Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tools. Show all posts

Monday, August 5, 2013

HSC Launches Searchable Meeting Space Directory for Tompkins County

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HAVING DIFFICULTY FINDING A ROOM FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION'S MEETING OR EVENT?

HAVE A ROOM AVAILABLE THAT COULD BE OF USE TO NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHERS IN OUR COMMUNITY BUT YOU NEED TO GET THE WORD OUT?

We have the solution!

As part of our mission, the Human Services Coalition (HSC) works to identify information and service needs in the Tompkins County community. Over the years we have noticed a true need for meeting spaces where local organizations can get together to share ideas and consolidate efforts. To service this need HSC, in conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension, created an online, searchable database of available meeting spaces in the Tompkins County area.

Go to www.hsctc.org/rooms to easily search for spaces to meet your needs or to add a room (room additions subject to approval).  Use of the database is free of charge.

You're just a few clicks away from finding the space you require or advertising your space to organizations in need.  Give it a try today!

This project was funded by a grant from the Park Foundation. 

Monday, April 22, 2013

From the SUDDES Group, The Daily Nuggets Blog: Just Ask


Tom Suddes
CHI (Catholic Health Initiatives) Training in Colorado on Wednesday. Also getting everything ready for a big week in Ireland.
    I know our Point of View is game changing.
    I know we’ve got a lot of great Framework and Processes for FI Teams.
    I know if you follow the Roadmap, you have a guide for big funding boosts.
    I also know that none of that means squat if you don’t JUST ASK!!!
Three PDF’s that you can print and share that might help.
To see more online click here.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Special 4-Day Bonus Issue from the Blue Avocado


Free Webinar! Google Analytics for the Enthusiastic Beginner
Tuesday, April 16, 2013 3:00 pm eastern /12:00 noon Pacific
Speaker:  Bonnie Massa, Massa & Company
Wonder what all the hype is about around web analytics? Thanks to Blue Avocado and American Nonprofits, you can join this overview of Google Analytics, a free web analytics tool that shows you how visitors are using your site. We will start with how to capture data on visitors and then hit the highlights of using Google Analytics to improve your website. This overview is for beginners and executives that want to know the value of the tool but not necessarily how to operate it . . . Click here to register free . . . offer closes March 15, 2013.
Another Free Webinar! Nonprofit Sustainability:  Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability 
April 12, 2013  12:00 pm eastern/9:00 am pacific
Speakers:  Jan MasaokaBlue Avocado and CEO of CalNonprofits, and Steve Zimmerman, Spectrum Nonprofit Services
Too often program goals are discussed separately from financial means, although we all know that both must be discussed together. Jan and Steve will present the methodology for doing so from the book they co-authored with Jeanne Bell: Nonprofit Sustainability: Making Strategic Decisions for Financial Viability. This model can be used as an adjunct to or substitute for traditional strategic planning. Click here to register free. Offer ends March 15.
Board Recruitment Time? Learn the Blue Ribbon Nominating Committee Technique
Wednesday, April 10, 2013 3:00 pm eastern/12:00 pm pacific
Speaker:  Jan Masaoka, Blue Avocado and CEO of CalNonprofits
Board recruitment discussions usually start with the tired question, "Who do we know?" Instead, let's start with "What are the three most important things for the board to accomplish this year, and what kind of board members do we need in order to do so?" Tested successfully with hundreds of nonprofits, we'll also tackle some difficult questions such as whether and how to recruit people of different races or educational backgrounds, whether to have clients or parents (or other direct beneficiaries) on the board, and whether to have fundraising or donation requirements. Based on the tested and popular Blue Ribbon Nominating Committee technique. Click here to register free . . . through March 15 only.
Free "Gift of Learning" online courses from Cornerstone
This was such a hit in the last Bonus Issue, we’re pleased to offer this again. And we’re grateful to Cornerstone to offer this once more to Blue Avocado readers and American Nonprofit members!
The Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation established the “Gift of Learning” program to over 40 classes of downloadable e-learning content -- such as leadership training, effective communication, project management, and desktop product tutorials -- to nonprofit professionals at no cost.
The Foundation is offering this to five individuals per organization...and 300 organizations will be selelcted to receive the access to the Gift of Learning library. How do you become eligible? The first 300 Blue Avocado readers that respond on March 15, 2013 (starting 9 am Pacific/12 noon Eastern) are eligble.  Send an email to Blue Avocado's Susan Sanow at blueavocado@hotmail.com with the subject line "Gift of Learning” will be awarded the opportunity to access thousands of courses. Your e-mail must include the following information:
• Your organization's name
• Nonprofit tax ID number: you must have U.S. 501(c)(3) status to qualify
• Name of the contact person, and contact person's e-mail address and phone number
Once we reach 300 interested organizations, this offer will expire.
If your organization is chosen to participate, you will receive an introductory email directly from the Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation no later than March 29, 2013. Selected nonprofits will have access to the Gift of Learning for a three month period (April 1, 2013-July 1, 2013.)
(And if you were awarded the "Gift of Learning" last fall, please step aside and let another organization benefit!)
April 1? No Foolin'… It’s a Blue Avocado Contest!
As April Fool's Day approaches, we wonder what our best April Fool's joke news headlines would be for the nonprofit community. So give it a try. Submit your headline with a 2-to-3 sentence opening paragraph. Here is a sample to get you started:
AmeriCorps to Exclusively Serve Businesses in 2014
The AmeriCorps program announced that beginning in 2014, AmeriCorps Volunteers will only be placed in small for-profit businesses.  While historically placed with nonprofits, it is clear that nonprofits are better managed and there is a greater need to support the small business community.
Submit your April 1 headline and 2-3 opening sentences tosusan@blueavocado.org.  Use the subject line April Fool's. Send in your entry by Friday, March 22, 2013.  You may be featured in our special April Fool's Day issue!  What's in it for our top 10 favorite/funniest entries? You'll win a copy of Jan Masaoka’s book, The Nonprofit’s Guide to Human Resources. Good luck!

