Strong foundations of the future will show their age!
Healthy foundations, today, are striving to work with nonprofits, fulfill donors' goals, and ultimately work with community partners for results, as evidenced by some of our oldest American foundations, for example The Rockefeller Foundation.
How is this different? Foundations have become strategic. They are conducting their own independent studies to find best practices. They're sharing findings (for free); offering guidance to partners based on their successes and lessons learned; and community foundations, in particular, are offering new philanthropists 'how to' training. Community foundations are developing new philanthropists via modern philanthropic paradigms, determining what operations and policies are most effective, and ultimately moving philanthropy forward.
American foundations have done even more, especially in recent years. I entered a new career in the nonprofit sector in a difficult year, 2001. At a conference that I went to, that year, while chit chatting with a board member of another nonprofit about my being new to the nonprofit sector, she said, 'it's a great time for you to begin learning about fundraising'. I asked 'why'. She responded, 'there's nowhere to go but up'. After the 9/11 tragedy and the unrest it foisted onto the United States, the George W. Bush administration routed public services money from the federal budget to a, then, new war. By mid-2002, I saw in Seattle, firsthand, foundations picked up that financial support slack. They felt that burden but also the need in our community.
In recent years, healthy American nonprofits also learned from their mishaps and successes, have begun to understand the strengths gained in partnering with other nonprofits, avoided reinventing the wheel, and listened to their constituency (to understand what is needed, to know where nonprofits made errors, and to remain effective). They've also begun providing donors with reporting, programmatic and operational goals, transparency, involvement, an ear, and frankly - true partnership. Nonprofits' goal today? It is also ultimately effectiveness at mission-work.
OK, so today, we all mean well in our work.
There's more to learn. Foundations and nonprofit organizations' findings, best practices, partnerships, sharing, and communication have set apart the stronger, effective, American organizations from the others. Educated donors can begin to spot a spectrum in the quality of the various nonprofits they are considering to give to this fiscal quarter. Savvy nonprofits who do their homework can get strategic about whom they will partner with in their work.
Future foundations, floating in their space docks just above the African continent's stratosphere, will have the benefit of our field's best work in these (prior) years. Besides having a beautiful view, our foundation of the future will have a chance to be even more effective than we may be, today.
This post is a response to the January 2008 Giving Carnival hosted by New Voices of Philanthropy.
Chủ Nhật, 13 tháng 1, 2008
January 2008 Giving Carnival - Join Us
For the first 2008 Giving Carnival (group blog session), Trista Harris, author of the New Voices of Philanthropy blog asks anyone who would like to join in the conversation, "...what foundations will look like 10, 25, or even 50 years from now." If you'd like to respond, email Trista at tristaharris at gmail dot com by January 18 with your blog post response link, and return January 21st to read what others said. Be a part of the discussion!
My answer to Trista's question is here.
My answer to Trista's question is here.
Thứ Sáu, 11 tháng 1, 2008
Nonprofits, Beware of Email From Barbara Moratek of the Ivete Foundation
Please read Alex Eckelberry's "Beware Barbara Moratek of the Ivete Foundation", a short warning on Sun Belt Blog about an email going around to nonprofit leaders requesting old information on organizations from previous years. It is a scam and people around the nation ARE receiving this email.
2008 Washington State Nonprofit Conference
From the Nonprofit Networking List Serve, Seattle...
2008 Washington State Nonprofit Conference
April 9, 2008
Meydenbauer Center, Downtown Seattle
8:00 am -4:30 pm
Offered by: Executive Alliance, Nancy Bell Evans Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy and Seattle University's Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Nonprofit Leadership programs
Presented By: The Boeing Company
For the past 13 years this one-day conference has been the premier gathering of nonprofit community leaders, supporters, and board members coming together to explore ways to enhance the vitality of the nonprofit sector.
On April 9, 2008 we will again convene more than 500 nonprofit and community leaders representing a wide variety of organizations and positions from across Washington State.
Features include twenty-one cutting edge sessions led by respected community leaders; open spaceroom; nationally renowned keynote speakers; more exhibitors and vendors; and the ever-famous free latte cart!
From mission to movement —
Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High Impact Nonprofits
authors Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant are slated as the morning keynote and session presenters. Books will be available for sale and author signing.
We will be offering discounts for groups from the same agency and for early registrations. Register Now! If you have specific questions please email conference@exec- alliance. org, or by phone at (206) 328-3836.
2008 Washington State Nonprofit Conference
April 9, 2008
Meydenbauer Center, Downtown Seattle
8:00 am -4:30 pm
Offered by: Executive Alliance, Nancy Bell Evans Center on Nonprofits & Philanthropy and Seattle University's Master of Public Administration and Executive Master of Nonprofit Leadership programs
Presented By: The Boeing Company
For the past 13 years this one-day conference has been the premier gathering of nonprofit community leaders, supporters, and board members coming together to explore ways to enhance the vitality of the nonprofit sector.
