The Network - News and Events

The News and Events page will be updated every two to three weeks. You can view the most current News and Events, and in case you missed the previous news simply click on the links below.

Greenlights, a Network member in Austin, has published the Greenlights Financial Management Toolkit with support from Bridgeport Consulting, LCC Applied Materials, and Maxwell, Locke, and Ritter. The toolkit is designed to educate nonprofit board and staff about Financial Management and the Board, Budgeting, Accounting and Financial Management Basics, Financial Reporting, and Advanced Topics in Financial Reporting. The cost of the toolkit is $150 for an electronic version, and clients can also purchase a hard copy for an additional $25. For additional information and to purchase, go to www.greenlights.org.

The Center for Nonprofit Management, a Network member in Dallas, has extended the deadline for application for the Dallas Blueprint for Leadership program to Monday, March 8, 2010. The Dallas Blueprint for Leadership program provides extensive training for people of diverse cultural backgrounds in board leadership and the nonprofit and prepares them for board service. After training, graduates are systematically matched with nonprofit agencies for board service. The program includes 42 hours of training about the nonprofit sector, mission, vision and values, legal and fiduciary duties, fundraising and soft skills like conflict resolution and cultural relevancy and examination.

First consideration will be given to completed and timely applications, and prospective candidates will have a mandatory interview. The $500 course fee is due at or before orientation. The Blueprint application is available at http://www.cnmdallas.org/blueprint_info.aspx. For additional information, contact education@cnmdallas.org or call (214) 826-3470.

The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University, a Network member, will once again sponsor the Emerging Leaders Program from May 18-21, 2010. With generous support from the OneStar Foundation, another Network member, this program is designed for emerging leaders in the nonprofit and public sectors. It includes a 3-day in-residence program at the Texas A&M campus, a personalized development plan, workshops, peer networking, coaching from faculty and staff, and leadership and personality assessments. The application deadline is Monday, April 19, 2010. An application form and letter of interest are required. Go to: http://bush.tamu.edu/emergingleaders. The program fee is $1,350 with up to $1,000 in scholarships available.

Contact Information
The Bush School of Government and Public Service
Office of Extended Education
1 (866) 988.BUSH (2874) or (979) 862-7810
onlineadmissions@bushschool.tamu.edu

Formed in late 2004, Impact San Antonio is a women's giving circle. The nonprofit organizations recruits 100 members who donate $1,000 per year. These gifts are combined into a significant grant to a local nonprofits. Since its founding, Impact San Antonio has awarded $310,000 in grants. Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Wilson, Atascosa, Kendall, and Medina County to apply for the project grant. The 2010 grant application is posted on the Impact San Antonio website, and the grant application is due on Friday, July 30, 2010. The grant will be awarded in early November, 2010.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has released new figures about volunteerism in the United States. The overall number of adult Americans who volunteered rose slightly in 2009; approximately 27% of the U.S. population or 63.4 million people volunteered for an organization at least once between September, 2008 and September, 2009. Volunteerism by women rose from 29.4% in 2008 to 30.1% in 2009, and volunteerism by men remained the same at 23.3%. For the press release, click on the link below.

The San Antonio Nonprofit Council will offer a workshop on the ways in which nonprofit organizations can work together. The workshop How Nonprofits Work Together: Partnerships, Collaborations, and Merger is scheduled for Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. The workshop is free to San Antonio Nonprofit Council members and $40 for nonmembers. Rose Mary Fry, Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, will teach the workshop. Click for information and to register.

As nonprofit organizations seek funding, access to grant newsletter and directories are important to Executive Directors and Development Directors. GrantStation and TechSoup are offering a special rate to the nonprofit community for a limited time period. Learn more about this special offer.

What: GrantStation memberships will be available to eligible nonprofits for only $99.
Time Period: January 20, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. Pacific Time to January 21, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time

If you already have a membership from the Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations or another organization, please contact GrantStation before signing up for this offer.

The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University has announced its Spring programs. Individuals have multiple ways of earning a graduate certificate; either online or in-person classes at College Station or in Houston. In Houston, the Bush School is partnering with the United Way of Greater Houston; the first class Management & Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations will be offered on Tuesday nights for fifteen weeks from January 19 - May 4, 2010. Listed below is additional information about the course offerings:

Online Session - First Session: January 19 - March 17, 2010
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Strategic Planning and Fiscal Management

Online Session - Second Session - March 22 - May 9, 2010
Management & Leadership
Marketing in Nonprofit Organizations

College Station Campus: 15-Week Sessions
Management & Leadership
Program Evaluation
Ethics and Public Policy
Philanthropy Theory and Practice
Performance Management
Tools for Advancement & Leadership
Networks & Inter-organizational Collaborations

The OneStar Foundation in Austin has opened a second round of their Impact Texas Initiative. It is a new and highly interactive series of learning opportunities for nonprofit executive leaders. If you are interested in strengthening your abilities to understand and address complex challenges in your community, then consider applying for the Impact Texas Initiative. Selected grantees receive over $5,000 in cash and services to support their executive leadership development. For more information, download the Impact Texas Initiative Application Overview and Guide from our Impact Texas Initiative Web page.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2009 from 1 – 2 p.m., a conference call will be held to answer questions about the Impact Texas Initiative. Dial (800) 944-8766 and enter code 35642# to participate. Applications are due on Monday, January 4, 2010, by 5 p.m. CST.

The Nonprofit Connection Computer Learning Center at the United Way of Greater Houston has published its technology training schedule through March, 2010. The majority of classes run from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. with an hour break for lunch. Typically the classes cost $70 per class. However, during January, all classes are available for only $35 per participant. Robert Chitty can also schedule a custom class for your nonprofit organization. For information, call (713) 685-2328.

Nonprofit executives need to understand how the Fair Labor Standards Act affects nonprofit organizations. This act covers the employment relationship between the "employer" and "employee", and it is enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor. At the Department of Labor website, there is good background about the Act in multiple resources. A PowerPoint is available outlining key topics such as minimum wage, calculation of overtime, exemption tests, and recordkeeping.

Benevon will offer the workshop, "Creating Sustainable Funding in Challenging Economic Times" on Thursday, October 29, 2009 from 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. There is no fee but participants must register prior to the event. http://www.benevon.com/intros/Register-San Antonio. The workshop will be held at the Volunteer Training Room in the Methodist Healthcare Ministries Healthcare Center at N. Frio Street and Haven for Hope Way, San Antonio 78207. The workshop will teach a fundraising system to identify and cultivate donors, engage the community in your mission, and to learn practical fundraising tools.

The Conference of Southwest Foundations and The University of Texas School of Law will sponsor the 27th Annual Nonprofit Organizations Institute on January 14-15, 2010 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin, TX. There is an optional session on January 13, 2010. Standard registration is $475; after January 6, 2010, the fee increases to $525. During the conference, national experts from private foundations, law, accounting, and the government will discuss the latest legislative, finance, and government issues facing private foundation and nonprofit organizations.

OneStar Foundation, a Network member, and their State Service Plan partners are inviting individuals to provide input to the revision of the State Service Plan. On an annual basis, over 4 million Texans volunteer in nonprofits throughout the state to improve their communities. Meetings will be held throughout Texas from October 7-23, 2009 for individuals to share their perspectives about ways to strengthen volunteerism, to leverage resources from the Serve America Act, and to increase volunteerism in the state. If interested in participating, click on this link for additional information, dates, and the registration process.

Fort Worth: October 7, 8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Dallas: October 7, 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Dallas: October 8, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Lubbock: October 12, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon or 1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
El Paso: October 13, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Houston: October 14, 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Houston: October 15: 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Amarillo: October 19, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Austin: October 20, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
San Antonio: October 22, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Brownsville: October 23, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

RSVP to events@onestarfoundation.org. After registration, you will be emailed the meeting location, reading materials, and discussion questions.

Two Network members, the Management Assistance Program at the United Way of Greater Houston and the Bush School of Government & Public Service, are working together to offer services to the nonprofit sector. Individuals will have an opportunity to attend a Mini-Course in Nonprofit Management on October 1, 2009 at the United Way of Greater Houston's Community Resource Center from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This mini-course will offer sessions on general management, philanthropy, and marketing. There is no fee, but individuals must register prior to the session. Individuals will also have an opportunity to learn about the Bush School's Graduate Certificate in Management. Effective January, 2010, the Graduate Certificate Program will be offered through a partnership with the United Way of Greater Houston's Nonprofit Connection. All course will be taught at the United Way Community Resource Center. Go to http://www.unitedwayhouston.org/Nonprofit+Connection/ for information and to register.

Rose Mary Fry, Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, was the first Licensed Consultant in Texas for the Standards for Excellence program. In the coming weeks, she will teach two Introductory Courses in San Antonio and Fredericksburg with support from the Zachry Foundation and The Perry & Ruby Stevens Foundation. This workshop will provide an overview of this nationally recognized benchmark and standards program. For additional information and to register, click on the following brochures:

Customers can now purchase the popular Governance Series from BoardSource in a digital format. If purchased in this format, individuals will be able to use the materials immediately for a period of 30 days. The material is only available as an ePublication in PDF format. If organizations plan to distribute materials beyond their internal organization, multiple copies must be purchased to comply with the BoardSource copyright. Go to www.boardsource.org for more information.

The OneStar Foundation will host the 2009 Governor's Nonprofit Leadership Conference on December 9-10, 2009 in Dallas at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. Participants will have an opportunity to hear keynote speakers, OneStar President/CEO Elizabeth Seale Andrew Wolk of Root Cause, the Governor's Volunteer Awards and Reception, and the Governor's Luncheon with keynote speaker Robert Egger of the DC Central Kitchen . The OneStar Foundation is accepting nominations for the Governor's Volunteer Awards through August 28, 2009. To download the nomination form and find more information on the eligibility criteria for the categories, go to OneStar's Web site at http://www.onestarfoundation.org/page/gva

Registration for GNLC is available through Regonline. The discounted rate of $275 (down from $295) is available until October 5, 2009, with the following code: EARLY. Discounted hotel registration is also available. OneStar has negotiated the rate of $100 per night, per room. This discounted rate is available until November 7, 2009, and can be reserved online with the Sheraton Dallas Hotel.

The Corporation for National and Community Service recently released their annual "Volunteering in America" report. Unfortunately, the data shows that Texas has lost an estimated 500,000 volunteers from 2007 to 2008. Download the report at http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/TX. As you read the report, consider how your organization recruits, utilizes, and recognizes your volunteers. Volunteer Centers and Nonprofit Management Centers in Texas provide information, training, and resources on volunteer topics. To locate a resource near your community, go to www.txnetwork.org and click on the Current Provider Page and the Frequently Asked Questions page under volunteers.

