Central New York Community Foundation Accepting Applications for Marsellus Sabbatical

Contact

Katrina Crocker, Communications Officer

315-883-5542

KCrocker@cnycf.org

---

Central New York Community Foundation Accepting Applications for Sabbatical

May 21, 2014 – The Central New York Community Foundation invites executive directors and senior management staff of nonprofit organizations in Onondaga and Madison counties to apply for the 2014 John F. Marsellus Sabbatical.  The applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. There is no deadline for submission of applications.

The Marsellus Sabbatical offers nonprofit executive directors and senior management staff the choice between a four-week or an abridged two-week sabbatical for professional development and personal renewal. The sabbatical is designed for a nonprofit executive to partake in professional and personal development that stimulates a process of enrichment, refreshment and renewal. In addition to the cost of the sabbatical, $1,000 - $2,000 may be available to the recipients’ organizations to support administrative and other expenses incurred while the Executive Director is absent.

The Community Foundation invites executive directors and senior management staff of nonprofit organizations in Onondaga and Madison counties to apply for either a four- or two-week sabbatical. Applicants must have served in a senior management position of a nonprofit organization in Onondaga or Madison counties for at least five consecutive years and have the approval of the board of directors of their agency. The application guidelines can be viewed on the Community Foundation’s web site at www.cnycf.org/marsellus  or may be obtained by calling the Community Foundation at (315) 422-9538.

This annual grant was established in 2000 in memory of John F. Marsellus, who wished to enhance the leadership capacity of nonprofit executives in Central New York by underwriting an opportunity for personal and professional reflection and development.

About the Central New York Community Foundation

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 $143 million. It awarded $8.3 million in grants last year to nonprofit organizations and since its inception has invested more than $120 million in the community. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of more than 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. The Community Foundation, of 431 East Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, can be reached at (315) 422-9538 or www.cnycf.org.

###

Greater Pulaski Community Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

For Immediate Release

Contact: Katrina Crocker, Communications Officer, 315-883-5542 or KCrocker@cnycf.org

---

Greater Pulaski Community Fund Now Accepting Grant Applications

May 20, 2014 (Pulaski, NY) – The Central New York Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications for the Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund. The grant application deadline is June 30, 2014.

Applications are accepted from nonprofit organizations serving the Town of Richland. Proposals are encouraged from a variety of program areas including education, health, social services, the arts, and civic concerns, as well as preservation of historic resources.

The Greater Pulaski Community Endowment Fund, a union of gifts contributed by the people of the Pulaski community, makes grants to support programs and projects of importance to the area. Since its inception in 1992, The Fund has provided nearly $230,000 in grants to benefit the Pulaski community. The Fund is a component fund of the Central New York Community Foundation.

The next grant application deadline for the Fund is June 30, 2014. Organizations are only eligible to receive one grant per 12-month time period.  Please visit www.cnycf.org/pulaski to download a copy of the application and guidelines.

For more information, please contact Jan Lane at 883-5546 or email JLane@cnycf.org .

About the Central New York Community Foundation

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 $143 million. It awarded $8.3 million in grants last year to nonprofit organizations and since its inception has invested more than $120 million in the community. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and businesses through the administration of more than 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. The Community Foundation, of 431 East Fayette Street, Syracuse, NY 13202, can be reached at (315) 422-9538 or www.cnycf.org.