On April 9, 2008 we will again convene more than 500 nonprofit and community leaders representing a wide variety of organizations and positions from across Washington State.
Features include twenty-one cutting edge sessions led by respected community leaders; open spaceroom; nationally renowned keynote speakers; more exhibitors and vendors; and the ever-famous free latte cart!
From mission to movement —
Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High Impact Nonprofits
authors Leslie Crutchfield and Heather McLeod Grant are slated as the morning keynote and session presenters. Books will be available for sale and author signing.
We will be offering discounts for groups from the same agency and for early registrations. Register Now! If you have specific questions please email conference@exec- alliance. org, or by phone at (206) 328-3836.
Chủ Nhật, 6 tháng 1, 2008
The New Tax Form You'll Have to File If Your Org Receives $25,000 Or More
The IRS finally revealed the new 990 tax form; the form that non profits are required to file. If your organization receives $25,000 or more during 2008, then in 2009 you will have to begin filing a 990, if you have not before.
Both, donors and the United States government now expect transparency and accountability. Non profits are expected to reveal their accounting, programmatic issues as well as successes, and operations; honestly, completely, and professionally. Tax form 990 is public record and often used to research non profits. If a donor is considering giving a large contribution to your organization they may research your group at length, and will certainly check your group's most recent tax filing. Think of it this way... people who have considered donating to your organization and your regular donors will benefit. Due to the new tax reporting requirements, your organization will have more operations, outcomes, program effectiveness, etc. documentation readily available. Use it to both market your organization and to engage donors (or potential donors, potential new board members, etc.) with.
For instance, the Summary Page of the new tax form asks for a quick view of the organization's finances and asks questions about agency governance and board operations. Requesting this new information, alone, improves the ability for the tax form reader to assess your organization. What percentage of donations received is spent on your organization's mission statement and programs? If it's less than 80%, some will wonder if your leadership manages your cash flow, operations, planning for future growth, etc. well. If you spend a small number of total receipts on your mission work, many potential donors will assume that you're simply asking them for donations under ulterior motives. Knowing that you spend 80% or more of total receipts on your programs is a comfort to your current and also potential donors - they should be made aware of this!
The IRS developed this new tax form because the previous one, created in the late 1970's, was outdated. Congress has dealt with more than one or two non profits, in recent years, who receive federal grants but seem to also pay their leadership exorbitant amounts and benefits. These kinds of operations were only discovered after Congress investigated the organizations. This situation was indicative of a real issue: the reporting required via federal tax filings was not informative enough for the government (and others) to SEE what a given nonprofit does/doesn't do with its money for its mission statement. The IRS asked for public commentary as they developed the new form. In its final state, the form reflects the government's and responding American nonprofit organizations' suggestions, goals, issues, and concerns.
IRS tax form 990 has an 11 page core that most nonprofits will fill out and additional schedules that some organizations will be required to complete. You can see the IRS' description of the new core here.
If you have further questions, read the IRS' press release on the new tax form in their article, "IRS Releases Final 2008 Form 990 for Tax-Exempt Organizations, Adjusts Filing Threshold to Provide Transition Relief"
Both, donors and the United States government now expect transparency and accountability. Non profits are expected to reveal their accounting, programmatic issues as well as successes, and operations; honestly, completely, and professionally. Tax form 990 is public record and often used to research non profits. If a donor is considering giving a large contribution to your organization they may research your group at length, and will certainly check your group's most recent tax filing. Think of it this way... people who have considered donating to your organization and your regular donors will benefit. Due to the new tax reporting requirements, your organization will have more operations, outcomes, program effectiveness, etc. documentation readily available. Use it to both market your organization and to engage donors (or potential donors, potential new board members, etc.) with.
For instance, the Summary Page of the new tax form asks for a quick view of the organization's finances and asks questions about agency governance and board operations. Requesting this new information, alone, improves the ability for the tax form reader to assess your organization. What percentage of donations received is spent on your organization's mission statement and programs? If it's less than 80%, some will wonder if your leadership manages your cash flow, operations, planning for future growth, etc. well. If you spend a small number of total receipts on your mission work, many potential donors will assume that you're simply asking them for donations under ulterior motives. Knowing that you spend 80% or more of total receipts on your programs is a comfort to your current and also potential donors - they should be made aware of this!
The IRS developed this new tax form because the previous one, created in the late 1970's, was outdated. Congress has dealt with more than one or two non profits, in recent years, who receive federal grants but seem to also pay their leadership exorbitant amounts and benefits. These kinds of operations were only discovered after Congress investigated the organizations. This situation was indicative of a real issue: the reporting required via federal tax filings was not informative enough for the government (and others) to SEE what a given nonprofit does/doesn't do with its money for its mission statement. The IRS asked for public commentary as they developed the new form. In its final state, the form reflects the government's and responding American nonprofit organizations' suggestions, goals, issues, and concerns.