If your nonprofit provides financial literacy or small business development training, Intuit has a special offer for your organization. Your organization can request bulk quantities of Quicken software at reduced administrative fees. Nonprofit organizations can receive Quicken software for their trainings and provide a copy to participants for their personal use.

Qualifying organizations may request as many bundles as they need to support their training programs. Requests are fulfilled while supplies last. Three different versions of Quicken are available in bundles of 25 or 100 units:

Thanks to funding from the Trull Foundation and the M.G. and Lillie A. Johnson Foundation, the Network will teach a nonprofit workshop in Victoria on Thursday, September 3, 2009. "How Nonprofits Work Together: Partnerships, Collaborations, and Mergers" will be taught by Rose Mary Fry, Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network. In today's environment, it will be critical for nonprofits to work together in more targeted and strategic manners. For information and to register, click to download the Victoria Workshop Brochure.

A two-day Technology of Participation Workshop will be held in San Antonio on October 14-15, 2009 at the Springview Convent. This session is targeted towards individuals active in leadership and facilitation of groups. Participants will gain hands-on experience practicing methods for the Focused Conversation Method, the Consensus Workshop Method, and the Action Planning Method. The cost is $645 for the workshops and workshop. For information, contact Mary Flanagan at mary@msgsanantonio.com or Romelia Escamilla at esromelia@gmail.com. To register, go to www.msgsanantonio.com or send a check to Management Solutions Group, P.O. Box 911185, San Antonio, 78209.

The Bush School of Government & Public Service, a Network member, has announced its Graduate Nonprofit Management Classes for the Fall, 2009 Semester. Students have several options:

Online - 6 1/2 week sessions
First session - 8/31 - 10/16
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector

Second Session - 10/26 - 12/16
Management & Leadership
Philanthropy: Fundraising in Nonprofits
Performance Management in Public and Nonprofits

In-Residence: College Station - 15 week session
Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector
Grant and Contract Management
Social Welfare and Health Policy
Tools of Leadership and Survival in Organizations

These courses are offered as part of the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. For additional information, go to http://bush.tamu.edu/extended/cnpm or contact William A. Brown, Associate Professor and Director of the Certificate in Nonprofit Management at wbrown@bushschool.tamu.edu or call (979) 458-1372.

The 2009 Risk Management and Finance Summit for Nonprofits will convene this September 21-22 (Monday-Tuesday) in Austin at the brand-new AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center at the University of Texas. This is the first time the conference will be hosted in Texas. Sponsored by the Nonprofit Risk Management Center in Washington, DC, it is co-hosted by TANO,a Network member, the Texas Municipal League, Texas Economic Development Council, and the Austin Community Foundation.

The two-day program features plenary sessions, informative workshops, refreshment breaks and lunch, and practical tools and resources to strengthen risk management, financial management, human resource programs, governance and volunteer management in your nonprofit.

Early bird registration ends on July 31, 2009; until that date, it is #395 for full conference registration and $225 for one day. If you’re ready to register, the simple two-part registration process begins here: http://nonprofitrisk.org/training/conference/reg1.html

Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, a Network member, will host the 2009 Crossroads Conference for Nonprofit Excellence on Thursday, September 24, 2009 at the Austin Convention Center from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. The keynote speaker will be Jan Masaoka, Director and Editor-in-Chief of Blue Avocado; Ms. Masaoka has extensive leadership and consulting experience in the nonprofit sector. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend concurrent workshops and to visit the exhibit hall. For additional information and to register, go to www.greenlights.org.

Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, a Network member in Austin, will host its 2nd Nonprofit Excellence Awards during lunch at the 2009 Crossroads Conference on September 24, 2009. These awards celebrate Central Texas nonprofit organizations who demonstrate excellence in one or more award categories: Innovation, Service Excellence, Collaboration, and Learning in Action. Winners will receive a minimum of $1,000. Deadline for submissions is July 24, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. CST. Go to www.greenlights.org for additional information,

Thanks to a grant from The Zachry Foundation of San Antonio, the Network will offer the Standards for Excellence, 2-day Clinic Series on August 24-25, 2009 at UTSA's downtown campus. Rose Mary Fry, Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, was the first licensed consultant in Texas to teach this program. This nationally recognized benchmark program highlights 8 guiding principles and 54 standards to improve the effectiveness of nonprofit organizations. For information and to register, click on The Clinic Brochure.

Technology is a critical tool for nonprofit organizations, and the Nonprofit Connection Computer Learning Center at the United Way of Greater Houston offers technology classes on a regular basis to nonprofit organizations. To help nonprofit organizations struggling with finances in this economy, they are offering their technology classes for 50% off during the months of July and August, 2009. Technology classes only are available for $35 per class. To register, go to www.unitedwayhouston.org.

A recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy discussed the opportunities for funding available from the Stimulus Package. If nonprofit organizations are interested in reviewing the focus and eligibility for these funds, listed below are organizations providing updates and funding information:

The article encourages nonprofits to act quickly as deadlines vary by funding source, to determine whether your organization is eligible to receive federal funds, to collaborate with other nonprofit and community organizations, and to track accomplishments of any funding.

Two Network members produce funding directories to help nonprofit research foundations grants for their operational and grant support. Listed below is the information:

North Texas Directory of Grantmakers: This directory is published by the Funding Information Center in Fort Worth, and it includes over 1,600 grantmakers in 27 counties in North Texas including Tarrant, Dallas, Denton, and Collin counties. The price is $250, and it can be ordered online at www.fic-ftw.org or entities can pay be check. For additional information, call (817) 334-0228.

Directory of Texas Foundations, 28th Edition: This directory is published by the Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio, and it includes information on 2,700 foundations. The directory can be ordered in a print or online version. To order, go to www.nprc.org or call (210) 227-4333.

Jonathan D. Schick, President of Goal Consulting, LLC and a Network member, has published his book, The Nonprofit Secret: Six Principles of Successful Board/CEO Partnerships. The book will be available through the following sources:

Impact San Antonio, a woman's giving circle, will award a $100,000 grant to a San Antonio area nonprofit in its 2009 grants cycle. Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) organization in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Atascoa, Kendall, and Medina. Areas of Focus include Culture, Education, Environment, Family, and Health and Wellness. The grant deadline is Friday, July 31, 2009, and the grant application and related grant materials are posted at www.impactsanantonio.org.

The Nonprofit Leadership Collaborative in Houston will sponsor the 8th Annual Leadership Forum for the nonprofit sector. The NLC Partners include the American Leadership Forum, Center for Houston's Future, Houston Arts Alliance, Leadership Houston, The Junior League of Houston, Inc., and the United Way of Greater Houston. This details for this year's program are below:

What: 8th Annual Leadership Forum
When: Friday, May 1, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Speaker: Dan Heath, co-author of Made to Stick, Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
Where: The Junior League of Houston
Fee: $25

For information or to register, call the Management Assistance Program at (713) 685-2787 or email map@unitedwayhouston.org.

Nonprofit staff members must be competent on all software applications used by their agencies. The Nonprofit Connection Computer Learning Center at the United Way of Greater Houston is an incredible resource for computer training. Classes are offered on the latest office productivity software as well as new offerings such as Dreamweaver, QuickBooks, and Adobe InDesign. Prices are extremely reasonable for full-day classes. Nonprofit agencies can also contract with the Learning Center for custom classes. Class Schedule: www.unitedwayhouston.org. Contact : For additional information,. contact Robert Chitty at (713) 685-2328 or rchitty@unitedwayhouston.org.

Two new books are resources for professionals working in the nonprofit sector or individuals seeking a position in the nonprofit sector.

Nonprofit organizations use volunteers on a regular basis, and they must be prepared for the new volunteers entering the nonprofit sector. TANO is offering the three-part volunteer management series at the The Center for Community-Based and Nonprofit Organization at Austin Community College. The three sessions are priced individually at $70 each or at a discounts for the series at $189. The sessions will be taught by Kathleen McCleskey, President of KM Consulting and Training Connection and Wendy Biro-Pollard, a consultant and Certified Volunteer Administrator. The workshop topics and dates are listed below:

Volunteers are used in new and established organizations throughout the country. Whether individuals are providing direct services to your clients or serving as a Board member, it is time to say "thank you" to volunteers for their contributions to your organization. National Volunteer Appreciation Week is April 19-25, 2009, and you may want to think of creative ways to say thanks to your volunteers.

The John F. Kennedy for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. has announced Arts in Crisis: A Kennedy Center Initiative. This program is designed to provide emergency planning assistance to struggling arts organizations throughout the country, and it will be offered pro bono by Kennedy Center President Michael M. Kaiser and the executive staff. For additional information go to http://artsincrisis.org.

The Foundation Center in New York is partnering with several organizations in Texas to present its Proposal Writing class in Spanish. Listed below are the dates and locations:

El Paso: March 17, 2009: Nonprofit Enterprise Center, www.nonprofitec.org, (915) 525-1230
Edinburg: March 19, 2009: Southwest Border Nonprofit Resource Center at the University of Texas Pan Am, (956) 292-7566

Impact San Antonio, a women's giving circle, has announced its 2009 membership goal. They will recruit 150 members and award one $100,000 grant on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Remaining funds will be divided among the other four finalists in the grant process. The grant application, frequently asked questions, and grant guidelines will be posted to the website within the next month. www.imipactsanantonio.org.

The Network and its members offer consulting services to nonprofit organizations throughout Texas. Whether your board needs a board/staff retreat, a strategic plan, fundraising training, or board training, a Network member can offer valuable consulting services to your nonprofit. For a list of consultants within the Network, go to www.txnetwork.org and click on the Consulting tab.

The Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio has announced its Pre-Publication Sale for The Directory of Texas Foundations, 28th edition (2009). The directory is a key research tool for Texas nonprofit organizations as they seek funding. The directory contains information on over 3,000 private foundations, community foundations, and public charities. Until March 15, 2009, the sale price is $135 for the print directory and $255 for the print and online directory. The prices does not include shipping or applicable taxes. to order, contact Frances Guajardo at (210) 227-4333 or go to www.nprc.org. A tentative shipping date is the week of April 15, 2009.

The San Antonio Nonprofit Council and Any Baby Can Texas will offer a free Advocacy Workshop for nonprofit board members and staff members. Durquia Guillen, the Director of Any Baby Can Texas, will be the featured speaker. The workshop, "Advocacy: Yes You Can!" will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2009 from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County. Workshop participants will be provided with an overview of advocacy and lobbying, ways to apply to their organizations, and an opportunity to discuss policy issues affecting their nonprofit organization. RSVP: scottm@sancouncil.org

If you are a board member or an Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, you are responsible for leading your nonprofit organization and providing good oversight of the organization. As part of your duties, you must file a public tax return with the IRS. The form is dictated by the budget size of your organization. Policies are preventive tools for nonprofit organizations. On the revised Form 990 for 2008, organizations will need to answer questions about conflict of interest, whistleblowing, and document destruction policies. If you do not have these policies in place, talk with your nonprofit resource center, other nonprofit colleagues, and accounting firm for samples. For a list of nonprofit service providers in Texas, go to www.txnetwork.org and click on Current Providers. Nonprofit boards should review draft policies and approve policies for their. organizations. BoardSource is another good resource for assistance. Go to www.boardsource.org..

