HEADLINES
A Wake Up Call for the Sector
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.
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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.
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NONPROFIT 411:
Beacon Hill and Voters Expand Leave Laws for Massachusetts Employees
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...
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QUICK LINKS
Job Opportunities
Grant & Award Opportunities
Trainings & Events
*Discounts for MNN members
Storytelling with Data Workshop Session 3, Boston, June 22-27
Is Your Nonprofit Protected Against the Top Ten HR Risks?, Boston, June 25
Financial Accounting Standards Board Roundtable, Quincy, June 25 (RSVP to [email protected])
Where is the Line? The Board Duties and the Management Responsibilities, Lawrence, June 25
Sharing your Success: Visualizing Outcomes Data, a Hands-On Training, Boston, July 15
Sharing your Success: Visualizing Outcomes Data, a Hands-On Training, Worcester, July 29
*Public Conversations Workshops (contact Program Manager Katie Hyten at [email protected] to receive special MNN member discounts)
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.
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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.
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