2010 IACED Calendar Sponsorhips
Consider featuring your organization in the 2010 IACED Calendar! Since 2003, IACED has published a calendar featuring housing and community economic development projects from across the state showcasing the great work our members are doing in their communities. The calendars have gained wide appeal and merited praise from our membership, friends and sponsors. Contact Lindsey Knight, lknight@iaced.org for more information. |
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IACED's annual membership drive is well underway. Please act now to rejoin Indiana's only statewide association for the community economic development industry. Together, we're making a difference for people and communities across the state.
You can renew your membership online at IACED's web site by clicking here.
Please contact Tommy Tabor at 317-920-2300 ext. 14 or by email at ttabor@iaced.org
IACED depends on your continued support to provide high quality services. We wish to sincerely thank those who have renewed in 2009.
Please remember January began a new membership cycle, and your dues pay for services provided this current year. While some of you may have paid your dues later in 2008, they covered the membership services provided to you last year. If you have any questions, please let us know.
New Members Welcome!
IACED is eager to serve new member organizations. Remember to ask another organization to join when you renew your membership! They may contact IACED for a membership packet or download the membership form from the web site.
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2009 Statewide Conference
Save the Date
September 1-2, 2009
The 2009 Statewide Conference on Housing and Community Economic Development will take place September 1-2, 2009. This year the conference will be held in a new venue to help keep cost low for IACED members. The session tracks for this year's conference are:
- Leadership and Management
- Single Family Housing
- Multifamily Housing
- Homeless Intervention and Prevention
- Comprehensive Community Development
The 2009 conference will offer a mix of technical sessions for practitioners and leadership ideas to move organizations and communities forward.
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Give the Gift of Membership
IACED
will again offer the Gift Membership Program. Please consider an
investment in stronger organizations and healthier communities through this program. For an additional $250 investment, this program
funds the dues for nonprofit members facing financial obstacles but who wish to
maintain an active voting IACED membership. IACED publicly recognizes Gift
Membership Program participants.
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| Greetings!
July begins the season of 2009 regional member meetings. The Indiana Association for Community Economic Development (IACED) is committed to supporting members and their work to empower Hoosier families and build strong Indiana communities. IACED's role of voice for the community economic development industry is only possible because of members' good work.
Regional member meetings are a chance for members, guests, elected officials, and others to share their successes and challenges with the IACED staff. In the coming weeks, IACED staff will travel the state to meet you in your communities. These meetings are critical for IACED to stay connected with your good work and develop an intimate knowledge of what you do. Therefore, I am excited to invite you to join the IACED staff at an upcoming regional member meeting. You will find the calendar below and on IACED's web site--navigate to the Membership tab.
There have been many changes at IACED and on the landscape in the last year. These meetings are a chance for you to meet the IACED staff and dialogue about how IACED supports you with training, technical assistance, advocacy, and networking. Changes on the landscape, ripe for discussion, include a new administration in Washington, D.C., the loss of a sister association-the Indiana Coalition on Housing and Homeless Issues (ICHHI), and two sessions of the Indiana General Assembly, which offered mixed results for members.
With the loss of ICHHI, IACED strives to fully represent the community economic development continuum from ending homelessness to revitalizing communities and improving quality of life for all Hoosiers. There is a lot to discuss.
I am excited Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) Executive Director, Sherry Seiwert, will join me in these regional member meetings. Through partnership with IHCDA and other dedicated organizations, we are all working to build assets for Hoosier families and rebuild Indiana communities. I look forward to seeing you at the next IACED regional membership meeting.
Two regional meetings have already taken place on July 20 and July 21, East Central (Anderson), and Southwest (Evansville). Thank you to IACED member Alternatives, Inc. for hosting the East Central Meeting. This meeting was followed by a neighborhood tour provided by IACED members Pathstone, Inc. and the City of Anderson. The tour highlighted a concentrated revitalization approach and energy efficient construction techniques.