Greenlights for Nonprofit Success in Austin is moving to new offices on Lamar Boulevard near 183. As of January 2, 2009, the new address will be:

Greenlights for Nonprofit Success
7703 N. Lamar Boulevard, Suite 400
Austin, TX 78752

Blue Avocado is a new nonprofit online magazine operating under CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. It is published on the 1st and 15th of every month. Individuals can register online at www.blueavoacado.org. If you're a writer, you can sign up to write practical articles based on their selected topics. They might ask you to conduct an interview, suggest story ideas, or take local photos.

The Foundation Center based in New York will offer its Proposal Writing Seminar in Arlington, TX on Friday, December 12, 2008. This course offers an overview of proposal writing, the components of a grant, research techniques, and the funder's proposal review process. For the registration fee of $195, participants will receive workshop materials as well as a copy of The Foundation Center's Guide to Proposal Writing. For additional information or to register, click on the link, Proposal Writing Seminar.

The Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas has moved into new space at the San Antonio Area Foundation's offices. Their new address is Broadway is 110 Broadway, Suite 230, San Antonio, TX 78205. Phone number and website remain the same: Phone: (210) 227-4333 and Website: www.nprc.org.

Impact San Antonio, a women's giving circle, awarded its largest grant on October 30, 2008 in San Antonio. In 2008, membership grew from 52 to 105 members Impact San Antonio members contribute $1,000 a year, and these funds are pooled into a grant to an area nonprofit. The group awarded $100,000 to St. Jude's Ranch to move its transitional home for young adults to San Antonio. The organization also awarded $1,250 to the four other finalists. In first quarter, grant application information will be posted on the organization's website at www.impactsantonio.org.

The Conference of Southwest Foundations & The University of Texas School of Law will sponsor their 26th conference in mid-January in Austin. This conference provides an excellent update for individuals leading a nonprofit organization or providing legal and accounting advice to them. Listed below are the details of the conference:

Nonprofit Management Graduate Courses at Bush School of Government and Public Service

The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University has announced its courses for Spring 2009. Course are available online, at the Lone Star College, University Center campus in Woodlands, TX, and at the College Station campus. Courses include Foundations of the Nonprofit Sector, Philanthropy: Fundraising in Nonprofits, Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations, Program Evaluation for Public and Nonprofit Organizations, and Management and Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations. Estimated cost for a Texas resident is approximately $1,700 per course. Tuition and fess are contingent on approval and modification by the Texas Board of Regents, and financial aid is available. For additional information, visit their website at http://bush.tamu.edu/extended/cnpm/ or contact an advisor at (979) 862-7810.

The Corporation for National and Community Services is asking corporations to encourage their employees to volunteer their professional skills to nonprofit organizations. The A Billion + Change campaign has raised the equivalent of $406 million in donated pledges from workers with particular expertise. The report "Capitalizing on Volunteers Skills: Volunteering by Occupation in America" was based on 2005, 2006, and 2007 data gathered by the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Labor Statistics." More information can be found at http://www.abillionandchange.org.

Form 990 EZ: The IRS has released the latest version of Form 990 EZ for 2008 tax year. Groups with receipts less than $1 million are eligible to complete the shortened tax form. www.irs.gov.

Five-Year Review Period: In the past, the IRS awarded groups an "advance ruling period" when they applied to become a tax exempt organizations. After five years, they had to prove they still met the public-support test. Under new rules, the IRS will no longer require the five-year review period. With their revised Form 990 tax return, the IRS believes it receives sufficient information to determine if a group is a charity or a private foundation.

The San Antonio chapter of the Public Relations Society of America is offering its Gift of Guidance service program. Public relations professionals will lend their expertise to nonprofit organizations. Nonprofits are encouraged to submit an application for Gift of Guidance, the PRSA San Antonio’s annual service program that pairs non-profit representatives with PR professionals for a complimentary consulting session during the chapter’s December 4, 2008 luncheon.

The application for Gift of Guidance consists of 16 straightforward questions about the non-profit’s mission and goals. It can be downloaded at the chapter’s website www.prsanantonio.com and must be submitted by November 7, 2008. For more information about Gift of Guidance, contact the Program Chair Trisha Box at (210) 289-4929 or by e-mail at tbox@gvtc.com.

The Nonprofit Enterprise Center in El Paso, Texas will offer "Escribiendo Propuestas" (Grantwriting in Spanish) on November 6, 2008. The class will be taught from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., and it will be a good opportunity for Spanish speaking individuals to learn about the grants process. To register, go to www.nonprofitec.org or call (915) 525-1230.

The Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations (TANO) has announced a new program to provide health and medical insurance plans to nonprofits. For information, call Patriot Health at (866) 625-1836 on Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. CST. This program is only open to TANO members and, nonprofits must indicate they are interested in the Patriot Health Turnkey program. At the TANO website at www.tano.org, individuals can download the Enrollment Guide with information about the the following programs: Group Major Medical Insurance, Individual Major Medical Insurance, Limited Medical Insurance, and Dental, Life, and Critical Illness options.

The Nonprofit Resource Center in San Antonio sponsored a breakfast featuring Virginia Romano from the Kresge Foundation. She gave an overview of the transition at the foundation, and the changes in their funding strategies. Their new focus includes improving the quality of life for vulnerable individuals in communities. Their grants will give priority to projects with one or more of the following qualities:

Creates opportunity for low-income people
Provides additional community impact, beyond the project itself
Contributes to an institution's transformation
Involves thoughtful risk-taking
Promotes environmental conservation
Demonstrates innovation
Encourages collaboration among different organizations and sectors
Focuses on underserved geographies
Reflects the diversity of the populations being serves

Their six fields of interest continue to be Health, Environment, Arts and Culture, Education, Human Services and Community Development. Their place-based work in the Detroit Program is the primary focus of their Community Development efforts. They now require a Letter of Inquiry, and additional information can be found at www.kresge.org.

The Network has received grants from the Gulf Coast Medical Foundation in Wharton, the Trull Foundation in Palacios, and the M.G. and Lillie A. Johnson Foundation in Victoria to provide nonprofit workshops and consulting services to nonprofits in these communities. The first workshop was "The Delicate Dance of Board and Staff" held in Wharton on September 23, 2008. Listed below are upcoming topics:

Victoria: November 18, 2008: Strategies for Corporate and Annual Giving
Wharton: January 20, 2009: Topic to be announced
Wharton: April 21, 2009: Topic to be announced

Additional information and registration details will be posted on the Network website at www.txnetwork.org.

The Zachry Foundation in San Antonio has awarded a grant to the Network to provide the Introductory Standards Course and the Clinic Series to local nonprofits in the next year. As dates are scheduled, they will be posted on the Network website.

The 31st annual Governor's Nonprofit Leadership Conference (formerly the Governor's Volunteer Conference) will be held on December 4-5, 2008 at the Westin Galleria in Houston, TX. The keynote speaker will be Heather McLeod Grant, the coauthor of Forces for Good: The Six Practices of High-Impact Nonprofits. Information about the conference and hotel registration is described at www.onestarfoundation.org.

Christi Stinson, CPA, CAE has been named as the Executive Director of the Funding Information Center in Fort Worth, TX. She has 20 years of association management experience. She can be contacted at (817) 334-0228 or cstinson@fic-ftw.org.

The August 21, 2008 Chronicle of Philanthropy includes an article about a recent survey on corporate giving. The survey showed that cash contributions from the largest corporations rose by 8% in 2007, compared with a 6% increase in 2006. Of the 77 businesses who responded about 2008 giving, 50 indicated that giving would remain the same, 21 expected an increase in giving, and 6 predicted a decrease in giving. As the economy affects corporate profits at a state and national level, nonprofit organizations will need to proactively to increase and diversity their funding from all giving sources. This issue also contains an article about ways to work with corporate funders. Additional information is available at http://philanthropy.com/extras for a membership fee.

The Foundation Center has added three new Cooperating Collection libraries in Texas. They are located in the following organizations:

Arlington: Arlington Public Library, (817) 459-6900
Kingsville - Texas A&M University - Kingsville, (361) 593-3416
North Richland Hills - North Richland Hills Public Library, (817) 427-6800

For a complete listing of Texas Cooperating Collection libraries, click on the Libraries tab at www.txnetwork.org.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, the Houston HUD Office Staff, and Dr. Edward Pringle, Field Office Director have announced a two-day Free Basic Grant Writing Course on September 17-18, 2008 from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the Neighborhood Centers Inc., Ripley House. Co-Sponsors include the Coalition for the Homeless Houston Harris County and the Neighborhood Center Inc., Ripley House. Registration is on-line on a first-come, first-served basis as seating is limited. For information, contact gwendolyn.d.berry@hud.gov or visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/fbci/grantwriting08.cfm.

The Center for Nonprofit Management, a Network member in Dallas, will offer a free Nonprofit Legal Clinic on Thursday, September 11, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Volunteer attorneys sponsored by the Thompson & Knight Foundation will offer free one-on-one customized consultations for nonprofit board and staff members. The 30-minute time slots are limited, so agency representatives must register no later than Thursday, August 14, 2008 to secure a spot. To register, visits www.cnmdallas.org or call (214) 826-3470, ext. 239.

The Texas Workforce Commission will sponsor the 2008 Texas Business Conference on Friday, September 18, 2008 in San Antonio at the San Antonio Convention Center. Topics will cover Texas employment law, employee handbooks, handling of unemployment claims, and state and federal wage and hour law. The cost is $85 and six CEU's are available for CPA's and General Professional Credit. For additional information, call (512) 463-6389 or visit the website below to register:

Free Hand, Inc. is offering a scholarship program to the Fisher Executive MBA Program at Ohio State University in Columbus, OH. Leaders and administrators of charitable non-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the scholarship. They must be employed by a non-profit, non-governmental registered 501(c)(3) organized in charitable work providing direct social services. Applicants must meet the same academic and admission criteria as other EMBA candidates. The scholarship includes the program fee of $72,500, but does not include costs associated with lodging while on campus, the cost of the required international trip, and other non-program costs such as on-campus parking. For more information about the scholarship and application process, go to www.fisher.osu.edu/emba. Applications are due by September 21, 2008.

The San Antonio Nonprofit Council will offer an Advocacy Workshop on Thursday, September 18, 2008. The Alliance for Justice Advocacy workshop will cover lobbying rules for nonprofits and how to employ advocacy tools for your nonprofits. Nonprofit Council Members are free and a $30 fee for non-members. For information, go to www.sancouncil.org or RSVP to scottm@sancouncil.org.

