A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        

HEADLINES 
MA Gubernatorial Candidates Weigh In on Issues Impacting the Nonprofit Sector

With the 2014 gubernatorial election approaching, MNN invited the candidates to complete a questionnaire that captures meaningful opportunities and challenges impacting the state's nonprofit sector. The questionnaire covered an array of important topics including: nonprofit and government collaboration, giving nonprofits a seat at the administration's table, and the candidate's personal experience with the sector. All gubernatorial candidates were invited to participate in the questionnaire

 

View the responses from the following candidates: 

Charlie Baker (R)

Don Berwick (D)

Martha Coakley (D)

Evan Falchuk (I)

Steve Grossman (D)

Scott Lively (I)

Jeff McCormick (I)

 

Get Involved!

Nonprofits are essential to Massachusetts residents and vital to the state's economy, and we encourage you to help inform the election by sharing the candidates' views on important nonprofit issues that impact all Massachusetts residents. Share the candidates' responses with your constituents and/or start an online conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

 

Central to the creation of the questionnaire are the five public policy themes that emerged from MNN's statewide focus groups and are the core of our long-term legislative agenda. You can learn more about these five themes in Charting the Course, Establishing a Public Policy Agenda for an Effective, Efficient, and Essential Nonprofit Sector in Massachusetts.


How Does Your Nonprofit Engage in Public Policy?

Take the MA Nonprofit Advocacy Survey to make sure your voice is heard

MNN, in partnership with the Center for Social Policy at UMass Boston, is conducting a survey of nonprofit leaders across the state and your feedback is essential to gaining a better understanding of nonprofit public policy involvement in Massachusetts. Even if your organization is not currently involved in advocacy- we want to hear from you! Take the confidential survey now.

 

With questions related to staff roles and responsibilities, your board's interest and understanding of advocacy, and your overall feelings towards lobbying, the insight collected will be particularly helpful to us as we craft a public policy agenda for the state's nonprofit sector. Everyone who completes the survey will be entered to win a $250 American Express gift card.Take the survey.

 

Spotlight on Workshops
MNN's full-day conference Leading Today, Transforming Tomorrow on October 29 in Framingham will feature more innovative topics and speakers than ever before. From finances and fundraising to managing your board and your brand, the 21 leading-edge workshops will be led by experts who are at the forefront of nonprofit strategy and authorities on the most effective tools, practices, and resources for missions-based organizations of all sizes. Workshop sessions cover an array of topics:
  • Developing 21st Century Leaders: Leadership Challenges and Opportunities
  • Financial Storytelling: What Matters and Why
  • Outcomes Management and a Culture of Change
  • Show and Tell: Using Data and Language to Write Powerful Grant Proposals
  • The Brand IDEA: A New Framework for Managing Nonprofit Brands
  • Collaborative IT for Small Budgets
  • Preparing Your Organization for the Future: Executive Succession Planning
  • Head in the Clouds: Choice and Lessons in Moving Nonprofit Data and Technology to the Cloud
  • Video Storytelling and Social Media: A Match Made in Heaven
  • A Leader's Guide to Inspiring Others to Action
  • Donor Cultivation Events that Engage and Attract
  • A Breath of Fresh Air: How to Engage Young Professionals as Board Members

See the full list of workshops.

 

ONLY 10 MORE DAYS OF EARLY BIRD!
Take advantage of early bird registration rates before 9/12 to save BIG on MNN's annual conference 
(MNN members save more than 35% in addition to early bird savings).
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE

Why the America Gives More Act Matters

With demand for services continuously on the rise, and not enough donations to meet the need, the America Gives More Act (H.R. 4719) is essential to safeguarding the work of nonprofits. The bill, which passed in the House of Representatives last month, brings together five tax provisions to incentivize philanthropic giving and increase the resources available to nonprofit organizations throughout Massachusetts. It's important that Congress enact the legislation before adjourning for the November elections. You can read a full summary of the bill with resources here.