Thank you to IACED Associate member Old National Bank for hosting and sponsoring the Southwest meeting. The meeting featured a discussion of member needs, including fundraising training and a desire to convene developers and homeless shelters for continuing conversations about the development of permanent supportive housing.
Don't miss your chance to attend a regional meeting. Contact Tommy Tabor today to register. To register or if you have any questions about your IACED membership status, contact Tommy Tabor, Member Services Manager at ttabor@iaced.org or (317) 920-2300 ext. 14.
In other news, IACED is excited to welcome John Marron to the staff as program manager. John recently graduated from Ball State University with a Masters Degree in planning. John also has a background as a secondary education teacher, coach, and vocational rehabilitation. John recently told the IACED board of directors, "Once I discovered IACED I knew this is where I wanted to work...I am excited to be here." More information about John will follow in the next several weeks.
Be certain to review this newsletter in its entirety.
There are great funding opportunities, upcoming events and trainings, and policy and research highlights. Take note of the article on adequate financial reserves prepared by IACED Senior Program Manager, Lisa Archey. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant public meetings will be important for local communities to understand.
If you have any questions about IACED's work or if we can assist you, do not hesitate to contact us at 317-920-2300. Sincerely, 
Andy Fraizer
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IACED on Facebook and LinkedIn
Are you an IACED Facebook Fan?
If you answered no, you have not seen the articles recently posted, such as "The Continued Importance of Fair Lending in the Age of Obama." It means you have also not see the photographs of IACED members in action. If you want to be a fan click here. When you visit, be certain to post a comment on the wall.
Have you joined the IACED discussion forum on LinkedIn?
You are missing funding opportunities, insightful articles including finding the perfect funder for your organization, and a tidbit about IACED staff meeting with a senior HUD official. Join IACED's forum and join the dialogue today. Ask questions and share content you find valuable for others. IACED members are a valuable source of insight on community economic development. Join the group here.
IACED is finding new and improved ways to help the community economic development industry communicate. Social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn are serving as tools to connect individuals, businesses, companies, and professional organizations. By joining these two networks, you are able to connect with members from IACED as well as meet other professionals in the community economic development industry and discuss pressing issues.
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Training Updates
Energy Efficient and Conservation Block Grant Program Workshops
The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) will be making grant funding from the U.S. Department of Energy available through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. Your community may be able to take advantage of this opportunity. There will be an application process. OED is presenting a series of workshops to help prepare communities for that process.
Workshop Dates and Locations:
July 28th, 10am-12pm, Ivy Tech Lawrenceburg Campus, Lawrenceburg, Indiana
July 29th, 10am-12pm, Ivy Tech Princeton Campus, Princeton, Indiana
July 30th, 10am-12pm, Indiana Government Center-South, Indianapolis, Indiana
August 6th, 1-3pm, Ivy Tech Peru Campus,
Peru, Indiana
2009 Race Away From Domestic Violence
The Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) is proud to host the 6th Annual Race Away From Domestic Violence - to raise awareness and money to help us end domestic violence in Indiana, a 5 K competitive run, and family fitness run/walk/roll in downtown Indianapolis, led by Reverend Richard Propes, a well-known Hoosier advocate in the fight against child abuse and domestic violence. Reverend Propes is nationally recognized for his wheelchair tours. The run will be timed and scored and prizes will be awarded to top finishers.
Where: The IU Michael A Carroll Stadium on the campus of IUPUI. Packet Pick up and Late Registration will be in the IU Natatorium on the IUPUI Campus (901 W. New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202) . The Run/Walk/Wheelchair Roll will start and finish at at the IU Michael A. Carroll Soccer and Track Stadium
When: Saturday, August 15, 2009. Registration begins at 7:00 A.M. and opening ceremonies follow at 7:40.
Click here for more information and to register online.
