incentives for giving to alleviate suffering and expedite recovery in their communities.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/12 @ 3:30 – 4:30 Eastern), BoardSource is hosting a webinar on “The Fiscal Cliff’s Twin Threats Against the Work of Charities,” during which we will be sharing our message about how two parts of the fiscal cliff threaten to create massive new burdens on nonprofits and even more work for board leaders. By making funding cuts without reducing the underlying human needs, the demand on nonprofits will increase whilethe resources for providing needed services will decrease. Capping or limiting the value of charitable deductions will further reduce the ability of charitable organizations to meet the increasing need for services. You can share this with your board members and others so they join more than 350 already signed up to learn why they should raise voices.
Register now to learn more about these potentially devastating threats and what each of us can do NOW to voice our views.
Also tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/12 @ 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern), several national nonprofits are hosting a conference call on the charitable giving incentive. Speakers include Fr. Larry Snyder of Catholic Charities USA, Diana Aviv of Independent Sector, and Rand Wentworth of the Land Trust Alliance, among others. The call-in number is : access code 57668#.
II. Network Status Update (Let Tammie Smith know what you’ve done lately)
- Letter to Congressional Delegations: 16 (of 42 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies)
- Action Alerts: 34 (of 42 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies)
- Number of Alerts: 44 (10 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies have sent 2 action alerts)
- NOTE: If you want us to send an Action Alert for you, we can. Just let us know.
- Media Outreach: 7 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies (13 contacts)
- Social Media: 17 Facebook postings
III. Good Ideas
As powerful as our individual stories are, letters and phone calls to policymakers alone will not carry the day. We need the help, engagement, and attention of the news media in the home towns of the elected officials. We offer the following ideas from around the network with the goal of getting rank-and-file Senators and Representatives to tell their leaders: “I’m taking a lot of heat back home; you’ve got to prevent these arbitrary cuts and refuse to cap or limit the charitable deduction””
- Targeted Joint Statements: Last week, leaders of 11 Catholic human service agencies in the Cincinnati area issued a joint statement calling on federal leaders to protect the poor and vulnerable there and abroad in fiscal cliff negotiations. The Cincinnati Enquirer picked up the story and informed all of Speaker John Boehner’s constituents of the potential local impact of the automatic cuts if he doesn’t reach a deal to avert the fiscal cliff.
- Footnote to this story: Our colleague Beth Bowsky, who lives in Cincinnati, had previously shared with the Enquirer the network’s media statement and other materials, perhaps helping to lay the groundwork for the reporter’s interest prior to his receiving the local story from the Archdiocese.
- Media Statements: Several State Association leaders have issued comments to the press or talked with reporters as they prepare stories. The National Council of Nonprofits issued a Media Statementlast week – intentionally designed as a background piece rather than the usual news release. The Statement provides a summary of the broader context, all designed to garner the attention of editors for the issues presented.
- Editorial Board Meetings: Jim White, the new Executive Director for the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, participated in an editorial board meeting at the largest newspaper in the state along with two other nonprofit leaders. They addressed the questions raised, and, through excellent pre-meeting planning, covered all of the key points they wanted to make – using facts, stories, and obvious passion for the community.
- Divvying Up the State: Yes, we want every State Association to be seen as the leader on this issue in the state; but we all know that the local angle is usually the first interest for editorial boards. TheNorth Carolina Center for Nonprofits solved this problem by preparing and sharing materials for their geographically diverse board members to submit to their local news outlets. This week, the Center is following up with any uncovered media markets to ensure that the whole state is covered.
- Tools You Can Use: By all means, take the materials we’ve prepared and modify them for maximum impact in your state: Infographic, Media Statement, Myths vs. Realities, other resources.
- Share: Help us develop the best array of ideas and tools for getting the news media across the country to focus on the impact in communities of the arbitrary cuts and proposals to cap or limit charitable deductions. Share with us and your colleagues the press statements, op-eds, talking points, quotes, etc., that you have developed for media contacts in your states.
IV. Why We’re Fighting
We have received powerful comments from nonprofits throughout the country who have gone to the GiveVoice.org website. Here is a sampling (permission given for naming organizations):
- “We are a nonprofit organization who helps those with cancer at no cost to them or their families. We rely on fundraisers and donations to stay open with an all-volunteer staff. We are the only organization offering the programs and services in the Tri-State area we live in. We rely on the current charitable giving incentives so we may continue to help those who are newly diagnosed or going through treatments.” We Care Cancer Support Inc., Bullhead, Arizona
- “Soroptimist International of the Central Jersey Coast services the hardest hit area of Storm Sandy. Many of our members have lost homes. Our neighbors are suffering devastating loss of homes, income, and emotional and physical needs. We must have our contributions so we can carry on our work to help women and girls in our community. We help the local women's shelter, girl scout's camp, sexual abuse rape victims, and the local children's hospital. We also give gifts for girl's who volunteer in our community and give scholarships to women rejoining the work force. Without the incentive to donate, our work will be over. Soroptimist International of the Central Jersey Coast, Lakewood, New Jersey
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