Posted in NewsNotes Archive
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Issue 71 |
NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by NEW. It covers resources available at NEW in Ann Arbor and Detroit as well as items of interest to the nonprofit community in southeastern Michigan. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its seventh year of publication, with delivery to over 1,300 subscribers every month! We welcome your This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it !
NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners: The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation, the DTE Energy Foundation, The James A. & Faith Knight Foundation, Borders, The Lloyd and Mabel Johnson Foundation, Online Technologies Corporation, Pfizer Global Research and Development, The Power Foundation, and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
IN THIS ISSUE
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LEAD STORY
Capitol Update — A Look at Policy Affecting Nonprofits in Michigan
By Erin Skene-Pratt*
State Revenue Shortfall Expected for Next Fiscal Year
Nonprofits may face additional cuts to programs and services next fiscal year as a result of the state taking in significantly less revenue. At the last Revenue Estimating Conference economists determined that the state will collect $380 million less in general fund revenue. Since the state has already made significant cuts to programs in services in previous years, it is unclear as to how the Governor and Legislature will address this shortfall.
Nonprofit Corporation Act Revisions
Last month, the Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 5681 which amends the Nonprofit Corporation Act. Championed by MNA and sponsored by Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman and Representative Bill Huizenga, this bill accomplishes the following:
- The board of directors of a nonprofit corporation would need at least three directors. Currently, the act requires "one or more" directors. Under the bill, an existing corporation would need to have at least three directors beginning 180 days after the bill's effective date.
- A corporation that is a "charitable purpose corporation" could not provide loans to or guarantee an obligation of an officer or director of the corporation or a subsidiary, unless the officer or director is also a client of the corporation and the loan or guaranty is necessary to carry out the corporation's charitable purposes.
- A charitable purpose corporation that is dissolved would have to provide notice of the dissolution to the attorney general within 60 days after the date of dissolution and could not dispose of any of its assets without written approval of the attorney general.
These changes to the Nonprofit Corporation Act were identified by our members as necessary to promote accountability in the sector. The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Economic Development and Regulatory Reform. Look for updates in future publications.
Supreme Court Decision Impacts Property Tax Exemption for Nonprofits
A recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Liberty Hill Housing v. Livonia (SC docket No. 131531 ) finds that a charitable housing group must occupy the property it rents to qualify for a property tax exemption. The Liberty Hill Housing Corporation requested a property tax exemption and was denied by the city. The group then appealed this decision to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, which sided with the city. The organization then appealed to the Court of Appeals, which upheld the Michigan Tax Tribunal's decision.
MNA hopes to have an analysis to you soon regarding the implications of this ruling for all groups who currently qualify for property tax exemption.
U.S. Senate Introduces Bill to Strengthen AmeriCorps
On Friday, May 16, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced the AmeriCorps Act of 2008, legislation which will:
- Raise the education award to $6,185, the average annual cost of tuition and fees for an instate student at a four year public university;
- Make the education award tax exempt;
- Restore the Corporation's previous authority to partner with other Federal agencies to use national service as a strategy to carry out Departments' priorities; and
- Promote the Corporation for National and Community Service to Cabinet level status. Serve Michigan, a project of the Michigan Nonprofit Association, strongly supports this effort to recognize the importance of service and to promote access to education by increasing the value of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Since inception in 1994, more than 540,000 citizens have served through AmeriCorps to address the unmet needs of our nation. These citizens have given over 700,000,000 hours toward improving the lives of other Americans.
You can view the full text of the bill online.
Bills to Ease Voter Registration Requirements Pass House Committee
Two bills making it easier for college students and adults with frequent travel schedules to register to vote won unanimous approval last week by the House Ethics and Elections Committee. The bills—HB 4774 (Melton) and HB 5739 (Pearce)—would allow Michigan citizens to register to vote at any county, city or township clerk's office. Currently, citizens are required to register to vote through the clerk's office in their home community. In addition to allowing persons to register at any clerk's office, the bills permit those who register by mail to then appear at any clerk's office to have their identification verified.
