Benton Foundation Best Practices Toolkits The Benton
Foundation provides tools to help nonprofits make
effective use of communications and information
technology. For more information or to
obtain copies: www.benton.org/library#toolkits.
California Association of Nonprofits The California
Association of Nonprofits (CAN) is a statewide
membership association of almost 2,000 diverse nonprofit
organizations with a mission to strengthen and expand
the professionalism, governance, influence and
effectiveness of California nonprofit organizations.
For more information: www.canonprofits.org.
Capaciteria Free service designed to help
nonprofits find the best resources to build their
institutional capacity; provides a comprehensive,
searchable database directory of categorized
administrative resources. For more information:
www.capaciteria.org.
Center for Healthy Communities The Center is
located in downtown Los Angeles and is part of The
California Endowment. It provides educational
events, hosts community meetings, and works to
strengthen the nonprofit health sector, and engage the
community in building coalitions. For more
information: www.calendow.org/chc.
Center for Nonprofit Management The Center for
Nonprofit Management works to foster healthy
neighborhoods and communities by improving the
performance of Southern California nonprofit
organizations serving underserved populations; provides
seminars for professional development, consulting, a
nonprofit resource library and publications. For
more information: www.cnmsocal.org.
Communications Resources for Nonprofit Organizations is a section of The California Wellness Foundation's website, which examines the role of communications and tactics that can help further the missions of nonprofit organizations. Included are resources on developing a strategic plan, advancing policy and advocacy issues, working with the media, creating advertisements and framing issues. To access this section of the website, go to:
http://www.calwellness.org/resources/communication_resources.htm
http://www.calwellness.org/resources/communication_resources.htm
Community Partners Community Partners is a
nonprofit based in Los Angeles that works as both an
incubator, project manager and intermediary for emerging
nonprofits; website offers a searchable database of
current projects arranged by category and area, with
contact information for each group. For more
information: www.communitypartners.org.
Community Relief Fund In response to the economic crisis and the impact it is having on front-line human service organizations, the Kresge Foundation has established a 24- to 36-month, interest-free program-related investment fund offering bridge loans of $250,000 to $500,000 each to high-performance human service organizations so that they may be better able to meet ever-increasing demand for food, shelter, and other emergency services. Homeless and domestic-violence shelters, safety-net providers, affordable housing and supportive services, legal aid services, emergency assistance providers, and multi-service health and human service organizations are encouraged to apply. For eligibility information and application information go to: http://www.kresge.org/index.php/what/community_relief_fund/.
Downsizing: Doing It Right, While Minimizing the Pain is a new publication by PBP Executive Reports, useful for both businesses and nonprofits, that offers reduction-in-force guidelines and suggestions that can help to minimize the pain of lay-offs while maintaining employee morale. It also covers getting positioned to bounce back when the need for minimizing is over. Advice includes: Specific must-do tasks for 7 critical areas within an organization, setting the selection criteria to avoid legal repercussions, and reduction-in-force pitfalls and how to avoid them. 24 pages, price $99. Instant PDF download delivery. For more information and to order go to:
www.pbpexecutivereports.com/er.asp?O=22S&LDownsizingH
Executive Service Corps of Southern California
This organization is devoted to enhancing management
skills in the nonprofit sector through involvement of
retired executives in volunteer consulting service.
For more information: www.escsc.org.
Executive Service Corps of Southern California Consulting Scholarships ESC, which recently co-sponsored with VNR a workshop on fundraising during the recession, provides capacity-building support to nonprofits in the Valley and throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties. ESC's consulting services fall into broad categories of operational development (e.g., strategic planning), fund development (e.g., building individual donor support), and leadership development (e.g., board development and staff development). Consultation also can be custom-tailored to meet other needs of nonprofits. All services are offered by dedicated retired/semi-retired executives. The typical client engagement is for twelve months at a cost of $4,000 for the year. ESC currently has scholarships available that would reduce this amount significantly. To learn more about ESC's services and these scholarships, contact Jesus Romero at 213/381-2891 or JRomero@escsc.org
Flintridge Center
Provides continuing education opportunities through the Community Services Program for community-based nonprofit groups so that they may develop greater organizational strength. Integrated program components include seminars, workshops, fundraising resources, one-on-one consultations with nonprofit experts, and Conversation with the Funder lunches. Quality, affordable meeting space with presentation technology is available at the Flintridge Retreat Center 7 days a week and weekday evenings.
