Nonprofit Knowledge Matters | Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2015

View this email in your browser            Nonprofit Trends in 2015 True confessions: While scanning the horizons for “new” trends to highlight for nonprofit staffs, boards, donors, and other community leaders to watch, we recognized that what’s important this year is not necessarily brand new. Some of the trends we identified last year, such as an increase in online giving, are fast becoming the “norm.” Others that are becoming more deeply entrenched, namely the “resource squeeze” and growing needs in communities, will continue to significantly influence how charitable nonprofits deploy limited resources and prioritize throughout 2015. What about the policy front? Among many other things, we anticipate that state and local governments are likely to continue attempts to fill their own budget holes by demanding payments from tax-exempt charitable nonprofits, while at the same time expecting nonprofits to fill the service gaps when governments walk away from programs to meet growing needs in communities. This highlights the need for nonprofits to advocate more, or else accept the imposition of new taxes, fees, and demand for payments in lieu of taxes (PILOTs) by governments that essentially take money away from nonprofit missions. We are cautiously optimistic to report positive movement on twotrends we noted in 2014: A gradual shift to reject negative views of overhead, and a willingness to recognize that to be more efficient, effective, and sustainable, nonprofits need to incur – and be paid for – overhead (or “indirect”) costs that are necessary to advance their missions. A growing awareness that advocacy is essential to advancing a nonprofit’s mission. Both of these trends, reinforced by continuous attention to the importance of accountability and transparency, will help promote practices that result in more sustainable and effective nonprofits. Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2015 Our network, composed of state associations of nonprofits - each working with hundreds and sometimes thousands of local nonprofits - is uniquely qualified to learn about the constraints, opportunities, and leadership imperatives that are unfolding in real time as they affect individuals and communities, charitable nonprofits and board members. Analyzing patterns as they emerge across the country also informs the process we use to develop a comprehensive local/state/federal Public Policy Agenda each year, one that nonprofits can use either as is or as their own first draft to customize. And throughout the year through this newsletter and our other publications, as well as our website resources on nonprofit trends, we aim to equip those who lead charitable nonprofits, as well as those who invest in their missions, with information needed to protect and advance those nonprofits’ missions. Back by popular demand, we’re pleased to share this annual list of Nonprofit Trends to Watch in 2015. For a more in-depth look at these trends, and how the National Council of Nonprofits and our network of state associations of nonprofits are responding, we invite you to read our new blog. Of course, the best ways to stay on top of new and continuing trends that affect your nonprofit are to join your state associationand stay connected with our network through social media. What Are You Seeing? You can help add clarity – and insights that can result in policy changes and meaningful tools to help your nonprofit and others – by participating in two important surveys:  Nonprofit Finance Fund is conducting its seventh annual nationwide survey examining the state of the nonprofit sector, and we hope that you will take a few minutes to share your experiences. The survey, which is anonymous and takes about 10-15 minutes to fill out, collects data on challenges and trends among nonprofits. The results help illustrate the vitality of the sector in your state and across the country, define the challenges that we all face, and provide information that advances our collective advocacy work. Please take the survey and share it with other nonprofits in your network!  Tell the IRS How It Can Improve Form 990. A special external advisory committee to the IRS (the “Exempt Organizations Subcommittee of the IRS Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Governmental Entities,” or ACT) is preparing a report to the IRS on ways Form 990 can be improved and is seeking your feedback. As nonprofits, you are responsible for filling out these forms annually and are affected by the way the information is displayed to donors, funders, reporters, and others. This survey is an opportunity to let the IRS know what is working and what should be improved to better communicate the finances and impact of your organization. Your responses to this 5-10 minute survey can make a difference for our sector.  2015 Nonprofit Trends to Watch The culture shift about costs The Truthiness of Overhead(GEO) (Mis)Understanding Overhead #OwnYourOwnCosts The culture shift about nonprofit advocacy Stand For Your Mission Everyday advocacy The shift of government burdens to nonprofits Connect the Dots Testimony Before Congress(National Council of Nonprofits) What’s ahead in 2015? Rick Cohen’s 10 Predictions for Nonprofits and Foundations in 2015 (Nonprofit Quarterly) More predictions and trends for 2015 (Wild Apricot) Five Policy Moves to Watch in 2015 (Chronicle of Philanthropy) Words to Know in the New Year(Social Impact Architects)  Your Voices Last month, we asked if your nonprofit received a capacity building grant in the last year. Here's what you said: This month, instead of a poll from us, we encourage you to share your experiences in the two important surveys noted to the left. Worth Exploring New regulations spotlight nonprofit overhead (Exponent Philanthropy) Support nonprofit resilience (GEO) Share this newsletter with your staff, board, and nonprofit colleagues Did you receive this email from a friend? Sign up now to receive this free e-newsletter each month. © Copyright 2015 National Council of Nonprofits. All rights reserved  1200 New York Avenue, NW | Suite 700 | Washington, DC 20005 | www.councilofnonprofits.org