Microenterprise Meeting (IACED)
Where: INCAA, 1845 W. 18th St., Indianapolis, Indiana
When: Monday, August 31st, 10am-12pm
IDA Meeting (IACED)
Where: INCAA, 1845 W. 18th St., Indianapolis, Indiana
When: Monday, August 31st, 1-3pm
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IACED Deputy Director Meets with Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary
On June 30, U.S. Senator Evan Bayh and the City of Gary hosted U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Deputy Secretary Ron Sims. David Fredricks, IACED Deputy Director, met with Deputy Secretary Sims. Secretary Sims was impressed by the passion and efforts of the citizens of Gary and those who assembled to discuss revitalization. More than 40 individuals representing the City of Gary, the Indianapolis HUD office, Indiana University Northwest, clergy, and business leaders from Gary where present to discuss a desire to demolish many of Gary's blighted properties with Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to make way for new revitalization.
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F.I.L.M. Project - Inspiring Youth Through Film
The F.I.L.M. (Finding Inspiration in Literature & Movies) Project is a movie curricula program designed for young people aimed at promoting literacy, activity-based learning and service.
The program was created in 2004 by Heartland Truly Moving Pictures and the National Collaboration for Youth (NCY). FI.L.M. focuses on the development and distribution of free curricula based on Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award-winning films and their corresponding books to channel positive messages and life-affirming themes into the minds and lives of youth. Click here today to find out more information on F.I.L.M. or to view the free downloadable guides! |
Entitlement CDBG Program Update
Davis-Beacon Recovery Act Guidance Issued:
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued agency-wide guidance covering Davis-Beacon applicability to Recovery Act programs in All Agency Memoranda (AAM) 207 dated May 29, 2009, click here to review. DOL has concluded that all traditional applicability thresholds and other limitations are overridden by the much broader labor standards provision at Sec. 1606 of the Recovery Act.
Click here to read the entire update. |
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HUD Awards $1.2 Billion in HPRP Funds
HUD Secretary, Shaun Donovan, announced July 9th that HUD had awarded $1.2 billion to hundreds of communities across the country under the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), which was part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Under HPRP, HUD will award a total of $1.5 billion to prevent homelessness and rapidly re-house those who do become homeless. The allocations of the remainder of the $1.5 billion will be announced in the coming weeks, as HUD is able to approve the rest of the communities' plans to use these funds. |
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Homes Not Handcuffs: The Criminalization of Homelessness in U.S. Cities
The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP) and the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) have released a report, Homes Not Handcuffs, tracking a growing trend in U.S. Cities - the criminalization of homelessness. The report focuses on specific city measures from 2007 and 2008 that have targeted homeless persons, such as laws that make it illegal to sleep, eat or sit in public spaces. The report includes information about 273 cities nationwide.
Click here to read the full report. |
National Groups Release Report on Foreclosure to Homelessness
Courtesy of National Alliance to End Homelessness
The Alliance and several other national homelessness advocacy groups released a report called "Foreclosure to Homelessness," which is based on the results of a survey of homeless service providers. The report provides insight into the contribution that foreclosures have made to current homeless populations. Among the key findings was that emergency shelter and transitional housing providers estimated that five percent of the homelessness populations they served were homeless due to foreclosure. The report also finds that those who become homeless due to foreclosure are more likely to be renters of properties than owners. As a complement to the report, the Alliance compiled data from 2009 point-in-time surveys that included self-reported reasons for homelessness, including foreclosure. These complimentary resources show that job losses are the primary reason for homelessness among those counted in January 2009.
Click here to view the full report. |
NHC, NLIHC Release New ARRA Resources
Courtesy of National Alliance to End Homelessness
The National Housing Conference (NHC) and the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) have recently released new documents to help communities use resources from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). NHC recently published an analysis of housing-related funding opportunities in ARRA.
This document divides ARRA programs into categories based on who will receive the funds. NHC has also created an Executive Summary of this document. In addition, NLIHC has created a "Recovery Act Clearinghouse" with numerous resources related to ARRA programs, including HPRP, the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, Community Development Block Grants and several other ARRA programs. Under each program are several resources that may be helpful to providers, public officials and other key stakeholders.
