ace january newsletter
DESCRIPTION
ACE January NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
January 2012
IN THIS EDITION
3 Greetings from ACE
4 Upcoming
Trainings & Events
5 Federal and State
Policy Updates
6 ACE Member
Spotlight: The
Historic Preservation
Alliance of Arkansas
7-9 Resources & Other
Links
10 Contact Us
2
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.
Arkansas Coalition for Excellence: Helping
Nonprofits Help Arkansas
Dear ACE Friends,
We hope 2012 has kicked off to a successful start for you! As you
know through your valuable work, there is no shortage of need in
our Arkansas communities. Whether providing support for arts,
education, human services, environment, economic and commu-
nity development, the people of the nonprofit sector meet great needs in our state.
For some members, January marks your annual membership renewal. Be on the look-out
for your membership renewal information. We hope you will continue to join us as we con-
tinue to work with you to strengthen Arkansas nonprofits. Let us know how we can help
and support your organization. Give us a call or shoot us an email with your thoughts and
ideas. Together we can be at the table to develop critical public policy issues, strengthen
our individual nonprofits through training and resources, and connect region by region to
meet local needs!
Take a look at the newsletter for excellent information on upcoming training, events, and
public policy.
As I leave the Executive Director position, I am happy to pass the leadership of ACE to Emily
Ingram, Interim Executive Director of ACE. Emily is a wonderful asset to ACE and leader in
our sector. Through her previous role as Associate Director of ACE, Emily understands your
needs as members locally and critical issues facing the nonprofit sector state-wide. To our
members and supporters, thank you for your continued support of your ACE team and or-
ganization. I am especially thankful for the ACE Board of Directors and Board Chair, Diane
LaFollette, for their dedication, vision, and leadership of the organization to ensure a strong
transition process.
Feel free to contact us at (501) 375-1223 or by email at [email protected] with ways
we can further support your nonprofit organization’s mission and vision. Best wishes for a
wonderful 2012 full of opportunities to serve our state and communities together.
In Service,
Hunter Phillips Goodman
Executive Director
GREETINGS FROM ACE
3
UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Social Media and Marketing
ACE-Firespring Tranings
How to Captivate and Engage Your Constituents with Your Website Jay Wilkinson is the founder and CEO of Firespring
He has appeared on CNN and other news programs discussing how emerging
technologies affect nonprofits and is considered a leading authority on the proper
use of the web as a tool to enhance the core mission of any enterprise.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
9:30 a.m.-11:00a.m.
Location: Webinar accessible online and by phone
Cost: FREE
Click Here to Register
5 Trends in Technology that Will Shape a New Reality for Nonprofits
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
9:30 a.m.-11:00a.m.
Location: Webinar accessible online and by phone
Cost: FREE
In this session, you will learn from more than 10 years of focus group research with nonprofit constituents and
donors how to captivate and engage your audience. Key takeaways include:
• 5 required elements of engaging website;
• the 3 biggest mistakes nonprofits make with their website;
• 5 proven methods for promoting your organization online;
• the #1 thing nonprofits should consider regarding Search Engine Optimization;
• real-world examples of nonprofit organizations that have mastered their online presence.
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to learn how to take your organization's web presence to the next level
from one of America’s top-rated experts on websites and marketing for nonprofits.
How to Become a Clinton School project site and make your application stand-out
Julianne Dunn– Clinton School Assistant Director of Field Service Education
For ACE Members Only
Each year, Clinton School students partner with organizations for public service projects as part of the school’s
Master of Public Service degree program. Field service at the Clinton School emphasizes the practice of public
service through the completion of projects focusing on systemic social justice issues. The field service programs of-
fer a great opportunity for students to receive hands-on experience in the nonprofit field, as well as an excellent op-
portunity for nonprofits to receive capacity building assistance. ACE is teaming-up with the Clinton School to help
increase our members likelihood of becoming a field service site.
Wednesday, February 8 2012
10:00a.m.-11:00p.m.
Location: Webinar accessible by phone
Cost: Free
e-mail [email protected] to register 4
PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY FEDERAL
Congressional Agenda Filling Up Quickly
Nonprofits should get some clarity in the coming
weeks on a number of federal issues that
impact their work in communities throughout
the country. The House of Representatives
returns this week for a series of hearings and
the Senate convened this week.
