Issue 36
April 19, 2005

NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. It includes items of interest to the nonprofit community in Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas, as well as resources available at NEW. NEWSNOTES is proud to celebrate its fourth year of publication, with delivery to over 500 subscribers every month! We welcome your feedback and suggestions!

NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners:

IN THIS ISSUE

LEAD STORY

The Compelling Case for Planned Giving

by G. Roger Schoenhals publisher and editor of Planned Giving Today®

"Should we launch a planned giving program?" Or maybe you already have a planned giving program and you're wondering, "Should we continue to invest in planned giving?" These questions deserve a thoughtful reply. After all, a board of directors can hardly be expected to fund and promote a program that lacks firm footing.

Suitability
Before you look at the compelling case for planned giving, you will want to consider suitability and readiness. First, does the mission of your organization reach far into the future? Does a planned giving program fit the mission of your organization?

Another suitability question relates to your constituency. Do you have the kind of donor prospects who would respond to a planned giving program? For example, an organization with a 50-year history will likely have a class of donors who are older and who have proven to be loyal supporters of your organization. They are the ones who are thinking most about estate planning and who will be more amenable to life-income arrangements.

Readiness
Is the timing right? More specifically: Is your organization stable enough to take on the responsibility of running a planned giving program? Administratively, is there a good measure of upper-level support for planned giving? Are financial and personnel resources available to fund and oversee such a program? Does the board understand the costs of running a planned giving program and the lag time for reaping any financial benefits?

The degree of readiness, including available resources, will dictate the pace of program development. You might start by simply including brief notes in existing publications to remind your constituents to remember your organization with a bequest.

Next, you could develop endowment policies and begin to promote gifts of noncash assets such as appreciated stock. Another stage might include a gift annuity program. The point is, you don't have to jump in over your head at the beginning. You can start small and progress step-by-step.

Monumental Decision
Assuming you are in a role to make or influence a decision regarding planned giving, and assuming the questions of suitability and readiness have been addressed, you will want to consider the foundational reasons for developing a planned giving program. This is no small matter, for what you and your board decide about planned giving may well be the most important decision any of you make regarding the future of your organization. The next generation of leadership may either curse you or praise you, depending on how you handle this decision.

Reasons for Undertaking a Planned Giving Program
There are at least five rock-solid reasons which, together, comprise the compelling case for planned giving:

• Fiscal Responsibility
  Your supporters assume you are making sound financial decisions and laying an adequate foundation for tomorrow. Planned giving enhances financial stability. Indeed, one could argue that it is fiscally irresponsible for a governing board not to grapple with the issue of planned giving.
  
• Incredible Opportunity
  Estate planning forecasters are predicting an unprecedented transfer of wealth during the next 45 years. You can sit on your hands and let other organizations inform and challenge your constituents, or you can get busy and develop a planned giving program that will focus their attention on the needs and opportunities you represent.
  
• Institutional Integrity
  A planned giving program inspires vision, planning, expectation. It leads to policy-making and refined fiduciary skills. Lifetime commitments to annuitants and other income recipients require trustworthiness and dependability.
  
• Enhanced Partnerships
  Your organization exists because individuals believe in your cause and voluntarily commit their resources to help you succeed. They are partners with you in fulfilling your mission. The more you enhance these partnerships, the healthier your organization will be.
  
• Service to Constituents
  If for no other reason, a planned giving program makes sense as a way to honor those who have demonstrated interest in your organization -- especially those who have supported you faithfully over the years. Life-income, tax advantages, and other benefits can permit your donors to make the kind of ultimate gifts they truly desire to make. You owe them the opportunity.

Copyright © 2005 by G. Roger Schoenhals. All rights reserved. For a fuller presentation of this subject, see the complete article on the Planned Giving Today website.

Additional Resources:

• Jean Block’s website: Subscribe to her newsletter and see a related article also in the March 2004 issue “Common Obstacles to the Board’s Enthusiastic Involvement in Fundraising.”
  
  
• Fundraising: Get Your Board on Board! Register for this informative workshop offered Thursday April 7, 4- 7 p.m. at the NEW Center. Mathwon Howard, Director of Major Gifts at Eastern Michigan University Foundation will walk you through the steps to develop a successful plan of action.
  
  
• Resource Connect links you to services providers, web resources and print resources. The latter includes board fundraising.

