April 2012

IN THIS EDITION 3 Greetings from ACE 4–6 Upcoming Trainings & Events 7 Member Spotlight- Arkansas Sustainability Network & Benefit of the Month 8 Federal and State Policy Updates 9 Grants Corner 10-11 Resources & Other Links

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Arkansas Coalition for Excellence: Helping Nonprofits Help Arkansas

We are proud to work with you to achieve ACE’s mission and vision together:

Mission: Strengthen Arkansas Nonprofits

Vision: A strong, vibrant, united and effective nonprofit sector that is well positioned to meet the diverse needs of all Arkansans.

Our Core Values: Best Practices; Inclusive;

Unity in Diversity; Connecting & Equipping; Statewide Vision & Regional Approach

SEEKING BOARD NOMINATIONS

ACE is looking for energetic, passionate, engaged board members statewide to help

our organization continue to grow and serve Arkansas nonprofits. If you know of someone who you believe is a strong

candidate please e-mail your nomination to eingram@acenonprofit.org.

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GREETINGS FROM ACE

Dear ACE Members and Nonprofit Friends, You’ve asked us for it – and now you can get it! ACE is participating in a national nonprofit compensation survey that is being conducted in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits and Columbia Books. This survey will provide both national nonprofit data - and if over 100 Arkansas nonprofits complete the survey, we will have access to an Arkansas specific report. The 2012 Nonprofit Salary Survey is open NOW! You must complete the survey by April 30 and the results will be provided in June. ACE members who complete the survey are eligible to receive a FREE copy of the Arkansas report. After you REGISTER HERE, you will receive login information via email the following day in order to begin the survey (if you do not receive your user name and password, check your spam filter or call the ACE office). ACE Members: If you do not participate in the survey and want to purchase the data later, the report will cost $75 (a 50% savings just be-cause you are an ACE Member). Nonprofits who are not members of ACE are also encouraged to participate in the survey. After you REGISTER HERE, you will receive login information via email the following day in order to begin the survey (if you do not receive your user name and password, check your spam filter or call the ACE office). Nonmembers who complete the survey will receive a 50% discount on the final report. Nonmembers who do not participate in the survey may also purchase the report later for the full price of $150. So, we suggest you become an ACE Member NOW (if you are not already!), take the survey HERE and save A LOT OF MONEY for a useful tool that could help you HIRE AND KEEP VALUABLE EMPLOYEES! For questions about the 2012 Nonprofit Salary Survey, please contact me at 501.375.1223 or email eingram@acenonprofit.org. In Service, Emily C. Ingram Interim Executive Director

UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS & PROGRAMS

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It’s Time for Your Checkup! Arkansas Diamond Standards™ Workshop Series:

Mission, Money, Management and Governance

Evaluating Your Impact (Mission) Little Rock

Many people don’t hold evaluation in much regard. In fact, most people only think of evaluation as taking a snapshot of outcomes at the end of a program to prove to a funder that the program worked. However, evaluation can, and should, be used as an ongoing management and learning tool to improve an organization’s effectiveness. In this workshop, you will hear from a funder and nonprofit executive about the importance of effective program evaluation. Workshop led by: Laura Duty, Program Officer, Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation and Diane LaFollette, COO, Museum of Discovery Tuesday, May 1 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Arkansas Studies Institute 401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock Click here for directions. $35 for ACE members/$60 for nonmembers Register here.

Preparing for Your Audit (Money) Little Rock

Audits are not fun, plain and simple. But with the right preparation you can relieve stress for both you and your accountant. In this workshop, you will hear from a professional accountant on what it takes to make your audit as painless as possible and some helpful tips from a nonprofit executive director who has mastered the audit process. Workshop led by: Jacob Wells, JPMS Cox, PLLC and Jamie Collins, Executive Director, Mission Outreach of Northeast Arkansas Tuesday, May 8 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Arkansas Studies Institute 401 President Clinton Avenue, Little Rock Click here for directions. $35 for ACE members/$60 for nonmembers Register here.

