A to Z Grantwriting Seminar begins THIS SATURDAY!

JOIN US FOR THE UPCOMING “FUNDING YOUR PASSION” 4-DAY INTENSIVE SEMINAR

FEBRUARY 5 & 19, MARCH 5 & 19, 2011 (SATURDAYS)
as a part of the Loyola Marymount University Non-Profit Development Certificate Program

Call Peggy Dobreer, LMU Extension Community Relations Coordinator, for Details, Fees, and Registration (310) 338-1971

LMU Extension Information
http://www.lmu.edu/academics/extension/certificates/business/ndc.htmSeminar Details and Evaluations

A to Z Grantwriting February 2011 Newsletter NOW AVAILABLE

GO TO
www.atozgrantwriting.com
TO SIGN UP

A to Z Grantwriting Seminar in TWO WEEKS

JOIN US FOR THE UPCOMING “FUNDING YOUR PASSION” 4-DAY INTENSIVE SEMINAR

FEBRUARY 5 & 19, MARCH 5 & 19, 2011 (SATURDAYS)
as a part of the Loyola Marymount University Non-Profit Development Certificate Program

Call Peggy Dobreer, LMU Extension Community Relations Coordinator, for Details, Fees, and Registration (310) 338-1971

LMU Extension Information
http://www.lmu.edu/academics/extension/certificates/business/ndc.htm

Seminar Details and Evaluations
http://www.atozgrantwriting.com/

Lorser Feitelson and Helen Lundeberg Feitelson Arts Fellowship

The Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery (LAMAGA) Associates are pleased to announce the call for submissions for the Lorser Feitelson and Helen Lundeberg Feitelson Arts Fellowship Award. Deadline for all application materials: February 16, 2011.

The Feitelson Arts Fellowship award is granted to an individual who works in painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, installation and/or new genre. The 2011 Feitelson Fellowship winner will receive an award of $5,000 and a solo exhibition at the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery.

Jurors include Ciara Ennis, director/curator of Pitzer Art Galleries at Pitzer College; Todd Gray, professor of art at California State University, Long Beach; and Carol A. Stakenas, executive director of Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE).

Info and app: http://www.lamag.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/2011FeitelsonForm.pdf

Nonprofits Considering Mergers, Collaborations, and Restructuring

After private giving doubled between 1987 and 2007 it declined by 6% in 2008, the largest drop since “Giving USA” (http://www.aafrc.org/gusa/mission.cfm) began tracking the data more than fifty years ago. State and local government funding can represent more than two-thirds of an organization’s budget, has also been falling.

Now, donors have begun to provide incentives to encourage nonprofits to collaborate or merge with other organizations. In 2008, for example, the Arizona-based “Lodestar Foundation” (http://www.lodestarfoundation.org/) launched a $250,000 annual collaboration prize, and when world leaders and philanthropists gather for former eBay president Jeff Skoll’s annual forum on social entrepreneurship in April, the theme of the conference will be catalyzing collaboration for large-scale change.

“This is a wave of the future, not just a result of these times,” said Lodestar Foundation president Lois Savage. “The sector is realizing that running a nonprofit isn’t a God-given right. It’s a privilege. Leaders need to look beyond their organization and focus on the mission they’re trying to accomplish.”

Full Article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704586504574654404227641232.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Banjo, Shelly. Kalita, S. Mitra.“Once-Robust Charity Sector Hit With Mergers, Closings.” Wall Street Journal 2/01/10.

Ethics, Accountability, Transparency, and Trust in the Non Profit World

Non profit organizations exist for the benefit of the public and must earn the public’s trust through ethical leadership and responsible practices.

The trust earned by accountability and transparency is the most important of assets. Donors will give, volunteers will invest their time, and clients and customers will return to organizations they trust to use their charitable gifts wisely.

Nonprofit organizations are “public benefit” corporations whose purpose is to benefit the public. The board members are often referred to as “trustees,” enforcing idea that the organization’s assets are “entrusted” to its board who have a legal duty to ensure that funds are used to fulfill the organization’s mission.

A code of ethics guides a nonprofit organization’s employees, volunteers, and board members in making ethical choices. Honesty, integrity, and fair practices create a solid foundation that earns the public’s trust.

GuideStar recommends five simple steps that will greatly advance nonprofit transparency

• Nonprofits should regularly update their Web sites with current, detailed program and evaluation information.

• Board members’ and key staff’s names and titles, and bios should be posted on their websites.

• The annual report should be posted on its website.

• An audited financial statement should be posted on the website.

• Every nonprofit should post its IRS non profit letter of determination on its website. The results of a Guidestar survey shows great reluctance to disclose this basic document authenticating an organization’s tax status. As noted above, the letter of determination is a public document. As is true with audited financial statements, disclosure of the letter of determination is a common practice for nonprofits seeking grants from private and public sources.

READ MORE

Council for Non Profits
http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/resources/resources-topic/ethics-accountability

Guidestar
http://www2.guidestar.org/rxa/news/articles/2009/the-state-of-nonprofit-transparency-2008.aspx

Dell Social Innovation Competition, Deadline: February 14, 2011.

$50K to an undergraduate or graduate-level student who has developed a financially viable, scalable venture to address a significant social problem. Info and app: http://www.dellsocialinnovationcompetition.com/

Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute, Deadline: February 11.

Seven-day scholarships to attend Aspen Ideas Festival, June – July in Aspen, Colorado, to (12) school student/educator teams. Info and app: http://www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/

A to Z Grantwriting January 2011 Newsletter NOW AVAILABLE

GO TO
www.atozgrantwriting.com
TO SIGN UP