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

NYCON webinars this week, more to come!

[Tomorrow!] NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight:
Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits
Every fiscal staff members best friend...
Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am

Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it! 

Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.  

The features of the Budget Toolkit include:


  • Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and"How to Develop Your Budget"
  • Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets
  • Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more
  • Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet
  •  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.)
  • Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures.
  • And more!
Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself.

On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.    

[Thursday!] Free Tour of  Grantstation.comFebruary 28th   10:00am to 11:00am 
Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactive Grants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions. This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information. 

New Year, Great Time to Explore New Employee Benefits that You Can Afford!  

We know that the Employe Benefits "Market" can be complicated.  Our job is to help make that world more simple, and affordable for nonprofits. To help you understand each type of benefit, it's coverage features and it's costs we are rolling out a series of short 30-minute webinar spotlights on our administered programs: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and our Vision Program - which is new for 2013!

To see the online article click here.

Monday, February 25, 2013

National Webinar Free for Your Members


Sample Promotional Language



Register Now for Spring NYCON Webinars, Spots Filling Up!

Register for NYCON's Spring Webinars!

Get to Know NYCON & Your Membership Benefits...
February 22nd, 2013  10:00am - 10:45am
In this session NYCON staff will tell you all you need to know about your membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. No matter if you are a new member, a renewing member who would like more information or a non-member interested in joining, this session will be enlightening and helpful. We will be covering the following benefits:  
  • Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional AssistanceNYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more
  • Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits
    NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything fromOffice Supplies to Fundraising Software.  
  • The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight:
Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits!
Every fiscal staff members best friend...
Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am

Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it! 

Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.  


The features of the Budget Toolkit include:
 


  • Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and"How to Develop Your Budget"
  • Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets
  • Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more
  • Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet
  •  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.)
  • Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures.
  • And more!
You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself.

On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.    

Free Tour of the GrantStation.com Website 

Thursday, February 28th   10:00am to 11:00am 
Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactiveGrants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions.This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Ideal Ware:Best February 2013


Best of the Web: February 2013

The Idealware “Best of the Web” is a monthly roundup of the top nonprofit resources from the Idealware blog, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed to help you make the right technology decisions.

A look at how social media has affected online giving.

How do you get the most bang for your buck when investing in the mobile web?

All your tactical technology planning needs in one on-demand package to solve your organization's current problems and avoid future issues.