The easing of these voter registration requirements would make voter registration easier for students who attend colleges outside their home communities, as well as for other adults who travel frequently. The bills would also ease restrictions on absentee balloting. Both bills were supported by state and local elections officials.
*Erin Skene-Pratt is Public Policy Director, Michigan Nonprofit Association. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 517-492-2400.
FEATURED ITEMS
Nonprofit Buzz:Public Policy and Advocacy
Thursday, May 22, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Tune in to The Nonprofit Buzz this week to hear about important issues facing Michigan's nonprofit sector. Host Diana Kern will be talking with guests Erin Skene-Pratt, Director of Public Policy at the Michigan Nonprofit Association (and author of our lead story this month) and Tracy Hall, Director of Advancement & External Affairs at Focus: HOPE. Listen to NEW's live Internet radio program on the web on MetroChick radio hosted by Lisa Marie.
Leadership NextSM
Leadership NextSM is a United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) program supporting the region’s emerging leaders in making positive community impact. Anyone who believes in the potential of the Detroit region, registers online and is (or becomes) a United Way donor is welcome to participate. Benefits to members include skill-building workshops, networking and volunteering events, and the opportunity to serve your community.
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (313-226-9200) for more information.
Building for Change: Nonprofit Centers for Community Revitalization
July 8, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
YouthVille, 7375 Woodward, Detroit
The NonprofitCenters Network, in partnership with the Detroit Youth Foundation, the Luella Hannan Memorial Foundation , and Nonprofit Enterprise at Work, Inc. (NEW) invite you to a regional seminar to gain practical tools to lead your organization in developing, financing, and managing an innovative nonprofit center.
Multi-tenant nonprofit centers offer opportunities for multiple organizations to share operational costs and build hubs of neighborhood activity that help rejuvenate and better serve the community. Come away with basic information on the design and development process, ownership structures, and management strategies, as well as ideas for financing, green building design, and shared service models. Network with and learn from both peers and industry experts.
Find the agenda for the day and a link to registration online. Cost: NonprofitCenters Network members $125; nonmembers $199.
The Collaboration Prize
Do you know a nonprofit collaboration that is achieving community impact, efficiency with resources, or both? This is the first year of an annual price of $250,000 that will be awarded to a collaboration among two or more nonprofit organizations that each would otherwise provide the same or similar programs or services and compete for clients, financial resources and staff. If you are familiar with the collaboration and not an employee of any organization involved, you may nominate that collaboration. The nomination process begins June 1, 2008 and closes on July 21, 2008. Visit www.thecollaborationprize.org for details.
The Collaboration Prize was created and is funded by The Lodestar Foundation, in collaboration with members of the Arizona-Indiana-Michigan (AIM) Alliance. This Alliance is comprised of The Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation at Arizona State University, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, and the Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership at Grand Valley State University (Michigan).
Chelsea Community Foundation Information Session
Wednesday, June 11, 6:30 p.m.
McKune Memorial Library, Chelsea, MI
The Chelsea Community Foundation, an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, has recently updated its grantmaking guidelines. In order to be eligible for funding from the Chelsea Community Foundation, organizations must provide services that directly benefit the Chelsea community and its residents.
Attend an information session with the Foundation's advisers and staff on June 11 at 6:30 p.m. to learn about these new guidelines and procedures for applying for a grant. Please RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734-475-9891).
School of Information at Your Service
Is there an information-flow kink in your organization that could be improved if someone just took the time to analyze the problem? Are you frustrated by the way information gets passed along? If so, you are invited to participate as a client for the University of Michigan School of Information's class SI 501: “Contextual Inquiry and Project Management.” During this 14-week client-based course next fall, Master's degree students will analyze current communication and information flows and offer specific suggestions that can help make these processes more effective and efficient.
Find more information and a wide-ranging list of previous clients on the website. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734.936.8735) by Friday, May 30th and she will follow up with additional information.
