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Dear Friends of CRC:
I had the privilege and honor to moderate the Corporate Funder Session at the inaugural C3 Forum last month. It was a great time as I really enjoy moderating these types of conversations. The dialogue between the corporate representatives and the nonprofits in the room was open and honest.
Reflecting on the session later that day, I pondered one question that came up several times and in several iterations: "How can my organization get funding if it doesn't fit the funder's guidelines?"
I really thought about this question, since I know many executive directors and development directors who try to make the case for a "fit" when really there isn't one. Then it struck me. For years, I've been asking people to support the cause for which I am working. I have asked corporations, foundations, and individuals; and like many of you I also ask my family and friends. When my family or friends say, "Sorry Carol, I'd love to support this organization but it's not the type of organization I like to support," do I continue to ask? Do I pitch how this program actually does align with their giving? Of course not. I say, "Thank you so much for considering us. I would appreciate it if you would consider a gift to XYZ nonprofit for my next birthday or gift-giving event."
Perhaps the world of philanthropy and nonprofits would be easier to navigate if we thought of the people or foundations we are asking for support in the same way we think of family and friends. When the funder feels the organization's mission is not a match, simply respond, "Thank you very much for your consideration. I hope you will keep XYZ nonprofit in mind for your future giving."
Respectfully,
Carol Lynn Nickell
Executive Director
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give. -Sir Winston Churchill
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| Planning and Budgeting for 2011 |
Planning and budgeting-- they seem to go together don't they? Both are important; both need staff and board involved in the process; and both take time.
Organizational planning is often viewed as the domain of the executive director and the board; program planning is the role of the executive director, the program directors and the board. Budgeting is the domain of "finance" which is often the accountant and usually the board treasurer.
All too often, those who work with numbers and those who work with programs don't share the same language or even the same priorities.
Because of this "different approach" to planning and budgeting, both program staff and financial staff should work with the executive director and board to develop budgets that truly reflect organizational priorities and act as a guide for spending and decision-making. When planning and budgeting become a team event, everyone wins! It takes less time, resources and struggle because everyone is working towards the same goal: the double bottom line where mission meets profit!
If your organization is not taking the common ground approach to planning and budgeting I would encourage you to consider the following approach for your next budget process. I recommend beginning the budget process about 3-4 months prior to your organization's fiscal year-end. Think of something you can do to make the planning and budgeting sessions fun! Try a budget version of the 2 truths and 1 lie; or during program planning, draw pictures of your plans. Planning and budgeting are often difficult and confusing, so try to make it fun and get everyone's ideas. In the end, you will have crafted a plan that everyone understands and supports!
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| The Reading List |
The Budget-Building Book for Nonprofits: A Step-by-Step Guide for Managers and Boards, Written by: Murray Dropkin and Bill LaTouche
Streetsmart Financial Basics for Nonprofit Managers, Thomas A. McLaughlin
Financial Leadership for Nonprofit Executives: Guiding Your Organization to Long-term Success, Jeanne Bell (Author), Elizabeth Schaffer (Author)
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| Congratulations to Lauren Price |
 It is with sadness that CRC announces the resignation of Lauren Price, Director of Rural Outreach. We are excited about the new opportunity that Lauren has undertaken as the Boys Hope Girls Hope director of development. At CRC for the past two years, Lauren has been an integral member of the leadership team, designing and implementing programs and services to help the nonprofit sector throughout Colorado. Under Lauren's leadership, the CRC internship program was designed and launched. Lauren worked with regional steering committees to coordinate successful Rural Philanthropy Days events in Mt. Crested Butte, Steamboat Springs and Mancos, Colorado. She has been a popular CRC trainer in the statewide training series providing education and resources for nonprofit organizations. Her impact will be felt for years to come.
Lauren, thank you for your hard work and dedication and much luck to you in your future endeavors.
-The CRC Team
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| Program Manager Position Available |
The Community Resource Center is seeking a fulltime, dynamic motivated professional to manage the statewide Rural Philanthropy Days program. This position reports to the Director of Programs and participates as a member of the program team. CRC is a nonprofit organization, established in 1981 to provide leadership, training, technical assistance and consultation services to community based organizations in Colorado. CRC's work environment is fast paced, dynamic and flexible. Click here for the full job description.
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| Fall 2010 Internship Opportunities |
Applications are due Wednesday, August 18.
The mission of our internship program is to prepare young leaders for entry into the nonprofit sector by providing a thorough understanding of the internal functions of a capacity building services organization, to include the practical application of attained knowledge.
