Sunday, December 13, 2009
Community Foundations Share Perspective
Colgate University offered the following interview with the directors from three Community Foundations in the region.
Dunn says that Central New York has a modest foundation community, with only $400 million in assets and $20 million in annual grants. With those funds, how can we have the most impact. He has seen many encouraging conversations about sustainability in not for profit organizations in the community, and discussions about merging, sharing objectives, and regionalization. OShea says that, as the largest funder in their area, several smaller foundations have come under their umbrella as donor advised or designated funds. This enables them to have a conversation about their interests and the impact of their charitable dollars. She also stresses the importance of the indicator study as a way to articulate the needs of the community to themselves and the community. Brown does the same thing by relying on other agencies to give them this information. They are concerned with the power differential and remind themselves to remain sensitive about this. She shares an example of a cultural organization that has systemic issues. They also discuss the definition of philanthropy and the creation of the Center for Philanthropy by the Central New York Community Foundation.
Beyond Collaboration: Re-engineering for Success
Presented by Doug Sauer, CEO, New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc.
Are your nonprofit resources getting tighter while expenses are increasing? Concerned about more regulations and accountability demands being placed on you? Are you looking for solutions other than more belt-tightening, service cut backs, and ramping up fundraising efforts? Are you missing out on lost opportunities? Have you considered merging, shared services or developing an alternative legal arrangement with another nonprofit? "Re-engineering" is a serious solution to the serious issues facing today's nonprofits. Come learn about the options, the benefits, risks and processes of re-engineering.
Date: Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Oswego Metro Center
The Atrium, 2 Clinton Square
Syracuse, NY 13202
Register Here: http://reengineering1117.eventbrite.com/
If you have questions, contact Andrew Marietta by e-mail or call (607) 436-3124.
Are your nonprofit resources getting tighter while expenses are increasing? Concerned about more regulations and accountability demands being placed on you? Are you looking for solutions other than more belt-tightening, service cut backs, and ramping up fundraising efforts? Are you missing out on lost opportunities? Have you considered merging, shared services or developing an alternative legal arrangement with another nonprofit? "Re-engineering" is a serious solution to the serious issues facing today's nonprofits. Come learn about the options, the benefits, risks and processes of re-engineering.
Date: Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: FREE
Location: Oswego Metro Center
The Atrium, 2 Clinton Square
Syracuse, NY 13202
Register Here: http://reengineering1117.eventbrite.com/
If you have questions, contact Andrew Marietta by e-mail or call (607) 436-3124.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Former gym building is a sinking boat for Erie Canal Museum
Syracuse.com reported about the Erie Canal Museum's challenges with a $499,000 building they purchased previously for an expansion, now cancelled. Now the building is for sale and the museum owes Onondaga County more than half a million dollars related to the aborted project.
The museum put the building — the old Water Street Gym — on the market six months ago and plans to pay back the county with money from the sale, museum Executive Director Diana Goodsight said.
Once the building is sold, the county will set up a plan for the museum to pay back whatever remains of its $552,105 debt to the county, said Ben Dublin, county director of intergovernmental relations.
“We need to recoup that taxpayer money,” he said.
Dublin was quick to point out that the situation dates back to 2006, before County Executive Joanie Mahoney took office.
It began with a $1.2 million federal grant and the museum’s plan to expand into the building a few doors down in the 300 block of East Water Street.
The county applied for and in 2006 won the federal grant, which came through the state Department of Transportation. The money was to be used by the museum for the expansion.
When the museum killed the expansion — after it bought the building — the grant reverted to the state, but the county was on the hook to pay back the state for the grant money already spent, a total of $431,000, Dublin said.
After the county won the grant, but before the money came in, the county advanced the museum $552,105 for the project, he said. Then County Executive Nick Pirro and the county Legislature agreed in 2006 to advance the museum up to $1.7 million for the project, according to Dublin. The projected cost of the expansion was $1.7 million.
The $1.2 million grant was supposed to buy the building, replace its 1950s facade and ready the interior for use as exhibition galleries, classrooms and hands-on learning space. The museum was responsible for coming up with the other $500,000, Goodsight said.