NONPROFIT 411: 
How to Use Reddit as a Nonprofit Communicator
By Jenn Mafeo, Crowdster


If you aren't familiar with it, reddit, also known as "the front page of the internet," is a user-generated content message board where users submit links and discussions surrounding content that they find to be sharable. Content is positioned on the site through a voting system where users can "upvote" content that is considered entertaining or valuable and users can also "downvote" content that is deemed undeserving of a top spot on the site. Content that receives a majority of votes is pushed to the front page of the site, which then sends "boatloads of traffic to the linked website."

   

Nonprofits could particularly benefit from the use of this highly addictive, extremely engaging site because users tend to be virally philanthropic and interested in charitable causes.  Specifically, nonprofit professionals can get their organization to stand out and engage users on reddit. Read Crowdster's interesting tidbits of information they think you may find...sharable or perhaps even worthy of an "upvote"... Read more...

Deputy Director of Operations, The Children's Trust

Executive Director, Science Club for Girls

Executive Director, The Salem Partnership

Development Director, Bethany Hill School

Treasurer, Green Schools

Chief Financial Officer, Roca Inc.

Director of Marketing and Public Awareness, Mass Mentoring Partnership

CEO, United South End Settlements

Executive Director, The Ellie Fund

Associate Director of Development, Anti-Defamation League

Case Management Coordinator, Just a Start YouthBuild

Executive Director, New England Foundation for the Arts

Network Opportunities Coordinator, Lawrence CommunityWorks Inc. 

Executive Director, Osterville Village Library

 

Grant & Award Opportunities

Impact Entrepreneurs, Due October 1

  

Trainings & Events 
*Discounts for MNN members

Check out the MNN Community Trainings & Events page fore more events!

Boston Major Gifts Fundraising Summit, Boston, Sept 18

*Breakfast with Keynote Speaker: Dr. Robert Rose, Holyoke, Sept 24

*Opiate Addiction: With Crisis Comes Opportunity, Holyoke, Sept. 24

Digital Transformation: A Leadership Roadmap, Boston, Sept. 25

*Supervisory Skills Certificate Series, Holyoke, October 2 - November 20
*Outcomes Management: An Introduction, West Yarmouth, October 7
Fearless Presenting, Boston, October 16

Program Evaluations, Boston, October 16 

Creating Highly Functional Teams, Boston, October 23

Leading Today, Transforming Tomorrow, Framingham, October 29

Fall 2014 Mediation Training, East Cambridge, October 30 - November 7

*Effective Supervision, Boston, November 6

*Quickbooks Made Easy Seminar, Boston, November 6 (email membership@massnonprofitnet.org for MNN member discount code)


Resources  

Attention Non-Profit Women Leaders: The Commonwealth Institute is launching a new forum for Executive Directors and CEOs running small-medium size nonprofits. This is a terrific opportunity for leaders looking to gain expertise and support to grow their organization. Scholarship funds are available. Contact Pat Cooper for more details: 781-631-4517 / pcooperbiz@yahoo.com.

ESCNE has been selected as a regional operator of the national Encore Fellows Program, which matches skilled, experienced professionals with nonprofits. Learn more about becoming or hosting a fellow.

 

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






 

New & Returning Affiliates

*Discounts for MNN members


ESSENTIALWORTH

Organizational development and strategic planning to help nonprofits achieve their mission. Their  flagship service is the Essential Strategic Plan, and online mix of webinars, worksheets, prerecorded videos, and readings, for a fraction of what it would cost to hire a live consultant. You can view a free 30-minute monthly webinar to learn more about the product. 


GOVERNMENTAL STRATEGIES INC.

The public affairs and lobbying firm works to track and monitor legislation, budget and regulatory issues and provide relevant advice and strategy; draft legislation; secure and preserve state and non-state funding; develop multi-year campaigns; direct coalition building; runs advocacy workshops and trainings; provides media advice; and more.


SUSTAINABLE SUCCESS

A global consortium of inspiring, skilled coaches, trainers, and communications who help organizations and government agencies build capacity for sustainable high performance. The company delivers an integrated set of services that leverage their unique blend of human dynamics and business acumen.

*40% off professional services.


WICKED EASY I.T.

Computer consulting for small organizations, they manage the purchase, setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of servers, computers, laptops/tablets, e-mail, printers, smart phones, and much more. *12% discount off service rate for all work.


 

New & Returning Nonprofit Members
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 llynch@massnonprofitnet.org .