For more information: www.flintridge.org.
Flintridge Philanthropy Resource Library
The San Gabriel Valley's only Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center. The collection features more than 1,200 reference materials focused on the nonprofit sector, including fundraising, nonprofit management, board development and program development, as well as a small circulating collection. Four computer workstations offer access to Foundation Directory Online, Wealth Engine, GrantStation and Foundation Grants to Individuals. Staff assistance is always available.
For more information: www.flintridge.org.
Foundation Center's MapShot is an online interactive map providing data on U.S. foundation giving in response to the economic downturn. Part of the Center's initiative to provide information, news, and research on the impact of the recession on the philanthropic sector, the map displays data by state, county, city, Zip code, and congressional district. It presently includes information on more than $56 million in foundation grants and program-related investments (PRIs).
http://maps.foundationcenter.org/economic_crisis/RecipTypeUS.php.
http://maps.foundationcenter.org/economic_crisis/RecipTypeUS.php.
Grants for Capacity Building, Management & Technical Assistance 2010 is a publication helpful for identifying prospective funders for general support or specific projects of nonprofits. Published by the Foundation Center, it has descriptions of over 12,000 grants worth almost $2.5 billion from over 900 foundations. It includes grants for fundraising assistance, developing marketing plans, leadership development and staff training, etc. For more information and to purchase the guide, go to:
http://foundationcenter.org/marketplace/catalog/product_downloadable.jhtml?id=prod2920009
http://foundationcenter.org/marketplace/catalog/product_downloadable.jhtml?id=prod2920009
H & R Block Company's Affiliate Program allows nonprofits to earn money by referring customers to H&R Block. As Block's affiliate, an H&R Block-approved link to hrblock.com is placed onto the affiliate's own website. When users click on the link or banner and purchase online or software tax solutions the affiliate makes money. H & R Block handles the transaction, processing and customer service. They track all sales through a neutral third party and make online reporting available to the affiliate so it can always know how much is being earned. H & R Block mails a check for every calendar month in which the cumulative commissions total at least $25. For more details and/or to fill in an application go to: www.hrblock.com/universal/alliances_join.html
IdeaEncore Network is an online marketplace where nonprofits anywhere can share knowledge and information of all kinds and find all types of tools and documents they can use as is or adapt. Intellectual property rights are protected through Creative Commons, so that visitors can view items, but can only download them once they have registered and (if priced) purchased. Examples of free items on IdeaEncore (click on the item's title to download):
* Two Approaches to Strategic Planning, from Nonprofit Management Strategies in
San Diego
* Capacity Assessment Survey, a 53-item self-administered survey of organizational
capacities from the Nonprofit Resource Center in Sacramento
* Start Preparing Yesterday for the Redesigned 990 provides guidance for nonprofits to
prepare for and file the new Form 990, including a "To Do" list for Boards.
To visit Idea Encore Network: www.ideaencore.com
* Two Approaches to Strategic Planning, from Nonprofit Management Strategies in
San Diego
* Capacity Assessment Survey, a 53-item self-administered survey of organizational
capacities from the Nonprofit Resource Center in Sacramento
* Start Preparing Yesterday for the Redesigned 990 provides guidance for nonprofits to
prepare for and file the new Form 990, including a "To Do" list for Boards.
To visit Idea Encore Network: www.ideaencore.com
IssueLab Forum for Nonprofit Research IssueLab is an online publishing forum for research on the nonprofit sector. All research studies posted are on an open archive that is free for professional as well as the general public to access. For more information: www.issuelab.org.
