Monday, March 29, 2010

Wall Street Journal Looks at Process for Giving Money to Binghamton Shooting Victims

The Wall Street Journal recently featured an article about the process involved in deciding how to distribute funds raised for the victims from the April 2009 shooting in Binghamton, N.Y., that left 13 people dead and four wounded. A local committee appointed had to make the decisions based on very difficult factors. When the decisions were announced, there were various reactions, ranging from gratitude to anger. Read the full article here.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Membership Committee Needs Help!

The Membership Committee is recruiting new members! Join the Committee and help set ED Group programs and much more! The Committee lists are posted on the right hand part of the website. Contact Diane if you are interested at dkunzman@familyenrichment.cc.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Broome County Arts Council New Location

We have an update for the list. Broome County Arts Council has moved to 81 State Street, Suite 501, Binghamton, NY 13901. Phone number remains the same... 607-723-4620. sb

Sharon Ball, Executive Director
Broome County Arts Council
81 State Street, Suite 501
Binghamton, NY 13901
(607) 723-4620 Ext. 100
e-mail: sball@bcartscouncil.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.bcartscouncil.com

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

State Budget Crises Threaten Nonprofits

New Report from NYCON's national partner, the National Council of Nonprofits
Washington, D.C. - How are states looking to close their budget deficits? One way is by taking money away from nonprofit organizations at a time when the need for food, shelter, health care, and other community services is rising - a serious threat explained in a new report issued today by the National Council of Nonprofits.

This special report, entitled "State Budget Crises: Ripping the Safety Net Held by Nonprofits," examines the alarming condition of state budget deficits and identifies three resulting trends putting nonprofits in jeopardy - state and local governments slashing funds for programs they expect nonprofits to administer, government agencies withholding contract payments for services nonprofits have already delivered, and governments taking operating money from nonprofits through new fees and taxes.

"When governments shortchange their nonprofit partners, people lose their jobs, the economy suffers, and vulnerable citizens go without the help they need," said Tim Delaney, President & CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits. "This report serves as a call to action for community leaders at nonprofits, foundations, and governments to come together and find ways to solve some of the daunting challenges our communities face because of the state budget crises."

State and local governments in recent decades have increasingly turned to nonprofits to administer essential services, forging a public-private partnership that has served the nation well. But now an increasing number of cash-starved governments are wondering how they can generate new revenue from nonprofit organizations. The special report details some of more worrisome stories emerging across the country, explains the importance of a strong nonprofit sector, and encourages nonprofit leaders to engage in the policy process as states grapple with how to close budget gaps this year and beyond.

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Community Expo in Tioga County: Every Person Counts

March 16th, 1:30pm to 6pm

The Community Expo will bring together approximately 50 providers of various services to answer questions you may have about eligibility, services, locations, hours, and more. Many people are struggling through these tough economic times. If you are having a hard time making ends meet, or know of someone who is, join us to find out what help is available. There will also be important information regarding the Census 2010, which is scheduled for early spring. This event will be held at the
Countryside Community Center of Tioga Opportunities Inc., 9 Sheldon Guile Boulevard in Owego. Light refreshments will be available, as well as door prizes. We hope to see you there!

For more information contact Elaine at 687-5888 or Angela at 565-7580

Monday, March 8, 2010

CFO Position Ithaca Area

Challenge has an opening for a CFO to help meet its mission to serve individuals with disabilities and employment barriers as they fulfill their vocational goals.

The CFO will be responsible for the overall financial management of Challenge. This includes, but is not limited to budgeting, reporting, treasury, and audits. The CFO will also participate in the recruitment, training, supervision and evaluation of the business office staff. Experience with Challenge’s funding agencies and social enterprise is highly desirable.

Qualified applicants who have a Bachelors degree in accounting, 4 years of financial management experience and 2 years of supervisory experience may send a cover letter and resume to:

Human Resources
Challenge
950 Danby Road
Suite 179
Ithaca, NY 14850

Or email: melissac@aboutchallenge.org

Visit http://www.aboutchallenge.org/ to learn more about Challenge. A complete job description is available on the web site.

Friday, March 5, 2010

2010 Philanthropy Incubator Grants Competition

I am pleased to announce that students involved with Binghamton University's Philanthropy Incubator Project have released their funding guidelines for 2010. The students have $10,000 to distribute to nonprofit organizations in South Central New York. To be eligible, an organization must have recently hosted a public administration student intern or social work student field placement. This year, students have prioritized activities that support youth or adults over 65 and will grants will fund capital or program support. Applications are due by the end of the day, Monday, March 22. The application form is brief and simple. You can access it the application at:

http://www2.binghamton.edu/ccpa/public-administration/philan/grant.html

Please e-mail philanthropyincubator@gmail.com with any questions about the application process.

David Campbell

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Grant Opportunities through BU Philanthropy Incubator

I am pleased to announce that the Philanthropy Incubator at Binghamton University students will be distributing $20,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations in South Central New York this spring. The grants will be made by students enrolled in two different classes, one involving undergraduate students in the honors program and the other involving students in the Masters programs in Public Administration and Social Work. Here is the information on eligiblity and application for each program.

1. Master of Social Work/Master of Public Administration Program. Students enrolled in either "Issues in Nonprofit Administration" or "Social Work Practice with Communities" will distribute $10,000 in grants. Eligible organizations must have provided a social work field placement or public administration internship within the past year. The competition will provide program or capital grants to organizations providing services to low-income youth or elderly. Finally, organizations must be located in South Central New York and at least one grant must go to a Broome County organization. We will distribute a simple RFP by the end of this week; applications are due March 23, with funding decisions completed by the end of April.

2. Undergraduate Honors Students. Students enrolled in the course "Philanthropy and Civil Society" will have $10,000 to distribute. Students have identified children with disabilities and education as their areas of interest. The students will not have an RFP process; instead, they will contact and learn about eligible organizations directly and use that information as the basis for their decision-making. The decision-making process will begin in late March and students will notify grantees of decisions in late April.

The support for this initiative comes from several sources: Campus Compact, The Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, The Community Foundation for South Central New York, The Sunshine Lady Foundation and students, alumni and friends of Binghamton University.

Please direct any questions about the project or grantmaking to philanthropyincubator@gmail.com.

Best wishes,

David Campbell

Monday, March 1, 2010

States Look at Revoking Nonprofits Tax Exemptions

The NY Times reported that faced with steep declines in tax revenue, an increasing number of states and localities are considering eliminating various tax exemptions for nonprofit groups.

A bill before the Hawaii Legislature, for instance, would require charities to pay a 1 percent tax, and Kansas is considering making them subject to sales taxes.

Revoking the nonprofit organizations’ exemptions from property taxes is also under scrutiny in several counties in Kansas, as well as in Pennsylvania.

And last fall, Minneapolis made charities subject to the fees it charges businesses and residents for streetlights in hope of gaining an additional $155,000, an exercise Jon Pratt, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, describes as “looking under the sofa cushions.”

In most cases, churches would be exempt from the tax measures, but all other nonprofit groups, including private schools and colleges, would be affected.

City and state officials say they have no choice.

“We’re having to look at the public services nonprofits use and how we can adequately cover those costs,” said Matt Greller, executive director of the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns. “We can’t give them away for free any longer.”

Nonprofit groups say the moves to wring revenue out of them are shortsighted and will produce cutbacks in critical services that governments rely on them to provide, like mental health and emergency foster care services.

“Nonprofits are really hurting in this economy,” said Tim Delaney, chief executive of the National Council of Nonprofits, a trade association. “Their revenues are down, too, and demand for the services they provide, services that government expects them to provide, is way up.” Read more here.