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IN THIS ISSUE:
- Policy Updates: Nonprofit Priorities Communicated to President-Elect Biden, MNN Urges Revocation of Executive Order That Targets Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training
- New Statewide Community Foundation Partnership
- Our Shared Sector: How Nonprofit Leadership Can Foster a More Inclusive Workplace Following the Election
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Nonprofit 411: Demystifying Mergers
- Free Webinars on the Dos and Don'ts of Nonprofit Lobbying and Understanding Financial Data and Reporting
- Jobs and Resources
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Policy Updates
National Nonprofit Priority Letter
On November 9, a national nonprofit coalition sent a letter to President-Elect Biden, outlining national nonprofit priorities and highlighting the need for additional relief as impacts continue to be felt by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The letter encourages Biden to “address both the vital services provided by nonprofits and the need for targeted relief as soon as possible.” MNN has signed onto the national nonprofit priorities, and will continue to conduct federal advocacy on the following:
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Expanding Emergency Funding Programs - by including a second round of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and simplification of the PPP loan forgiveness application process for borrowers.
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Strengthening the Universal Charitable Deduction - by increasing the temporary universal charitable deduction of $300 per taxpayer in 2020, increasing it significantly and making it permanent.
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Extending unemployment insurance (UI) relief - by increasing the amount of federal forgiveness of self-insured nonprofits' COVID-related UI costs beyond the 50% provided by the CARES Act.
Executive Order on Diversity and Inclusion Training
In October, MNN joined more than 160 organizations in urging the revocation of the President's Executive Order 13950 - Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping - which placed a limit on some diversity workplace training conducted by federal contractors and grantees. Specifically, the Order prohibits federal contractors from using any workplace training during the performance of a government contract that includes “divisive concepts” and may lead to a broad chilling effect in workplace diversity and inclusion programs. In a letter sent to the President on October 15, MNN joins with nonprofit and business leaders across the country in stating that the Order will "hinder the ability of employers to implement critical programs to promote diversity and combat discrimination in the workplace." The coalition urges the swift withdrawal of the Executive Order, and encourages an approach that would support the critical work being accomplished through workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion trainings in workplaces across the country.
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On November 16, 14 community foundations announced a new coalition: the Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership.
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Formed in the wake of COVID-19, the partnership will connect community foundations to achieve three critical results: strengthen the Massachusetts nonprofit sector to achieve greater impact, work collectively to lead on common challenges facing our communities, and improve the effectiveness of community foundations and their collective missions.
As part of its early work, the partnership has co-funded a virtual series of technical assistance and capacity-building programs for nonprofit staff and board leaders. MNN and Philanthropy Massachusetts are working closely with the coalition to ensure statewide access and awareness of the partnership and its programs. Nonprofits can find and register for the virtual programs here.
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"Our Shared Sector," a partnership between MNN and YW Boston, explores the intersection of nonprofit work and efforts across the sector to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Reach out here with any feedback or suggestions for Our Shared Sector.
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How Nonprofit Leadership Can Foster a More Inclusive Workplace Following the Election |
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With the election this month, it is expected that nonprofit employees’ attentions have been on the results and its effect on areas related to their mission. Nonprofit leaders may be wondering, “Should we be discussing the results within the workplace? If so, how?” During a recent YW Boston DEI Community of Practice meeting, the team of DEI professionals shared their questions, concerns, and strategies for supporting inclusive workplaces during a contentious election season. Here is a summary of this discussion along with additional resources.
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New and Returning Affiliate Members
*discount to MNN members
You can see a full listing of affiliates in our online Business Directory. Many affiliates offer discounts to our members!
Working with local and national charities, organizations, and individuals, Carol McKean Events assists in making a difference as a turnkey solution for nonprofit events and fundraising to improve the communities in which they live and work.
CohnReznick LLP is an accounting, tax, and advisory firm, combining the deep resources of a national firm with the hands-on, agile approach that today's dynamic business environment demands.
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Expense Reduction Analysts is a specialized cost and supplier management consultancy, delivering improved business performance to both profit and nonprofit organizations.
