Monday, June 29, 2009

The Principles Workbook: Steering Your Board Toward Good Governance and Ethical Practice

Independent Sector has released a new tool to help nonprofits, foundations, and corporate philanthropy programs examine and improve their governance, and do so in a cost-effective way.

The Workbook continues Independent Sector's commitment to assisting organizations as they work to uphold the highest standards of accountability. It expands on and elucidates the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector's Principles for Good Governance and Ethical Practice: A Guide for Charities and Foundations, 33 recommendations that organizations can use to analyze and improve their practices.

Download a free copy here.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Announcing Elmira's Juneteenth Celebration

The public is invited to Elmira's Eighth Annual Juneteenth Celebration on June 12 - 13. The Juneteenth Celebration begins on Friday, June 12 at 7 pm with a kickoff at Community Arts of Elmira, 413 Lake Street and continues June 13, 10 am - 5 pm at Ernie Davis Park, the corner of East Fifth and Lake Streets in Elmira. Both days of the Juneteenth Celebration are free and open to the public.

Juneteenth commemorates the day on June 19, 1865 when slaves in Galveston, Texas celebrated the news of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Juneteenth Celebration is a commemoration of that struggle, and a step towards a bright future. Juneteenth is the oldest known African American celebration in the United States initiated to foster an appreciation for freedom, knowledge and culture in the African American community. The celebration is a nationally recognized event in many communities across the country.

Yes We Can!, this year's theme, encompasses self-improvement, family and economic unity and above all it resonates the same feelings and emotions as President Obama's election campaign.

Friday, June 12 from 7 - 9 pm the public is invited to Community Arts of Elmira for the Juneteenth Celebration kickoff featuring: Gene Austin, visual art display; Vicie Rolling, poet, will present an interpretation and portrayal of Elizabeth Adams, known as Lear Green who lived the last three years of her life in freedom here in Elmira; Ira Haywood, Jr., jazz musician; Vani Akula, classical Indian dance; Kofi Donkor of Kofi and Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble; and Spirituals! Choir with Phyllis Bishop and Cal Brewer.

Saturday, June 13 from 10 am - 5 pm all are welcome to Ernie Davis Park for a day of celebration featuring: Kids on the Block, performances which teach children about disability, medical conditions and social issues; Mayor Tonello; local artists, musicians, dancers and actors; Vani Akula, artist; Faith Temple Choir; New Life Assembly of God Dance Team; bicycle give-away by Eat Well, Play Hard; local and regional service providers; and food, fun and games for all.

Elmira's Eighth Annual Juneteenth Celebration is sponsored by: Economic Opportunity Program, Inc.; Juneteenth Steering Committee; The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes; the Elmira City School District; Corning Inc. AQUIT; and Chemung Canal Trust Company.The project is made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts' Decentralization Program administered locally by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Nonprofit Report Announced by NYCON

Standards for Common Sense: A Practical Guide to Basic Accountability Standards for New York Nonprofits, published by NYCON, was supported by Council Services Plus and the Dyson Foundation. This booklet, available to download for free here, is a practical guide for the average nonprofit seeking a reasonable understanding of what accountability standards are, who is promoting them, what related state laws say, and how to think about the choices presented. NYCON has selected eight of the most basic issues involving governance structure and practice, i.e. board size, board compensation, conflict of interest policies, board member independence, term limits, frequency of meetings, audit requirements and the creation of audit committees. The booklet outlines each issue, compares and discusses the standards set by laws or regulations and five different standards setting bodies - the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance, the Standards for Excellence Institute, the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits.

In this 2nd Edition, NYCON has also added a section on Standards of Financial Accountability. This section explores guidelines for percentage of expenditures on program and fundraising activities along with the level of net assets relative to annual spending. Download your copy now.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Nonprofit Media Roundup

The following articles were offered by the Minnesota Council of Foundations:

Economy
Nonprofits Fear Charitable Giving Will be Cut by More Than 10%
Investment News: The banking and finance industries make up 25% of foundation support, study says.

Donors Find Gift Annuities Can Stop Giving
Wall Street Journal: The economic downturn could cause some charities to have trouble meeting their annuity obligations.

From the Answer Desk: How Can Foundations Avoid or Address Financial Emergencies?Foundation Center: There’s no single answer that will be right for all organizations. Here are 10 resources that may help.

Recession Slams U.S. Arts Organizations
Philanthropy News Digest: U.S. Art Organizations fight the economy and the perception that donations to the Arts are frivolous in tough economic times.