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Does Your Board Measure Up? (Governance) Hot Springs

Is your board on track to help your organization fulfill its mission? In this workshop, you will learn a step-by-step method to evaluate your board’s strengths and weaknesses, and how to guide your board (and nonprofit) to success. You will also hear from a panel of local funders and experienced board members on the roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members - and the importance of board leadership when it comes to carrying out an organization’s stra-tegic plan and creating overall sustainability for the organization.

Workshop led by: Cynthia VanWinkle, Circle Communications Network, LLC

Panel includes: Dorthy Morris- Morris Foundation Melanie Masino Martin- Jane Howard Foundation Ann Carrithers- Hot Springs Area Community Foundation Don Munro– Munro Foundation Libby Vines- Bancorp South, United Way Garland County Board Member Thursday, May 10 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Hot Springs Transportation Depot 100 Broadway Terrace, Hot Springs Click here for directions. $35 for ACE members/$60 for nonmembers Register here.

Successful Management: Keeping It Legal (Management) Jonesboro

Learning human resource law can be one of the most complicated aspects of running a nonprofit. In this workshop, you will hear a general overview of issues employers need to be aware of and an update regarding recent changes in employment law. Workshop led by: Daniel L. Herrington, Friday, Eldredge & Clark LLP Friday, May 11 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ASU Delta Studies Center ASU Campus, International Building, Jonesboro Click here for directions $35 for ACE members/$60 for nonmembers Register here.

The Arkansas Diamond Standards Workshop Series™ is supported by:

Morris Foundation

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Center for Christian Broadcasting, Searcy Bentonville Library Foundation, Bentonville Open Avenues, Rogers NEW Focus, Inc., Jonesboro NEW Stephanie Johnson, Little Rock EcoPotential, Springdale NEW Interested in becoming an ACE Member? Call or e-mail us at 501-375-1224 or Rzimmermann @acenonprofit.org to find out how ACE can help strengthen your organization.

Benefit of the Month My Risk Management

Policies was developed by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center to help you create custom policies for your nonprofit. ACE members can try out the software for free in the ACE office and can purchase the program at a discounted price.

Making the Most of Social Networking Sites Wednesday, May 23, 2012 ACE-Idealware Trainings Presented by. Andrea Berry

How do social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn work? And how do you make the most of the medium? We’ll talk through what these sites are, why they might be useful for your organization, what’s worth doing, and how other organizations are us-ing social networking sites. By the end of the seminar, you will understand: • What social networking sites are, and how they work • How these sites can help with typical nonprofit goals • At a high level, how you might use Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn • What’s required – in terms of time, effort, and skill – to succeed with social networking sites • Best practices that can help you make the most of the sites • Whether or not these sites are likely to make sense for you Conducted by Andrea Berry, Idealware's Director of Partnerships and Learning, oversees Idealware's fundraising and training activities including the Field Guide to Nonprofit Soft-ware, sponsorship, corporate and individual giving, grants management and online semi-nars. Time: 10:00a.m.-11:30a.m. Location: Webinar accessible online and by phone Cost: $30.00 Click here to register

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Arkansas Society of Association Executives Annual Trade Show Thursday, May 17, 2012 3:00p.m.-6:00p.m. ACE members attend for FREE! Patrons will enjoy their favorite beverage and hors d'oeuvres while strolling the galleries of the Trade Show. Visit with over 50 artists (exhibitors) who your organization probably works with every day, including hotels, convention bureaus, event venues, printing companies, catering companies, display and décor companies, specialty companies, etc… More Information

Nonprofit Branding: Strategies to Stand Out and Win Donors AFP Webconference (ACE members pay $15 AFP member rate) Wednesday, May 2, 2012 11:45a.m.-1:30p.m. A focused, compelling brand is one of the most overlooked and cost effective ways a nonprofit of any size can strengthen its focus, stand out in a crowded marketplace and increase it fundraising and social impact results. More information.

Chick-fil-a Leadercast– Leadership Arkansas Friday, May 4, 2012

Broadcast LIVE from Atlanta direct to hundreds of locations across North America and around the world, Chick-fil-A Leadercast is a one-day leadership event featuring several renowned leaders speaking on leadership Issues that you face every day. Speakers include; Tim Tebow, NFL Quarterback; Soledad O'Brien, CNN Anchor; Roland Fryer, Professor Harvard University and CEO of the Education Innovation Laboratory; and many more. More information.

