A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        
HEADLINES

Don't Miss the Celebration:

Nonprofit Awareness Day is Next Month!

Register now for MNN's celebration of Nonprofit Awareness Day, presented by Citizens Bank, to honor and showcase the impact of the state's vibrant nonprofit sector. While you're there, be inspired by the 32 finalists and eight winners of the Nonprofit Excellence Awards who are doing remarkable, innovative, and effective work throughout the state. Network with hundreds of nonprofit, business, and elected leaders. And show Massachusetts residents just how important nonprofits are to the livelihood of the Commonwealth.

 

Join the Nonprofit Awareness Day celebration:

Monday, June 9, 2014

10 am- 1 pm (lunch provided)

State House, Great Hall

register
  

Using Critical Feedback to Improve Philanthropy

What is Philamplify and how will it impact grantmakers?

 

Philamplify, a free, interactive initiative from the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP), 
aims to increase the impact of foundations across the country by assessing their grantmaking and providing comprehensive feedback, as well as collecting user-generated commentary on foundation practices.
 
Watch Philamplify's brief video to learn more about the initiative.

Along with Philamplify's own attractive website with beautiful images and video, combined with active social media, visitors can share their stories in text, photo or video, chime in on general issues affecting philanthropy, and provide direct feedback about the initiative.  

 

According to Philamplify, by providing a modern, user-friendly space to gather straightforward feedback from everyone involved in philanthropy, the project brings together voices that have traditionally been unheard. Philamplify combines expert research on philanthropy with feedback from foundation and nonprofit leaders and staff, issue experts, community members and more. Read more...

 

Join the #nonprofitsmakesense Movement

Our annual social media movement leading up to Nonprofit Awareness Day will use stories, images, and stats to tell our neighbors, elected officials, and funders why #nonprofitsmakesense. The online conversation is just getting started...

 
 
Last year's #nonprofitsmakesense campaign engaged 369 social media partners, generated 1,050+ tweets, and resulted in 1,135,633 impressions. Join the #nonprofitsmakesense movement and let your voice be heard! You can learn more and sign-on here.

From A to Xerox 

MNN's Professional Directory is full of local companies and services to help you be more effective and efficient- and many provide discounts for MNN members. Categories include: 
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Executive Search
  • Fundraising
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Insurance & Retirement
  • Leadership Development & Training
  • Legal
  • Marketing & Communication
  • Organizational Development & Strategic Planning
  • Printing & Office Supplies
  • Public Affairs & Lobbying
PUBLIC POLICY UPDATE

Nonprofits Concerned About IRS Express Lane Approvals 

The IRS recently proposed a new express-lane approval process for 501c3 determination via a new Form 1023-EZ.  This move has concerned many nonprofit leaders, including Third Sector New England,  and The National Council of Nonprofits, as well as the National Association of State Charity Officials, all of whom are concerned that decreasing the due diligence done by the IRS will open the door to greater fraud and abuse. 

NONPROFIT 411:
When Owning Property Isn't the Best Option
By Maria Krokidas, Managing Partner, Krokidas & Bluestein LLP 
 
Businesses routinely reevaluate their real estate expenses to ensure that they support the company's business goals, culture, and growth. Nonprofits are no different. But unlike for-profits, nonprofit entities must focus financial resources on mission-driven activities and ensure that funds are optimally utilized.
 
Over the last few decades, nonprofits have acquired real estate, believing that doing so will reduce long-term costs. Lately, we have seen an uptick in nonprofit organizations selling property that isn't core to their missions. While this solution isn't right for everyone, it is worth considering. Continue reading. 

Executive Director, Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra

Controller, Root Cause

Grant Writer, Veterans Inc.

Triage Director, Father Bill's and MainSpring

Program Coordinator, Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the US Senate 

Chief Executive Officer, Girl Scouts of Eastern MA

Executive Director, Strong Women Strong Girls 

  

Grant & Award Opportunities
Finish Line Youth Foundation, Rolling Deadline
 
Trainings & Events 

Cutting-edge Coursework for People Who Make a Difference for Youth in their Communities, Framingham, May 19  

Women in Development Spring Annual Meeting with Patricia Brandes, Boston, May 14

Social Media for Nonprofits, Boston, May 19

Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop, Boston, May 20

Better Board Governance, Webinar, May 21

Meet the Funders, Framingham, May 22

Kicking Your Board Into High Fundraising Action, Webinar, May 22

Written Information Security Program: Does Your Nonprofit Have One in Place?, Boston, May 22

NE Society of Association Executives Annual Meeting, Falmouth, June 5 & 6

*The Idea Driven Organization, Holyoke, June 5

How to Write Winning Grant Proposals, Webinar, 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

Lawyers Clearinghouse 26th Annual Meeting, Boston, June 11

Articulating a Compelling Vision and Inspiring Organizational Change, Boston, June 17 (email Communityinvestment@bostonprivatebank.com for more details or to RSVP)

Social Media: Tips and tools for using social media to build support for your mission, Boston, June 19 

Proposal Writing, Boston, July 17

*Discount for MNN Members

Resources 

 

Tell TSNE what you want to see in their 2014-2015 Better Nonprofit Management Series. Complete their short online survey and you get the option to win a free workshop.    

 
Regis College is offering a new Master of Arts in Professional Writing for New Media and the first course will be on "Grant Writing, Fundraising and Appeals Writing." You can take the course as part of the program or a stand-alone. If you are interested in the course, email Stephanie_schorow@regiscollege.edu.
 
The Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership (INML) Program at Boston University is now accepting applications for the 2014-15 year. INML offers two certificate programs, the Core Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership and the Community Fellows Program! Both are one-year programs and combine practical and classroom learning designed for executive/mid-career (the Core Certificate) and young/emerging leaders (the Community Fellows Program) in the nonprofit sector. 
 

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

  

New & Returning Affiliates

 

CITIZENS BANK

Citizens Bank's Non Profit & Healthcare Division is focused on services to non-profits, with over 500 non-profit customers in Mass. They offer a full array of services including Tax-Exempt Bonds, Construction and Term Loans, Lines of Credit, Equipment Leasing, Merchants and Commercial Credit Card services, Cash Management, Endowment Management, HSA Administration, and more. They differentiate themselves by their consultative approach and experience in structuring credit solutions and by their strong customer service focus on meeting non-profits' day-to-day operating needs.

 

HARBOR COMPLIANCE

Specialize in 501(c) nonprofit incorporation and compliance. Their experienced consultants work with you one-on-one throughout the entire process of starting a tax exempt organization and maintaining your tax exempt status.

 

J CAMPBELL SOCIAL MARKETING

A strategic communications consultant for nonprofits, focusing on digital marketing, storytelling and social media. She works with her clients to raise more money using online tools and to grow their online communities.

 
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 .