National
Nonprofit Groups Receive Mixed Results in Obama’s Budget
The Chronicle of Philanthropy: The $3.5-trillion federal budget that President Obama has proposed for 2010 would affect federal programs in a variety of ways that affect charities.

Highlights from President Obama’s Budget Proposal
The Washington Grantmakers Daily: Seven articles about President Obama’s budget and how it will impact different nonprofits.

Michelle Obama Announces $50 Million Fund for Nonprofits
The Washington Post: Michelle Obama unveils Social Innovation Fund. Initiative to provide capital to support innovative nonprofit organizations and to help social entrepreneurs expand.

Philanthropy Adapts to the Obama Era
The American Prospect: One philanthropist reports feeling he has a “partner, not an adversary” in new administration. A reflection on philanthropy and its relationship with both past and current administration.

Charities Reap Benefits of Contests on the Internet
The New York Times: The opportunities for nonprofit groups to win money through contests are proliferating.

Target, Facebook Team Up and Let 10 Charities Compete for $$$
Star Tribune: Target Foundation asks facebook members to vote on distribution of $3 million among ten different charities.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

How is the economy affecting our region’s arts and cultural life?

Ginnie Lupi related: The ARTS has received several phone calls from journalists wanting to know how artists and arts/cultural organizations in our region are faring under current economic conditions. Yesterday’s New York Times ran an article on this issue, interviewing artists of all disciplines; some were upbeat, but most were despairing.

Instead of just passing on the anecdotal information we’re hearing about the economy’s affect on the region’s arts and cultural life, we’d like to hear from you directly. Read about comments left or leave your own feedback here.

Friday, May 15, 2009

THE ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS ARTS PARTNERSHIP AWARDS

The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes is proud to recognize this year's recipients of The ARTS' Annual ARTS Partnership Awards, which recognize individuals, artists, volunteers, schools, organizations and businesses that significantly contribute to the region's arts and cultural life. This year's recipients are:
  • William Locke, Superintendent, Arkport Central School District, for creating stellar arts programming for the schools in his district and for being an invincible advocate for the arts in the Arkport/Hornell region in Steuben County. Locke is an actor and vocalist who has performed in many plays and musical events. He was instrumental in the creation of the Hornell Rotary Club Summer Musical Program and serves as an adjudicator for the Rochester Broadway Theatre League.

  • Lynne Rusinko, Arts Advocate, Elmira, for her tireless commitment, outstanding contribution and dedication to artists and organizations in her community. Ms. Rusinko's enthusiasm, creativity, passion and skills have helped the arts thrive throughout the region. She has volunteered countless hours to the Elmira Open Studio Tour, Steele Memorial Library's Poetry Festival, Community Arts of Elmira, Festival of Women in the Arts, and the Elmira Street Painting Festival.
The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes will present this year's awards at its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 21, at 5:30 pm at the International Motor Racing Research Center, 610 South Decatur Street, Watkins Glen, NY. Tickets are $20 per person and may be purchased by calling 607.962.5871 x223 - RSVP by May 15. The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes is the leading arts services and development agency in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben counties.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Improving Prescription Access Webinar

Join Us for a Free Informational Webinar Event Hosted by New York State Association for Rural Health Improving Prescription Access for the nearly 2.6 Million Uninsured New Yorkers
Learn about the Together Rx Access® Program

The New York State Association for Rural Health invites you to participate in an informative webinar about ways in which you can help uninsured New York residents gain better access to prescription medicines. Collene Alexander, President of the New York State Association for Rural Health, invites Amy Niles, Chair Medical Relations/Advocacy of To6gether Rx Access, to discuss the impact of being uninsured and how Together Rx Access, a free prescription savings program, can help eligible uninsured residents gain immediate and meaningful savings on hundreds of prescription medicines right at their neighborhood pharmacy. The Together Rx Access Card is free to get and free to use.

More than 1.9 million people are cardholders. Those who have used their card have collectively saved over $84 million! Learn more.

By participating, you will learn:
  • Facts about the uninsured population in New York.
  • Why rural residents are less likely to have prescription drug coverage.
  • How Together Rx Access can help residents better access the prescription medicines they need to stay healthy and to treat disease.
  • Ways to get involved to help spread the word about Together Rx Access.
Who Should Participate: Healthcare professionals, state and local advocacy organizations, hospitals, clinics, community groups, state and local leaders, academia focused on health education
Date & Time: May 27, 2009 from 10:30-11:30 a.m., Eastern Time

Visit www.TogetherRxAccessOnline.com to register for this free event. When you register, you’ll be given the toll-free number for the call, as well as the website address to log into prior to the call.