When you start by asking the right questions, your organization will be in the best place to plan for the future.

Could you use more help thinking through how to use data to help your organization make decisions? This workbook Idealware prepared for NTEN is the perfect place to start.

Tips on how to recruit, retain, and upgrade monthly donors.

Use these apps to keep up with the rapid growth of mobile.

The 325 email marketing terms everyone needs to know.

Save time and increase your organization's productivity by becoming a Google Calendar whiz.

A Guide to Synagogue Management: Research and Recommendations (Idealware)
We looked at a variety of donor and constituent management systems to create an overview for a complex and niche market

New Benefits & New Webinars for Members

NYCON Member Benefit Spotlight:
Budget & Cash Flow Toolkits!
Every fiscal staff persons' best friend...
Learn More on February 27th at 10:00am

Just in time for budget and cash flow planning, NYCON has developed a new benefit for our member that will truly be the "best friend" of every fiscal person who uses it! 



Designed with the needs and resources of the smaller to medium sized nonprofit in mind, NYCON's Chief Fiscal Officer and staff have designed a "fool proof" tool for developing a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget.  


The features of the Budget Toolkit include:
 


  • Built in instructions on "Getting Started" and"How to Develop Your Budget"
  • Built in formulas and linked spreadsheets
  • Definitions & Glossary on types of budgets, frequently used budgeting terms & more
  • Helpful notes that 'pop up' as you create your budget spreadsheet
  •  Quick and easy allocations (for shared costs like space and supplies, etc.)
  • Templates that your organization can utilize to customize for your own organization's budget and salary and fringe expenditures.
  • And more!
You have to see all the features to believe it!   Experience the Budget Toolkit for yourself.

On this webinar we also featured the new "Cash Flow Toolkit" which, just like the Budget Toolkit, will be a great addition to any nonprofit fiscal office.    

  

Pros and Cons of  Restructuring a Nonprofit: What it Means for your Staff and Board
February 13th, 2013   10:00am to 12:00pm
Doug Sauer, CEO, NYCON

This thought provoking, insightful event will provide you with knowledge gleaned from decades of Doug's work with hundreds of nonprofits in various stages of formal restructuring, shared service models and, certainly, merger. Doug, perhaps more than anyone on the national nonprofit "scene," knows first-hand that merger (or any type of structural "re-engineering" of your organization) is a serious solution to the very complex issues facing today's nonprofits. Join us and learn from Doug's real world and very practical experiences. Doug will be talking about the variety of options available for restructuring a nonprofit, what the potential benefits and very real risks are -- as well as what the process of going "beyond collaboration" is really like.There will be time for Q&A at the end of the online session so make sure you take advantage of having our resident expert available to you.

Free Tour of the GrantStation Website for NYCON Members

Thursday, February 28th   10:00am to 11:00am 

Join Ellen Mowrer, GrantStation's Business Development Advisor, for a free webinar that offers a short tour of the GrantStation website. This tour will provide tips on the most effective way to use all of the valuable resources the website offers; including the extensive funder databases that can help you identify the right grantmaker for any program or project. During this webinar we will also introduce GrantStation's new interactive Grants2020 visioning tool! There will be plenty of time for questions. This webinar will be held Thursday, February 28, 2013.Did You Know? As a NEW Membership Benefit of NYCON, ourprogram now also allows a discount on Grantstation Membership - which gets you full access to GS.com - for only $75! Click here for more information. 

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

IdealWare: Getting Started With Data-Driven Decision Making


Getting Started With Data-Driven Decision Making: A Workbook


NTEN has published a new resource: Getting Started With Data-Driven Decision Making: A Workbook. Idealware was happy to provide the research and framework for this new workbook, the perfect accompaniment to the 2012 State of Nonprofit Data also published by NTEN with research conducted by Idealware.

The report showed that, although some organizations are relying heavily on data, a number were doing very little to actually measure their work or use that data to inform other decisions. Could your organization use more help thinking through how to use data to help your organization make decisions? This workbook prepared by Idealware is the perfect place to start.

What do you want to measure? Why do you want to measure it? What are your metrics? How do you communicate the results throughout your organization? How do you use data to plan?

This workbook will help you answer those questions and make your data work for you, and it's absolutely free.