MEMBERSHIP

ACE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

AR Sustainability Network

Thank you to all of our new and renewing members! Center for Christian Broadcasting, Searcy Bentonville Library Foundation, Bentonville Open Avenues, Rogers NEW Focus, Inc., Jonesboro NEW Stephanie Johnson, Little Rock EcoPotential, Springdale NEW Interested in becoming an ACE Member? Call or e-mail us at 501-375-1224 or Rzimmermann @acenonprofit.org to find out how ACE can help strengthen your organization.

Benefit of the Month My Risk Management

Policies was developed by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center to help you create custom policies for your nonprofit. ACE members can try out the software for free in the ACE office and can purchase the program at a discounted price.

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The Arkansas Sustainability Network began in 2006 as a small 501(c)3 nonprofit with optimistic and wide-ranging goals. Over the past six years we have provided promo-tion and support to numerous creative and environmental ventures including green ex-pos, youth projects, and bicycle repair initia-tives. Recently, we have narrowed our mis-sion and focus on one thing that brings eve-ryone together: food. To that end, we have become the Arkansas Local Food Network. We believe that everyone in The Natural State should have access to fresh, local foods and we strive to achieve that goal in a multitude of ways. Our primary initiative is an online farmers’ market, informally known as the Local Food Club. The online market connects more than thirty Arkansas farms to over 300 members. Each week the market offers fresh, local fruits and vegetables, pastured eggs and meats, honey, nuts, herbs, mushrooms, as well as locally made cheeses and baked goods. Local artisans supply items such as soaps and candles. We’ve recently added a third pick up day each week to accommodate the growing demand for convenient access to local food and goods. Innovative programs of the online market include purchasing for Our House and Gaines House shelters and a partnership with Conway Locally Grown to provide micro-financing to farmers and community leaders. For more information, check out the market at littlerock.locallygrown.net. ALFN sponsors Felder Farm, an educational market-garden located at Hamilton Middle School. The farm serves as a place to teach children about good, nutritious food and involve them in the art and science of food cultivation. Felder Farm educational programs connect academic disciplines from art and science to math and reading to the most basic of human acts—growing and eating food. For more information email felderfarm@gmail.com Another sponsored organization, The Central Arkansas New Agrarian Society (CANAS), aims to cultivate urban agriculture in central Arkansas by serving as a network of communication and cooperation. CANAS recognizes the fragile nature of the industrial food system and aims to address the needs of vulnerable populations with urban mini-farms like the 0.25 acre Victory Garden Project. These farms provide land access to surrounding residents as well as knowledge, tools, and resources that empower residents and increase self-sufficiency. Ultimately, CANAS desires to instill in the community the beauty and necessity of a closed-loop, local, and democratic food system. To find out more email canas.vgp@gmail.com. In the coming years, Arkansas Local Food Network will continue to support and encourage new and existing farms, gardens, and food projects and to strengthen Arkansas farmers, artisans and communities. We believe in sustainable development as a creative process that balances human economic and social needs with the requirements of the natural world upon which all life depends. With multiple projects and collaborations in the works, the future of ALFN and Arkansas looks bright. Find out more about all that we do at our main website: arlocalfoodnetwork.org.

PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

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Take Action Paying Nonprofits Their Due, Literally (With Your Help) When more than 300 professionals from the nonprofit and government sectors come together on a national webinar, the topic must be significant. And it is. The April 19 call, hosted by the National Council of Nonprofits and the network of State Associations, revealed common recognition that nonprofit organizations providing services to the public pursuant to contracts and grants with governments are not getting paid the full costs of those services, particularly when it comes to reimbursement of their indirect costs. Participants appeared to agree on two solutions: better education for nonprofits and better rules from government. Individual nonprofits can take action on both solutions. The webinar program explained the basics of indirect costs, including what they are and how they work. It also allowed smaller and larger nonprofit organizations to relay their experiences. A policy analyst with the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) explained the pending Advance Notice of Proposed Guidance, inviting public comments on ways to reduce burdens on grant recipients and better coordinate and streamline reporting requirements. Officials from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) shared results from their report on the nonprofit sector that found the treatment and reimbursement of indirect costs vary among grants and depend significantly on federal, state, and local government practices, and they previewed some upcoming work.Watch the webinar. Working Toward Solutions: Nonprofits can help the people they serve and their colleague organizations by taking one or more of these steps: Contact your State Association to learn what trainings may be available in your area. Tell us of your organization’s experiences with indirect costs, contracting with governments, and continuing to provide services despite contracting difficulties (or even your decision and reasons to stop contracting with governments). Submit comments to OMB by Monday, April 30.