The Center for Public Deliberation of the University of Houston-Downtown will coordinate a Community Forum on "How to Cope with the Rising Costs of Healthcare" on September 18, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. To participate, go to www.uhd.edu/cpd to register.

Benevon will offer three free training sessions in Texas about their fundraising model in the coming months:

The sessions are offered at no cost to non profits, faith based and community organizations; we encourage anyone who works with a nonprofit to attend whether they are board, staff or volunteers. For additional information, go to www.benevon.com

The IRS has released figures about the growth of the tax exempt sector as of September 30, 2007:

OneStar Foundation is pleased to announce funding opportunities for AmeriCorps*Texas grants from 2009 - 2012. OneStar will be accepting applications from eligible organizations that will engage AmeriCorps members to better meet the needs of Texas.

The Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College and TANO will offer a Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership & Management. Classes are held at ACC Highland Business Center from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; the program runs from August 20, 2008 to May 14, 2009. More information is available at http://www.tano.org.

The Nonprofit Management Center of Wichita Falls is offering the 2008 Perkins Prothro Fundraising Academy. It includes the workshops, Storytelling for Grantseekers, Double Your Donations, The Essential Fund Development Plan, and Fun, Functional and Fundraising with Special Events. They are scheduled from June 25, 2008 to August 27, 2008 and individuals can register for individual workshops or the series. For additional information, go to www.nonprofitcenterwf.org or call (940) 322-4961.

Train-the-Trainer for Elements of Effective Practice (EEP) for Mentoring

The Center for Community Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College will offer a Train-the Trainer for EEP Mentoring in August. This three-day train-the-trainer event will develop a cadre of EEP trainers that will support capacity building of mentoring programs in their communities. Based on “How to Build a Successful Mentoring Program Using the Elements of Effective Practice,” this training, designed by the National Mentoring Partnership, provides forms, templates and advice that, when followed, ensure a standard of quality for both existing programs and those just starting out. For more information on the EEP visit the website: www.mentoring.org. If you are a mentoring professional and interested in participating in a train-the-trainer for the EEP Mentoring, please contact OneStar Foundation about Train-the-Trainer scholarship information at kyla@onestarfoundation.org

Save the Date: 31^st Annual Governor’s Nonprofit Leadership Conference

The 31^st Annual Governor’s Nonprofit Leadership Conference (formerly Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Conference) will be held December 4-5, 2008 in Houston, Texas. This year’s conference will focus on core capacity building strategies for nonprofit organizations as well as strategies for businesses to get involved in their communities, revenue strategies, leadership development, board development and volunteer management. The conference is geared toward nonprofits, business community affairs offices and governmental agencies. Go to www.onestarfoundation.org for additional information.

The Giving Institute has released its Giving USA 2008 report. Total 2007 giving in the United States increased to $306.39 Billion. The majority of these funds continue to come from individuals and through their bequests.

· Individuals: $229.04 or 74.8%
Bequests: $23.15 or 7.6%
Foundations: $38.52 or 12.6%
Corporations: $15.69 or 5.1%

To purchase the full report, go to www.givinginstitute.org.

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy has released a report about corporate giving. Giving by corporations increased 5.6% based on the preliminary findings, and the survey participants included 155 companies, 69 which were listed on the Fortune listing of the 100 most- profitable companies. In 2007, the median amount these corporations donated to the community was $26 million. Based on the survey results, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy predicts that corporate giving will remain steady in 2008. The complete report will be issued in August or September, and additional information can be found online at http://www.corporatephilanthropy.org.

Texas was a strong contingent at the second Nonprofit Congress held in Washington DC from June 1-4, 2008. 28 individuals from the Network, TANO, and individual nonprofit organizations participated in the event; Texas had the largest group other than the participants from the District of Columbia. The second Nonprofit Congress reported on progress from the first Nonprofit Congress: Public Support and Awareness of the Sector, Organizational Effectiveness with an Emphasis on Leadership and Accountability, and Advocacy and Grass Roots Community Activities. During the first day, participants attended Plenary Sessions and breakout sessions; the tab below is a link to many of the presentations on nonprofit management, advocacy, fundraising, and technology tools. On the second day, individuals from states gathered to discuss next steps for their states, and on the third day, individuals called on elected officials. In other news from the National Council of Nonprofit Associations, they will formally change their name to the National Council of Nonprofits and Audrey Alvarado will retire on June 30, 2008. Tim Delaney has been selected as the next President of the organization, and he will assume his new duties on July 1, 2008. In the next two years, the Nonprofit Congress will be held on May 14-16, 2009 in New Orleans and in Portland, Oregon in May, 2010.

In the next four months, there will a meeting within Texas for interested individuals to discuss and plan a statewide meeting for the nonprofit community.

The IRS has reminded small nonprofits about the need to submit the new Form 990-N. For small nonprofits with less than $25,000 in revenue, they must complete the form by the 15^th of the fifth month after the end of their fiscal year. The form collects basic information about name, address, and confirmation of gross receipts. If organizations do not complete the form three years in a row, the IRS will automatically revoke its tax exempt status. For additional information, go to www.irs.gov.

The 2009 Nonprofit Technology Conference will take place Sunday, April 26 through Tuesday, April 28 at the San Francisco Hilton. · Rooms at the Hilton will be $199 at their group rate,

· NTC Registration will cost the same as this year, starting at $349 for Members, $549 for non-members.

eNonprofit Benchmarks Study
M+R Strategic Services and NTEN have announced the release of an updated eNonprofit Benchmarks Study for 2008. The study analyzes online messaging, fundraising, and advocacy data from 21 leading nonprofit organizations in order to provide readers with reliable current information. Questions answered by the study include: How does your email list stack up against other nonprofits? Is it just your open rate that’s declining, or are all nonprofits seeing the same results? And just what is a good online fundraising response rate? Visit the website listed above to download the updated study.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will sponsor three Grantwriting Workshops in Texas to educate participants about federal grant applications, HUD common factors for awards, and grant writing techniques.

The Lodestar Foundation in collaboration with members of the Arizona-Indiana-Michigan Alliance is introducing a $250,000 prize for nonprofits that have chosen collaboration over competition. If you know of a nonprofit collaboration that is working and achieving great community impact, visit www.thecollaborationprize.org.

NPower Texas, a Network member will conduct two focus groups in San Antonio on Thursday, June 12 and on Tuesday, June 17th to learn about the technology needs of local nonprofit organizations. The groups are one component of their Extreme Web Makeover competition; area nonprofits will have an opportunity to win an in-kind Web design and development services from NPower Texas and one free year of web hosting from Rackspace. The value of this project will be $4,800. Both sessions will be held at Rackspace Managed Hosting at 9725 Datapoint Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, TX 78229 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Register online at http://npowertexas.org/ewm-focusgroup.aspx. Organizations must be a 501(c)(3) organization in Bexar County to participate.

The Grantsmanship Center’s signature Grantsmanship Training Program is coming to Texas in 2008:

The Grantsmanship Training Program is a comprehensive, hands-on workshop that covers the complete grant development process, from researching funding sources to writing and reviewing grant proposals. More than 110,000 nonprofit and government personnel have attended this five-day workshop, which is followed with a full year of membership support services.

Tuition for the Grantsmanship Training Program is $875 and $825 for each additional registrant from the same organization. Class size is limited to 30 participants. To register, to learn about scholarship opportunities for qualifying organizations, or for more information, visit www.tgci.com or call The Grantsmanship Center’s Registrar at (800) 421-9512.

Many nonprofit organizations are already taking advantage of hardware and software purchases through Tech Soup. Since organizations need to wait 12 months after your first request for donated Microsoft software from TechSoup to place a second request, it pays to think about everything your organization will need in the coming year. Some of the benefits of planning ahead are:

If your organization is qualified to receive Microsoft donations, you may make two requests within a two-year period:

Your first request of Microsoft software starts the two-year cycle.

· After the cycle has begun, your organization must wait one full year before making a second request.

In every two-year cycle, your organization may request up to six software titles and up to 50 user licenses per title (or one license per server title).

To check when you can next place a request for Microsoft software, log into your Order Status page and check when your two-year cycle began. If you've never requested Microsoft software from TechSoup, now's a great time to see what they offer.

The Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University is pleased to offer online graduate courses in nonprofit management. Students can apply these courses toward a Certificate in Nonprofit Management or toward a Master’s degree is Public Service. Students who complete the certificate will gain an understanding of the nonprofit sector, nonprofit organizational structures, and management practices appropriate to the sector (i.e., strategy, volunteer behavior, and fund raising). With this preparation, students will be able to offer effective leadership in the management of nonprofit organizations. Students complete 12 credit hours of graduate level coursework. An applicant, once admitted, can enter the certificate program at any time and must have a bachelor’s degree and meet other required qualifications. Individuals who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate and it will appear on their Texas A&M University transcript. For additional information, please contact the Bush School certificate advisors at 1-866-988-BUSH or (979) 862-7810. Students can also find information online at http://bush.tamu.edu/extendeded/cnpm/.

The AT&T Foundation based in San Antonio has announced a $100-million grant program to help keep students in school and prepare them for college or a career. In the next four years, AT&T will make grants to schools and nonprofit organizations, sponsor research, encourage its workforce to serve as mentors, and conduct 100 community-based meetings to increase awareness of this community issue. Go to www.att.com/education-news.

Fund Offers Financial Services for Nonprofits

Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) is a national leader in financing nonprofits, strengthening their financial health, and improving their capacity to serve their communities. NFF serves both nonprofits and their funders, offering an integrated package of financial and advisory services, including facilities and working capital loans and lines of credit, asset-building programs, intensive workshops, and other consultations to help nonprofits understand the impact management decisions have on their finances. Click on Nonprofit Finance Fund for additional information.

In this election year, the IRS is making efforts to remind nonprofit organizations and churches about federal laws banning political-campaign activities. According to a recent article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, “churches and charities” may not “participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of any statements) for any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. The IRS is also notifying the Democratic and Republican National Committees of these regulations. For additional information, go to www.irs.gov.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has announced its 2009 Call for Proposals. The foundation is seeking grant partners for projects that significantly improve the health of individuals in a community. Up to 14 grants between $200,000 and $500,000 will be available. These grants must be matched dollar-for-dollar by local grantmakers. The brief proposal deadline is July 8, 2008, and the complete information is available on the foundation’s website at www.rwjf.org/cfp/lfp.

The Independent Sector in Washington DC has announced the 2007 estimate for the value of a volunteer hour has reached $19.51. This figure increased from $18.77 per hour in 2006. IS calculates the hourly value of volunteer time based on the average hourly wage for all non-management, nonagriculture workers as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a 12 percent increase to estimate for fringe benefits. Learn more about the hourly value of volunteer time.

