A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        
IN THIS ISSUE:
Proposal2017 Annual Conference: MNN Now Accepting Workshop Proposals
We are seeking proposals for approximately 30 workshops that will make our 2017 conference the best yet. If you have information or best practices to share, this conference will be the perfect opportunity to highlight your organization, business, or educational  institution. Before submitting a proposal, please read the  2017 Conference Workshop Request for Proposal . You can learn more about the conference and submit your proposal  here . We also urge you to forward this RFP to any colleagues or connections who you think might be interested in proposing a workshop for the conference.  The deadline for proposals is Friday, June 2.

For questions, please contact Marta Hodgkins-Sumner at  mhodgkins-sumner@massnonprofitnet.org or call 617-330-1188 x281. Refer to the  Conference Workshop FAQ page for more information about the MNN annual conference and the workshop selection process.
 
Finalist Meet the Finalists for the Collaboration and Small Nonprofit Excellence Awards!
Each year, MNN honors the dedication, passion, and impact of leaders in the state's nonprofit sector with the Nonprofit Excellence Awards.  This year, our panel of judges reviewed over 120 nominations that highlighted the incredible work of nonprofits across the state. Read on to get to know the finalists for the Nonprofit Excellence Awards in Collaboration and Small Nonprofit.

Falmouth Service Center
The Collaboration Excellence Award  recognizes the lead organization that was the catalyst for an effort by two or more nonprofit organizations. These organizations partnered to address a  compelling problem that could not have been solved as effectively by a single organization. The finalists effectively defined roles, allocated combined resources, utilized efficient communication, and implemented a clear process for accountability to achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes. The finalists for the Excellence Award in Collaboration are:   ACT Lawrence; Falmouth Service Center; Language Opportunity Coalition; and Open Table .

All Dorchester Sports & Leadership
The Small Nonprofit Excellence Award  celebrates a nonprofit organization whose budget size is $250,000 or less and that, despite their small size, has managed to fulfill their mission and make major contributions to the population they serve. The finalists for the Small Nonprofit Excellence Award are:   Aaron's Presents; All Dorchester Sports & Leadership; Berkshire Baby Box; and Boston Dance Alliance.

Click on the awards to learn why each of these organizations was chosen as a finalist for the Collaboration or Small Nonprofit Excellence Award . 

Help celebrate these amazing nonprofits and be there when the winners are announced! Register here for Nonprofit Awareness Day presented by Citizens Bank on June 5 at the State House. 

InsourceMNN Training with Insource: How to Successfully Structure & Manage Your IT 
Join us for an in-person training with Russell Greenwald, Vice President at Insource Services, Inc. on Thursday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the NonProfit Center in Boston. Attendees will learn the steps and key considerations in the creation and implementation of a one to two year IT plan, as well as the ongoing support critical to an effective plan. The training will also address how to effectively assess and manage IT support for either your internal staff or your IT consulting vendor. The event is free, but space is limited so register here.

RoundtablePolicymaker Roundtable with Senator Flanagan
MNN will be hosting its first Policymaker Roundtable of 2017 with Senator Jennifer Flanagan on Tuesday, May 16 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Senator Flanagan serves as Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Recovery, Chairperson of the Joint Committee on Children and Families and Persons with Disabilities, and Vice Chair of Joint Committee on Public Health. To read more about Senator Flanagan click here.

The Policymaker Roundtable series is open to MNN Members only and space is limited.  RSVP to attend here .  Learn about becoming a member here  or email membership@massnonprofitnet.org. 

Where: Big Sister Association of Greater Boston, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1420, Boston

When: Tuesday, May 16 at 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
NonprofitNonprofit 411: Non-Profit Employee Classification Checklist
By Paul Holtzman, Partner,  Krokidas & Bluestein