“Buffett Rule” Falls Short The Buffett rule tax hike failed on a procedural vote to be considered by the Senate. The measure in the "Paying a Fair Share Act"(S.2230) would require millionaires to pay at least 30 percent of their income in taxes. President Obama and Democratic leaders have promised to push the proposal repeatedly throughout the election year, although the bill is not expected to pass the Senate’s 60-vote procedural minimum or the Republican-controlled House. The legislation expresses a significant and positive norm by maintaining the incentive for charitable giving by exempting deductions for charitable donations from the new tax.

House Committee to Reconsider Tax Incentives for Charitable and Business Activities

Applying metrics such as cost, effectiveness, and job creation, aHouse tax subcommittee is scheduled to review dozens of expired or expiring tax provisions, including charitable giving incentives such as the IRA rollover and the food inventory donation deduction, to determine whether to extend, modify, or terminate them. The hearing scheduled for April 26 will call on individual members of Congress to speak up for specific tax proposals they have supported in the current Congress. Individuals and organizations areinvited to submit written comments through May 10.

Senate Nears Passage of Postal Reform

The Senate is scheduled this week to consider nearly 40 amendments and possibly passing legislation (S.1789) to reform the U.S. Postal Service in order to overcome an $11 billion deficit. The Senate reform bill would not alter nonprofit postal bulk rates as proposed in a House bill. Congress is under pressure to pass an overhaul bill before a Postal Service moratorium on closing postal facilities expires on May 15.

Small Employer Health Credit Expansion Bill Introduced Legislation has been introduced to expand the small employer health credit so that more nonprofits and small businesses can receive assistance in providing health insurance for their employees. The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Improvement Act of 2012, introduced by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ), would extend eligibility to employers with 50 or fewer employees (up from 25 employees), raise the ceiling on average earnings from $50,000 to $57,000, and eliminate complex rules that employers have found difficult to administer.

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GRANTS CORNER

Arkansas Delta Endowment for Building Community Grants Arkansas Community Foundation The Arkansas Delta Endowment for Building Community was established through a gift to ARCF from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Through the Arkansas Delta Endowment for Building Community, ARCF is making grants to help improve social and economic conditions for children and families in the Delta region. For more information and to find out if you are eligible click here. Learn more about the 2011 Delta Endowment winners.

Housing Service Personnel Funds Available Department of Housing and Urban Development The Service Coordinators in Multifamily Housing Program provides support for the employment and support of service coordinators in insured and assisted housing properties for the elderly or nonelderly persons with disabilities. Service coordinators are responsible for assuring that elderly residents, especially those who are frail or at risk, and non-elderly residents with disabilities are linked to the supportive services they need to continue living independently in their current homes. The application deadline is May 14, 2012.

Funds for Native Plant Restoration Projects National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Native Plant Conservation Initiative The Native Plant Conservation Initiative, a program of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), supports on-the-ground conservation projects that protect and restore native plant communities on public and private lands. The program funds multi-stakeholder projects that focus on the conservation of native plants and pollinators under any of the following areas: conservation, education, restoration, research, sustainability, and data linkages. Grants, which are expected to range from $15,000 to $65,000, require a minimum one-to-one non-federal match by project partners, including cash or in-kind contributions of goods or services (such as volunteer time). Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations and local, state, and federal government agencies. Pre-proposals are due May 25, 2012; full proposals must be submitted by August 24, 2012. Online application guidelines are available on the NFWF website.

To find more grant opportunities: visit Grantstation, a service provided to you free as part of your ACE membership (a $599 value).