For Fall 2010, we will select up to two interns for our Research and Evaluation internship and up to three interns for Grants Guide intensive. Click here for more information.
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| Apply today - CRC partners with the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships to offer FREE Consulting Services | |
Interested in building your organization's capacity to contract or partner with government? Then we invite you to apply for the Nonprofit Capacity Building Program.
This effort can help support your organization in building its capacity through 30 hours of free consulting for your organization valued at $3,750, funded in partnership with the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships and the Denver Office of Economic Development. We are offering support in the following areas:
- Strategic Planning
- Financial Management
- Program Evaluation
The program is designed to help you be more effective in your work and in managing your government contracts and will involve 30 hours of consulting provided by the Community Resource Center. All applicants must be providing services in the City and County of Denver to be eligible. See the application for additional eligibility information.
Consulting will be offered at all levels, from laying a basic foundation to advanced refinement of systems, depending on your organization's needs.
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| CRC Leaders Take Leadership to New Heights at the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center's Executive Leadership Challenge Course | |
Now in its 21st year, CRC's Colorado Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program is proud to sponsor a 3-day transformational experience for executive directors of Colorado nonprofit organizations. The following interview illustrates what it was like for one of our program participants.
Stephanie Stephens is the Executive Director of the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA), a statewide membership association that provides education, support and recognition for parks and recreation professionals. You can reach her at 303.231.0943, by email at stephanies@cpra-web.org or via the web at www.cpra-web.org
Before going, what were you expectations and perhaps hesitations about participating in this adventure?
When applying for the Leadership Program, I used this quote: "And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~ Anais Nin. The Challenge Course was the culminating event in my 'blossoming' as a stronger leader and as a more confident woman.
I came into the outdoor adventure with some hesitation... what would it be like sharing a 'bunk' with others I don't know entirely well? What will the challenge course really be like? My expectations, though, were stronger than the hesitations. What a great opportunity to stretch my mind and body! And what a fabulous way to remove myself from day to day work craziness and just focus on my abilities and goals for the future of our association.
The adventure did not disappoint!
CRC is accepting applications for the 2011 Colorado Nonprofit Leadership and Management Program. For more infromation click here or contact Carol Crawford at 303.623.1540 x13.
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| Register Today! Colorado Conference on Volunteerism |
 Visit www.ccov2010.org to register online and for details about the workshop sessions, field experiences, keynote speakers, scholarships and much more! COLORADO CONFERENCE ON VOLUNTEERISM Growing Communities Through Volunteerism SEPTEMBER 16 & 17, 2010
at the Fort Collins Marriott
Take advantage of early bird rates & scholarship opportunities! Space is limited!
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| CRC Workshops | | At the Community Resource Center we believe that nonprofit organizations and community groups need access to on-going, quality training opportunities to gain the skills, tools, and strategies they need to accomplish their missions. Our training series provides up-to-date and practical information covering topic areas that can be easily applied within organizations. |
| Workshop Title | Date | Time | Category | | Grantseeking on the Web- and Grants Guide Discount | August 11 | 10 am - 12 pm | Fundraising, Capacity Building Workshop, Colorado Grants Guide | | FREE! Strategic Planning (DOSP Series) | August 18 | 1 pm - 4 pm | Capacity Building, Principles & Practices, Planning | | Grant Seeking Clinic & Grants Guide Special Offer! | August 18, 19 & 20 | Day 1: 1 pm - 4 pm, Day 2 & 3: 9 am - 4 pm | Fundraising, Capacity Building Workshop, Grant Seeking Clinic | | Getting Funded: Before and After the Check | August 31 | 1 pm - 4 pm | Principles & Practices, Fundraising | | FREE! Effective Financial Management (DOSP Series) | September 9 | 9 am - 12 pm | Capacity Building Workshop, Principles & Practices, Financial Management | | Developing Your Best Revenue Stream-- Your Donors! | September 9 | 1 pm - 4 pm | Fundraising, Capacity Building Workshop | | Make Your Financials Work for You & Your Nonprofit | September 14 | 9 am - 12 pm |
Financial Management, Accounting, Principles & Practices | | Capital Campaign Funder Panel -- A MUST! | September 21 | 9 am - 11:30 am | Fundraising, Capacity Building Workshop | | Building and Empowering your Fundraising Board | September 22 | 1 pm - 4 pm | Capacity Building Workshop, Fundraising | | Management & Supervision: Using a Coach-Approach | September 23 | 9 am - 4 pm | Human Resources, Leadership, Capacity Building Workshop | | FREE! Program Evaluation (DOSP Series) | October 6 | 9 am - 12 pm | Capacity Building Workshop, Evaluation, Principles & Practices | | Getting It Right Legally, from an HR Expert | October 19 | 1 pm - 4 pm | Principles & Practices, Human Resources, Capacity Building Workshop |
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| Where in Colorado? | |
Take a guess for a chance to win a copy of the Colorado Grants Guide.