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Legislative News and Action Updates

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Governor Cuomo's 2015 Opportunity Agenda  Governor Cuomo recently announced his 2015 Opportunity Agenda, which establishes a 10 point plan to combat poverty and fight inequality in New York State. One point in particular which will benefit nonprofits statewide is a $50 million dollar Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program. This initiative was made possible through a recent campaign supported by NYCON and Council Services Plus, and led by the Human Services Council, which called for a portion of the $5 Billion state surplus to be made towards a nonprofit infrastructure fund.  The funds will invest specifically in capital projects that improve nonprofit human services organizations that serve New Yorkers. Grants will be awarded through a competitive process, with priority given to smaller nonprofits already with State contracts who provide direct services in high-need communities and lack access to other capital funding opportunities. See the full video press conference here.  Executive Budget Released Last week, Governor Cuomo presented hisExecutive Budget to the legislature. NYCON appreciated the Governor's recognition that the Nonprofit sector is an "untapped resource" that should be utilized to solve the overarching social issues facing the state. Here are a few of the new opportunities members can start to learn more about in the State's Executive budget:   $50 million dollar Nonprofit Infrastructure Fund  Proposal #54: Launch the New York Youth Mentoring Commission: Mrs. Cuomo will work with both private sector and nonprofit partners to identify a cadre of mentors to work with foster children, children in high-need communities and other children in need.  Proposal #26: Create the Rochester Anti-Poverty Task Force Proposal #44: Implement the Massachusetts Model in New York to transform failing schools: When a school fails for three years, another school district or nonprofit will have the opportunity to take over the school, and create a plan to overhaul and improve the school. Full video of the State of Address and overview of the Executive Budget is available here.  As of right now, no across the board cuts have been done, however resistance on certain topic areas from the divided Legislature is expected in the coming months.   New Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services Exciting news as Cuomo's 2015 Agenda includes creation of an Office of Faith-Based Community Development Services.The purpose of the Office will be to assist community and faith-based organizations to deliver social services to the most needy areas. The Office will, among other things:   Work with the state's Nonprofit Coordinating Unit to help faith-based community organizations with grant opportunities as well as provide assistance in completing grant applications; Help faith-based community organizations work with the Department of State and other government agencies in order to maximize resources and opportunities to provide services in their community, including federal Community Service Block Grant funds; Help build the capacity of faith-based organizations to provide community services; Organize local meetings for networking and other opportunities; and Work with Empire State Development to help and encourage development of businesses. Karim Camara, currently a member of the State Assembly,has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Office. Mr. Camara is an ordained minister,. and was the founding and Senior Pastor of Abundant Life Church in Brooklyn.   Executive Budget Resources  Schedule Of Joint Legislative Public Hearings On the 2015-2016 Executive Budget Proposal Governor Cucomo's  2015 Agenda Policy Book Executive Budget Briefing Book State Agency Presentations and Program Proposals  Five Year Financial Plan Five Year Capital Program & Financing Campaign Budget Legislation  NYCON Resources for the 2015-16 Legislative Session  Legislative Calendar  Find Your Local Elected Official Advocacy Tooklits NYCON Public Policy Agenda      Questions? Contact Policy & Program Associate, Amber Vanderwarker.