The Foundation Center in New York has released the report, "Key Facts on Family Foundations." This report shows that giving by family foundations has increased 21% in 2006 from 2005 to reach $17 billion. Individuals and families continue to create these foundations to contribute back to communities throughout the country. For the full report, go to http://foundationcenter.org/gainknowledge/research/pdf/key_facts_fam_2007.pdf.

The Council on Foundations, Foundation Center, Independent Sector, and InterAction are soliciting proposals for an organization to establish and maintain a centralized database on non-US NGO's. The host organization will create a central repository and determine whether the NGO is the equivalent of a U.S. public charity. Go to www.iaa.com/NGORepositoryRFP.html for a copy of the proposal. The deadline for a letter of inquiry if May 19, 2008 and the proposal deadline is June 20, 2008. Send all submissions and email questions to NGORepositoryRFP@iaa.com.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments and Grant Writing USA will offer a two-day grant management workshop in Arlington, TX on May 19-20, 2008. This workshop will cover government grant funding. Tuition is $595 and includes Grant Writing USA's 450-page grant management workbook and reference guide. For more information and to register, go to http://GrantWriting USA.com.

The new Southeast Texas Nonprofit Development Center has assumed responsibility for the Cooperating Collection library for the Beaumont area. The Center is located at 700 North Suite D, Beaumont, TX 77701. Individuals and nonprofit organizations can use a Cooperating Collection library to do research for corporate foundations and private foundations throughout the country. The phone number of the library is (409) 832-6565, and the Executive Director is Marcia Stevens. For a full list of Cooperating Collection libraries in Texas, click on the Library tab at www.txnetwork.org.

The Masters Leadership Program of San Antonio is accepting applications for its 2008 year. Applications for the Masters Leadership Program Class V are due by May 23, 2008; results of the selection process will be mailed in early June. Class members are typically executives or professionals who are retired or semi-retired or new individuals to the San Antonio area who want to become actively involved in the community. Tuitions for the 2008-2009 program is $1,000 and sessions are scheduled from October, 2008 - April, 2009. For information and application form, go to www.mlpsa.org.

The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country and Bank of the Hills will present a 2-day conference for Hill Country nonprofits on April 15-16, 2008. The conference will be held at the Hermann Sons Hilltop Camp in Comfort. Speakers include Jackie Beretta, Kathy MacNaughton, Rose Mary Fry, Mark Tuschak, Perri Rosherger, Faynuz Benyousef, and Kim Fischer. The cost is $95 per person and $50 for the second board-focused day. To receive a brochure, email beth@communityfoundation.net or amy@communityfoundation.net. The registration deadline is Monday, April 7, 2008.

OneStar has extended the deadline for nominations for the Volunteer Awards. The new deadline is April 7, 2008. www.onestarfoundation.org.

The Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio has published the 1st Edition of the Directory of Corporate Philanthropy in Texas. The new directory lists over 400 corporate giving programs in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, and San Antonio. The cost is $99 plus shipping and taxes. To order, go to www.nprc.org or call (210) 227-4333.

BoardSource has published Understanding Nonprofit Financial Statements, Third Edition. This book explains nonprofit financial statements in a clear and concise manners. The book includes practical tips for board and staff members as well as a CD-ROM with a ready-made presentation for board and staff training. Go to www.boardsource.org.

On an annual basis, the University of Texas School of Law sponsors a one-day training program for nonprofit organizations. The latest resources from their 2008 conference are now available in a variety of formats: eLibrary, online courses, course binders, audio CD and in-house programs. Listed below is a segment of courses highlighted in a recent email:

© 2008 The University of Texas School of Law Continuing Legal Education, 727 East Dean Keeton Street Austin, Texas 78705-3224
(512) 475-6700

The Management Assistance Program at the United Way of Greater Houston is sponsoring "Community Leadership - A New Conversation" on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 Noon. Noted author and consultant Peter Block will challenge participants to recreate conditions required for community engagement. Participants will review a preview of his new book, COMMUNITY - The Structure of Belonging. To register, go to the MAP workshop site at www.unitedwayhouston.org.

The Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network has received a $20,665 grant for a Circuit Rider Technology from the Priddy Foundation in Wichita Falls. The Network staff will lead a Technology: Trends and Resources for Nonprofits workshop for the community on May 20, 2008 and five nonprofit organizations will be selected for technology consulting projects. The Network will work with its member the Nonprofit Management Center in Wichita Falls on this project.

A new Website Catalog Choice allows individuals to request that their names be deleted from catalog mailing lists. 19 billion catalogs are mailed in the united States each year. Catalog Choice is a project of the Ecology Center in Berkeley, CA, and the National Wildlife Federation and the National Resources Defense Council help run the website. Started in October, 2007, 500,000 people have already used the website to delete unwanted catalogs. Go to www.catalogchoice.org.

Until 2006, nonprofit organizations were not required to make public the federal tax returns on income not related to their charitable purpose. However, the law now requires that all charities publicly disclose their "Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return, the Form 990-T. The law covers forms filed with the IRS after August 17, 2006, the date the statute went into effect. This guideline applies to all organization with charity status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code including churches and religious groups that are exempt from filing the Form 990. Disclosure rules require that nonprofit organizations provide a copy of their Form 990-T on the same day as requested by an individuals. If there is a written request, it must be provided within 30 days. If charities refuse to provide the forms or allow them to be copied, they can be fined $20 per day up to a maximum of $10,000. If copies are easily accessible through their website, they are not required to provide a separate copy. For additional information, contact go to www.irs.gov.

On behalf of the Office of the Governor, OneStar Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 25th annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in volunteerism by recognizing individuals and organizations who contribute their time and talents in serving others. Nominations will be accepted for individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies and faith and community-based organizations. The deadline for nomination is March 31, 2008. After a state-wide open nomination process, and a two-tiered selection process including a Review Committee and a Blue Ribbon Panel, the selected award winners will participate in a recognition program and ceremony on June 4, 2008 in Austin, Texas.

Mutual of America has announced its application and guidelines for the 2008 Community Partnership Award. The annual award recognizes the important contributions that nonprofit organizations, in partnerships with public, private, and other social sector organizations make to society and their communities. The application can be downloaded, and the deadline is April 1, 2008. Download an application. If unable to download the application, please contact:

Mr. Thomas Gilliam
Chairman & CEO
Mutual of America Foundation
320 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10022-6839
Telephone: 212-224-1147
Fax: 212-207-3001

The Building Movement Project is researching and writing about the role and need for younger leaders and staff in nonprofit organization. A report: Generational Leadership: Implications for Social Change Organizations is available for review.

In addition to the report, the staff conducted listening sessions with young leaders in seven cities to discuss the report, to gather reactions to the reports, and to learn more about the experiences of these leaders within nonprofit organization. Their findings are summarized in the monograph: Up Next: Generation Change and the Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations.

This report, published in conjunction with the Annie E. Casey Foundation, takes a broader look at the issue of generational change and presents different frames and solutions that move us beyond the “crisis” view of leadership transition and expansion:

With permission from Texas C-Bar, the following holiday letter is shared for Texas nonprofit organizations:

Small 501(c)(3) Organizations have a new filing requirement. Even if you had less than $25,000 income, you now must file an annual report or tax return with the IRS. If you currently do not file a Form 990 or a Form 990-EZ, then you must file an e-Postcard.

The e-Postcard is a simple electronic form that must be filed annually with the IRS beginning in 2008 for tax year 2007. The e-Postcard must be filed by the 15th day of the fifth month after the end of an organization's tax year. Organizations that did not file Form 1023 because their gross receipts were $5,000 or less must also file the e-Postcard. An organization is required to file the new form. Failure to file the e-Postcard three years in a row may result in loss of tax-exempt status. For more information, see http://www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=169250,00.html.

If you obtained tax-exempt status through an advance ruling by the IRS, that ruling expires at the end of the fifth fiscal year following the date the Articles of Incorporation were filed. Check the top right corner of the exemption letter from the IRS to check the date the ruling expires.

This form provides updated information to the Secretary of State regarding your current address, registered agent, directors, and officers. Failure to file form 802 with the Secretary of State’s office may result in the termination of your charter. For more information, see www.sos.state.tx.us/corp/forms_option.shtml.

Nonprofit organizations should adopt the following: a. Conflict of Interest Policy, b. Whistleblower Policy, and c. Document Retention Policy

Please contact Texas C-BAR at info@texascbar.org or (512) 324-2710 if you need assistance with any of these legal matters. Contact Names: Frances Leos Martinez, Executive Director or D’Ann Johnson, Legal Services Director.

Introduction of New Online Fundraising Resource

The mission of Network for Good’s new online Learning Center is to provide nonprofits with free access to the best available web-based fundraising and nonprofit marketing resources. The Learning Center features hundreds of articles in six areas: Online Fundraising, Social Networking, Website 101, Email 101, Donor Database, and Nonprofit Marketing. Much of the content comes from nonprofit professionals, coaches, trainers, bloggers, and consultants who are working everyday to improve fundraising and marketing effectiveness. Visit the website at Network for Good Learning Center to review the resources offered by the Learning Center.

Civic Ventures has opened nominations for the 2008 Purpose Prize, a major initiative that invests in people over 60 who are leading a new age of social innovation. The Purpose Prize provides five awards of $100,000 and ten awards of $10,000 to people over 60 who are taking on society's biggest challenges. Additional information is posted at www.purposeprize.org.

The Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas in San Antonio will publish the 27^th Edition of the Directory of Texas Foundations by February 15, 2008. To order a print or online version, go to www.nprc.org.

The Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations (TANO) is offering a free secure, proprietary software to save on printing costs. By registering at www.tano.org, nonprofits can download their version of Desktop Direct 6.0 and start saving up to 70% on 4 color printing.

The Independent Sector is seeking nominations for the John W. Gardner Leadership Award. Since 1985, the award has been presented to an individual whose leadership has transformed, mobilized and unified people, institutions, or causes to improve lives. For nomination instructions, go to www.independentsector.org or call (202) 467-6100. Nominations are due by January 31, 2008.

If a nonprofit organization wants to change its change, it must file a Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State's Office. An entity that is governed by the Texas Business Organizations Code (BOC) changes its legal name by filing a Certificate of Amendment. See Form 424 (Word 80kb , PDF 90kb) . An entity that is not governed by the BOC changes its legal name by filing Articles of Amendment. See Forms 404-409.

The DADV in Dallas, DOVIA Tarrant County, and the Volunteer Center of Texas will jointly sponsor an annual “Volunteer Management Conference on Friday, March 7, 2008.

“Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences,” a study commissioned by Americans for the Arts, documents the key role played by the nonprofit arts and culture industry in strengthening our nation’s economy. This study demonstrates that the arts and culture industry is an economic driver in communities – a growth industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism. To download a copy of the report, visit the website at Americans for the Arts.