It is clear that tax reform is on the agenda!
Based on the State of the Union address Tues-
day evening, The President is now announcing
additional details to those principles on how we
should fundamentally reform our tax code.
• The Administration will work to ensure that tax reform is implemented in a way that is
equitable, including not disadvantaging individuals who make large charitable contribu-
tions.
Critical funding issues involving human services, education and arts programs, health
care, and volunteerism are at stake. Also, by the end of February, it is hoped that Con-
gress will extend for the full year the extension of a two-percent employee payroll tax
cut and continuation of unemployment and food benefits passed at the end of Decem-
ber. Each of the issues impacts the work of nonprofits, whether as employers or service
providers for affected populations. A conference committee of the House and Senate
will begin meeting the week of January 23 to reach agreement on how to pay the $200
billion price tag for the full-year extension.
Small Employer Health Credit
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is asking nonprofit employers to tell it
what is wrong and right with the health credit enacted in 2010 to make it easier for
smaller nonprofits and other employers to purchase health insurance for their employ-
ees. Learn how you can help your organization and other nonprofits. The National Coun-
cil of Nonprofits, ACE’s national partner, is currently working with the Government Ac-
countability Office (GAO) to assess the effectiveness of this Small Employer Health
Credit. The GAO has been tasked with reviewing the credit that nonprofit and for-profit
employers may claim to help pay for employee health insurance. The most common
concerns mentioned at a congressional hearing last year, and confirmed by several
State Associations, are the very low salary thresholds and the complicated calculation
needed to claim the credit. Nonprofits are encouraged to share with GAO their experi-
ences in claiming the Small Employer Health Care Credit.
STATE
Arkansas Fiscal Legislative Session
Arkansas’s 2012 Fiscal Legislative Session kicks off February 13. Tax reform is not lim-
ited to the national spectrum alone. A look at issues in Arkansas tax code will likely be
on the horizon in the 2013 Legislative Session. As you have the opportunity, talk to
your local legislators about the work of your nonprofit and nonprofits throughout your
region. Be sure and talk about tax issues from sales tax, property tax, and income tax
that impact nonprofits’ work. It is always important to share the real-life stories of how
nonprofits benefit your local community, the missions we all accomplish, and the peo-
ple you serve. Your State Senators and House Members are local leaders invested in
your local county and community. This includes an investment in nonprofits and state-
wide. 5
MEMBERSHIP
ACE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:
Historic Preservation Alliance of AR
Thank you to our new and
renewing members!
New Members
Saint Mary’s Women’s Life
Alliance- Russellville
Community Development
Partnership of Carroll County-
Eureka Springs
The Children’s Advocacy Center
of Pine Bluff-Pine Bluff
Bags of Blessings Food Pantry–
Hoxie
Renewing Members
Gardner and Associates
Consulting Group- Searcy
Samaritan Community Center-
Benton
The Darnell Brown Community
Development Corporation-
Texarkana, TX
SHARE Foundation- El Dorado
New Beginnings Pregnancy Help
Center- Ash Flat
Arkansas Symphony
Orchestra- Little Rock
Help Network Inc.- Russellville
United Way of Southeast
Arkansas- Pine Bluff
Arkansas Arts Council-
Little Rock
Northeast Arkansas Regional
AIDS Network- Jonesboro
Just Communities of
Arkansas- Little Rock
Arkansas Humanities
Council- Little Rock
CASA of Saline County- Benton
LifeQuest of Arkansas- Little
Rock
Arkansas Literacy Council- Little
Rock
Girl Scouts-Diamonds of Arkan-
sas, Oklahoma, and Texas-
Fayetteville
Heifer International- Little Rock
Kids Soccer Africa- Little Rock
Circle Communications
Network, LLC.- Maumelle
Helping Hands of Winchester-
Winchester
Dumas Chamber of Commerce-
Dumas
Mission Outreach of NE Arkan-
sas– Paragould
Arkansas Advocates for Children
and Families– Little Rock
Benton County Sunshine
School— Rogers
More than just saving old buildins,
historic preservation is about
creating and maintaining vital, sus-
tainable communities, and offers unique quality-of-life benefits.