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So far this spring, ten communities across Indiana have participated in Homeward Bound. IACED is pleased to report the 2009 campaign has raised more $300,000 statewide for benfitting IACED members. The proceeds raised will benefit more than 100 affordable housing and homeless service providers. Since its inception in 2003, Homeward Bound has raised more than $2.8 million, making it Indiana's largest grassroots fundraiser with the ultimate goal of ending homelessness. The Southwest (Evansville), Central (Indianapolis), and Elkhart County (Elkhart) walks took place the middle of the month and will be accepting donations until the end of June. The eleventh and final Homeward Bound walk of the season is set to take place in Michigan City on September 26, 2009. Please visit http://www.homewardboundindiana.org to donate or for more information.
2009 Homeward Bound walks sites:
- Bloomington 4/19/09
- Wabash Valley (Terre Haute) 4/19/09
- Delaware and Madison Counties
(Chesterfield) 4/26/09
- Greater Lafayette 4/26/09
- Northeastern (Fort Wayne) 4/26/09
- St Joseph County (South Bend) 5/9/09
- Howard and Tipton Counties (Tipton) 5/30/09
- Southwestern (Evansville) 6/13/09
- Central (Indianapolis) 6/14/09
- Elkhart County 6/20/09
- La Porte County (Michigan City) 9/26/09
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HUD GIS Tool for Communities
Courtesy of HUD
HUD is pleased to announce a new technical mapping resource for communities. The HUD GIS Tool for Communities expands the mapping resources available to HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange (HRE) users by providing a no-cost downloadable software tool that allows users to interact with professional quality GIS maps.
Users access pre-compiled projects through a free software product called ArcReader, and are able to open and explore HUD specific project data as well as design and print custom maps. No special software or map skills beyond basic computer skills are required, meaning users can quickly get started working with maps of their communities. Map data includes CoC Boundaries, HUD Geocodes and Initial Pro Rata Need, U.S. Census demographics on individuals and housing, detailed street maps and more. Additionally, each state project file is customizable for specific applications, and HUD plans to enhance the available data after feedback from community users.
Possible applications of the HUD GIS Tool for Communities include:
1. Mapping Shelter Addresses to simplify managing Housing Inventory.
2. Mapping encampments to aid in Point-in-Time counts
3. Identifying neighborhoods for targeting prevention resources.
4. Producing maps and custom routes to aid in disaster planning.
To help you get started, please visit the HUD HRE and view this video. To download the necessary data for your state and begin working with the HUD GIS Tool for Communities, visit the HUD HRE CoC Maps and Reports web page and select '2007' and your state from the drop down menu. |
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Neighborhood Stabilization Program II (NSP2) Correction NOFA
HUD issued a small NSP2 correction NOFA. This clarification makes several changes including:
- Eliminating the "aggregate" 5 percent purchase discount requirement.
- Keeping intact the 1 percent discount on individual purchases.
Click here to read these documents.
Click here to view a one-page summary of the corrections, you can also view the short NOFA correction by clicking here. |
New CRL Study: Payday Lenders Create Their Own Demand
A new Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) report released finds that payday lenders create demand for their 400% interest loans by setting loan terms that generate rapid re-borrowing. A full three quarters of payday lending loan volume is generated by churned loans from borrowers who take another loan before their next payday. Phantom Demand documents for the first time show how quickly most payday lending cusomters must turn around the re-borrow after paying off what was supposed to be short-term debt. Among the over 80 percent of borrowers who conduct mulitple transactions:
-Half of new loans are opened as soon as possible
-87% of new loans are opened within two weeks
-Only 6 percent of subsequent payday loans are taken out longer than a month after the previous loan was paid off
The national payday lending industry originates $27 billion in loans per year. These 59 million churned loans account for $20 billion of that volume.
Americans pay $3.5 billion every year in fees for churned loans, money that could go for essential needs, savings or to pay off other debt.