###

Upcoming Events & Webinars

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Medicaid Compliance...(But Were Afraid to Ask)  A special four-part NYCON "Lunch & Learn" Webinar Series brought to you by the Experts; FREE for NYCON Members. Non-Member Nonprofits are $75 per session or $275 for series.  If you would like to attend all four,please choose "Series" Ticket type.You will be automatically registered for each session through June. All webinars are from 11am to 12:30pm. Register Medicaid Compliance... Medicaid Compliance Plans ... Medicaid Self Auditing...Medicaid Self-Disclosures... Medicaid Audits ... Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse...Office of the Medicaid Inspector General ... OMIG...If these words and phrases are part of a typical day at your nonprofit, we have designed the perfect series of webinars for you. Participants will hear directly from experts in the field (including David Ross, former Acting Medicaid Inspector General for the State of New York, and David Rottkamp, CPA and leader of Grassi & Co.'s not-for-profit practice area) and get the practical information they need to provide appropriate oversight and management of Medicaid-funded programs, understand the role of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, and much more.   Next Webinar: Know Thy Compliant Self: How to Conduct a Medicaid Self Audit May 15th, 2014 11:00am to 12:30PM Presented by David R. Ross, Esq, and David M. Rottkamp, CPA Register Part of any provider's compliance program is their compliance plan, and the key part of any compliance plan is the concept of risk assessment and self auditing. This means identifying where errors are most likely to be made, and then reviewing your Medicaid claims and documentation for compliance with applicable requirements. Hypotheticals for risk assessment and self audit will be discussed. As participants will hear, self auditing can be the best preventative medicine. A question and answer period will be provided. Complying with the Nonprofit Revitalization Act:  Practical Webinars for New York Nonprofits Presented by David Watson, Esq, Sr. VP of Legal Accountability Services, NYCON and Michael West, Esq., Legal Advisor, NYCON May 20th and June 26th, 2014 Webinars are held from 11:00 am to 12:30pm The Nonprofit Revitalization Act is a landmark change in the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York and will usher in a modern era for the operation and governance of nonprofit corporations starting July 1, 2014. As always, here at the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) your one-stop tool box and soap box we eagerly anticipated the updated statutes and have prepared a practical webinar series to address your immediate needs in the updating of your bylaws and governance materials. We encourage all of our Members to take advantage of these webinars. Part 1: New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act Part- Steps To Compliance - An Overview A comprehensive overview of the Act to take place with a plenary Q/A portion to be held in February, April & June. This offering will provide you with an overview and a practical set of actions to take to amend your bylaws to meet the new standards of the Act Part 2:  New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act: Implementing Your  Compliance Checklist - Whistleblower, Conflict of Interest, Committees & Executive Compensation These webinars will be held In March and May will be a more detailed and focused on the various topics included in the Act that are new and have implications on Board governance in general and your operations specifically. Click here to register. Dates: May 20th   Cost: FREE & Open Only to current NYCON Nonprofit Members. All webinars are from 11:00am to 12:30pm. .  Date: June 26th Membership Benefits: Get to Know Us! [Webinar] May 30, 2014 2:00 pm Register In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. We will be talking about these benefits... Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance NYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more. Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software. The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere.

Upcoming Event Listing How to Conduct a Medicaid Self-Audit Nonprofit Revitalization Act Webinars Membership: Get to Know Us Fundraising Breakfast Roundtable Webinars & Events from Our Partners Southern Tier Workshops Fundraising Breakfast Roundtables For Mid-Hudson Valley Nonprofits  Part III: May 22nd, 2014   8:00am to 9:30am Creating A "Planned Giving Culture" at Your Nonprofit   FREE RSVP TODAY NYCON is pleased to bring a series of three exciting, interactive discussions on fundraising to Mid-Hudson Valley nonprofits this spring. NYCON staff expert Audrey Grifel, with 25+ years of practical experience working with nonprofits on fundraising and donor management, will be facilitating these exciting discussions with our special guest speaker, philanthropist Nick Preddice. Mr. Preddice will give you a rare glimpse into the world of a major donor - sharing his expertise and advice.  Other Upcoming Webinars & Events from NYCON Partners....  Telling Your Story with Blogs, Photos, and Videos  FREE: 10 Tips for Measuring Programs Through Data     Before You Install: Selecting Software That Suits Your Needs   Southern Tier Capacity Building Mini-Grant and Assessment Programs: Resource Development & Fundraising 101: Building Relationships and Moving People to Act [Binghamton] July 10, 2014 9:30am-1:00pm  Strategies for Not Just Good...But Great Governance![Binghamton] August 6, 2014 9:30 am-1:00pm