Great Hill Dental offers a wide array of general, cosmetic, and restorative dental procedures under one roof, including check-ups and cleanings, porcelain veneers, Invisalign, root canal, extractions, and more.
Hemenway & Barnes advises a broad range of nonprofit institutions on corporate issues and governance, institutional advancement, real estate, endowment management, and litigation.
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Accounting, bookkeeping, reviews, audits, and more. Dedicated to providing clients with professional, personalized services and guidance in a wide range of nonprofit organization's needs. *Discounted 990EZ and PC package at $400. Discounted 990 and PC package at $600.
The More Than Giving Co. provides organizational development, believing in strategic plans and well-defined missions and visions, the right board, and affordable and experienced administrative support.
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Demystifying Mergers
In these uncertain times, many nonprofits are exploring mergers as a possible sustainability strategy. A merger is a fundamental organizational change that should not be undertaken lightly. What’s a “merger”? What can we achieve by merging? What lessons have other nonprofits learned from their experience with mergers? Read guidance on these questions and more in this month's Nonprofit 411.
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Join veteran nonprofits lobbyists to learn how you and your staff can make an impact in how state and local government works for you. Did you know it is the IRS that sets the rules for what a nonprofit can and cannot do when lobbying? Do you know the MANY steps (beyond what you learned in high school civics) a bill must go through to become a law, and how in any ONE of those steps it can be stopped? Did you know your firm CAN actively endorse, oppose, and participate in a ballot question campaign? Our presenters, Brian Condron and Samantha Hall Linnehan, Principals at In-House Alternatives, have several years’ experience advocating not just for the leading nonprofit where they worked but, in the many coalitions, their employer-led or was a part of. They will share their experience and expert tips on how to get the job done. Register here.
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Board members bring a variety of talents and expertise to an organization or association, but they along with Chief Executive Officers, Directors, and other key staff members do not always have extensive experience with finance and accounting matters. How can we both understand and then communicate the essential financial information we and they need to know to effectively manage and serve an organization? This presentation will aim to:
- Identify a standard set of financial statements/reports that should be generated and disseminated to management and boards on a regular basis.
- Identify crucial numbers within these statements: What matters? What does it mean?
- Discuss how to deliver the information: formatting, graphs, ratios, etc.
- Discuss the incorporation of Dashboards: What to include?
- Other miscellaneous items: Trend analysis, financial projections, what-if scenarios.
Attendees should leave with a basic understanding of how to pull key crucial information from a set of financial statements, as well as guidelines for what and how to share key financial information with boards of directors in a concise and effective way. Register here.
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Job Opportunities
Controller, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation
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Encore Boston Harbor is inviting nonprofits to reach out for gently used office furniture donations. Available items include desks, chairs, filing cabinets, tables, and other items. Hundreds of pieces of furniture will be donated by Encore Boston Harbor to any charities who have a need for it. Beginning immediately, Encore Boston Harbor asks that interested nonprofits and charities reach out to Encore Boston Harbor at 857-770-7000 to request information on furniture and items available for pickup, and ask for Beth Gibbons. All equipment and furniture must be picked up by the organization. Encore Boston Harbor is located at 1 Broadway in Everett, MA. For additional questions, please email Beth Gibbons at Bethany.gibbons@encorebostonharbor.com.
A research team at the University of Massachusetts Department of Economics and School of Public Policy is conducting a study on Socioeconomic Impacts of COVID-19 on US Households. Lives and livelihoods all over the US are affected by COVID-19 and by its economic fallout. However, people of different genders, races, and income levels may be affected in different ways. The online survey aims to explore these different experiences and to inform and strengthen resiliency plans. The survey includes questions on professional life, economic stability, physical and mental well-being, as well as childcare and children's education. The survey is anonymous. Respondents may skip any questions that they choose, and they may leave the survey at any point.
The Boston Industrial Development Finance Authority (BIDFA) and GreenerU have partnered to offer a financing program that helps Boston nonprofits lower their energy bills and reach the City's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. An information session is available on Wednesday, December 9, from 2–3 p.m. For more information and registration details, click this link.
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New and Returning MNN Nonprofit Members |
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MNN's work is made possible by our members and supporters including the Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation, and the Highland Street Foundation.
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