IRS tax form 990 has an 11 page core that most nonprofits will fill out and additional schedules that some organizations will be required to complete. You can see the IRS' description of the new core here.
If you have further questions, read the IRS' press release on the new tax form in their article, "IRS Releases Final 2008 Form 990 for Tax-Exempt Organizations, Adjusts Filing Threshold to Provide Transition Relief"
Grants to Inform Public About Islam and Muslims Through US Campuses Receiving Title VI Funding
From The Foundation Center...
Social Science Research Council Announces New Grants Program to Increase Public Understanding of Muslim Cultures
Deadline: January 21, 2008
The Social Science Research Council ( http://www.ssrc.org/ ) has announced a new small grants program in support of outreach activities undertaken by Title VI-funded National Resource Centers on U.S. campuses, with a special thematic focus on "Islam and Muslims in World Contexts."
The objective of the program is to support activities that successfully disseminate the results and insights of academic research on different societies and regions to the general public, and encourage public scholarship by facilitating interaction between research scholars and a variety of constituents, including media, policy institutions, business, and local communities.
Current Title VI NRC recipients on U.S. campuses are eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 per center, to be used over a period of twelve months to enhance existing capacities on their campuses, or to create new activities, for promoting public understanding of Muslim societies and communities in all their variety and diversity across all geographical regions of the world. Support is available for outreach to media, business, policy institutions, and the general public but not for K-12 education. The SSRC expects to make as many as thirty-five grants over a two-year period. Applications that involve more than one NRC on the same campus or across campuses are encouraged as are applications from administrative units overseeing multiple Title VI programs.
Program guidelines and application forms are available at the SSRC Web site. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010530/ssrc
Social Science Research Council Announces New Grants Program to Increase Public Understanding of Muslim Cultures
Deadline: January 21, 2008
The Social Science Research Council ( http://www.ssrc.org/ ) has announced a new small grants program in support of outreach activities undertaken by Title VI-funded National Resource Centers on U.S. campuses, with a special thematic focus on "Islam and Muslims in World Contexts."
The objective of the program is to support activities that successfully disseminate the results and insights of academic research on different societies and regions to the general public, and encourage public scholarship by facilitating interaction between research scholars and a variety of constituents, including media, policy institutions, business, and local communities.
Current Title VI NRC recipients on U.S. campuses are eligible to apply for grants of up to $50,000 per center, to be used over a period of twelve months to enhance existing capacities on their campuses, or to create new activities, for promoting public understanding of Muslim societies and communities in all their variety and diversity across all geographical regions of the world. Support is available for outreach to media, business, policy institutions, and the general public but not for K-12 education. The SSRC expects to make as many as thirty-five grants over a two-year period. Applications that involve more than one NRC on the same campus or across campuses are encouraged as are applications from administrative units overseeing multiple Title VI programs.
Program guidelines and application forms are available at the SSRC Web site. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010530/ssrc
Grants for Community Media In GA, NC, and SC
From The Foundation Center...
Fund for Southern Communities Announces Media Justice Grant Opportunity
Deadline: February 29, 2008
The Fund for Southern Communities ( http://www.fundforsouth.org/ ), as part of the Funding Exchange's Media Justice Fund ( http://www.fex.org/mjf/ ), seeks proposals for grants in two categories:
1) Community Media Collaboration -- projects that address media policy, infrastructure, or accountability within the context of a social justice issue or campaign; and
2) Media Justice Toolkits -- popular education materials for social justice activists and the general public on media justice issues. To be eligible to apply, an organization must be working for media and/or social justice; be located and doing work in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina; and have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or have established a relationship with a fiscal sponsor with tax-exempt status.
Grants will range from $5,000 to $10,000 each for one year.
To learn more about the Fund for Southern Communities and to access the Request for Proposals, visit the fund's Web site. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010532/fundforsouth
Fund for Southern Communities Announces Media Justice Grant Opportunity
Deadline: February 29, 2008
The Fund for Southern Communities ( http://www.fundforsouth.org/ ), as part of the Funding Exchange's Media Justice Fund ( http://www.fex.org/mjf/ ), seeks proposals for grants in two categories:
1) Community Media Collaboration -- projects that address media policy, infrastructure, or accountability within the context of a social justice issue or campaign; and
2) Media Justice Toolkits -- popular education materials for social justice activists and the general public on media justice issues. To be eligible to apply, an organization must be working for media and/or social justice; be located and doing work in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina; and have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or have established a relationship with a fiscal sponsor with tax-exempt status.
Grants will range from $5,000 to $10,000 each for one year.
To learn more about the Fund for Southern Communities and to access the Request for Proposals, visit the fund's Web site. RFP Link: http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10010532/fundforsouth
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