IRS Seeks Public Comment on Draft Instructions for Form 990
The Form 990 that organizations will file for their 2008 tax year (returns filed in 2009) was released in final form in December 2007. The draft instructions were released more recently and the IRS would like feedback by June 1. The instructions include a general overview of the form or schedule explaining its purpose, an explanation of who must file that particular schedule, and line-by-line instructions to aid in answering each question on the form or schedule. Also included are new features such as a comprehensive glossary of terms; a sequencing list to help organizations determine the order in which to fill out parts of the form; and a compensation table to help organizations determine how and where to report items of compensation. You can view the instructions and redesigned Form 990 online.
If your organization files a 990 form, learn now about the changes made in the form to be filed in 2009. NEW is offering workshops in Detroit and Ann Arbor on June 3 and June 10 respectively. Register online for a charge of just $10.
Foundations Set Record for Giving in 2007
The Foundation Center recently released information in their Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates report that giving by foundations set a record in 2007, reaching almost $43 billion, compared with $39 billion in 2006. Download the report for free.
If you would like to research possible funders for your programs, make use of the Foundation Directory Online — available through NEW. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (734-998-0160 x 218 or 313-887-7788) for an appointment to use this valuable database at the NEW Center in Ann Arbor or at the Detroit office in Hannan House (4750 Woodward Ave.).
National Report Examines Nonprofit Leadership Issues
The Meyer Foundation, in partnership with CompassPoint Nonprofit Services, has sponsored the largest national survey to date of emerging nonprofit leaders. Ready to Lead? Next Generation Leaders Speak Out finds that there is a skilled, committed, and diverse pool of next generation leaders who would like to be nonprofit executive directors in the future. However, the survey also examines significant barriers which may prevent many younger nonprofit staff from becoming executives. Download a copy of the survey.
Do You Need Custom-Built Software? Apply for the Give Camp!
A Give Camp is a weekend where software developers donate their time to work on projects for nonprofit organizations. A previous Give Camp in Dallas served 18 nonprofits. The local developer community, in partnership with Microsoft, would like to offer a camp in the Ann Arbor area the weekend of July 11-13.
Do you have a software project that can be completed in a weekend by a team of 5 developers (for example: a new or revised website, small data-collection application, or email reminder system)? Please send your name and the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that you represent, plus a description of your project to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Specific descriptions are more likely to be accepted.
Prospect Management Meetings and Advanced Prospect Research
Friday, May 30, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Washtenaw Community College, Morris Lawrence Building, Ann Arbor
Join the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement (APRA) Michigan chapter for a day of education as it hosts two top professionals in the field who will focus on prospect research meetings and prospect management, as well as advanced prospect research techniques and ideas.
Featured speakers are Pamela Poland, Senior Associate at Bentz Whaley Flessner and Elizabeth McHugh, Vice President, Prospect Research at Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. Find more information and registration online.
Major Gifts Class Offered
Monday-Wednesday, June 23-25
Dance Gallery Foundation, 815 Wildt St., Ann Arbor
Learn one of the most important aspects of raising funds by attending the Center on Philanthropy’s “Developing Major Gifts,” hosted by the Dance Gallery Foundation in Ann Arbor. This is taught by the acknowledged leader in fundraising, The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
This two-and-a-half-day class, normally $940 (plus travel and hotels if taken in Indianapolis), is offered for the low, low price of $250 per attendee, thanks to a grant from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. Due to the nature of the grant, only organizations with $500,000 or below in annual revenue will be allowed to register. Call the Dance Gallery Foundation (734-747-8885 for more information and to register.
REGULAR FEATURES
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Bulletin Board
- Chamber Uncorked! Detroit Regional Chamber speed networking event Wednesday, June 18, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Cranbrook Institute of Science, Bloomfield Hills.
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Free Office Furniture available
- 5 matching blue conference chairs
- rolling desk chairs (non matching)
- large over conference tables
- small round table
- Sauder 3 piece desk unit w/ drawers
- small single desk with matching table
- office mailbox units
- other miscellaneous cabinets