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Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and Foundation Center Form Strategic Alliance

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Cheryl Loe Communications Project Manager Foundation Center (888) 356-0354 ext. 701 communications@ foundationcenter.org	Dan Brady Communications Manager Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (888) 391-3235 dbrady@givingforum.org
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and Foundation Center Form Strategic Alliance  Nationwide Partnership Will Expand Access to Data on Philanthropy, Improve Foundation Effectiveness New York, NY — October 6, 2014. Washington, DC-based Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers and New York-based Foundation Center have announced a new partnership to improve the quality and effectiveness of grantmaking through the strategic collection and sharing of data on philanthropy. The Forum is a national network of 34 geographically organized philanthropic associations that together have a membership of more than 5,500 participating organizations, making it the largest network in American philanthropy. Foundation Center is an independent nonprofit that is known as the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. "The philanthropic sector talks increasingly about such things as field alignment, strategic collaboration, and leveraging core competencies," said Bradford K. Smith, president of Foundation Center. "This partnership is a golden opportunity to put those principles into action." The Forum's mission is to leverage the collective knowledge of its association members so that each can be the highest quality provider of philanthropic support services in their regions, while a Foundation Center priority is to empower donors with the knowledge tools they need to be strategic. The partnership will tap the unique strengths of each organization in order to achieve shared goals. "The Forum Network has both deep regional roots and a broad national reach, and our regional associations' members are key to strengthening connections and knowledge sharing across the giving sector. However, at present, only a handful of our associations has access to up-to-date grantmaking data on their membership, and none have sophisticated online tools that allow the data to be queried and explored in real time," said Michael Litz, president and CEO of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers. "Opening these new resources to the Forum Network will be a game-changer for those striving to be more strategic and impactful in their philanthropy." The partnership will entail establishing platforms and systems for collecting data contributed by Forum members and translating it into knowledge services that will benefit not only the Forum membership, but the broader philanthropic sector. Specific plans include the following: Philanthropy Data: To support a vibrant and effective philanthropic sector, the partnership will launch a "donor data campaign" to encourage members of regional associations to centralize and standardize giving data at Foundation Center. This current data will be accessible to all members through an interactive mapping platform helping to inform funding decisions and track trends in each region.  Philanthropy Research: Templates for research reports will be created so that information about regional giving can be more easily and efficiently published and shared, providing regionally focused funders with critical information about funding patterns in their communities. Philanthropy Tools: Data visualization, benchmarking, and knowledge management tools will provide regional associations with continuous access to comprehensive data on the work of their member foundations and empower users to draw actionable conclusions from the information. In recent years, Foundation Center and individual Forum member associations have partnered on a wide variety of projects, including more than 40 research reports and fact sheets, and Forum members have participated in Foundation Center's Funding Information Network. This partnership is a natural evolution of those preceding collaborations, all of which have in common the goal of spreading knowledge to strengthen philanthropy and the good it can achieve. The national scope of the partnership, however, will introduce efficiencies and broaden its impact. "Recent advances in information technology have put us in a position to collect and share knowledge far more efficiently than ever before," said Lisa Philp, vice president for strategic philanthropy at Foundation Center. "When this system for data gathering, sharing, and visualization is applied across an entire network of grantmakers, the opportunities for donors to collaborate and achieve their visions of a better world will multiply exponentially."  ### Share on Twitter: Strategic alliance btwn @givingforum and @fdncenter will improve quality and effectiveness of grantmaking. bit.ly/FCforum14 About Foundation Center Established in 1956, Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. Foundation Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. and, increasingly, global grantmakers and their grants — a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level. Thousands of people visit Foundation Center's website each day and are served in its five regional library/learning centers and its network of more than 470 funding information centers located in public libraries, community foundations, and educational institutions nationwide and around the world. For more information, please visit foundationcenter.orgor call (212) 620-4230. About the Forum of Regional Association of Grantmakers Established in 1998, the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers is a national philanthropic leader and network of 34 regional associations of grantmakers with a combined membership of more than 5,500 participating organizations. The Forum facilitates effective philanthropy by fueling connections and knowledge sharing across the giving sector, delivering efficiencies and cost savings for our 34 member associations, and providing tools and resources to advance policy change. For more information, please visit givingforum.orgor call (888) 391-3235. View Press Releases Foundation Center • 79 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10003 • (212) 620-4230

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