To actually install the exhibits and finish the project would have cost at least $800,000 on top of the $1.7 million, Goodsight said.
When the economy soured, and given other projects the museum was conducting, its board decided to cancel the expansion to avoid a possible “financial mess,” she said. Read more here.
The museum put the building — the old Water Street Gym — on the market six months ago and plans to pay back the county with money from the sale, museum Executive Director Diana Goodsight said.
Once the building is sold, the county will set up a plan for the museum to pay back whatever remains of its $552,105 debt to the county, said Ben Dublin, county director of intergovernmental relations.
“We need to recoup that taxpayer money,” he said.
Dublin was quick to point out that the situation dates back to 2006, before County Executive Joanie Mahoney took office.
It began with a $1.2 million federal grant and the museum’s plan to expand into the building a few doors down in the 300 block of East Water Street.
The county applied for and in 2006 won the federal grant, which came through the state Department of Transportation. The money was to be used by the museum for the expansion.
When the museum killed the expansion — after it bought the building — the grant reverted to the state, but the county was on the hook to pay back the state for the grant money already spent, a total of $431,000, Dublin said.
After the county won the grant, but before the money came in, the county advanced the museum $552,105 for the project, he said. Then County Executive Nick Pirro and the county Legislature agreed in 2006 to advance the museum up to $1.7 million for the project, according to Dublin. The projected cost of the expansion was $1.7 million.
The $1.2 million grant was supposed to buy the building, replace its 1950s facade and ready the interior for use as exhibition galleries, classrooms and hands-on learning space. The museum was responsible for coming up with the other $500,000, Goodsight said.
To actually install the exhibits and finish the project would have cost at least $800,000 on top of the $1.7 million, Goodsight said.
When the economy soured, and given other projects the museum was conducting, its board decided to cancel the expansion to avoid a possible “financial mess,” she said. Read more here.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Robert Egger Speaker- Friday November 13-National Philanthropy Day
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Central New York Chapter
cordially invites you to attend the
2009 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon
November 13, 2009
12:00 - 2:00 pm
The Renaissance Syracuse Hotel
701 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
Honoring:
Sheldon & Mateele Kall, Trustees
Sam Pomeranz and Abraham Shankman Trusts
Outstanding Philanthropists
Kevin & Linda Hicks, Founders
KJs Angels Memorial Fund
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers
Empower Federal Credit Union
Outstanding Corporation
Keynote Speaker:
Robert Egger
Author, Begging for Change
President, D.C. Central Kitchen
Tickets $50 per person
RSVP by Tuesday, November 10, 2009 to:
Beverly Mack at 315/498-6057 or bmack5@twcny.rr.com
Central New York Chapter
cordially invites you to attend the
2009 National Philanthropy Day Luncheon
November 13, 2009
12:00 - 2:00 pm
The Renaissance Syracuse Hotel
701 East Genesee Street, Syracuse
Honoring:
Sheldon & Mateele Kall, Trustees
Sam Pomeranz and Abraham Shankman Trusts
Outstanding Philanthropists
Kevin & Linda Hicks, Founders
KJs Angels Memorial Fund
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraisers
Empower Federal Credit Union
Outstanding Corporation
Keynote Speaker:
Robert Egger
Author, Begging for Change
President, D.C. Central Kitchen
Tickets $50 per person
RSVP by Tuesday, November 10, 2009 to:
Beverly Mack at 315/498-6057 or bmack5@twcny.rr.com
Saturday, November 7, 2009
SU, Cornell, University of Rochester collaborate to find solutions to CNY brain drain in upcoming charrette, Nov. 13-15
Thirty-six students from Syracuse University, Cornell University and the University of Rochester will come together Nov. 13-15 for a charrette to address and work on creative solutions to one of the toughest problems facing Upstate New York: retaining smart, hard-working young people post-graduation.
The Friday through Sunday charrette, titled "Work/Play/Stay," will take place on the fourth floor of The Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., Syracuse, culminating with a presentation of ideas after a 1 p.m. reception on Sunday, Nov. 15.
