A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        
HEADLINES
A Wake Up Call for the Sector

By Jonathan Spack, Chief Executive Officer of Third Sector New England


Third Sector New England's new report on leadership in the region, Essential Shifts for a Thriving Nonprofit Sector, based on responses from more than 1,200 executive directors, CEO's and board members in the six New England states, is a wake-up call for our sector. We've been asleep at the switch for far too long, accepting as the norm a woefully inadequate leadership support infrastructure.  And we've been slow to recognize the implications of the generational transition that's already well underway. 

In our survey, 68% of leaders in Massachusetts reported that they would leave their positions within five years; 21% of those will leave in the next two years. You can see Massachusetts and other state-by-state data on our interactive website.


The study's key findings overall - that many nonprofit leaders are working long hours for very modest compensation, are frustrated with fundraising challenges, have few professional development opportunities and work for organizations that do little or no succession planning  - are noteworthy not just for the snapshot they offer of the state of nonprofit leadership in 2015, but because that picture has changed hardly at all over many years. Earlier studies by CompassPoint  and others have produced remarkably similar results. So why are these problems so persistent?


We know there's a fundamental structural basis for many of these deficits: the nonprofit sector is dramatically undercapitalized compared to the business sector. There is a stark underinvestment in leadership development that undermines nonprofit leaders and the sector. Read the full article.

Philanthropy Increases 5.4% 
According to estimates released by Giving USA, and reported by the Chronicle of Philanthropy, charitable giving rose to a record $358.4 billion in 2014, with donations higher than the previous record numbers from 2007.

The report released by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy found increases in giving to all types of charities with the exception of international aid groups, due to an inability to garner the necessary attention around natural disasters.

Additional key findings:
  • Individuals are not increasing their giving at the rate of corporations and foundations; company philanthropy has increased by almost 12%, and foundations by 6%.
  • There was a 14% drop in giving between 2007 and 2009 as a result of the recession. 
  • Despite the increase in disposable income many Americans are experiencing, the share of this income donated to charity is rising slowly.

Click here to read more.
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE
New Calculations Change Number of Students Considered Living in Poverty
As reported in yesterday's  Boston Globe, the new metrics used to define low-income students have changed the total number dramatically, with a 12% decrease statewide and decreases of up to 30% in some cities across Massachusetts. According to the Globe article, these new numbers could impact the amount of aid distributed to local schools and make it difficult to measure MCAS scores, graduation rates and other performance measures for low-income students.  Learn more.

IRS Subcommittee Recommends Mandatory Online Tax Filing
According the the  Nonprofit Times , last week a subcommittee of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) put forth recommendations for a policy that would require all  tax-exempt organizations to file their annual tax forms electronically.
NONPROFIT 411:
Beacon Hill and Voters Expand Leave Laws for Massachusetts Employees
By Daniel F. McCabe, Jr. and Eliza Minsch,  Petrucelly, Nadler & Norris, P.C.

 

Over the past year, several of the Commonwealth's employee leave laws have been expanded to provide greater rights for workers.  What follows is a summary of these new laws so you can familiarize yourself with their basic requirements and keep your organization up-to-date.

 

Domestic Violence Leave Act

On August 8, 2014, the Domestic Violence Leave Act ("DVLA"), M.G.L. c. 149, ? 52E, was enacted and took effect immediately.  Under the DVLA, employers with 50 or more employees must provide qualifying employees up to 15 days of leave in any 12 month period for reasons related to domestic violence.  To be a "qualifying employee" an employee must be a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or kidnapping or have a family member who is a victim.  Read more...
Chief Executive Officer, Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Director of Operations, Worcester County Food Bank
Executive Director, Young Audiences of Massachusetts
Vice President of Business Development, Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts
Executive Director, Mazie Mentoring Program
Executive Director, Institute for Energy and Sustainability
Director of Development/Major Gifts Officer, Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence
Executive Director, Parent Talk
Executive Director, Discover Roxbury
Director of Visibility, Italian Home for Children
Executive Director, ITNGreaterBoston
Executive Director, Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership
CEO, Urban Edge

Grant & Award Opportunities
Highland Street Foundation Fellowships, Applications due July 13
Baseball Tomorrow, Due October 1
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, accepting LOIs

Trainings & Events 
*Discounts for MNN members

Resources 

In need of a space for your next meeting or conference? The newly renovated, state-of-the-art Jonathan Spack Community Conference Center can accomodate large events or small groups and meetings. Click here for more information.

RFI to Improve Post-High School Graduation Outcomes.  The city of Boston and Boston Public Schools are working with Third Sector Capital Partners to explore the potential of "Pay for Success" to improve post-secondary outcomes of BPS graduates. As part of this process, the City has released a Request for Information (RFI) to learn more about programs that help students to succeed in positive employment opportunities, job training programs and/or higher education. Click here to learn more, and to submit an RFI by July 15. 

The Capstone project of the Nonprofit Leadership Masters at Wheelock College brings together teams of 3-4 graduate students to work in conjunction with your team to develop a work plan addressing a pressing need at your organization. Applications due July 31.

The Social Innovation Forum now accepting nominations for 2015-2016 Social Innovator Accelerator. The Social Innovation Forum provides a unique opportunity for innovative nonprofit organizations and social purpose businesses to gain visibility, expand their networks, and build capacity. Click here to learn more and submit an application, due July 9.

Check out MNN's online Business Directory  for companies throughout MA. 




New & Returning Affiliates

One of New England's oldest and largest privately owned financial services firms, they provide services including financial planning, life insurance and estate planning. The firm is committed to each client's individual financial success, and will provide your organization with the strategies and solutions that help you achieve your goals.

Helps nonprofit organizations build the capacity to move their strategic vision forward with a solid foundation and an army of support with services that support finances, fundraising, management, and boards.
A four generation Real Estate company offers prime office and retail space for lease in Boston's Back Bay.

 
MNN's work is made possible by The Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation & State Street Foundation.
If you'd like to share a story or have a job, grant or other information that is important to Massachusetts nonprofits, contact [email protected] .