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY - Preserving Arkansas’s historic places serves to educate
coming generations. Historic preservation builds pride and confidence in local com-
munities. Historic homes and neighborhoods provide affordable housing to Arkan-
sas’s working families.
ECONOMIC VIABILITY - Arkansas’s historic downtowns are natural incubators for new,
local businesses. Heritage tourism, a leading industry in Arkansas, depends on the
preservation and continued use of historic and cultural sites. Rehabilitation of vacant
or underutilized places returns properties to local and state tax rolls.
SUSTAINABILITY - The greenest building is the one that is already built. Historic preser-
vation is a key component of the sustainability and ―green‖ movements. Preserva-
tion of existing buildings protects the infrastructure and resource investments made
by prior generations.
THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION ALLIANCE OF ARKANSAS is the only statewide nonprofit or-
ganization focused on preserving Arkansas's architectural and cultural resources.
Founded in 1981, the Alliance's mission is to educate, advocate and assist preser-
vation efforts across the state. Through educational programs centered on architec-
tural heritage, advocating for preservation legislation in the halls of the State Capitol
and at the local level, and assisting owners of historic properties with the means
and expertise to preserve and restore historic structures, the Alliance has been a
statewide voice for preservation in Arkansas for three decades.
Click here to read more
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RESOURCES AND OTHER LINKS
NONPROFIT RISK MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE MONTH
The Devil and the Details
By Melanie Lockwood Herman Throughout my 25+ years in the nonprofit sector, I’ve heard one particular piece of ―advice‖ more times than I
would ever want to count. The comment is typically offered by a well intentioned private sector colleague who
says something along the lines of: ―the leaders of all nonprofits need run their organizations like a business.‖
My simpatico nonprofit sector lifers and I have learned to offer wan smiles (and resist the urge to roll our eyes)
when offered this oh so helpful advice. During the corporate scandals of the 1990s and the ensuing Wall Street
and world financial crises, it was hard to resist thinking that maybe the poster children of corporate excess
could learn a thing or two from those of us toiling in the vineyard of nonprofit service.
Lately though I’ve noticed that my cynicism about ―the private sector knows best‖ theology is beginning to
wane… if just a bit. Well, maybe not wane, but I’ve started to believe—and I mean truly believe— that manage-
ment insights and wisdom can be found in every sector, every industry, and in fields where one might not ex-
pect to uncover inspiration for a nonprofit mission. Recent proof of my theory about lessons in least-expected
places, is the interview with Ori Hadomi, CEO of Mazor Robotics, featured in the Corner Office column in the
12/24/11 edition of The New York Times. The article in which the interview with Hadomi is featured is titled
―Every Team Should Have a Devil’s Advocate.‖
In the article Mazor Robotics’ CEO offers two very timely suggestions that in my view should be at the top of
every nonprofit CEO’s ―can do‖ list.
Why Not Admit It: We Made a Mistake — Hadomi explains his company’s annual practice of defining ―the
five biggest mistakes we made last year‖ and discipline to ―focus on the big ones, not the small ones.‖ How
refreshing to hear a corporate CEO explain that his company not only makes mistakes, but that the list in-
cludes ―big ones‖ as well as ―small ones.‖ While I harbor no illusions that this year’s crop of nonprofit annual
reports will include a new section titled ―Major Mistakes and Mishaps,‖ I believe that it’s time for our sector
to acknowledge that mistakes not only happen… they offer fertile ground for organizational learning and they
are required in an environment that embraces innovation.
The Devil Made Me Do It: Appoint a Devil’s Advocate - Hadomi attributes his company’s ―most obvious mis-
takes‖ in recent years to his team’s tendency to ―think too positively.‖ This conclusion is consistent with the
work of Joseph T. Hallinan, who explains that ―overconfidence‖ is the number one cause of mistakes, in his
fascinating book, Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are
All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average. CEO Hadomi decided to battle overconfidence by appointing a
―devil’s advocate.‖ The company’s devil’s advocate ―knows how to ask the right questions,‖ and is charged
with engaging the senior team in challenging its optimistic projections and cherished assumptions. It seems
to me that many nonprofit leaders spend too much time looking for like-minded souls who will ―get along‖
and ―go along,‖ rather than rolling out the red carpet for a ―devil’s advocate‖ to challenge the propositions,
theories and assumptions that prevent bold risk-taking.
