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HEADLINES
Collaborating for Impact:
Report Looks at Successful Outcomes and Inevitable Disconnect of Nonprofit Collaborations
Collaboration--the buzzword that elicits both hope and fear in the hearts of nonprofit professionals-- can help an organization achieve its goals
 and expand its reach- if done correctly. To gain a better understanding of nonprofit collaborations, the Bridgespan Group joined forces with the Lodestar Foundation to survey hundreds of nonprofit CEOs and foundation officers and produce Making Sense of Nonprofit Collaborations, a look at the frequency and success across a range of formal nonprofit collaborations, including mergers. "Survey participants in Massachusetts reflected the national findings on CEO-Grantmaker disconnects," explains Katie Smith Milway, a Partner at Bridgespan. "Even though we found high levels of collaboration across the spectrum that largely achieved set goals, there are some important conversations to be had between nonprofits and their funders around support for and barriers to collaboration as well as agreeing on what success looks like, particularly in joint programs."
The survey asked about each organization's participation in four common types of formal collaboration: associations (including coalitions and community collaboratives), joint programs, shared support functions, and mergers (including subsidiary relationships). Survey results revealed interesting details about the successes and challenges that comprise the landscape of collaboration.
New Job in the New Year? Whether you're on the hunt for a new job or just keeping tabs on what's out there, be sure to visit MNN's online Career Center. The site includes hundreds of listings ranging from internships to senior-level positions at nonprofits and for-profit companies from across the state and in every subsector. And if you're looking to fill a job, post it in MNN's online Career Center and receive thousands of views each month. Anyone can access the Career Center but only MNN members are allowed to post jobs. MNN members: don't forget you can post an unlimited number of jobs for free! Not a member of MNN yet? Learn more. Looking Back, Moving Ahead As you reflect on 2014, and look to the new year, keep these tidbits in mind... In 2014, charitable giving was flat According to the Blackbaud Index, charitable giving to nonprofits in 2014 was nearly flat. Blackbaud's numbers for giving in September through November 2014 indicate that overall charitable giving increased just 0.1 percent compared to this same period of time in 2013, with online giving increasing 4.4%. This indicates a flattening out compared with overall giving for the year, which increased 1.9% from 2013 with a 10.8% increase in online giving. Small nonprofits saw the greatest increase in overall giving at 4.9% for the year, while large nonprofits saw a decrease of -1.2%, and medium-sized organizations saw 0% growth. You can read a more in depth summary in the NonProfit Times or view the Blackbaud Index. Millennials transformed the sector, showy billionaires were a burden, and federal government took a backseat to local and state administrations. Oh, and we realized there's no diversity in our own organizations. The Nonprofit Quarterly makes it easy for us and breaks down the biggest nonprofit stories of 2014. And as NPQ editor Ruth McCambridge deftly states in the article: "Many of the big nonprofit stories of 2014 are obvious and palpable-big chewy knots of things that require an 'all hands on deck' kind of attitude with lots of room for failure and success. The cross-cutting theme is that these issues are all connected to one another, implying that this is a moment with real possibilities for change..." Read the full article. Moving forward: fundraising predictions for 2015 In the NonProfit Times, Rich Dietz, senior product manager for digital fundraising at Abila Software shares his forecast for 2015 fundraising. He predicts a shift towards tactics that: convert website visitors to donors; engage the millennial generation (note article above); track donor engagement; harness social media and responsive online design; and make storytelling visual (see article below). We agree with Mr. Dietz and suggest you heed his advice.
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Start 2015 Off RightIn addition to strengthening MNN's voice on behalf of the sector, membership to the network brings immediate and long-term benefits to your organization:
- Exclusive invites and discounts to MNN trainings and events
- Discounts on trainings from MNN partners including Third Sector New England and Human Service Forum
- An immediate network of 600+ other nonprofits, and the for-profits that support them, from across the state and in every subsector
- Discounts on HR, IT, financial services, insurance, office supplies and select business publications
- An experienced advocate working on behalf of MNN members at the state and national level
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PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
New Rules Benefit Nonprofits Working With All Levels of Government
Just before the new year, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) put into effect grantmaking rules which, according to the OMB, will "significantly overhaul and strengthen Federal grantmaking regulations to improve outcomes..." More specifically, the rules streamline, simplify, and clarify government grants and funding of nonprofits. This includes the reimbursement of direct and indirect costs to nonprofits. The National Council of Nonprofits has a great overview of the new rules and a breakdown of everything you need to know. Read more.