New Purchasing Options for Nonprofit Organizations Every nonprofit organization needs basic office supplies and business services. The Nonprofit Purchasing Group (NPPG) just launched a website to provide a one-stop discounted shopping experience for nonprofits across the nation. Members receive easy and discounted access to supplies and services from all types of business vendors. For more information, go to: www.nonprofitpurchasinggroup.org
Nonprofit Finance Fund provides financing, consulting, and advocacy services to nonprofits and funders nationwide, and now has an office in Los Angeles, where it operates a Nonprofit Sustainability and Effectiveness Initiative in Los Angeles (detailed on the NFF website). For more information, contact the Los Angeles director, Karla Salazar, at karla.salazar@nffusa.org or visit NFF's website:
www.nonprofitfinancefund.org.
www.nonprofitfinancefund.org.
Philanthropic Capacity Building Resources PCBR is a
free, searchable database containing 398 descriptions
for capacity-building grantmaking and direct programs of
U.S. foundations, as well as 22 profiles of intermediary
organization programs. The PCBR Database is sited
on the Human Interaction Research Institute’s website,
www.humaninteract.org/reports/pcbrdatabase.asp.
Roster of Needs Assessment Tools This roster
contains 18 self-assessment tools nonprofits may use as
part of planning for capacity building. Information on
cost, level of complexity (low-medium-high) and
estimated time to complete are included for each. Most
can be used by any type of nonprofit, though a few were
constructed specifically for one subject area, such as
the arts (titles indicate clearly which these are).
Users can find out more about a tool by clicking on its
title, which makes a connection to the developer's
website. For more information:
www.dsyf.org/resources_CBI.asp.
Southern California Grantmakers This organization
provides information, networking and technical
assistance for foundations in Southern California.
For more information: www.socalgrantmakers.org.
TCC Group’s Core Capacity Assessment Tool CCAT is
an online questionnaire that assesses a nonprofit based
on four organizational capacities: adaptive, leadership,
management and technical. It also assesses
organizational culture. The 146-question tool generates
a list of strengths, challenges and recommendations of
the organization, based on replies from staff and board.
In addition, it yields a capacity-building plan, with
steps an organization can implement on its own or with
outside help. For more information about
CCAT, contact Alexandrea Ravenelle at 212/949-0990, ext.
202 or via e-mail.
Third Sector New England (TNSE) is a nonprofit management support/capacity building organization based in Boston. TNSE has created free online reference tools including a frequently asked questions section in audio-video format on a variety of capacity building and nonprofit management topics. For more information visit their video blog at: http://tsne.wordpress.com/category/vlog/.
Turn Reluctant Board Members into Enthusiastic Fundraisers is aimed at nonprofit board members who are reluctant to ask for money for their organizations. The report offers 10 steps to maximize a board's fundraising potential, especially during the current hard times. It also discusses how to shift the focus away from the "ask" to building and keeping relationships, and explains how to make fundraising more comfortable and enjoyable. Cost for an immediate PDF download of the report is $99. To order go to: www.pbpexecutivereports.com/er.asp?o=72W&F=A&L=fundraise1&id=537803766
"We Are Family Too" Fund supports local animal welfare programs nationwide and addresses the country's difficult financial climate. Grants are available through the Petco Foundation, whose mission is to raise the quality of life for pets and the people who love and need them. Grants are provided to shelters that have seen an increase in surrendered animals due to the rise in foreclosures and evictions, as well as to organizations that have programs that help families in their communities stay with their companion animals during these hard economic times. Examples of funded programs include resources for pet-friendly rentals, spay and neuter services, short term foster homes, etc. Applications may be submitted at any time and generally take up to twelve weeks to process. To submit an online application for help, go to: http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_petcofoundationfam_Nav_568.aspx?
CoreCat=LN_PETCOFoundation_WeAreFamilyTooFund.
Weingart Foundation Core Operating Support For an undetermined period of time, the Foundation's core support grants will be available for organizations that have been impacted by the recession that began in 2008. Core support is unrestricted funding that enables an organization to carry out its mission. Priority will be given to organizations whose primary mission is delivery of safety net services and infant, child or youth development programs for at-risk and economically disadvantaged populations. Priority also will be given to organizations that have eliminated core staff positions and/or reduced core program services due to funding reductions; and that are financially viable, evidence strong management and resource development capacity, and operate effective programs. For more information, go to www.weingartfnd.org