Each month, we feature a photo taken during our travels around Colorado. Last month, we featured this photograph. Congratulations to Bob Mailander who was the first to correctly guess Gobbler's Knob, Prowers County in Southeast Colorado.
For this month's "Where in Colorado?" we are inviting guesses on a photo from a different part of Colorado.
The first person to correctly identify the location of this photo by posting it on our blog will receive a copy of the Colorado Grants Guide.
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| Thank you for reading the E-Line! |
If you have any ideas about future topics that you would like to see covered, please let us know!
Sincerely,
CRC's Staff
Carol N., Maria, Sarah, Carol C., Marianne, Kara, and Kristen |
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| 2010 RPD Events | | Registration is now open for Southeast RPD! | |
September 15-17; La Junta (Huerfano, Las Animas, Baca, Prowers, Bent, Otero, Crowley & Kiowa counties)
Registration closes September 1. |
| Hurry and Get Your 2009-2010 Colorado Grants Guide While Supplies Last! | | |
Help improve the sustainability of your organization by purchasing a 2009-2010 Colorado Grants Guide, Colorado's premier resource for grantseekers.
Annual Online Subscription: $150
Stock is low and time is running out to purchase the 2009-2010 Grants Guide book.
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| Grant Application Deadlines | |
The AEC Trust, 9/1
Alternative Agricultural Water Transfers Grant Program, 9/30
Animal Assistance Foundation, 9/24
Anschutz Foundation, 9/1
Arrow Electronics, 9/30
Brett Family Foundation, 9/1
Broomfield Community Foundation, 9/1
Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, 9/1
Colorado Private Activity Bond Program (PAB), 9/1/2010
Concerts For Kids, 9/30
General Service Foundation, 9/1
George W. Hopper Family Foundation, 9/15
Ittleson Foundation, 9/1
Junior League of Denver, 9/1
Rollie R. Kelley Family Foundation, 9/1
Kinder Morgan Foundation, 9/10
The Freda & Grace Crawford Maytag Trust, 9/20
J. K. Mullen Foundation, 9/1
New Energy Communities, 9/19
Dana & Christopher Reeve Foundation, 9/1
Smartwool Corporation, 9/1
Staples Foundation for Learning, 9/13
UCC Neighbors in Need, 9/1
Unitarian Universalist for a Just Society, 9/15
US Bancorp Foundation, 9/30
Weckbaugh Foundation, 9/1
Western Union Foundation, 9/1
Wetlands Program Development Grants, 9/8
Wolcott Family Foundation, 9/4
Melvin & Elaine Wolf Foundation, 9/30
Women's Fund of Weld County, 9/1 | |
Grant Application information is available in the Grants Guide.
Order Today!
Annual Online Subscription:$150
Book: $175 |
| Join CRC on Facebook |  | |
Keep track of CRC's activities and get updates on capacity building tips and tools for your nonprofit organization.
Search "Community Resource Center of Colorado" to join!
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| DOVIA We Count On You Awards | |
Join Denver DOVIA to honor exceptional efforts by volunteers and volunteer managers at the annual "We Count on You!" awards ceremony.
When: September 28
Time: 11:30am-1:30pm
Where: Mile High Station, Denver
Cost: $30/member, $35/non-member, $5/nominee
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| Get Up & Give Digital Media Challenge | |
Save The Date! September 9 at Space Gallery. Attendees will enjoy drinks and appetizers while they vote on the photo and digital short that has the most spark. | |
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| IRS Releases Guidance for Small Nonprofits at Risk of Losing Tax-Exempt Status | |
On July 26, 2010, the IRS released guidance on filing relief for Form 990-N and 990-EZ filers in danger of losing their tax exemptions because they have not filed for three consecutive years. This one-time relief is available to small organizations whose filing deadlines fall on or after May 17, 2010, and before October 15, 2010. All returns filed under this program are due no later than October 15, 2010. | |
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| GiftWorks Discount! | |
Thinking about using GiftWorks as your donor management tool?
Mention CRC when you purchase GiftWorks Fundraising software and receive 15% off. | |
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| CRC Staff Contacts |
303.623.1540
Executive Director:
Carol Nickell,
Consulting Services: Sarah Fischler, fischler@crcamerica.org
Training:
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