A charrette–sometimes called a design charrette–is an intense, design-based collaborative project. Charrettes serve as a way of quickly generating a design solution through collaborative work, integrating the aptitudes and interests of a diverse group of people. For the upcoming "Work/Play/Stay" charrette, each university selected 12 students from a variety of disciplines and schools.
The idea for an entrepreneurial collaboration of the three universities came from Neil Tarallo, assistant professor of clinical entrepreneurship at SU's Whitman School of Management, who had once been an entrepreneur in the Ithaca area.
"Typically, it's industry leaders and government officials that talk about this issue, but as entrepreneurs we know that customers' opinions are very important, so it seems logical that we should ask the students what they think," says Tarallo. Read more here.
The Friday through Sunday charrette, titled "Work/Play/Stay," will take place on the fourth floor of The Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St., Syracuse, culminating with a presentation of ideas after a 1 p.m. reception on Sunday, Nov. 15.
A charrette–sometimes called a design charrette–is an intense, design-based collaborative project. Charrettes serve as a way of quickly generating a design solution through collaborative work, integrating the aptitudes and interests of a diverse group of people. For the upcoming "Work/Play/Stay" charrette, each university selected 12 students from a variety of disciplines and schools.
The idea for an entrepreneurial collaboration of the three universities came from Neil Tarallo, assistant professor of clinical entrepreneurship at SU's Whitman School of Management, who had once been an entrepreneur in the Ithaca area.
"Typically, it's industry leaders and government officials that talk about this issue, but as entrepreneurs we know that customers' opinions are very important, so it seems logical that we should ask the students what they think," says Tarallo. Read more here.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
InterFaith Works: ED Search
InterFaith Works of Central New York is a non-profit organization located in Syracuse, New York. Founded in 1976, InterFaith Works brings together a diverse array of faith traditions in our community, in the belief that engagement among these different faith groups will lead to understanding, friendships and a collaborative strength to address community issues. Our work is reflected in a variety of interfaith initiatives including our five core social service programs:
· Center for New Americans – Refugee Resettlement
· Community-Wide Dialogue to End Racism
· Covenant Housing to aid those with special needs
· Senior Companion for the frail elderly
· Spiritual Care for those in area health care and correctional facilities
Our Mission remains through education, service and dialogue, to affirm the dignity of each person and every faith community and to work to create relationships and understanding among us. InterFaith Works has approximately 35 full and part-time employees with an annual budget of approximately 2.5 million. http://www.interfaithworkscny.org/
Executive Director
Description:
The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for general management of the organization and for financial and organizational growth and development toward the fulfillment of its mission, vision and values.
Responsibilities include:
· Establishing and maintaining relationships with faith community leaders, related community agencies, funding sources, and government bodies.
· Leading and actively supporting and participating in fund raising and grant writing activities to provide the organization with continuing sources of funds.
· Exercising responsibility for the financial management of InterFaith Works including developing and recommending an annual budget.
· Managing, leading and collaborating with InterFaith Works staff to support the organization’s mission and goals.
· Building strong staff relationships and contributing to a positive work environment.
· Developing interfaith education initiatives and leading InterFaith Works community education efforts
· Coordinating community public relations efforts and representing InterFaith Works when the opportunity arises in public venues.
· Collaborating, partnering and communicating with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee on a regular basis, including participating in all requisite meetings.
· Effectively communicating the organizations’ progress and accomplishments, as well as ongoing resource needs to staff, Board and community stakeholders
· Coordinating the recruitment and training of Board members and generally overseeing the operation of the InterFaith Works volunteer structure.
· Developing and recommending policies to guide the operation of InterFaith Works and supervising and coordinating their implementation.
Required Experience:
· Substantial experience in senior management position
· Expertise in fund raising
· Familiarity with non-profit organizations and Boards
· Demonstrated leadership ability
· Experience with operating budgets
· Understanding of the organization’s mission and work
· Significant connection to the interfaith community
Please send resume to IFW Search c/o Eric Mower and Associates, 500 Plum Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 or email to IFWSearch@mower.com.
InterFaith Works is an AA/EOE.