As a non-profit organization, there are many considerations to account for in the way you supervise, retain, and compensate your workforce. From classification of employment status to compensation practices, mismanagement of personnel can be damaging for any organization and the risk is only exacerbated for nonprofits. Below are a few tips to help you navigate the murky waters between volunteers, interns and independent contractors, so that you can ensure that you are adhering to applicable laws and classifying personnel in an accurate and legal way. Read more.
With all of the great work your nonprofit does, how do you track and show results? How do you quickly and clearly validate, quantify, and report on the outcomes of your activities? Leading nonprofits are utilizing key metrics and outcome measures to demonstrate success to donors and stakeholders. Join us on Wednesday, April 26 for a webinar presented by BlumShapiro to learn what is driving forward-thinking nonprofits to place a strong emphasis on success metrics and the next steps you can take to put them into practice in your organization.  Register  here .
QUICK LINKS 
Marketing and Communications Coordinator , Massachusetts Nonprofit Network
Executive Director, Community Giving Tree
Director of Communications, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership
Education Program Coordinator, Groundwork Lawrence
Executive Director for PMN, United Personnel
Executive Director, Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials
Annual Campaign Director, MetroWest YMCA
Deputy Director, MASSCreative
Chief Executive Officer, The Guild for Human Services

*Discounts for MNN members
Dreams Tasting Adventure, Boston, April 29
Q&A on IRS Forms 990/990-EZ, New Bedford, May 3
Online Fundraising and UBIT, Providence, RI, May 4

Resources
In early April, Citizens Bank launched its Citizens Helping Citizens Manage Money financial literacy program. In 2017, this program will make $535,000 in contributions to organizations in Massachusetts working to improve the financial understanding of more than 260,000 Americans. All told, the initiative will provide $1.4 million to 80 nonprofits and result in a volunteer effort of over 400 trained Citizens colleagues teaching financial literacy in the banks' communities. Citizens has also launched a new Financial Fundamentals hub on its website to provide consumers with information on budgeting and saving, home ownership, protecting identity, and more.

New England GiveCamp , an annual 48-hour event that brings together technical professionals and small nonprofit organizations, is taking place from  April 28-April 30  in  Watertown, MA . Typical projects include creating or refreshing a website presence, providing a mobile-friendly site, integrating new functionality (like social media, online donations, etc.), and even design services for rebranding, newsletters, and other campaigns. In the past seven years, more than 500 volunteers have assisted over 100 New England charities. Find out more about this year's event  here .

The Nonprofit Management and Leadership Certificate Program at Boston University (BU) is now accepting applications for the 2017-2018 academic year. Through a rigorous curriculum and hands-on opportunities, participants will develop their abilities, their perspective and their confidence as nonprofit managers and leaders. Participants will join a welcoming community of diverse and inspired peers, award-winning faculty, and experienced senior fellows to strengthen their skills in financial management, measuring impact, marketing, managing change, and much more. Register  here to attend an information session at BU on May 2 at 5:30 p.m. The second round deadline for program  applications is May 12. 

The Institute for Nonprofit Practice  (INP) is now accepting applications for its programs in Greater Boston, Merrimack Valley, Rhode Island, and Cape Cod & the Islands.  In partnership with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University, INP provides year-long certificate programs in nonprofit management and leadership for executive, mid-career and emerging leaders. Its programs provide effective solutions for organizations of all sizes to develop and diversify their leadership pipelines, strengthen talent and engagement, and ultimately, to advance their missions.  The Core Program  focuses on a board range of management and leadership skills with a dedicated focus on applied learning; it meets one afternoon/evening each week and is designed to be accessible to working professionals.  The application deadline for round 1 is May 15 and the second round deadline is June 15. INP also offers the  Community Fellows Program, which aims to ground emerging and community leaders in the systemic context of social change work and provide management and leadership skills. The application deadline is May 1 . For questions, referrals, or nominations, contact Presceia Cooper, INP's Director of Community Engagement at pcooper@nonprofitpractice.org.







New & Returning Affiliate Members 
*Special discount for MNN members

Offers integrated government relations, strategic communications, and business/nonprofit development consulting services to a range of corporate and nonprofit clients.

Provides best-value assurance, tax, business consulting, and information technology advisory solutions to nonprofit organizations, commercial companies, wealthy individuals, and estates.

Provides accounting services for nonprofits including annual tax preparation, ongoing bookkeeping, setting up accounting systems and payroll.

KLR
Provides assurance, tax, and business advisory services to private and publicly-held companies throughout the United States and abroad.

New & Returning 


MNN's work is made possible by the Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation & the Highland 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  info@massnonprofitnet.org.