RESOURCES AND OTHER LINKS

NONPROFIT RISK MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE MONTH

The Performance

By Melanie Lockwood Herman

Despite the fact that I have two left feet and a tin ear, I enjoy going to the theater to see talented professionals dance and sing. Of course it’s possible that my lack of talent and skill in these “departments” makes me an especially appreciative audience member. Last evening I attended a wonderful performance by the New York City Ballet. One of the pieces performed by the company was entitled “Fearful Symmetries.” Choreographed by the company’s Ballet Master in Chief, Peter Martins, “Fearful Symmetries” features twenty three dancers: two principal couples, a soloist couple, three corps men, six corps women, and four corps couples. The dizzying pace of the dance and pulsing score by John Adams brought to mind the complexity (and sometimes chaos!) that ensues when leaders of a nonprofit attempt to keep their organizations mission-focused and simultaneously moving in multiple directions to seize opportunities and avoid downside risks.

Like other brilliantly choreographed pieces, “Fearful Symmetries” is hard to watch. When a large number of corps members were on stage, I struggled trying to decide whether to focus my attention on one or two principal dancers, or scan the stage to discern the distinctive patterns and rhythm of the dance. But despite my attempt to seek it all, when the dancers step forward to bow at the end, I noticed several dancers who seemed unfamiliar. Where were they in the piece? How could I have missed their individual performances?

The mission of most nonprofits is clear and compelling. And most leaders of nonprofit organizations bring the clarity of mission and purpose to their deliberations in the board room. But in between a clear mission statement and the ends the nonprofit seeks, there is a flurry of activity that is hard to fully appreciate or evaluate. As I watched “Fearful Symmetries” last night I caught myself trying to anticipate the ebb and flow of the dance. But the pace of Adams’ score and the energy with which the piece is performed, made that impossible. The best I could do was to try to keep up with one or two dancers at a particular moment.

To read on click here. Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She wel-comes your ideas about any risk management topic, feedback on this article and questions about the Center’s resources at Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org or (202) 785-3891. The Center provides risk manage-ment tools and resources at www.nonprofitrisk.org and offersconsulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions to chance.

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IDEALWARE TIP OF THE MONTH

JOBS CENTER

Communications Intern– Arkansas Coalition for Excellence Outreach Coordinator– Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation Front-end Website Designer– Environmental & Spatial Technologies, Inc (EAST) Staff Accountant- Environmental & Spatial Technologies, Inc (EAST) Event Coordinator- Environmental & Spatial Technologies, Inc (EAST) Director of Development- Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation Create a JOBTARGET account on our site to post your organization’s open positions. ACE members post for FREE! For a complete list of jobs click here.

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How to Shoot Better Video The ubiquity of video cameras and the proliferation of video-sharing sites like YouTube and Video have made it possible for even the smallest organizations to include short videos as part of their outreach and engagement strategies. What do you need to know before you begin? The most important lesson is that, even if you’re a professional, you’ll probably never shoot a perfect video from start-to-finish in one take. A phone might ring, the wind could pick up, the sun could cause glare, or a dog might start barking. Editing lets you cull the best parts from several takes and combine them into one—or, more simply, cut the bad parts out of a single take. How much do you need to edit your footage? It depends on what type of video you’re making, or who your audience will be. A video to show your donors at a fundraising gala may require a professional touch, but a “guerilla” or documentary-style video—a quick and simple one designed for the Internet that forgoes high production values in favor of a spontaneous look and feel—doesn’t need to be polished and perfect . You might just add some titles or credits and trim out unnecessary bits, like when your talent forgot a line or stuttered while speaking. It is possible to over-edit your video. All of the software options we discuss come with special effects that can enhance your video. Don’t overuse them—a little goes a long way. Some effects look cheap and gimmicky and will distract the audience from your message, while others—like “dissolves,” which let you transition between clips, and fades-to-black—can be used safely with some regularity. Want to learn more?

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of our

newsletter. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Emily Ingram,

Interim Director

eingram@acenonprofit.org

Rebecca Zimmermann

Membership & Communications

Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA

rzimmermann@acenonprofit.org

Located within the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Offices

200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100

Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 375-1223

www.acenonprofit.org