The US Postal Service has announced a new method for calculating the rates for nonprofit mailings. The new system will allow the Postal Service to increase postage rates annually, but it will require the increases to be no higher than the rate of inflation. It is estimated nonprofit organizations will see more frequent rate increases but at a smaller level. The new rates will be announced in February and take effect in May, 2008.

GVLC Seminar Materials and Evaluation

Seminar materials from the Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Conference, including select handouts and PowerPoint presentations, are now available online. Individuals are invited to download seminar materials and an evaluation form at www.onestarfoundation.org/gvlc.

The Grantsmanship Center will presents its Grantsmanship Training in San Antonio, TX from
January 28 - February 1, 2008. It is being hosted by the Alamo Area Council of Governments. This intensive course combines instructions and practical exercises on the various aspects of grantwriting. The cost is $875 and registration is available at www.tgci.com.

Educational Seminars Offered by the IRS for Small to Mid-Sized Nonprofits

The IRS has announced a special series of workshops designed for administrators, volunteers or tax practitioners responsible for a nonprofit organization's tax compliance. Each workshop is limited to 200 attendees and will be filled on a first-come basis. The cost is $45 and includes a text and other IRS forms and publications. Pre-registration is required. If you can’t attend any of the workshops in person, you can take the IRS on-line workshop for exempt organizations that is available from the IRS website.

The dates and locations for the one-day workshops in 2008 and links to registration materials (where available) are as follows:

The workshops will explain what 501(c)(3) organizations must do to keep their tax-exempt status and comply with tax obligations, the benefits and responsibilities of tax-exempt status and actions that could jeopardize that status; unrelated business income and gaming; employment issues; an explanation of the IRS Form 990 and the new “e-Postcard“ filing requirement; and required disclosures. Workshop leaders will also discuss how the Pension Protection Act of 2006 affects exempt organizations. Information and registration for the workshops is also available by calling Events by Design, the registration services provider for the IRS, at 1 (800) 521-3980.

King Foundation Grants Available

The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry for funding opportunities in several areas including children and youth, education, and indigent populations. These funding opportunities are for applicants in the Dallas-Fort-Worth area, the Permian Basin and in rural counties without significant philanthropic resources. For more information, please visit www.onestarfoundation.org/king.

|In December 2007, Pure Digital Technologies will begin giving away 1 million Flip Video camcorders to nonprofit organizations as part of its Flip Video Spotlight Program. The camcorders, loaded with software to organize, edit, and publish videos online, will help nonprofits "highlight the need for their services, better communicate with their donors, and broadcast their accomplishments to the world." Online sign-up for qualified nonprofits and NGOs begins soon; until then you can check out the press release and a related article in the Wall Street Journal.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) has released new ethical standards for individuals raising funds for nonprofit organizations. The guidelines set standards for confidentiality of gifts, disclosure of contractual relationships, respect for intellectual-property and copyrights, and guidelines for accepting products and services. The link below outlines the new standards for fundraising professionals.

Many nonprofit organizations and foundations have resources for organizations wanting to diversify their board or staffs. Listed below are several organizations and links:

The Annie E. Casey Foundation: Offers a "Race Matters" Toolkit online. http://www.aecf.org and search for race matters.

Council on Foundations: Includes a homepage with articles and resources throughout the grantmaking world. Go to http://www.cof.org, click on the Learn tab, and click on "Diversity."

Alliance for Nonprofit Management: Offers the Cultural Competence Initiative as training for consultants working with diverse groups. Go to http:///www.allianceonline.org/cci.

Nonprofit Sector Workforce Coalition: Maintain a database of research and articles related to nonprofit employment including diversity issues. Go to http://www.humanics.org/insc and click on the "Research and Resources" link.

Starting in 2008, nonprofit organizations with $25,000 or less in annual revenues must complete the new IRS Form 990-N informational return. To help with compliance, the IRS has posted a questions and answers page at the following link:

The second Nonprofit Congress will be held on June 2-4, 2008 in Washington, DC. Click on www.nonprofitcongress.org to review and sign the Nonprofit Constitution. As leaders in the nonprofit sector, this website will keep you updated about activities at the national level. In the coming months, the registration process will be posted on the Nonprofit Congress website. The Network will work with its members to coordinate a Statewide Nonprofit Day. Save the date of Wednesday, April 23, 2008; meeting agenda and location will be announced in the coming months.

Benevon will sponsor a complimentary Major Gifts Fundraising Seminar on December 11, 2007 in San Antonio from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. at San Antonio Youth Centers. For additional information and to register, go to www.benevon.com. Terry Axelrod has just published a new book, Beyond the Ask Event.

Rose Mary Fry, Executive Director of the Texas Nonprofit Management Assistance Network, has become a licensed consultant trainer for the Standards for Excellence Institute. Ms. Fry has worked extensively with new and established nonprofit organizations for 20+ years. She will now be able to offer the Introductory Standards workshop and Clinic series for interested individuals and organizations. To learn more about the Standards for Excellence program, go to: http://www.marylandnonprofits.org/html/standards/index.asp. If interested in offering the Standards for Excellence program in your community, please contact Rose Mary Fry at (210) 558-2845 or email rmfry@txnetwork.org.

LAMP, a program of Texas C-Bar, has published a guide to local, state, and federal taxes for micro-enterprises. Record Keeping and Taxes: A Toolkit for Micro-Entrepreneurs is available in hard copy or it can be downloaded at:

http://www.texascbar.org/legal_library/economic/microenterprise.php

Many nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to help deliver their programs and services to the community. Listed below are Texas volunteer associations providing resources and information to organizations about volunteerism.

The Network continues its work in facilitating Town Hall meetings in preparation for the second Nonprofit Congress in June, 2008 in Washington, DC. Rose Mary Fry has facilitated Town Hall meetings in Amarillo, Houston, and San Antonio. Participants have discussed how their organizations are addressing the Three Priorities from the first Nonprofit Congress:

Public Awareness and Support of the Nonprofit Sector
Organizational Effectiveness with an Emphasis on Leadership, Accountability, and Best Practices
Advocacy and Grassroots Activities

Participants also discussed how Texas nonprofit organizations can work together on these priorities, collaborative projects, and issues to be presented to the presidential candidates. In the coming weeks, Town Hall meetings will be held in Denton and College Station. Key patterns from these Town Hall meetings will be posted in the coming weeks. Bookmark www.nonprofitcongress.org to keep updated about Nonprofit Congress activities.

The Foundation Center has published Philanthropy in the 21st Century by Mitch Nauffts, Editor. To celebrate its 50 years of service, the book includes fifteen interviews of leaders in the philanthropy field. It is available from the Foundation Center at www.fdncenter.org.

Resource: Annie E. Casey Foundation: KIDS COUNT Data Book

The Annie E. Casey Foundation recently released the 18th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book, a national and state-by-state effort to track the status of children in the United States. By providing policymakers and citizens with benchmarks of child well-being, the Foundation seeks to enrich local, state, and national discussions concerning ways to secure better futures for all children. Information is also available in an online database that enables users to generate custom graphs, maps, ranked lists, and state-by-state profiles. The book and the online database can be accessed on the website listed above.

Raise Your Hand Texas is a bi-partisan nonprofit organization that interest to many Texas residents. It was formed to celebrate and strengthen the public school system in Texas. Some of its goals include the improvement of the testing and accountability system, full-day kindergarten for children whose parents opt for it, a teacher incentive system, the improvement of board governance for school boards, and the promotion of favorable fiscal and revenue policies. For additional information, go to www.raiseyourhandtexas.org.

Scholarship Opportunity for Nonprofit Leaders

The American Management Association (AMA), in collaboration with the Leader to Leader Institute, offers the AMA Scholarship Program to assist the social sector nonprofit organizations in developing the strong leaders today who will lead the organizations of the future. The program is designed to provide nonprofit leaders with an opportunity to interact with peers across the sectors and develop practical skills they can apply immediately within their organizations. During the entire scholarship year, the recipients will be provided with intellectual resources, opportunities, and discounts designed to enhance leadership effectiveness and support excellence in organizational and personal performance. The application deadline is November 15, 2007. Visit this link for additional information, American Management Association: AMA Scholarship Program

As a nonprofit board, staff, or volunteer member, we are interested in hearing your perspective in a Texas Town Hall meetings. The Network in partnership with its members will coordinate Town Hall meetings in the August - November, 2007 timeframe. The Town Hall meetings will gather Texas perspectives in preparation for the second Nonprofit Congress on June 2-4, 2008 in Washington, DC. Plans are to coordinate a statewide nonprofit meeting in Texas in February, 2008. Listed below are scheduled Town Hall meetings - please click on the member site to learn more and to register.

¨ Amarillo: September 10, 2007, Nonprofit Services Center at the Amarillo Area Foundation

¨ Denton: October 5, 2007, College of Public Affairs & Community Affairs at the University of North Texas

¨ Houston: August 21, 2007, Management Assistance Program at the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast

¨ San Antonio: September 25, 2007, Center for Policy Studies, College of Public Policy at the University of Texas at San Antonio

¨ Wichita Falls: September 27, 2007, Nonprofit Management Center of Wichita Falls

In the coming months, other Town Hall meetings will be scheduled in Austin, Dallas, El Paso, and Fort Worth. All nonprofit organizations are welcome to participate in the Town Hall Meetings.

Focus of Town Hall Meetings

Listed below are key topics for discussion at a Town Hall meeting as suggested by NCNA.

Background/Results of First Nonprofit Congress in 2006
Focus on Top Three Priorities: Public Support and Awareness of the Sector, Organizational Effectiveness with an Emphasis on Leadership and Accountability, and Advocacy
Discussion of Texas Activities since 2006 Nonprofit Congress
Discussion by Participants of How to Move the Top Priorities Forward in Texas
Ways to Build Support for Priorities in Texas
Successful Collaborations with Other Nonprofits and Governments
Questions/Issues to Share with Presidential Candidates
Development of Specific Actions and a Timetable for State Work

Changes to Form 990

The IRS recently issued a redesigned draft of the IRS Form 990 and is seeking public comments on the draft through September 14, 2007. Be sure to take a look. The proposed form contains several new questions about governance that signal both an increased focus by the IRS and charity regulators on nonprofit governance and also reflect the increased expectations of the donating public for nonprofit accountability. To submit comments on the proposed Form 990 redesign: E-mail your questions and comments directly to the IRS at Form990Revision@irs.gov or send via USPS to:

IRS
Form 990 Redesign, SE:T:EO
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224

Texas Landscape - The Scope of Nonprofits

According to the Secretary of State’s Office, there are many nonprofit organizations providing services to Texas residents. As of July 1, 2007, these were the figures:

• 107,998 Active Texas Nonprofit Corporations

• 588 Unincorporated Nonprofit Associations

Conferences Highlight Nonprofit/Government Partnerships

White House Conferences on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives
The White House is hosting a series of regional conferences on Faith-Based and Community Initiatives in partnership with states across the country in the next few months. These events are designed to connect effective social service organizations with resources that can strengthen the services they offer to the people they serve. The conferences will provide an understanding of the President’s Faith-Based and Community Initiative as well as information about the federal grants process and funding opportunities. In addition, special emphasis will be placed on opportunities for partnership at the state and local level, ranging from funding provided through grants and contracts, to non-financial partnerships like mutual-referral relationships with local government agencies. Upcoming conferences will be held in Minneapolis, MN, on August 9, 2007; Washington, DC, on September 24, 2007; and Los Angeles, CA, on November 27-28, 2007. Visit the website listed above details on each of the regional conferences.