FEATURED ITEMS

Workshops at NEW to Feature a Funders' Forum

NEW’s Spring Managing for Nonprofit Excellence workshop series has begun in earnest, continuing the fundraising theme from the Fall 2004 term. In addition to workshops on endowments, the inner workings of foundations, obtaining corporate underwriters, and grant writing, NEW will host an exciting Funders’ Forum on Wednesday, April 6. Panelists:

• Mariam Noland, President, Community Foundation of Southeastern Michigan
• Sandra Ulsh, President, Ford Motor Company Fund
• Peg Talburtt, Executive Director, James A. and Faith Knight Foundation

These dynamic executives will talk about their foundations’ giving programs, application procedures and reporting requirements, as well as the types of programs they support.

Register online for this informative session: Cost is just $15.
When: Wednesday, April 6, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Washtenaw United Way building, 2305 Platt Road, Ann Arbor, between Huron Pkwy and Washtenaw Ave. Please park next door in the Vineyard Church parking lot. Map.

Leadership²Go

Friday, April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter, 4624 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor

The Dynamic Duo: Cultivating Your Executive Director and Board Chair Team is the topic for the upcoming Leadership²Go Executive Director Series. Because effective communication is essential to a healthy working relationship between a nonprofit executive and board chair, NEW invites both parties to attend. The cost of $15 per team includes a continental breakfast and the opportunity to network with other nonprofit leaders. Take note of the location: the new American Red Cross building, 4624 Packard Rd., Ann Arbor. Map.

Please register in advance.

Nonprofit Library Named

Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (“NEW”) has announced that it has received a generous contribution from Borders Group, Inc. to sponsor NEW’s library, including its web-based information resources. NEW has renamed the library as the Borders Group Nonprofit Resource Library. This gift from Borders Group, Inc. follows several years of in-kind support. “This significant commitment by Borders Group, Inc. allows NEW to continue providing many information resources, both in our Library and on our website,” said Susan Katz Froning, President & CEO of NEW. “The contribution will affect hundreds of local nonprofits, helping them better achieve their missions.”

Michigan Nonprofit Sector Town Hall Meeting

Wednesday, April 27, 2005 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Westin Southfield-Detroit, 1500 Town Center, Southfield, MI 48075

The Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Council of Michigan Foundations and the Michigan Nonprofit Association invite you to a town hall meeting of the Michigan nonprofit sector. At the encouragement of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, INDEPENDENT SECTOR created the National Panel on the Nonprofit Sector to make recommendations to Congress to improve the oversight and governance of nonprofit organizations.
It is critical that the Panel receives feedback from you -- the nonprofit organizations that will be most impacted when legislation passes. The National Panel on the Nonprofit Sector recently presented its interim report to the Senate Finance Committee, and this Town Hall meeting and others around the country are important forums where nonprofit leaders can influence the final report.
Panel Presenters:

• William C. Richardson, President, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
• Dorothy Johnson, President Emeritus, Council of Michigan Foundations
• Sam Singh , President and CEO, Michigan Nonprofit Association

Learn to Be an Advocate

Michigan ’s Mentoring Advocacy Network and the Michigan Nonprofit Association are sponsoring free opportunities for nonprofit professionals to learn basic advocacy techniques. Erin Skene, Director of the Michigan Public Policy Initiative at the Michigan Nonprofit Association, will lead the upcoming sessions of Raise Your Voice, interactive workshops in which participants will learn basic advocacy techniques for 501(c)(3) organizations, the rules governing nonprofits’ participation in the policy process, and how to develop grassroots networks. Besides Marquette and Traverse City, the workshop is offered in:

Lansing, Thursday, April 14, 2005, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Registration deadline: March 31.

Detroit, Wednesday, April 27, 2005, 9:00 a.m. to noon. Registration deadline: April 13.

The workshops are open to all staff, board members, and volunteers of nonprofit organizations, schools, mentoring and national service programs in Michigan. Registration is required.

To register or get further information, please contact Kathie Vasilion (517 373-4200).

Rotary Club Grants

April 13 is the deadline for applications to the Ann Arbor Rotary Club’s 2005 Community Allocations grant program. The club will give priority to projects that fit with their theme of “Helping Kids Succeed.” Contact Charles Olson for an application form: 3327 Yellowstone Dr., Ann Arbor 48105.

Trainings for Government Grant Searching

Tuesday, April 12 and Tuesday, April 19, 2 p.m.
Washtenaw County Library, Learning Resource Center

Grants Locator is the definitive tool for finding sources of federal government funding. Washtenaw County subscribes to the service online and offers free access to all 501(c)(3) organizations in the County. Take advantage of trainings to help you be successful in identifying relevant grant opportunities for your organization. Space is limited. Register online or email Linda Wicks. Call the Washtenaw County help desk (734-222-3737) to get a password for access to Grants Locator.