Download the workbook from our website. >>>

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Upcoming Webinars & Exclusive NTEN Membership Offer

Upcoming Webinars from the New York Council of Non-Profits


Pros and Cons of  Restructuring a Nonprofit: What it Means for your Staff and Board
A Webinar Presented by Doug Sauer CEO of NYCON

February 13th, 2013   10:00am to 12:00pm


Dollars through the Door: Who Does What in Nonprofit Fundraising & Revenue Generation
A Webinar Presented by NYCON
March 13th, 2013     10:00am to 12:00pm


As well as a [NEW]  NYCON Membership Benefit: 
Free Membership to the Nonprofit Technology Network Offered to 100 Lucky NYCON Members!

To register for these webinars or to take advantage of the NYCON membership benefit click here! 





Wednesday, January 16, 2013

The State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey


Participate Now: The Nonprofit Finance Fund Releases
"2013 State of the Sector Survey"


Beginning today, the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF)is conducting its 5th Annual National Survey examining the current state of the nonprofit sector from a financial perspective and we hope that you will add your voice.  

The survey is anonymous and takes only 10 to 15 minutes to fill out.  

It will collect data on important financial and management issues facing the nonprofit sector. (Take a look at the 2012 results, an interactive survey analyzer, and media attention here.)

To take the 2013 survey, please click


Also, please do pass on the link above to other nonprofit managers you know-the more survey respondents, the more representative and accurate the findings will be.

NFF will analyze the results and provide them to everyone in late March.

Also, all survey respondents who choose to give their contact information will receive the results directly. The findings, and the comparison to previous years' findings, will help identify the most critical areas of need in the sector.

If you have already filled out the 2013 survey, thank you for supporting this data gathering effort!
2012 Nonprofit Organizations Salary and Benefits Report
The information in this report will give you the non-profit salary range for nearly 254 positions in the nonprofit sector across the country.  
NYCON Members can use discount code ny25offny.


Take advantage of NYCON's NEW Membership Benefit:
Designed with the needs of the small to medium sized nonprofit in mind, this is a "fool proof" tool to develop a streamlined, compliant and easy to understand budget. For more information just click here.  

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Fiscal Cliff Campaign Update


Countdown to Tax Hikes: 22 Days
Countdown to Arbitrary Spending Cuts (sequestration): 24 Days

Need to Know: (action items in this message)
In this message we’re sharing several media ideas and tools that have been developed and utilized within the network. Please take a look, take action today, and tell us what you’re doing (so that everyone will benefit).

I. Big Picture
The media are reporting that momentum is building for Republicans to agree to a tax-rate increase of some level for upper-income taxpayers, which is President Obama’s top priority. There is also growing speculation that Democratic opposition is lessening on some entitlement reforms, such as raising the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 67, and changing the index used for calculating inflation for Social Security payments. The oft-quoted mantra for congressional negotiations is that “nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to,” so no details are close to being final.

Yesterday, Senators Schumer (D-NY) and Menendez (D-NJ) introduced the “Hurricane Sandy and National Disaster Tax Relief Act” that, among other things, lifts the current cap on charitable giving (50 percent of Adjusted Gross Income) for qualified disaster contributions. Once again, policymakers are relying on incentives for giving to alleviate suffering and expedite recovery in their communities.

Tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/12 @ 3:30 – 4:30 Eastern), BoardSource is hosting a webinar on “The Fiscal Cliff’s Twin Threats Against the Work of Charities,” during which we will be sharing our message about how two parts of the fiscal cliff threaten to create massive new burdens on nonprofits and even more work for board leaders. By making funding cuts without reducing the underlying human needs, the demand on nonprofits will increase whilethe resources for providing needed services will decrease. Capping or limiting the value of charitable deductions will further reduce the ability of charitable organizations to meet the increasing need for services. You can share this with your board members and others so they join more than 350 already signed up to learn why they should raise voices. 
Register now to learn more about these potentially devastating threats and what each of us can do NOW to voice our views.  
Also tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/12 @ 1:00-2:00 pm Eastern), several national nonprofits are hosting a conference call on the charitable giving incentive. Speakers include Fr. Larry Snyder of Catholic Charities USA, Diana Aviv of Independent Sector, and Rand Wentworth of the Land Trust Alliance, among others. The call-in number is  712-432-7300: access code 57668#.

