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Policy Briefs & Action AlertsGreater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership Policy Briefs are distributed to GPNP members during the last week of each month. Policy Briefs provides a monthly summary of policy related issues at the local, state, and federal levels that members should be aware of. These are issues discussed and vetted by the Public Policy Committee and serve as memos from the committee to the membership. GPNP Action Alerts are to serve as a call to action to members on a specific policy issue that affects the nonprofit sector. Depending on the frequency of the need to distribute alerts, they sometimes take the place of monthly policy briefs. Below, you will find the latest briefs and alerts and an archive of past briefs. Stay up to date by checking back with us on a monthly basis GPNP April 2012 e-Newsletter In this Issue: Vital Stats | Current Activities + Updates | Upcoming Events, Training + Meetings | Grant Opportunities | Other News
VITAL STATS
335 Members | 12 New members in 2012
Current Activities + Updates
The Forbes Funds Annual Tropman Applied Research Conference – May 31, 2012 (1PM to 6PM) Annually, The Forbes Funds publish research reports that are dedicated to providing good data for our nonprofits to use in informing the critical decisions they make in their work. The findings and outcomes help us to anticipate, interpret, and forecast the needs of the nonprofit sector, guide discussions throughout the year and promote action to move the nonprofit sector forward. The Forbes Funds has committed to dedicating a three to five year effort to study the issue of poverty, starting with an overview of the trends and determinants of poverty in the Pittsburgh region completed by the Urban Institute, a nationally recognized expert on this topic. Please plan to join us on May 31st from 1pm to 6pm at Carnegie Mellon University for an unveiling of the report by the Urban Institute as well as workshops focusing on: 1) the economic wellbeing of adults and families; 2) community-wide strategy to neighborhood transformations; and 3) workforce development strategies: challenges and opportunities. Information to register will be available next week. We hope to see you there!
State of Nonprofits You might recall answering a survey from the Nonprofit Finance Fund regarding the state of the nonprofit sector. More than 4500 nonprofits provided data for this study and the findings are now available. Click here to access the report.
Here are some of the facts:
GPNP Staples Program In a short time, Staples Advantage will be the official office supplier of Greater Pittsburgh Nonprofit Partnership. With a wide assortment of thousands of office essentials at negotiated prices and our world-class online ordering system, you’ll be able to get what you need, when and where you need it. And with Staples Advantage's award-winning team of Customer Service Representatives, dedicated Account Management and FREE next-business-day delivery, things are about to get a whole lot easier. We are currently looking for organizations to participate in this program. already purchase you office supplies from Staples? Transfer your account under the GPNP to benefit from even better prices. For more information contact Vivien Luk at luk@forbesfunds.org
Voter Engagement Evaluation The GPNP is participating with PA Voice and Nonprofit Vote in the Service Providers and Civic Engagement (SPaCE) Project to measure the effectiveness of civic engagement efforts by direct service agencies. The SPaCE Project seeks to carefully develop and test effective methods for engaging traditionally disenfranchised communities by nonprofit agencies that already have their trust – health clinics, food banks, and human service agencies serving low-income and disadvantaged constituencies. If your organization is participating in voter engagement work and would like to participate in this project to better understand how effective your efforts are, please contact Vivien Luk at luk@forbesfunds.org.
Missed Our Just Breakfast Session in March? William Fetchko and Kurt Ulrich from Huntington Insurance came to discuss 'Unemployment Insurance and Workers Compensation - What are the options for nonprofits?' If you missed the event click here to access their presentation!
Upcoming Events, Trainings + Meetings
Just Breakfast - May 21 Our next Just Breakfast will take place on May 21 from 8am to 10am, at the Rivers Club, 301 Grant Street One Oxford Centre Suite 411. This session will feature the Urban Affairs Coalition discussing: Fiscal Sponsorship and Shared Services: How can these services help your organization save time, money, and energy?
As a part of the Just Breakfast series, the Philadelphia-based Urban Affairs Coalition (UAC) will share how nonprofit leaders can use fiscal sponsorship and shared services to position their organizations for growth through cost savings and increased efficiency. The workshop will explain the benefits of fiscal sponsorship and shared services and how a range of organizations -- from fledgling startups to more mature mid-sized organizations -- can save time, money, and energy by reducing overhead. One of the Philadelphia region’s largest nonprofit organizations with over 400 employees and nearly $30M under management, UAC provides fiscal sponsorship and access to shared services to its network of 75+ partner organizations and programs that deliver important services to more than 150,000 individuals each year.