State Campaign Task Force Wants Nonprofits to Disclose Campaign Donors
As reported in the Eagle Tribune, a state campaign finance task force is pushing for new rules that would force nonprofits involved in elections to disclose where they get money to pay for mailed flyers and billboard advertising. As cited in the Tribune article, "the task force was created by the Legislature as part of a package of campaign finance regulations approved last year" and has other recommendations for how to increase transparency between nonprofit and political groups.
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Nonprofit 411:
New Year's Resolution: Enhance Your Storytelling to Raise More Money
If there is one resolution that you want to make for 2015, it's to enhance your storytelling. Why storytelling? Unlike working out, it isn't much effort. Unlike dieting, it will make you happier. Unlike saving the world, it is actually achievable. So it has none of the classic hallmarks of a New Year's Resolution. But it may help you to transmit your message. Wouldn't that be something? Reach your audience. Enhance team-building. Increase fund-raising.
Numbers are Anonymous
The reason is that stories are personal and identifiable, whereas numbers are anonymous. Stories tell us about the intensity of the joy or pain involved. Imagine the following: "The unemployment rate has gone up by 3%." or "100,000 people lost their jobs in December." What is your reaction. Is 3% a lot? What does the unemployment rate mean? And no one has 100,000 friends, even in the age of Facebook. It is impossible to relate to this. This is equally true of donors, foundations and other decision makers. Read more...
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QUICK LINKS
Job Opportunities
Executive Director, Camp Harborview
Executive Director, Friendship Home
Foundation and Corporate Relations Manager, More Than Words
Communications Associate, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Executive Director, Massachusetts, Citizen Schools
Senior Developer/ Architect, WGBH Educational Foundation
Executive Director, FOUR PAWS International
Public Policy Director, Rosie's Place
Executive Director, Pawtucket Central Falls Development Corp.
Development Director, Brookline Community Foundation
Development Associate, Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps
Graphic Designer, Boston Architectural College
Executive Director, Raising A Reader MA
Executive Director, Hospitality Homes
Membership & Events Associate, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Grant & Award Opportunities
The Vision Fund, rolling application
ASPCA, rolling application
Trainings & Events
*Discounts for MNN members
The Fundraising Summit, online, January 5-9
Building Evaluation Capacity, Boston, January 9 & 23, March 20, May 15
TNB Roundtable: Why Nonprofits Need Innovative Technology and Operations Management, Boston, January 12
Introduction to Census Data: Finding the Numbers You Need, Boston, January 13
TNB Roundtable: Use and Misuse of Data Among Human Service Providers, Boston, January 16
How Your Website & Social Media Can Boost Volunteer & Donor Engagement, Sudbury, January 22
Supervision Seminar, Lawrence, January 22
Engaging Your Board in Fundraising, Boston, January 22
HSF 2015 Legislative Reception, Chicopee, January 23
Parenting Journey Facilitator Training, Somerville, January 26-30
TNB Roundtable: Salesforce (Without Sales Pitches) for Nonprofits, Boston, January 30
*Financial Management for Nonprofit Organizations, Boston, February 5
Engaging Your Board in Creating Sustainable Funding, webinar, Feb. 5
Technical Strategies to Ensure Full Participation in Multi-Lingual Meetings, Boston, February 5
Introduction to Major Gifts Fundraising, Boston, February 19
Group Facilitation: Bringing Community Meetings to Life, Lawrence, March 3
Basics of Community Organizing, Roxbury, March 5
Social Media: Tips and Tools for Using Social Media to Build Support for your Mission, Boston, March 19
*Courage in Leaving: An Act of Leadership for the Transitions Ahead, May 21-22 (registration deadline is January 30)
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New & Returning Affiliates
*Discounts for MNN members
ANNKISSAM
A consulting organization that helps nonprofits and social enterprises manage their operations and technology using open source software to implement solutions to improve internal workflows and increase efficiency. A discounted hourly rate offered to nonprofits.
NEW KENSINGTON GROUP
Provides development, governance and training consulting assistance to leadership in the nonprofit sector throughout Massachusetts and New England.
TANGO (THE ALLIANCE FOR NONPROFIT GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY)
A community of nonprofits that receives best-in-class services and educational opportunities from a partnership of top-tier professional service firms. Partners provide a wide range of services from retirement planning to marketing to IT. Membership is free.
New & Returning Nonprofit Members
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