Network members sponsor workshops throughout Texas for board, staff, and volunteers of nonprofit organizations. In addition to local presenters, they bring regional and national speakers to the state. Listed below are several upcoming workshops with regional or national speakers:

August 27-28, 2007: Polishing Your Skills as a Grantseeker, Carole Rylander, principal of Rylander Associates and Chair of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel, Inc.

August 29, 2007: Navigating the Proposal Process, Carole Rylander, principal of Rylander Associates and Chair of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel, Inc.

Tyler: Nonprofit Development Center
A program of the United Way of Tyler/Smith County, the Center serves the East Texas nonprofit community with training,

August 14-15, 2007: Polishing Your Skills as a Grant Seeker, Carole Rylander, principal of Rylander Associates and Chair of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel, Inc.

August 23, 2007: Trends in Fundraising: What's Happening and How It May Be Affecting Your Fundraising, Pat Bjorhovde, CFRE, AFP's Director of Western Area Chapter Services for the Association of Fundraising Professionals

September 6, 2007, Beat Practices for Building and Sustaining Relationships Using the Internet, Guest Speaker: Ted Hart President and CEO of ePhilanthropy.org

The Network has obtained grants from Washington Mutual and the Simmons Foundation for a pilot program for the Standards for Excellence program in Texas. The grant will support four Introductory Standards workshops in four Texas communities and one Clinic program. All host sites are Network members. Confirmed cities and hosts are listed below:

Austin: Wednesday, November 14, 2007 at the Highland Business Center from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Co-hosts: Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College, Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, and TANO.

Dallas: Thursday, October 4, 2007 at the Center for Nonprofit Management from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Host: Center for Nonprofit Management.

Houston: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the United Way building from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Co-hosts: Management Assistance Program at the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast and Executive Service Corps of Houston.

San Antonio: Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at St. Mary's AT&T Technical Center from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, Host: Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas.

Houston: January 30-31, 2008 at the United Way building, two full-day sessions, Co-hosts: Management Assistance Program of the United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast and Executive Service Corps of Houston.

In the coming weeks, information will be posted on their websites about registration information and fees.

2007 Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference

CenterPoint Energy and the University of Houston will sponsor the 2007 Power Tools for Nonprofit Conference on November 14, 2007 at the Reliant Center in Houston. The one-day conference will include 32 topic sessions on financial/legal, human resources, management strategies, marketing/public relations, organizational effectiveness, fund development, leadership, and professional development. The cost is 49 per person or $45 per person group rate with five or more registrations received together from one organization. Fulltime students can register for $30 per person with student id. Late registration is $60 per person after the deadline and at the door. All conference materials, lunch and refreshments are included. The conference brochure will be available in September.

For more information on the conference, please call (713) 207-7596 or email marylynn.kallina@CenterPointEnergy.com. To register for the conference, please call the University of Houston at (713) 743-1060.

Many nonprofit organizations will need to hire outside consultants to facilitate board or staff retreat, evaluate projects, or provide fundraising assistance. The Grand Victoria Foundation has released a report to help nonprofits make informed choices about how to select and work with a consultant. For the report, use this link to the toolkit.

5,100 respondents completed the latest Urban Institute survey Nonprofit Governance in the United States, Findings on Performance and Accountability from the First National Representative Study. It highlights nonprofit governance practices and allows nonprofits to compare their accountability measures with other nonprofit organizations. Link to Report

The Network will provide two workshops in Victoria on Tuesday, October 9, 2007. The workshops will be "Leading a Nonprofit Organization" and "The Links between Strategic Planning and Fundraising." Thanks to the Trull Foundation in Palacios for underwriting these workshops and to the University of Houston Victoria for providing the meeting space. A brochure will be developed in the coming weeks with additional information and registration information. CEU's will be available for participants.

The Foundation Center in New York has released a report about corporate foundations. The report examined 2,600 organizations for the study. From 2005 to 2006, corporate giving rose by 2.7% after adjusting for inflation. Approximately 57% of the respondents felt their giving would increase in 2007. The report “Key Facts on Corporate Foundations” is available free at http://foundationcenter.org.

Many individuals are interested in earning degrees in philanthropy, nonprofit management, or volunteerism. If so, you can easily check Texas programs by going to www.txnetwork.org and clicking on the Academic providers tab at the top. This page will take you directly to the institution’s website describing certificate, undergrad, and graduate programs. If you’re interested in programs in other states, go to http://tltc.shu.edu/npo/index.php.

The Grantsmanship Center will offer its Grantsmanship Training Program on August 6-10, 2007 in Austin. The five-day course is hosted by the YMCA of Austin and co-host and training site Goodwill Industries of Central Texas. After completing the Grantsmanship Training Program participants receive one year of free follow-up services including a proposal review, discounts for training other staff members, and access to multiple funding databases. The cost is $875 and individuals can register at www.tgci.com.

The Nonprofit Resource Center of Texas has moved to a new location in San Antonio. The physical address is Parkside Office Building, 3737 Broadway, Suite 295, San Antonio, TX next to the Witte Museum. Free parking is available. The phone number remains (210) 227-4333 and the website is www.nprc.org.

The Network and its members are scheduling Regional Town Hall meetings to prepare for the second Nonprofit Congress in June, 2008. Nonprofit organizations will have an opportunity to meet with their colleagues and discuss the national priorities of Public Support and Awareness of the Sector, Organizational Effectiveness with an emphasis on Leadership and Accountability, and Advocacy. These meetings across the country will also gather information to be shared with the individuals running for state and national office.

Listed below are the Regional Town Hall meetings scheduled or planned - save the date on your calendar.

Austin: TANO will collaborate with the Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College and Greenlights for Nonprofit Success to schedule a meeting in September or October.
Dallas: Center for Nonprofit Management will schedule a meeting in the fall.
El Paso: Nonprofit Enterprise Center will host a meeting in September.
Fort Worth: Funding Information Center of Fort Worth will schedule a meeting in the fall.
Houston: August 21, 2007; Network will partner with Management Assistance Program.
San Antonio: September 25, 2007; Network will partner with UTSA's Center on Policy Studies.
Wichita Falls: September 27, 2007; Network will partner with Nonprofit Management Center of Wichita Falls.

The goal is to schedule a statewide meeting in Central Texas in mid-late February, 2008. As details are finalized, information will be published on the Network and member websites. To keep informed about the 2008 Nonprofit Congress, bookmark www.nonprofitcongress.org.

Rice University in Houston is introducing a new nonprofit certificate program in the fall, 2007. Leadership Institute for Nonprofit Executives (LINE) The LINE program consists of seven core courses, two electives – one of which must be a fundraising course – and a practicum. The entire program can be completed in less than a year. Most participants will also participate in a performance survey after completing the program. The classes meet from September, 2007 to May, 2008 on select Fridays from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and select Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Tuition for the seven core courses and the practicum is $4,695.

Susan Young, owner of Sue Young Media Relations, will present PR Power Tips: How to Increase Your Media Hits, teleseminar on Friday, June 22, 2007 from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. EST. The cost is $49; to register, send check by June 15^th to Susan Young Media Relations, P.O. Box 535, East Brunswick, NJ 08816.

If you work in an arts or cultural organization, you may have the perception that arts funding is declining. A new report organized by the Americans for the Arts in Washington DC and the Sundance Preserve in Utah provides statistics and recommendations for action. Listed below are several statistics:

¨ Giving to all charities increased 6.1% from 2001 to 2004 while arts giving decreased from 3.4%.

“The Future of Private Sector Giving to the Arts in America” is available free on Americans for the Arts website at http://www.arts.usa.org.

UTSA in San Antonio is enrolling participants in their 2007-2008 Nonprofit Management Program. The program is targeted to nonprofit staff and volunteer leaders of nonprofit organizations. The Summer Institute for Leadership & Stewardship will be held on August 8-10, 2007 featuring local and regional experts. The Nonprofit Management Program features fifteen sessions held two evenings per month from September – April. For information, contact the Center for Policy Studies at (210) 458-2546.

NPower Texas has begun operations in Austin, TX. In the first years, they will focus services in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Carol Cummings is the Executive Director; her phone number is (512) 589-7698 and her email is cecummings@hotmail.com. They will conduct focus groups in June to hear from local nonprofits about their technology needs; Lindsay Bealko, formerly with NPower, will facilitate the discussions. If interested in attending, registration information is below.

For Dallas Nonprofits
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Three Times Available: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m., 12:00 noon – 1:30 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hosted at Accenture in Irving

For Fort Worth Nonprofits
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Hosted by Cornerstone Assistance Network at the Tarrant Area Food Bank

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Funding Information Center of Fort Worth at their offices

For Austin Nonprofits
Thursday, June 14, 2007
1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hosted by Greenlights for Nonprofit Success

Many nonprofit organizations use the Internet in creative ways. The EPhilanthropy Foundation is accepting nominations for the 2007 International ePhilanthropy Awards designed to recognize innovations fundraising, membership, and activism uses on the Internet. The deadline for entries is July 1, 2007. Go to http://www.ephilanthropy awards.

Effective 2008, small nonprofits with income of $25,000 or less per year must file the electronic notice, known as the e-Postcard or Form 990-N, to inform the IRS about their current information and contact information. Organizations that do not submit the postcard to the IRS within three year will automatically lose their tax-exempt status and must reapply for tax exemption. For additional information, go to http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-tege/epostcard_faqs_final.pdf.

¨ AFP Conference: The 2007 AFP DFW Philanthropy Conference is scheduled for June 15, 2007 at the American Airlines Training and Conference Center. Carol Weisman, President, Board Builders, Inc. is the keynote speaker. For additional information, go to www.afpdallas.org/dfwconference.asp.

¨ 2007 Crossroads Conference: October 16, 2007 in Austin by Greenlights for Nonprofit Success. To register, go to www.greenlights.org.

¨ Governor’s Volunteer Leadership Conference: October 17-18, 2007 in Galveston, www.onestarfoundation.org.