CRL supports a 36% cap on annual interest rates to reform high-cost lending practices like payday lending. Tell your members of Congress to support federal proposals to cap annual interest rates at 36%.
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Community Economic Development
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50 States for Good Campaign
The "50 States for Good Campaign" is looking for community projects across the United States that they can support with funding. Tom's of Maine wants to support nonprofit organizations working to enhance the quality of life in their own community.
Tom's of Maine is soliciting applications for community-driven projects from nonprofit organizations. They are taking submissions until August 30th. A review panel will narrow down the applications to 50 finalists. Then they will be posted on their website so everyone can help by voting for which 5 projects should be awarded funding. In November they will award five 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with $20,000.
Applications will be accepted until August 30th. Click here for official details. |
The "Seven Deadly Sins" of Nonprofit Organizations
A commentary by Yvonne S. Sparks
"But love is blind, and lovers cannot see the pretty follies that themselves commit..."
When William Shakespeare penned these famous words, he clearly did not have nonprofit organizations in mind-but he could have. Most nonprofits are, after all, started by passionate people with a deep love for what they do. And, surprisingly, that love, that passion is often their downfall. I call it "passion blindness".
Creating a nonprofit organization requires passion. Nonprofit organizations are by definition mission-driven. Put another way, the reason that people form nonprofit organizations, particularly those that serve people or places in need, is that founders often believe it is their calling to create an organization that allows them to transform deeply felt passion into action.
To bring an organization into being is an act of great faith, sheer will and tenacity. It is the intensity of this calling that may cause those in the field to overlook opportunities and to fail to respond soon enough when trouble is on the horizon.
Surviving the Current Economy
We offer this call to action now during a time when the nonprofit sector is at a crossroads-dependent for its very life upon the generosity of others (i.e., individuals, foundations, members or government programs). The sources of funds that the sector is so dependent on are themselves at stake in the current financial environment. Individuals and institutions, like foundations and governments, are tightening their belts as they watch assets shrink. That means that most nonprofits must tighten their belts as well.
Organization executives are often so busy meeting current needs they neglect to plan for an unforeseen financial crisis. In addition, it is often difficult to convince board members and supporters to create and donate to a "rainy day" fund, even though for decades experts have advised organizations to have six months of operating expenses on hand. An even more daunting challenge is creative a worst-case scenario plan. By developing various operating scenarios that reflect fewer staff and less money, an organization would know exactly what services it could continue to provide during a crisis.
Click here to read the full article. |
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Organizational Development
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As a service to our members and readers, Lisa Archey, IACED's Senior Program Manager will share a monthly article to address the present day challenges that all non-profit are facing.
Adequate Nonprofit Reserves for Financial Stability? - It Depends!
By Lisa Archey
During my tenure in the DC metro area, I had the pleasure to meet and benefit from the work of Rick Moyer, Director of the Nonprofit Sector Fund at Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation. Rick is one of those dream directors that gets "it"...that double bottom line that nonprofits walk daily. Thank goodness we also have some in Indiana as well. Rick sees an industry problem; funds a study to determine the cause(s); and engages partners and practitioners in a community solution and then shares the other information to any interested party. Recently he addressed a topic that is so relevant to all nonprofits today, the lack of operating reserves. Meyer's commissioned a white paper brief which provides us with a deeper but very layman understanding along with recommendations that I share with you below.
Operating reserves are the portion of "unrestricted net assets" that nonprofit boards maintain or designate for use in emergencies to sustain financial operations in the unanticipated event of significant unbudgeted increases in operating expenses and/or losses in operation revenues.
One significant reason that nonprofits lack operating reserves is the emphasis put on financing programs. "Many executive directors view money they would put away for a rainy day as detracting from services they could provide now," said Rick Moyers, in The Washington Post. "It's not that they're poorly managed; it's that they have this incredibly positive desire to use as much as possible to help people".
