A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        

IN THIS ISSUE
HEADLINES

headline1Protecting Nonprofits' Tax Exempt Status

Yesterday morning, MNN CEO Jim Klocke joined a coalition of partners at the State House to testify on behalf of the nonprofit sector in opposition to  amendment 103 to House bill 4483  which was included in the House's final economic development legislation. This harmful amendment would require nonprofit charitable corporations and public charities to pay property taxes for a period of four years after acquiring property that was subject to taxation.

In the latest Senate draft of this legislation released this morning, this amendment had been removed ( S.2422). MNN, along with our partners, will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates as necessary. If you have any additional questions on this issue please contact Tonja Mettlach, Director of Government Affairs, at tmettlach@massnonprofitnet.org.

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headline2 Have You Joined the Network?
 

The summer is flying by and MNN has some great events coming up this fall! Make sure your organization is a member of the network and save BIG on MNN events. In addition to saving money, an MNN membership will help you network, advocate, and access the tools your organization needs to grow and thrive. Not sure if your organization is a member?  Click here to view our list of nonprofit members or click here to learn more and join.
  • MNN's Annual Conference: This annual event is one of the largest gatherings of nonprofit professionals in Massachusetts and brings together 650+ nonprofit and business leaders to share lessons and best practices and learn about capacity-building products and services. This year's conference, "Looking Back and Moving Forward," will be held on November 2, 2016 in Framingham and MNN members get the best rates. More information about this great event coming soon!
  • Policymaker Roundtables: The policymaker roundtables series brings together MNN members and government leaders to have candid conversations about issues impacting the nonprofit sector. On September 14th, MNN will be hosting Marylou Sudders, Secretary of Health and Human Services, the largest executive agency in state government, with a $19.4 billon state budget, overseeing critical services that touch almost one is six residents of the Commonwealth. These events are open to members only. To learn more about earlier roundtables click here.
Don't miss out on great events this fall!
 

headline3Positioning Your Nonprofit to Secure Government Grants

As many working in the nonprofit sector know, obtaining government grants can be tricky. A recent article from The NonProfit Times  highlights eight ways in which nonprofit organizations can demonstrate organizational capacity, the first real step on the way to obtaining large government grants. These eight proofs will allow nonprofit organizations to avoid the so-called " seat-of-the-pants approach" that is the quickest way to a rejection. 

Read here to learn more. 
nonprofit411Nonprofit 411: 
What are the Responsibilities of Individual Board Members?
By Michelle Y. Hatch, CPA,   BlumShapiro

Understand your fiduciary responsibilities

As members of non-profit organizations' governing bodies, individual board members must adhere to the legal responsibilities of fiduciaries. A fiduciary is a "person who has the power and an obligation to act on behalf of another under circumstances that require total trust, good faith and honesty."

As fiduciaries, non-profit board members have three specific legal duties:

1) Duty of Care: To act with such care as an ordinary, prudent person would employ in your position.
2) Duty of Loyalty: To act in good faith and in a manner you reasonably believe is in the best interest of the organization.
3) Duty of Obedience: To be faithful to the organization's mission. You are not permitted to act in a way that is inconsistent with the central goals of the organization. A basis for this rule lies in the public's trust that the organization will manage donated funds to fulfill the organization's mission.

Long story short: board members must, at all times, act in the best interest of the non-profit organizations they represent.

Read more of this article. Also make sure to check out Michelle's related article "Top 7 Responsibilities of Non-Profit Boards." 

QUICK LINKS 
QuickLinks
Job Opportunities
Advancement Director, Camp Mowglis 
Executive Director, The American City Coalition (TACC)
Senior Communications Manager, Corporate Accountability International
Director of Innovation, PowerOptions
Senior Director of Philanthropy, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries
Program Director, Family and Children's Services of Greater Lynn
Development Director, Political Research Associates
Facilities Management Director, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts (GSEM)
Director of Development, Jeff's Place Children's Bereavement Center
Program Director, Community Cooks 
International Programs Administrator, Unitarian Universalist Association 
Director of Programs, Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly (JCHE)
Director of Finance and Administration, Just-A-Start-Corporation 
Development Director, Boston CASA
Boston Non Profit Program Director, Boston Nonprofit
Bookkepper, Insource Services
Community Relations Manager, Highland Street Foundation
Public House Training Manager, MACDC
Senior Manager of Family Philantrophy, Cradles to Crayons
Trainings & Events 
*Discounts for MNN members

Resources

The Latino Legacy Fund, a unique partnership of local Latino philanthropists and leaders, the Boston Foundation and Hispanics in Philanthropy, is the first Latino-focused fund in the Greater Boston area. Its mission is to create and maintain a permanent endowment to strengthen the diverse Latino community of Greater Boston and contribute to the region's civic vitality by supporting issues and organizations that advance the socio-economic status of Latinos-while enhancing the leadership capacity of the entire Latino community. Click here to learn more about the organization and to learn about current grant opportunities

Interested in Receiving a Permanent Art Donation for your Social Service Agency? 
The Art Connection facilitates original art donations from generous local artists and collectors and places them in agencies throughout Greater Boston that provide direct service to clients at their site.  To learn more and apply, click here or contact  with questions. 

Free Access: Innovative Fundraising Course ($500 value)
Fundraising Genius is giving 10 organizations free access to their online fundraising course. Register now to learn how to be more productive and raise money faster. Limited time offer, so register today at

Citizens Bank is partnering with NECN for the 2017 Champions in Action Program, a unique initiative designed to provide significant financial, promotional, and volunteer support to nonprofits organizations working to address issues in culturally diverse neighborhoods. Each Champion will receive $35,000 in unrestricted funds from Citizens Bank, volunteer and promotional support, coverage from NECN, and so much more. The current social concern is Addiction Prevention & Treatment Services. Applications are open and the deadline is July 29. Click here to become a Champion


 
 

New & Returning Affiliate Members
*Special discount for MNN members

Accounting Management Solutions, Inc. (AMS)
AMS provides accounting, financial management, search, and consulting services to nonprofits of all sizes including human service agencies, educational institutions, foundations, health care organizations, and arts and cultural organizations. *$500 off accelerated financial assessment
 
The Fund Raising school provides professional development courses and customized training for nonprofit fundraisers, boards, and volunteers, as well as 60 public courses across the U.S., including the Boston area, and custom programs around the world.
 
NCN is a Greater-Boston-based forum for independent consultants working with nonprofits, government agencies and the private sector, and serving as a community resource by offering programs of particular significance to the nonprofit community.
 
Vera works with social impact organizations to create affordable, powerful and flexible technology solutions that puts real-time information in the hands of the people who need it, changing the way organizations operate.
 
Since 1999, Winxnet has worked with corporations, healthcare organizations, non-profits and public sector entities of all sizes and as helped these organizations address all technology needs, including Security & Compliance Management and IT Strategic Planning & Budgeting.