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HEADLINES
How the SJC's ruling could impact nonprofits
Earlier this month, the state's highest court ruled that municipalities cannot tax conservation land. The ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court came after the New England Forestry Foundation (NEFF) disputed a $173 tax bill, from the town of Hawley, for a 120 acre site the organization owns. The case generated interest from nonprofits across the state after Hawley town officials asserted that the NEFF had not done enough to promote use of the land by residents. The NEFF denied the claim, stating that not only did they promote use of the land but they were indeed conserving the land, which is the foundation's mission.
Rick Jakious, CEO of the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network, believes that the SJC ruling could have broader implications for the nonprofit sector. "This ruling does two things," said Jakious, "It reinforces that nonprofits are well positioned to determine how best their mission meets the public good, and it underscores the importance of allowing nonprofits to make those important decisions free from the threat or pressure of municipalities to exact payment from their tax-exempt assets." Read more.
Be inspired. Be motivated. Be impressed.
 | | Pictured are students from Beacon Academy, a finalist for an Excellence Award. See all of the finalists here. |
Join us on June 9 at the State House, 10 am-1 pm and be inspired as we celebrate Nonprofit Awareness Day, a statewide holiday to recognize the importance of the vibrant nonprofit sector in Massachusetts.
Be motivated by the more than 200 nonprofit, business, and elected officials in attendance who are all working towards a better, stronger Commonwealth. Be impressed by the 32 Nonprofit Excellence Award finalists. Get excited as we announce the eight award winners-organizations and professionals who exemplify the most innovative, creative, and effective work being done throughout the Commonwealth- and feel moved as they tell you about their impact.
And most importantly, be reinvigorated to continue the essential work you're doing to improve communities across the Commonwealth. Nonprofit Awareness Day is presented by Citizens Bank.
Corporate giving up since 2010
 In its recent 2014 Giving in Numbers report and brief, the CECP reported that between 2010-2013, a majority of the world's largest companies increased their giving. A total of 261 companies, with median revenue of $16 billion, participated in the survey.
Here are some of the findings:
- 64% of companies gave more in 2013 than they did in 2010
- Of the companies that increased giving by more than 10% since 2010, 59% of them have seen profits increase.
- 36% of the surveyed companies claimed that their employees mattered most in their decision to expand investment in the community. 3% said the media mattered most.
- 59% of companies offer their employees paid time off for volunteering and 86% of companies match employee gifts.
- 76% of companies are tracking the outcomes and/ or impact of their grants to inform their giving and measure the value of their investments.
You can view the Giving in Numbers brief or download the full report.
Get to know the MNN board nominees &
cast your vote
Each year, as part of its Annual Meeting at Nonprofit Awareness Day, MNN elects new members to its Board of Directors in order to best represent the entire sector. Our by-laws require a vote of the MNN membership. If you are a member and attending Nonprofit Awareness Day on Monday, June 9 you will have the opportunity to vote in person. If you are member of MNN but do not plan on attending, please click here to vote now and make sure your voice is heard.
The MNN Governance Committee is pleased to put forward the following candidates for your consideration (please note that all members may vote for nominees in all regions):
- James Ayres, CEO/Executive Director, United Way of Hampshire County
- Michael Curry, Esq., Legislative Affairs Director & Senior Counsel, Mass League of Community Health Centers
- Emily Haber, CEO, Massachusetts Service Alliance
- Lisa McNeil, President, Cape Cod Volunteers
- Megan Whilden, Executive Director, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College
View bios of the nominees and cast your vote.
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Special Opportunity: How to Negotiate & Lead Nonprofits so Everyone Wins
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network is pleased to present you with a special opportunity to benefit from the expertise of Ron Shapiro, negotiations expert, attorney, sports agent, educator, New York Times bestselling author, and civic leader. Drawing on his unparalleled experiences from the worlds of law, sports, business, and community leadership, Ron will share the key principle of
 effective negotiations with a style of delivery that is personal, engaging and dynamic.
Space is limited and registration is required for this free training.
How to Negotiate and Lead Nonprofits so Everyone Wins
By Ron Shapiro
Friday, June 13
1-3:30pm
Nixon Peabody, 100 Summer Street, Boston
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Election Reform Signed Into Law
On Thursday, May 22, Governor Patrick signed into a law a bill intended to increase voter participation. Provisions in the bill would allow for early voting, pre-registration for voters under 18, online registration, and increased monitoring of election machines. Massachusetts will become the 32 state in the nation to allow voters to cast their ballots before election day
Senate Approves a $36.4 Billion Budget
Following two days of debate, the Massachusetts State Senate approved a $36.4 billion budget just before midnight on Thursday, May 22. Details of the budget and the debated amendments and floor actions can be found here.