· Center for New Americans – Refugee Resettlement
· Community-Wide Dialogue to End Racism
· Covenant Housing to aid those with special needs
· Senior Companion for the frail elderly
· Spiritual Care for those in area health care and correctional facilities
Our Mission remains through education, service and dialogue, to affirm the dignity of each person and every faith community and to work to create relationships and understanding among us. InterFaith Works has approximately 35 full and part-time employees with an annual budget of approximately 2.5 million. http://www.interfaithworkscny.org/
Executive Director
Description:
The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors, and is responsible for general management of the organization and for financial and organizational growth and development toward the fulfillment of its mission, vision and values.
Responsibilities include:
· Establishing and maintaining relationships with faith community leaders, related community agencies, funding sources, and government bodies.
· Leading and actively supporting and participating in fund raising and grant writing activities to provide the organization with continuing sources of funds.
· Exercising responsibility for the financial management of InterFaith Works including developing and recommending an annual budget.
· Managing, leading and collaborating with InterFaith Works staff to support the organization’s mission and goals.
· Building strong staff relationships and contributing to a positive work environment.
· Developing interfaith education initiatives and leading InterFaith Works community education efforts
· Coordinating community public relations efforts and representing InterFaith Works when the opportunity arises in public venues.
· Collaborating, partnering and communicating with the Board of Directors and Executive Committee on a regular basis, including participating in all requisite meetings.
· Effectively communicating the organizations’ progress and accomplishments, as well as ongoing resource needs to staff, Board and community stakeholders
· Coordinating the recruitment and training of Board members and generally overseeing the operation of the InterFaith Works volunteer structure.
· Developing and recommending policies to guide the operation of InterFaith Works and supervising and coordinating their implementation.
Required Experience:
· Substantial experience in senior management position
· Expertise in fund raising
· Familiarity with non-profit organizations and Boards
· Demonstrated leadership ability
· Experience with operating budgets
· Understanding of the organization’s mission and work
· Significant connection to the interfaith community
Please send resume to IFW Search c/o Eric Mower and Associates, 500 Plum Street, Syracuse, NY 13204 or email to IFWSearch@mower.com.
InterFaith Works is an AA/EOE.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Oncenter audit finds sloppy financial controls, and taxpayers pay the price
Syracuse.com reported that when Oncenter officials walked into the Onondaga County Legislature chamber Tuesday, they had two uncomfortable confessions to make.
First, they were out of money. They asked for $575,000 from the county to pay their bills — on top of the $2.1 million the county gives them each year.
Second, Oncenter’s latest financial report card was the kind that gets children sent to their rooms.
A recent audit of Oncenter’s 2008 finances by independent accounting firm Testone, Marshall & Discenza concluded that Oncenter’s sloppy financial controls created “more than a remote likelihood” that significant accounting errors, or even fraud, could go undetected.
Oncenter, a nonprofit corporation that manages the county’s convention center, theaters, parking facilities and War Memorial, is required by its contract to provide quarterly financial reports to the Legislature and other county officials.
But the corporation’s finances have been in disarray for the past year during a shakeup in top management. The Testone audit of 2008 results, produced Tuesday during a meeting of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee, was Oncenter’s first financial report to the Legislature in more than a year.
It listed several “significant deficiencies” in the corporation’s money management, including: Read more here.
First, they were out of money. They asked for $575,000 from the county to pay their bills — on top of the $2.1 million the county gives them each year.
Second, Oncenter’s latest financial report card was the kind that gets children sent to their rooms.
A recent audit of Oncenter’s 2008 finances by independent accounting firm Testone, Marshall & Discenza concluded that Oncenter’s sloppy financial controls created “more than a remote likelihood” that significant accounting errors, or even fraud, could go undetected.
Oncenter, a nonprofit corporation that manages the county’s convention center, theaters, parking facilities and War Memorial, is required by its contract to provide quarterly financial reports to the Legislature and other county officials.
But the corporation’s finances have been in disarray for the past year during a shakeup in top management. The Testone audit of 2008 results, produced Tuesday during a meeting of the Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee, was Oncenter’s first financial report to the Legislature in more than a year.
It listed several “significant deficiencies” in the corporation’s money management, including: Read more here.
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