Hewlett-Packard is accepting applications for a program providing cash, laptop computers, and other equipment to help low-income entrepreneurs build and expand small businesses in the United States. The deadline for grant applications is June 5, 2007. For more information, go to http://www.hp.com/go/hpmicroenterprise.

The goal of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund is to empower women and improve society. Every week through April 2008, $5,000 will be awarded to an individual to help realize a project or idea to bring about a better tomorrow for women and society in general. The Fund provides individuals with cash awards that will allow them to pursue a project in one of three areas: Business Development, for a for-profit business that directly empowers women through its mission, product, or means of doing business; Community Service, for a nonprofit project that helps women realize their full potential or overcome obstacles; and Awareness & Outreach, to educate others about an issue that affects women in order to inspire other women and have a positive impact on the issue. The remaining application deadlines for the Fund are June 18, September 17, and December 10, 2007. Visit the website listed above for online application information. Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund

Union Pacific Foundation: Community-Based Grant Program
The Union Pacific Foundation's mission is to improve the quality of life in the communities served by Union Pacific, primarily in the midwestern and western United States. For a map of company communities go to http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/sysmap/index.shtml. Through the Foundation’s Community-Based Grant Program, support is provided to local organizations in company communities that focus on health and human services, fine arts, or community and civic programs. The application cycle opens on May 1, 2007 and closes on August 15, 2007. Visit the website listed above for online application information.

The deadlines for Bank of America's 2007 Neighborhood Excellence Initiative programs are fast approaching. The Neighborhood Builders program provides general operating support grants of up to $200,000 to two nonprofit organizations in each of the bank's 44 U.S. markets and, for the first time, in London, England. While Neighborhood Builders recognizes outstanding organizations, the Local Heroes program honors the exceptional work of up to five individuals in each of the bank's markets. In recognition of selected Heroes, Bank of America distributes contributions of up to $5,000 to the organizations of the heroes' choice. Applications for both programs must be received by June 29, 2007. For additional details, go to Bank of America's Neighborly Initiative.

Senator John Cornyn’s office in association with the United Ways of Texas will present an overview of federal funding opportunities. Listed below are the meeting details:

¨ Topic: Federal Funding 101: An Overview of Federal Grants and Assistance for Non-Profits

The United Ways of Texas reports that an amendment by Isett and Chisum was floated around HB 3928, the franchise tax clean-up bill by Jim Keffer. The amendment would have taxed the unrelated business income of nonprofits in order to drop the tax rate on certain retail electric providers. Although they believe the amendment has been withdrawn, they will monitor this issue closely. Nonprofits are encouraged to contact their legislative delegation with the message: "Texas nonprofits are a critical part of our state's economy. Do not tax nonprofits in your efforts to revise the state's new franchise tax law." If you have someone on the House Ways and Means (http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/490.htm) and/or Appropriations Committees (http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/030.htm)

For questions:
Jason Sabo
United Ways of Texas
(512) 372-8427
Mobile: (512) 450-2125
jason.sabo@uwtexas.org

Risk Management Essentials for Nonprofit Leaders

The Nonprofit Risk Management Center with funding from the Public Entity Risk Institute will offer the seminar Risk Management Essentials for Nonprofit Leaders on May 10, 2007 in Austin. TANO and the Center for Community-Based & Nonprofit Organizations at Austin Community College worked to bring this workshop to area nonprofits. Participants will learn about the employment, insurance, financial risk management, and volunteer issues. For more information and to register, go to http://nonprofitrisk.org/training/region/2007/tx/tx.htm

L’Oréal Paris is seeking nominations for its “A Woman of Worth” award. Nominate women who volunteer and make a difference in your community. L’Oréal Paris will award a donation of up to $25,000 in her name to support her most cherished charitable cause. The company will make an additional $2,500 donation in the name of each of their winners to support the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. To date, the company has helped raise over $13 million for this cause. Visit www.womenofworth.com to nominate a woman by May 24, 2007.

The Harris County Department of Education’s Resource Development division will offer All About Grants on June 4-5, 2007 in Houston from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Topics include: Grant Writing Basics · Evaluation Dos and Don’ts; Funding Resources are Everywhere · How to Make Your Grant Writing Office Matter; Data Every Grant Writer Should Know, a Panel of Experienced Grant Writers, and Essential Tools for Program Planning · Why Didn’t I Get Funded? To register, go to http://www.hcde-texas.org. For questions, call Jacquelyn Jackson at jxjackson@hcdetexas.org.

Foundation Center Cooperating Collection Libraries – a Research Resource for Texas Nonprofits

On March 29, 2007 at the Dallas Public Library, the Network sponsored a Regional Cooperating Collection Library meeting for Cooperating Collection libraries in Texas. Kief Schladweiler, Coordinator of the Cooperating Collections from the Foundation Center in New York provided the training. Nonprofit organizations in Texas are fortunate to have access to these research libraries in public libraries, academic institutions, nonprofit management centers, and community foundations. Click on the libraries tab at www.txnetwork.org to locate a Cooperating Collection library near your community. The Foundation Center website at www.fdncenter.org also provides useful information and resources as nonprofit organizations seeking funding.

News & Events – April 3, 2007

Ways to Calculate the Value of Volunteers

Kathleen McCleskey of KM Consulting and Training offers the following resources for determining the value of volunteers:

· The Bureau of Labor Statistics: This site does have hourly wages by occupation (http://www.bls.gov/bls/blswage.htm) that can be used to determine the value of a specialized skill. Nonprofit organizations can check the hourly rate by type of job such as data base entry clerk or volunteer mentor.

· 2007 National Conference on Volunteering & Service: July 16-18, 2007 in Philadelphia. www.nationalservice.org

· The Association of Volunteer Resources Management (AVRM): October 3 -5, 2007 in Dallas

New Funding Available

Mentoring Coalition Capacity Building Grant
OneStar is currently accepting proposals from coalitions of mentoring organizations for capacity building activities that develop and/or strengthen the capacity of coalitions in a targeted geographic area (a city, a county, or region) to meet the mentoring needs of youth in that area. The grant award will include funding as well as non-monetary support, such as training and technical assistance, that will build the capacity of new or existing coalitions. Eligible applicants should submit proposals by 5 pm on April 19^th, 2007. For more information on this grant opportunity, please click the above link.

Compassion Capital Fund Mini-Grant Conference Call
OneStar will host a conference call on March 21, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. CST designed to prepare organizations submitting proposals for federal funding through the Compassion Capital Fund Targeted Capacity Building Program, also known as the Mini-Grant Program. These grants of $50,000 are administered directly by the federal government and are designed to increase the capacity of both faith-based and community organizations that address the needs of distressed communities (those at or below the state or national unemployment and/or poverty rate). For more information on the grant or to sign up for the conference call, please visit the above link.

Network members, the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service and Greenlights for Nonprofit Success, and the United Way Capital Area have launched the Central Texas Nonprofit Leadership Change Survey. Sponsored by the MFI foundation, this survey will shed light on what changes may happen "on the court" for the nonprofit sector here in Central Texas, and what nonprofits are doing to prepare. Please encourage your Executive Director/CEO/President to take this 10-minute anonymous online survey!

Nonprofits must know the guidelines if they are sponsoring bingo, lotteries, pull-tabs, and other games and to learn what is taxable income, the forms required, and tax withheld on winnings. The IRS’ Gaming Publication for Tax-exempt Organizations discusses these topics and includes sample spreadsheets for recordkeeping. Order Publication 3079 from the IRS or download it from:

The Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations, a Network member, is holding a briefing on the current legislative session on March 29 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Highland Business Center of Austin Community College, 5930 Middle Fiskville Road. The briefing will be conducted by Richard W. Meyer, Attorney at Law and TANO Vice-President for Public Policy & Advocacy, who represents TANO on governmental, public policy and legislative issues that may arise before legislative, governmental bodies or agencies at the state, federal or local levels. To register go to www.tano.org under Upcoming Events. Any questions or interest in having briefing in your community, e –mail barry@tano.org

The Office of the Governor, OneStar Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 24th annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards. These awards celebrate excellence in volunteerism by recognizing individuals and organizations who contribute their time and talents in the service of others.

Nominations will be accepted for individuals, non-profit organizations, businesses, government agencies and faith and community-based organizations. The deadline for nomination is March 30, 2007. After a state-wide open nomination process, and a two-tiered selection process including a Review Committee and a Blue Ribbon Panel, the selected award winners will participate in a recognition program and ceremony on June 6, 2007 in Austin, Texas. Download a nomination form.

The California Community Foundation has awarded $5 million each to three Texas community foundations to support the efforts of nonprofit organizations providing needed services in Texas to active and former military personnel in Iraq and/or Afghanistan and their families. The Permian Basin Area Foundation in Midland, the Dallas Foundation, and the San Antonio Area Foundation will administer the Triad Fund during the next two years. Application deadlines are March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15. Grant information is posted on the following websites:

In a recent press release, Fannie Mae announced the establishment of a new Office of Community and Charitable Giving that will build on the corporation's philanthropic and housing and community development work, including significant new investments and initiatives in Washington, DC. For 2007, philanthropic grants and projects will be funded through a combination of Fannie Mae Foundation and company resources as the Foundation winds down its activities. As part of the transition, the Foundation will cease day-to-day operations as of April 30, with remaining activities winding down over the course of the year. Fannie Mae will continue to support initiatives including Help the Homeless and the annual Walkathon, which raised a record $8 million in 2006 for area organizations that are working to prevent homelessness.

Fannie Mae's Office of Community and Charitable Giving will direct its overall philanthropic support toward three key areas, including 1) Building thriving neighborhoods in the District of Columbia through investments in housing, education, homelessness, and other areas; 2) Addressing the nation's housing challenges through housing and community development initiatives; and 3) Advancing efforts to end homelessness in America. The company committed to disclosure of the names and dollar amounts of recipient organizations on its Web site and in an Annual Report.

1. Revised Form 990
The new Form 990 is available at the IRS website. The linked article explains some of the new changes in the form for nonprofit organizations. www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=167156,00.html.

2. Fees for Application:
IRS announced it will not increase the fee it charges to apply for tax exempt status. For nonprofit groups, the fee will remain at $750. Organizations that seek written “private-letter” rulings from the government about complex legal issues will generally pay $8,700 for each request.

3. Website Course
The IRS has created a website with online training courses to help nonprofit organizations with tax exempt questions or issues. The website is http://www.stayexempt.org.

Train-the-Trainer for Elements of Effective Practice (EEP) for Mentoring

Save the Date: 31st Annual Governor’s Nonprofit Leadership Conference

Educational Seminars Offered by the IRS for Small to Mid-Sized Nonprofits

http://www.texascbar.org/legal_library/economic/microenterprise.php

New Funding Available

Save the Date: 31^st Annual Governor’s Nonprofit Leadership Conference