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| Contact Us |
PO Box 1091
Bismarck, ND 58502
Phone: 701-258-9101
Toll Free: 888-396-3266
Fax: 701-223-4645
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| ACTION ALERT: GIVE Act of 2008 |
Nonprofits and volunteers here in North Dakota need your immediate help by showing your strong support for the Giving Incentives to Volunteers Everywhere Act of 2008 (S.3429) ("GIVE Act").
The GIVE Act of 2008, introduced Aug. 6 by U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and John Ensign (R-NV) and co-sponsored by Senators Christopher Dodd (D-CT) and Russell Feingold (D-WI), addresses the adverse impacts on volunteers of high gas prices and discriminatory tax policy towards nonprofits. The bill eliminates the disincentives that prevent charitable volunteers from doing what they really want to do, which is to help the needy in their communities.
NDANO has already taken a position to support the GIVE Act by signing onto a joint letter sent to Senators Schumer and Ensign by the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, 34 other state associations of nonprofits and many distinguished nonprofits, such as AARP, American Red Cross, Catholic Charities USA, Independent Sector and United Way of America. We did so because the bill as introduced would: 1) raise the charitable mileage deduction from 14 cents to almost 41 cents; 2) eliminate the need for nonprofits to seek new legislation every year by setting the charitable volunteer rate at 70 percent of the standard business mileage rate as adjusted by the IRS; and 3) exclude from any income tax consequence actual mileage reimbursements made to volunteers.
These features not only address the economic pain being felt in America's communities, but also recognize the vital role the nonprofit sector plays in coordinating volunteer efforts to meet human needs.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
· Contact our U.S. Senators and Representative now by phone, fax, and/or e-mail to urge them to co-sponsor the GIVE Act. You may take immediate action by writing to your elected officials electronically at http://givevoice.org/campaign/giveact.
· Write a letter to the editor encouraging your local newspaper to write a strong editorial urging our U.S. Senators and Representatives to not only co-sponsor the GIVE Act but also make sure it gets passed before Congress adjourns; and · Send us your stories about how this would help your volunteers. E-mail your story to ndano@btinet.net or call us at 701-258-9101 or 888-396-3266. As you know, we don't bombard you with requests to support federal legislation, but this bill is extremely important for our sector, here and across the nation. Please add your voices. Thanks for your help. If you have any questions or would like further information, please let us know. _______________________Interested in another opinion on this issue? Check out The Cohen Report, a web publication of Nonprofit Quarterly, at http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/cohenreport/2008/08/25/nickel-and-diming-volunteer-drivers-time-for-a-change/#more-88.
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| NDANO Quick Poll |
NDANO needs your feedback on fundraising software. Our Quick Poll takes less than one minute - just click here. |
| New 990 Instructions Released |
The IRS has completed its revision of the Form 990 instructions and posted them, along with three new background documents explaining the new form and instructions, at www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=181089,00.html. These instructions give a clearer direction for nonprofits to review their accounting and recordkeeping procedures and governance practices to make next year's filing go well.
The background papers include a summary of the redesign process on the Form 990; a summary and descriptions of the form's parts and schedules and an overview of significant changes made to the April draft instructions.
To address the sector's transition concerns, the 2008 Form 990 will be phased-in over three years. This will be accomplished by allowing significant numbers of small organizations to file the Form 990-EZ, rather than the new Form 990, for 2008 and 2009. Beginning with the 2008 tax year, an organization may file a Form 990-EZ (rather than a Form 990) if it satisfies both the gross receipts and assets tests set forth below.
Gross Receipts Assets
2008 tax year (filed in 2009) > $25,000 and < $1 million < $2.5 million
2009 tax year (filed in 2010) > $25,000 and < $500,000 < $1.25 million
2010 and later tax years > $50,000 and < $200,000 < $500,000
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| Training Opportunities |
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NDAAFP Workshop Sept. 12
The North Dakota Area Association of Fundraising Professionals (NDAAFP) will host a workshop Sept. 12 at the Best Western Doublewood Inn of Bismarck. The workshop will focus on helping staff and volunteers understand how to solicit gifts and how to use planned giving gifts to start or build up an endowment fund, foundation fund or scholarship fund.
For more information, contact Denise Laymon at 218-745-6008 or ndafp@wiktel.com. NDAAFP Stelter Relationship Workshop Sept. 30-Oct. 1NDAAFP will host the Stelter Relationship Workshop Sept. 30-Oct. 1 at the Holiday Inn of Fargo. The workshop will discuss an effective system to build stronger relationships with donors and apply techniques to secure gifts for your organization.
For more information, contact Denise Laymon at 218-745-6008 or ndafp@wiktel.com. Launch Your Volunteer Programs into the 21st Century Oct. 8-10
FirstLink and the Impact Institute are hosting a regional conference on "Volunteer Management and Leadership: Launching Volunteer Programs into the 21st Century." The conference will be held Oct. 8-10 at the Ramada Plaza in Fargo.
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Used Office Equipment Available |
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The Bismarck Cancer Center (BCC) has a slightly used and good working copy/fax machine and a set of heavy metal rolling file shelves that it is no longer using.
BCC is wondering if any other NDANO members would be interested in the items. It would be willing to negotiate an in-kind donation for any nonprofit that could use them.
The items are stored at 500 North 8th Street in Bismarck and can be viewed by anyone interested.
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| Meet a Member - River Keepers |
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River Keepers mission is to "advocate for the sustainable use of the Red River of the North." River Keepers promotes water safety, water education, water quality, river recreation and connecting the urban community to the river.
River Keepers was started in 1990 as the result of a community study that said the Red River was underutilized, misused and misunderstood. Through its advocacy and fundraising efforts, three dams have been retrofitted, additional riverfront trails and parks have been constructed, trash has been removed from the river, recreational maps of the Red River have been produced and attitudes toward the Red have changed for the better.
It manages many projects, including a youth water festival, riverfront "Living Lab," riperian restoration demonstration site, wood duck nesting box trail, riverfront clean ups, summer and winter fishing clinics, canoe and kayak races and more. It advocates for increased numbers of riverfront trails, increased access sites to the river, and dam retrofits to make them safer.
If you are interested in having your nonprofit featured in an upcoming newsletter, e-mail ndano@btinet.net. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
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| Partner Profile - Directors and Officers
Liability Program |
NDANO has a cost-saving partnership with Monitor Liability Managers, Inc. to provide an exclusive Directors and Officers Liability Program to the NDANO membership at preferred pricing. The Directors and Officers Liability coverage includes broad coverage for "wrongful acts" and employment practices liability for your organization including all directors, trustees, officers, employees, volunteers, staff and committee members. In addition, defense costs are unlimited. The NDANO Directors & Officers Program is administered by the Bain Agency of Bismarck. The agency can be reached by e-mail at steve@bainagency.com or toll-free at 877-234-2233. Visit www.bainagency.com for more information. | |
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