Marketing Seminar Offered

Tuesday, April 5, 9 a.m. – noon
UAW Region 1, 27800 George Merrelli Drive, Warren, MI 48092 (1 mile north of I-696, West of Van Dyke) Map

Representatives from mentoring programs, community and faith-based organizations, and nonprofits are invited to attend Marketing Your Program.

This quarterly meeting of the Metro Detroit Mentor Collaboration (MDMC) will cover the key strategies for getting the word out about your organization. The MDMC is an organization created to enhance the state of mentoring in Southeast Michigan through collaborative efforts in mentor recruitment and program training. For more information contact Kris Marshall (586 294-8449).

Community and Health Expo

Saturday, March 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Second Baptist Church, 850 Red Oak Rd. Ann Arbor

The annual Health Expo, sponsored by the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women and Pfizer – ADVANCE (African-Americans Dedicated to Value-Added Networking for Corporate Excellence) will be held this weekend. This family-oriented event is your opportunity to obtain information about local nonprofit organizations and wellness issues, including preventative health measures. Contact Teletha Gipson (734-6222-5214) for more information.

Multi-tenant Center Conference

NEW will send representatives to the 2005 Collaborating for Success National Conference May 12-13 in San Francisco. The conference, sponsored by the Nonprofit Centers Network, is open to all who want to learn about creating and operating multi-tenant nonprofit centers. The conference will include such topics as collaboration strategies, green building practices, financing, and much more.

Nonprofit Innovation Award

Is your organization using innovative approaches to improve your community? If so, Amazon.com is encouraging you to apply for their Nonprofit Innovation Award. Ten nonprofit organizations will be chosen as finalists and profiled on their own Amazon.com pages, where customers will be invited to vote for their favorites by making monetary donations. The organization that receives the largest amount of customer contributions by the deadline will receive the award, along with a matching grant of up to $1 million from Amazon.com. All 501(c)(3) organizations in existence for a minimum of two years may submit applications by the April 28 deadline.

Careers in Nonprofit Management

Monday, March 21, 5:30 p.m. - 7:00pm
Social Work Building Rm. 3816 University of Michigan, South University Ave., Ann Arbor. Map.

Interested in opportunities for advancement in your current organization? Would you like to learn more about the necessary skills and responsibilities in organizational management? Get an inside view from professionals in this exciting field. Learn about career paths leading to nonprofit management positions, skills and characteristics needed for success, how to locate opportunities, and more.
Panelists include:

--Penny Bailer, CEO, City Year, Detroit
--Laurel Davenport, Director, YMCA of South Toledo
--Susan Katz-Froning, CEO, Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW)
--Bill Tennant, Associate Director, Mental Health Association in Michigan

Cosponsored by the Nonprofit and Public Management Center (NPM) and the U-M Career Center.

News for Arts Organizations

MCACA Grants
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) has posted Grant Program Guidelines online. Download the booklet that provides general requirements for application to all MCACA programs. The deadline for the majority of grants programs is May 1 for arts and cultural activities which will take place between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006.

Arts Alive Day
Learn how to advocate for improvements in arts and culture and arts education in your community on April 21 at the Lansing Center. From Backstage to Civic Engagement: Integrating Civic Engagement into Everyday Practices is the title of Art Serve Michigan’s annual arts advocacy meeting. Artists, arts educators, arts and culture leaders, business leaders, community arts advocates, activists, public officials, students, and the general public are invited to attend. More information and registration.

Artist Legal Clinics
ArtServe Michigan is providing free legal services to area artists and arts organizations via walk-in legal clinics throughout Michigan. The clinics offer artists in all disciplines a chance to have a private consultation on their arts-related legal concern with an attorney through Volunteer Lawyers for Arts & Culture Program.

The local area clinic will be offered on April 2, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at Xhedos Café, 240 West 9 Mile, Ferndale. Walk-ins will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact Kim Dabbs (248.557.8288 x14).

Reminders

Applications for Ann Arbor Thrift Shop grants are due March 31.

Nonprofit office space is available for rent at NEW. Please contact Director of Administration and Facility, Lia Stevens (734-998-0160 x203) for more information.

ResourceConnect welcomes suggestions for new resources. Are there service providers, websites, or print materials that you think the rest of us should know about? Please share by clicking on “suggest a resource” in the header.

Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference will be held June 14-15, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency, Dearborn. Consider being an exhibitor.

REGULAR FEATURES

Nonprofit Bulletin Board

Visit NEW's Nonprofit Bulletin Board to post and view notices about free resources, fundraising opportunities, and other items relevant to the southeast Michigan nonprofit community.

Events Calendar

Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau calendar of events. E-mail Nick Miller to request a password to submit an event.