Best of the Web : May 2014

	Best of the Web: May 2014 The Idealware “Best of the Web” is a monthly roundup of the top nonprofit resources from the Idealware blog, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed to help you make the right technology decisions. Please forward it along to anyone you think might benefit from it.  Nonprofit Technology Staffing and Investments survey (NTEN)We know technology means something to your organization--our friends at NTEN and The NonProfit Times want to know what. This annual survey is a way to gather data from which the entire nonprofit community can learn. Not only will you greatly help your peers by taking this 15-minute survey, but you will be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card. How's that for a win-win? Top Five Instagram Best Practices for Nonprofits (Nonprofit Tech for Good)Instagram is one of the hottest social media tools, so it makes sense that nonprofits looking to reach a younger audience or who strive to be on the cutting edge of technology want to dive in. Before you send out your first #nofilter, it's best to take a look at some of these tips specificlly intended for organizations dipping their toe in the Instagram pool. The Complete Nonprofit's Guide to Heartbleed (Idealware)If one news story has dominated the tech section headlines this spring, it's the Heartbleed bug discovery. Many sites were affected. Kyle Andrei breaks down what you need to know about it (and what you need to do right now) to keep yourself and your data protected. Coming Soon: A Whole New You in Your Twitter Profile (Twitter)There's an uproar each time Facebook changes its layout, but Twitter has remained largely recognizable since its launch in 2006. That could change as the social media tool experiments with a new look for the profile of select users with a greater emphasis on multimedia. Why We’re Removing Comments on Copyblogger (Copyblogger)For many blogs, the comment section can provide a unique avenue for creating a community around your website. For others--such as content marketing blog Copyblogger--it can be a dangerous environment requiring moderation so severe, it's better to start from scratch. Find out why in this intriguing post. How to Make Google Drive Work Like a Desktop Suite (LifeHacker)Nonprofits, with limited budgets and technology staff, are often looking for inexpensive and easy-to-use alternatives to complex software packages. For many, Google Drive provides the necessary basic office software functionality without costing a dime. But just because you have more sophisticated needs doesn't mean you have a bigger budget. These tips and tricks can help you get a bit more functionality out of Google Drive. The Nine Steps of Planning a Successful Technology Project (TechSoup)In this blog post for TechSoup, our own Research Analyist Kyle Andrei breaks down nine essential steps for making your technology project a success. Whether you're implementing a new database or defining goals for your email service, planning is an important element of getting where you need to be--both on time and under budget. How To Create Eye-Catching Graphics For Your Nonprofit (Without Using Photoshop!) (J Campbell Social Marketing)Surely by now you've seen nonprofits succeed in extending their reach with viral images, but did you know that you don't need expensive software to do it? This slideshow from Julia Campbell goes over the best practices for creating future viral images with tools that won't break the bank. Wearable Technology Can Change Relationships With Donors & Clients (The NonProfit Times) Google Glass may still seem like a tool out of science fiction, but many are already considering how wearable technology can be used as a aide to nonprofits and fundraisers. You might not be collecting data from your glasses at your next donor meeting, but the possibility is not as far away as you might think. Would you like to suggest a link for Best of the Web? Email it toinfo@idealware.org. ____________ You received this email because you signed up for Idealware updates. If you are no longer interested in hearing from us, click here to unsubscribe. Idealware | 1 Pleasant St., Suite 4E | Portland ME | 04101

New CNY Data Released

New CNY Data Released

Syracuse, NY - A group of industry experts have been collecting thousands of pieces of data about Central New York over the past couple of years, and very few people knew about it. Now, a new round of community data has been published on www.cnyvitals.org, providing insights into the region’s arts & culture, recreation, civic engagement, demographics, economy, education, environment, housing, and more.

Supported by the Central New York Community Foundation, CNY Vitals is a community indicators initiative developed by many partners including all local colleges and key government and nonprofit leaders dedicated to improving the quality of life for those who live and work in Central New York. The effort is also managed in collaboration with F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse and the Community Benchmarks Program at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Industry experts in their respective fields have formed Indicator Teams to collect and discuss the data based on various disciplines.

“The purpose of CNY Vitals is to provide trustworthy, accurate data and information on the trends and issues facing Central New York’s residents,” said Frank Ridzi, Director of Research and Community Initiatives at the Central New York Community Foundation. “We hope that this information will generate discussion, inform plans, inspire collaboration and spur action.”

Did You Know…?

1. The average commute in Onondaga County is 20 minutes.
   
    
2. In 2012, the average household in Onondaga County dedicated more resources towards reading as recreation than households in other major upstate communities.
   
    

3. In 2011, Onondaga County had the lowest voter turnout in over a decade.
   
    

4. As of 2011, Syracuse had more debt per capita than the larger cities of Rochester or Albany.
   
    

And there are many more statistics available on www.CNYVitals.com.

Public agencies, businesses, universities and colleges, institutes, government agencies, civic engagement groups, national think tanks, area foundations, community based organizations and concerned residents have all contributed to CNY Vitals. Some of the many sources of these data include the US Department of Labor, US Census Bureau, NYS Education Department, NYS Department of Health, several Onondaga County departments, Brookings Institute, Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau, Say Yes to Education, Onondaga County Literacy Coalition, and many more.