Second Annual Community Development Summit – May 24th Omni William Penn Hotel, Downtown On May 24th, 2012, the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) in collaboration with the Urban Land Institute – Pittsburgh District Council will be hosting the 2nd Annual Community Development Summit. More than 500 individuals from across the country will come together at the Summit to explore new ideas in organizational development, community planning, land recycling, affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and neighborhood revitalization. Keynote speakers include Patrick Phillips, CEO of the Urban Land Institute, and Dr. Michael Bennett, Executive Director of the Egan Urban Institute at DePaul University.
A number of discounted registration options are available including an early-bird discount, nonprofit organization discount, and student discount. For more information on keynote speakers, detailed session descriptions, registration, and lodging, please visit www.pcrg.org/conference.
Save the Date - September 25 is National Voter Registration Day convened by Nonprofit Vote The GPNP has signed on to be a sponsor of the National Voter Registration Day! On September 25th, all partnering organizations will unleash a nationwide field effort to register voters where they are – on their way to work, on campus, in the community, out shopping, and online. Together, we can ensure that all Americans have the opportunity to register and participate in this year’s election. To learn more or to sign up for information, go to www.nationalvoterregistrationday.org.
Upcoming Legislative Visits: Representative Jim Christiana (R) - Thursday, May 10th Representative Randy Vulakovich (R) - Friday, May 11th Representative Mark Mustio (R) - Friday, May11th Senator Elder Vogel (R) - Friday, May 11th Representative Rick Saccone (R) - Monday, May 14th Senator Tim Solobay (D) - Friday May 25th If you’re interested in attending a visit, please contact Benjamin Hemmings at Hemmings@forbesfunds.org.
Grant Opportunities
Availability of the 21st Century Community Learning Center 2012-15 Request for Proposal and the opening of the 2012-13 eGrants online application The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) is pleased to announce the availability of the 21st Century Community Learning Center 2012-15 Request for Proposal (RFP) and the opening of the 2012-13 21stCCLC eGrants online application for Cohort 6A. Grantees and all sites must provide academic enrichment activities to students attending high-poverty schools to help them meet state and local standards in core content areas, such as reading, math and science.The electronic application for new grants will be available at here and will be due no later than noon on May 4, 2012.
Pittsburgh Cares – Youth Engaged in Service Mini-Grants Pittsburgh Cares is making mini-grants from $100 to $1,000 available to support motivated young people, teachers, and nonprofit leaders with service projects. Through their mini-grants program, Pittsburgh Cares plans to make an investment in youth-led solutions for stronger communities. To apply, visit here.
2012 Prudential Leadership Awards for Exceptional Nonprofit Boards In recognition of the critical role that boards play in overseeing their organizations’ missions, finances, and strategic directions, BoardSource and Prudential proudly announce the 2012 Prudential Leadership Awards for Exceptional Nonprofit Boards. The awards will recognize nonprofit boards that exemplify exceptional governance and can demonstrate that they are “Designing Change” for their organizations in at least one of three areas: structure, fundraising, and governance. The awards are intended to inspire and support new approaches to strengthening and building organizational impact through board leadership. Entering organizations must submit an application no later than June 1, 2012. For more information, click here.
Other News
Helping Donors Help You: How transparent is your website? Check out some great tips from the National Council of Nonprofits
GirlGov 2012 The Women and Girls Foundation’s Third Annual GirlGov program will be held this summer from June 16th through 19th. GirlGov, created by teen women for teen women, is designed to provide local girls with the opportunity to learn, first hand, about government and social change philanthropy. Participants will shadow a state legislator for the day and learn about current public policy issues impacting women’s and girls’ lives in our region. All girls entering 9th to 12th grade in the Fall of 2012 who live in Allegheny, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties may apply. Past GirlGov participants may apply. Transportation, overnight accommodations, & meals are included; there is no fee to participate. Application Deadline is MAY 15, 2012 You can apply online today or download a printable application.
2012 Green Awards From Great Nonprofits Do you know a nonprofit helping to protect the environment? In partnership with Environmental Volunteers, Mother Earth News, the World Wildlife Fund, CharityNavigator, GuideStar, Global Giving, and JustGive, the Green Awards will recognize nonprofits protecting the environment. Nonprofits with 10 or more positive reviews by April 30 will get the Top-Rated Green Nonprofit recognition. Take 2 minutes to nominate a green nonprofit today for the award! Click here: GreatNonprofits Green Awards
Gather Stories to Show Funders Your Impact From GreatNonprofits A story is a great way to give potential donors a personalized insight into what your nonprofit does and the change you’re making in the world. And the most compelling stories can be told by people who know you best – your clients, volunteers, and partners – as well as your existing donors. Continue reading here
Share your stories with the GPNP community! Does your organization have great stories or news to share with the nonprofit sector? If so, shoot us an email with the information! Email Benjamin Hemmings at hemmings@forbesfunds.org today. Prior Policy Briefs
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