Moyers recommends four steps to organizations that need to build their reserves. While they may be self-evident, they are especially important in this challenging economy:
1. Budget for a surplus or a balanced budget that includes a modest annual contribution to reserves. Consistently operating at a small surplus is the most obvious way to build up adequate reserves over time.
2. Build a stronger individual giving program. Contributions from individuals can be an important source of unrestricted revenue that can ultimately help build operating reserves. Unrestricted bequests, which can often be used to build endowments or reserves, usually come from annual donors with a long history of supporting the organization.
3. Understand the true costs of each program and activity, and know which ones produce net revenue and which ones drain resources. It can be difficult to operate at a surplus and build up reserves if too many programs lose money. It's hard to know what to cut to improve the bottom line if you don't track income and expenses by program.
4. Understand your balance sheet. Reserves are not the same as money in the bank, since many groups have large amounts of restricted income. The balance sheet--an integral but often overlooked element of financial statements--provides a more accurate picture of reserve levels. Equity in a facility should be factored out of the equation, since it can't easily be turned into cash.
The Nonprofit Operating Reserves Initiative Workgroup (NORI) released a white paper recently suggesting minimum operating reserves ratio and recommending that nonprofit boards establish operating reserves policies for their organizations.
Below are a few of these recommendations:
- Set a minimum operating reserves ratio that the organization will seek to maintain under normal circumstances. The policy should be tailored to your organization's needs and funding structures. NORI does recommend, however, that the minimum board-established operating reserves ratio be no less than three months of operating expenses.
- Design a formula to calculate operating reserves that is tailored to your organization. This could be the formula suggested by NORI or one that takes into account your organization's specific needs.
- Define how the operating reserves will be invested as part of your organization's overall investment policy.
- Decide upon the frequency of measurement and the reporting on your operating reserves ratio.
- Discuss how your operating reserves will be replenished if you need to dip into your reserves or they fall below the minimum threshold.
The lack of adequate operating resources is not a problem for only the practitioners; this is an industry issue that impacts the investment of the philanthropic community and will require a joint and collaborative resolution. One way that Meyer Foundation chose to address the issue was by establishing the Cash Flow Loan Program for its Washington based grantees, which makes short-term (30- to 180-day) cash flow loans against delayed receivables from approved government, foundation or corporate grants and contracts. Loans enable the nonprofits to deliver services to clients, programs to audiences, and paychecks to employees without interruption on occasions when monies are promised but delayed. Several funders in Indianapolis have similar programs and/or are open to discussing potential solutions with their existing grantees.
Meyer Foundation's website also has an excellent primer on Cash Flow, "How do I learn more about cash flow and projecting cash flow?" I recommend that every Board member, Executive Director and CFO review this and share it with others, so everyone can have a basic understanding of cash flow to make better informed decisions as stewards of the public's money.
If there is an interest for IACED and its partners to develop a webinar, training and/or discussion around this topic, drop me an email of interest, or concerns. Until next month! |
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IACED TA: HOME & CDBG Applications
IACED will offer members one (1) hour of free technical assistance in reviewing HOME & CDBG applications for 2009. Any assistance needed above one hour can be contracted/billed at the discounted member rate. For more information or questions, please contact David Fredricks at dfredricks@iaced.org or 317-920-2300, Ext 13. |
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Welcome New IACED Members!
IACED is pleased to welcome the following new members to our association:
Northwest Indiana Reinvestment Alliance - Voting Member
American Structurepoint - Associate Member
Martin Luther King Community Center CDC - Voting Member
Thank you for joining! We are looking forward to getting to know you and helping you serve Indiana communities and families.
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Send us Your Stories!
IACED knows IACED members are doing great work - we'd like to spread the word! If you've had a successful project or remarkable experience, send your story to Lindsey Knight lknight@iaced.org or call 317-920-2300 ext. 10.
Don't have time to send the whole story now? Just send an email expressing interest, and an IACED staff member will follow up with you. | |
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