In This Issue
Resources
Opportunities
Funding
Events
F E B R U A R Y
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Greetings to Our Nonprofit Partners,

 

The Nonprofit Effectiveness Group is pleased to share with you the following resources, opportunities and upcoming events. Thank you for all of your great work in Greater Boston and across Massachusetts!

 

 Best,

Jennifer Aronson, Senior Director of Program and Nonprofit Effectiveness  

Katherine Westlund, Program Manager, Nonprofit Effectiveness 

Liz Doolittle, Program Associate, Nonprofit Effectiveness   

 

The Giving Common
The Giving Common, an initiative of the Boston Foundation, is an in-depth database of nonprofit profiles that funders, donors and the general public can search by issue area, geography and other variables with the option to "donate now." To get started or learn more please visit www.givingcommon.org.  

 

Giving Common Tips for your Organization 

 

Review tips about how to promote your nonprofit's profile on the Giving Common!

  • Discover ways to increase your organization's impact through marketing and messaging. Explore Message House to learn about "fine-tuning messaging, amplifying message discipline and making communications integral to all of the important projects" at your nonprofit.
  • Giving Common nonprofits are finding unique ways to utilize their profiles including: using the Giving Common for all online giving needs; including the Giving Common in annual reports and adding a Giving Common link in email signature lines. These are just a few ways organizations can raise the visibility of their profiles, and more importantly their organizations overall.
  • GuideStar will now copy all public Giving Common profile data (except chapters and fiscally sponsored organization's data) to their database, and to more than 50 databases they serve, a few times per year. This is a great way to keep your organization's web presence up to date! Organizations will also receive GuideStar Exchange status, as a result, which has some great benefits.   Submit all edits or new profiles by March 15 in order to be included in the next data transfer. 
Resources 

Interested in mergers or strategic collaborations?

The Catalyst Fund for Nonprofits is a source of financial and technical support for promising voluntary collaborative ventures and mergers among and between nonprofit organizations. More information is available here.   

 

Need a place to host a meeting? 

The Foundation is pleased to invite community organizations to use our conference room space for meetings at no cost to you. Conference rooms vary in their size and style. Reservations can be made for Monday through Friday, 9a.m. to 4p.m., and can be made up to 30 days in advance. More information is available here.

 

Workshops at the Boston Foundation

Thank you to ESC and Barry Seltser who conducted two great sessions on outcomes measurement last week at the Boston Foundation.  This spring the Boston Foundation will host a workshop on fund development.  More details coming soon! 

Opportunities

 

You're Invited to Review Completed Collaborate Boston Applications Online!

Thank you to those who submitted applications for the Collaborate Boston prize. Collaborate Boston is an incentive-driven competition that elevates and supports the collaborative efforts that we believe are critical to creating thriving people and vibrant places in our community. This year the prize focused on improving the lives and futures of black & brown boys and young men, ages 9-15, living in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. You can view the submissions of all the applicants and the 12 finalists online at www.collaborateboston.org.

 

Nominate an Organization for the 2013 Nonprofit Excellence Awards

Recognize the work of an excellent nonprofit organization by nominating them for the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network's 2013 Nonprofit Excellence Award. Awards will be made in the areas of: excellence in advocacy, excellence in board leadership, excellence in collaboration, excellence in communication, excellence in innovation, excellence in leadership and a young professional award. Lean more or nominate an organization here by March 12, 2013.

 

Funding

 

Northeastern Students4Giving 2013 Request for Proposals

Northeastern Students4Giving has released its 2013 Request for Proposals. This year, students will award two $10,000 grants to nonprofit organizations working in the Boston communities of Mission Hill, Fenway, Roxbury and the South End in the areas of post-incarceration reintegration and community mental health. Applicants need to complete an NS4G abbreviated application and a Giving Common profile. Applications are due March 1, 2013.  More information can be found here.


Kalamazoo College Global Prize for Collaborative Social Justice Leadership

The Kalamazoo College Global Prize for Collaborative Social Justice Leadership will make a grant to an individual, organization, educational institution or group that demonstrates transformational thinking and collaboration, builds the voices and leadership of those impacted by injustice, attacks root causes and excites and ignites. Applications are due by March 8, 2013 and you lean learn more or apply here.

 

Events  

 

Growing the Pie Discussion

Join the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network (MNN) for Growing the Pie, a conversation with partners and colleagues to discuss how nonprofits are affected by the state budget and revenue reform. Topics will include the ways in which budget cuts have resulted in challenges, how you can be an effective spokesperson for your organization and strategies to mobilize the nonprofit community. MNN will host five conversations across the state. The Greater Boston conversation will be March 5 (8:30-11:00 am) at Third Sector New England (89 South Street). Learn more about other conversations across the state or register here.

 

Understanding Boston: The Transfer of Wealth in Greater Boston

Join the Boston Foundation on March 5 (8:30-10:30 a.m.) for an Understanding Boston forum focused on the release on the new report, The Transfer of Wealth in Greater Boston: The Toll of the Recession and Prospects for the Future, and a discussion of its findings.  RSVP by March 1, 2013 to RSVP@tbf.org and put 'wealth transfer' in the subject line.

 

The Smart Money's On You: Budgeting for your Nonprofit

This interactive workshop hosted at Third Sector New England (89 South Street) on March 7 (9:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) will focus on how to develop and deploy budgets to have the greatest positive impact on your operating budget. Lean more and register here.

 

2013 Social Impact Conference

Join Northeastern Students4Giving on March 11 for Moving the Needle: Philanthropy's Role in Policy, Advocacy and Systems Change focused on opportunities and strategies for philanthropists to support lasting change in society through policy, advocacy and systems change.  Learn more and register here.

 

Essex County Community Foundation 2013 Institute for Trustees

The Institute for Trustees, hosted by the Essex County Community Foundation, is a conference for board members and executive directors of nonprofit organizations that promotes discussion and the sharing of best practices on all topics related to the work of a board, including 21 workshop sessions, a key note presentation, opportunities for sessions with senior consultants and networking. The conference will be hosted on March 23 (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) at the Pringree School in Hamilton, Massachusetts. Lean more or register here.