So, What’s Next?

The Indicator Teams will be working to analyze this data to determine how it can be put into context for our community. The Teams will also be working to continually update the data. Meanwhile, the Indicator Teams encourage community members to put this compilation to good use by visiting the site at cnyvitals.org and utilizing the data to inform program strategies, grant writing and allocation of resources to help improve Central New York.

 “It is our vision that community leaders will use the information available through CNY Vitals to construct informed plans and secure additional financial resources to address community needs,” said John Eberle, Vice President of Grantmaking & Community Initiatives at the Community Foundation.

For more information, visit www.cnyvitals.org.

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 $143 million. It awarded $8.3 million in grants last year to nonprofit organizations and since its inception has invested more than $120 million in the community. The Community Foundation serves as the steward of charitable legacies for individuals, families and corporations through the administration of more than 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.

###

Excellus BCBS Community Health Award grant announcement

-Excellus BlueCross BlueShield makes $25,000 in Community 

Health Awards available to nonprofit organizations in CNY

SYRACUSE — As part of Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s mission 

to improve the health and health care of the residents of the communities

 it serves, the company makes Community Health Awards adding up to

 a total of $25,000 available to help fund health and wellness programs

 in Central New York.

Nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organizations in Excellus BlueCross BlueShield’s 

eight-county CNY region are invited to apply for an award of up to $4,000

 each, which can be used for a program that has clear goals to improve the 

health or health care of a specific population in the community.

“The company’s Community Health Awards demonstrate a corporate

 commitment to support local organizations that share our mission as a 

nonprofit health plan,” said Arthur Vercillo, M.D., regional president, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield. “These awards complement our existing grants and sponsorships with agencies that work to enhance quality of life, including

 health status, in Central New York.”

In granting the awards, Excellus BlueCross BlueShield considers organizations 

which offer programs that focus on:

· Activities that improve the health status of the community or that 

reduce the incidence of specific diseases.
· Community-wide health education.
· Group-specific health education.
· Wellness.

To be eligible, the organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and located in 

Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego, St. Lawrence or 

Tompkins County.

Awards will be made based on:

· Scope of need.
· Goals of program.
· Overall number of persons to benefit from the program.
· Positive impact on the community’s health status.

“In the 75 years that Excellus BlueCross BlueShield has been serving residents

 of upstate New York, the company has supported hundreds of programs that 

are aimed at improving the health status of area residents,” said Vercillo. “We’re pleased to continue that effort by offering Community Health Awards to

 nonprofits in Central New York.”

The deadline for organizations to submit an application to be considered for an Excellus BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Award is June 9, 2014. 

Applications and additional information are available online at http://bit.ly/1gdR71a or by emailing Community.Health.Awards.CNY@excellus.com. Applications received after the June 9 deadline will not be considered. Awards will be distributed in early fall 2014.

# # #

Keep Going, Your Hard Work is Paying Off!

Good News to Report, Thanks to You   You Made the Difference!  Last Tuesday, NYCON met with the offices of Assemblymember James Brennan and Senator Michael Ranzenhofer , bill sponsors for the Nonprofit Revitalization Act, to further discuss the need to delay the effective date of the Act. We're pleased to inform members that both Brennan and Ranzenhofer's offices understand our perspective and are now working with NYCON and our members to delay the Nonprofit Revitalization Act's effective date. This is great news- but we still have work to do! NYCON is working with both offices in drafting a bill to amend the Act to ensure that nonprofits in New York State have the appropriate amount of time needed to comply. After the bill is placed into session,  we will be asking members to send letters and contact legislators to support the bill, we hope to have your support in the coming weeks!    NYCON wouldn't have been able to take this step without the tremendous assistance from our members communicating to their offices and own local elected officials, signing our petition, and providing us their testimonies - so this first (huge) step is thanks to you. You can still help now - and it's easy. If you haven't already please sign this petition and consider forwarding it to your nonprofit colleagues via email and your social media network. We need more nonprofit voices at the table. Thank you for your continued support! If you have any questions about this or any other public policy issue, please feel free to our  Program and Policy Associate, Amber Vanderwarker.

57 Days Left Until the Effective Date! Sign Our Petition  We're now at 150 signatures on our petition!  We know there are still many more out there who have not yet, so please join our efforts by signing our petition. Please Sign Our Petition!