The idea of focusing on ―mistakes we’ve made‖ and the prospect of appointing a ―devil’s advocate‖ to the
senior leadership team may trigger a case of heart-burn. These ideas run counter to the diet of optimism that
feeds the soul of a nonprofit leader. While I’m not suggesting that you stop your search for ―best practices‖
and ―best in class‖ nonprofit approaches, I think we need to allow ourselves the freedom to find nuggets of
wisdom in the far reaches of the nonprofit, government and business sectors. Many nonprofit leaders clamor
for benchmarking tools that are perfectly suited to their circumstances. But the truth is that great ideas, in-
sights and innovative approaches rarely come fully baked and ready to enjoy. What you are far more likely to
find are ingredients and techniques that need to be tested in your own, truly nonprofit, kitchen.
Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your
ideas about any risk management topic, feedback on this article and questions about the Center’s resources
at [email protected] or (202) 785-3891. The Center provides risk management tools and resources
at www.nonprofitrisk.org and offersconsulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions to
chance.
7
TAX UPDATES
Tax season is here! Make sure you stay informed of all
tax laws, and other IRS news.
Check out these recent updates
IRS Launches New Online Search Tool
IRS to Co-sponsor Conference on Nonprofit
Governance
Academic Institution Initiative
Top 10 Helpful Features on the IRS Website
Arkansas Economic Development Commission Block Grants
The Grants Management Division manages the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) pro-
gram projects for the State of Arkansas. These funds are used to improve the quality of life for
rural citizens of Arkansas, by making grants to cities and counties for community and economic
development.
Congress created the Community Development Block Grant program in 1974 to assist low and
moderate-income families, for the prevention and elimination of slums or blight, and to address
other urgent community development needs. Eligible activities under the CDBG program include
the construction of water and wastewater systems, childcare facilities, senior citizen centers, pub-
lic health facilities and multi-purpose community centers. In addition, funds are provided for fire
protection improvements and for economic development pursuits whose primary focus is the
creation of jobs for low and moderate-income families. For more information click here.
Who to Contact for Funding?
Water and Wastewater
AR Natural Resources Commission
(501) 682-0543
Child Care Centers
DHS Division of Childcare and
Early Childhood Education
(501) 682-9699
Senior Citizen Centers
Division of Aging and Adult Services
(501)682-2441
Public Health Units
ADH Division of Health,
Bureau of Community Health Services
(501) 661-2364
Community Centers and Fire Protection
AR Department of Rural Services
(888) 787-2527
Economic Development
Business Development Division
(501) 682-7675
General Assistance (Applications Due March
31st)
Grants Division
AR Economic Development Commission
(501)682-1211
8
IDEALWARE TIP OF THE MONTH
Building Email List Subscribers
An email list is one of the sharpest arrows in any nonprofit’s quiver. An effec-
tive list can maximize your reach, help foster closer relationships with constitu-
ents and improve fundraising. But what makes a list effective?
For one thing, critical mass—the more people you can reach who are genuinely
interested in your organization, the better. But you can’t just buy an email list
as easily as you can buy one for direct mail. So how do you expand yours suffi-
ciently to meet your goals? Click here to find out.
ACE MEMBER BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT
JOBS CENTER
Executive Director– Arkansas Coalition for Excellence
Patient Navigator– Arkansas Prostate Cancer Foundation
Executive Director– Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance
Executive Director– Benton County Sunshine School
Executive Director– Foundation of the Arts
Development Coordinator– Economics Arkansas
Sign-Into your ACE member account to post jobs openings at your organization.
For a complete list of jobs click here.
Office Depot has extended their government
purchasing programs to include our nonprofit mem-
bers. ACE members can choose from 500 everyday
office supplies discounted 50-80% off the list
prices. All other items are 10% off. To Sign-up for
this benefit e-mail Rebecca Zimmermann at
9
Thank you for reading this month’s edition of our
newsletter. Questions or Comments? Contact us.
Hunter Goodman
Outgoing Executive Director
Emily Ingram,
Incoming Interim Director
Rebecca Zimmermann
Membership & Communications
Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA
Located within the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Offices
200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100
Little Rock, AR 72201
(501) 375-1223
www.acenonprofit.org
10