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NONPROFIT 411: Raising Awareness About the Impact of the Sector
The nonprofit sector provides vital services that residents are unable to receive anywhere else in the state, and they fill the gaps and serve the most disadvantaged members of society.
Social media has provided the sector with direct, fast communication channels to raise awareness about causes, news and events. Social networks have revolutionized the way that humans communicate. They provide a cost-effective way to connect with supporters, engage them around a topic and encourage them to spread the word.
You can help use social media to spread the word about the importance of the sector and an important upcoming MNN event! Click here to read more and see examples of nonprofits using social media.
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QUICK LINKS
Job Opportunities
COO, Asian Community Development Corporation
Executive Director, SkillWorks
Assistant Director, Minuteman Senior Services
State Director, The National Center on Time & Learning
Executive Director, Community Action Agency of Somerville
Director of Human Resources, Martha's Vineyard Community Services
STEM Club Fellow, Mass General Hospital Center for Community Health Improvement
Manager of Foundation Assessment Tools, Center for Effective Philanthropy
Development Officer, Community Teamwork, Inc.
Volunteer Coordinator, English at Large
Policy Researcher, Stand for Children
Executive Director, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
Controller, Root Cause
Grant Writer, Veterans Inc.
Grant & Award Opportunities
Innovation Lab for Arts Development Agencies, Due May 30
Mentoring Matching Grants FY15 & FY16, Due May 30
The Blessings Project Foundation, Due May 31
Learning & Leadership Grants, Due June 1
Lenny Zakim Fund, Due June 3 (LOI)
Aetna Foundation Regional Nutrition/Physical Activity Programs, Due June 5
Santander Bank Foundation, Due June 6
Workforce Innovation Fund, Due June 18
Local Food Promotion Program, Due June 20
Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, Due July 1
Community College and Career Training Grants, Due July 7
Art Works, Due July 24
Mentoring Technical Assistance Project, Due August 30
Trainings & Events
*The Idea Driven Organization, Holyoke, June 5
How to Write Winning Grant Proposals, Webinar, June 5
*Advanced Supervision: Decode, Identify and Practice, Boston, June 5
Community Engagement Governance for Nonprofits, Boston, June 6
*Nonprofit Awareness Day, Boston, June 9
50 Blogging Best Practices for Nonprofits, Webinar, June 10
2014 Charities Conference, Norwood, June 10
Using ROVI Methods to Leverage Volunteers Strategically, Holyoke, June 11
Lawyers Clearinghouse 26th Annual Meeting, Boston, June 11
How to Negotiate and Lead Nonprofits so Everyone Wins, Boston, June 13
Commercial Development 101: A Primer for Housing Developers, Boston, June 13
A Nonprofit Marketer's Day of Learning, Westfield, June 16
Articulating a Compelling Vision and Inspiring Organizational Change, Boston, June 17 (email [email protected] for more details or to RSVP)
Nonprofit Leadership Forum, Boston, June 19
Social Media: Tips and tools for using social media to build support for your mission, Boston, June 19
How to Launch a Mobile Communications and Fundraising Campaign for Your Nonprofit, Webinar, July 8
Proposal Writing, Boston, July 17
*Discount for MNN Members
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New & Returning Nonprofit Members
New & Returning Affiliates
*Special discount for MNN members
A Von Schlegell & Co
Provides fundraising and nonprofit management consulting on topics including major gifts, annual giving, and capital campaigns, with particular experience in women's philanthropy. Frequent trainer and workshop presenter.
Corcoran & Havlin Insurance Group
Corcoran & Havlin Insurance Group is committed to providing quality personalized service to their customers through insurance companies that are committed to delivering stable, competitive products. They strive to earn the trust and confidence of clients and their exclusive products for MNN members provide the most up-to-date coverage for not-for-profits and preferred pricing. *Reduced policy premiums and reduced cost from uninsured losses.
G.T. Reilly & Company
Provides audit, accounting, tax, and advisory services that help nonprofit clients achieve maximum efficiency. They know from experience the challenges that confront today's nonprofit organizations because many of their managers and directors serve on nonprofit boards, and they are able to provide nonprofits with trusted advisors who have the skill and insight to address their unique needs. *Free initial consultation.
Leadership Transitions
Leadership Transitions is dedicated to building the capacity of nonprofit organizations before, during, and after a leadership change. Their services include: leadership transition management, executive search, succession planning, interim executive leadership, board development and succession, and strategic communications.
Susan J. McCarthy, CPA, MST, CSEP
Susan's goal is to ensure that clients feel comfortable and confident about their financial and business needs and goals. Her professional and personal experience has taught her to truly listen to people and get to know them as unique individuals, so that she is better able to provide them with a variety of services including business and tax consultation with a focus on nonprofit organizations, as well estate planning and other related matters. *No charge for initial consultation up to 2 hours.
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