II. Network Status Update (Let Tammie Smith know what you’ve done lately)
  • Letter to Congressional Delegations: 16 (of 42 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies)
  • Action Alerts: 34 (of 42 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies)
    • Number of Alerts: 44 (10 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies have sent 2 action alerts)
    • NOTE: If you want us to send an Action Alert for you, we can. Just let us know.
  • Media Outreach: 7 State Associations/Nonprofit Allies (13 contacts)
    • Social Media: 17 Facebook postings
III. Good Ideas
As powerful as our individual stories are, letters and phone calls to policymakers alone will not carry the day. We need the help, engagement, and attention of the news media in the home towns of the elected officials. We offer the following ideas from around the network with the goal of getting rank-and-file Senators and Representatives to tell their leaders: “I’m taking a lot of heat back home; you’ve got to prevent these arbitrary cuts and refuse to cap or limit the charitable deduction””
  • Targeted Joint Statements: Last week, leaders of 11 Catholic human service agencies in the Cincinnati area issued a joint statement calling on federal leaders to protect the poor and vulnerable there and abroad in fiscal cliff negotiations. The Cincinnati Enquirer picked up the story and informed all of Speaker John Boehner’s constituents of the potential local impact of the automatic cuts if he doesn’t reach a deal to avert the fiscal cliff.
    • Footnote to this story: Our colleague Beth Bowsky, who lives in Cincinnati, had previously shared with the Enquirer the network’s media statement and other materials, perhaps helping to lay the groundwork for the reporter’s interest prior to his receiving the local story from the Archdiocese.
  • Media Statements: Several State Association leaders have issued comments to the press or talked with reporters as they prepare stories. The National Council of Nonprofits issued a Media Statementlast week – intentionally designed as a background piece rather than the usual news release. The Statement provides a summary of the broader context, all designed to garner the attention of editors for the issues presented.
  • Editorial Board Meetings: Jim White, the new Executive Director for the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, participated in an editorial board meeting at the largest newspaper in the state along with two other nonprofit leaders. They addressed the questions raised, and, through excellent pre-meeting planning, covered all of the key points they wanted to make – using facts, stories, and obvious passion for the community.
  • Divvying Up the State: Yes, we want every State Association to be seen as the leader on this issue in the state; but we all know that the local angle is usually the first interest for editorial boards. TheNorth Carolina Center for Nonprofits solved this problem by preparing and sharing materials for their geographically diverse board members to submit to their local news outlets. This week, the Center is following up with any uncovered media markets to ensure that the whole state is covered.
  • Tools You Can Use: By all means, take the materials we’ve prepared and modify them for maximum impact in your state: InfographicMedia StatementMyths vs. Realitiesother resources.
  • Share: Help us develop the best array of ideas and tools for getting the news media across the country to focus on the impact in communities of the arbitrary cuts and proposals to cap or limit charitable deductions. Share with us and your colleagues the press statements, op-eds, talking points, quotes, etc., that you have developed for media contacts in your states.
IV. Why We’re Fighting
We have received powerful comments from nonprofits throughout the country who have gone to the GiveVoice.org website. Here is a sampling (permission given for naming organizations):
  • “We are a nonprofit organization who helps those with cancer at no cost to them or their families.  We rely on fundraisers and donations to stay open with an all-volunteer staff. We are the only organization offering the programs and services in the Tri-State area we live in. We rely on the current charitable giving incentives so we may continue to help those who are newly diagnosed or going through treatments.” We Care Cancer Support Inc., Bullhead, Arizona
  • “Soroptimist International of the Central Jersey Coast services the hardest hit area of Storm Sandy. Many of our members have lost homes. Our neighbors are suffering devastating loss of homes, income, and emotional and physical needs. We must have our contributions so we can carry on our work to help women and girls in our community. We help the local women's shelter, girl scout's camp, sexual abuse rape victims, and the local children's hospital. We also give gifts for girl's who volunteer in our community and give scholarships to women rejoining the work force. Without the incentive to donate, our work will be overSoroptimist International of the Central Jersey Coast, Lakewood, New Jersey