A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        

IN THIS ISSUE:
HEADLINES
headline1Commonwealth Insights: Individual Donations
Today MNN released its third edition of Commonwealth Insights, a publication that highlights policy, issues, and trends important to the nonprofit sector. This edition focuses on individual giving and its importance to nonprofits, an especially important topic on Giving Tuesday.

This Commonwealth Insights begins with data from an MNN member survey, which found that 82% of respondents rely upon individual donations. That is a higher percentage than foundation funding, corporate funding, or government funding. It also includes data from the Giving Common, an initiative of the Boston Foundation, which highlights the fact that so many nonprofits run lean. Finally, the report  discusses the potential impact that changes in federal tax policy could have on Massachusetts nonprofits.  Click here to read this edition of Commonwealth Insights

The Commonwealth Insights series is made possible by support from the Barr Foundation.

upcomingeventsThree Upcoming MNN Events
MNN Training with Insource Tomorrow
Please join us tomorrow at 10:00 AM at the NonProfit Center in Boston for HR Building Blocks for Start-Up and Growing Nonprofits, a workshop presented by Saleha Walsh, Vice President at  Insource Services, Inc. This workshop will cover common HR issues faced by growing nonprofits and will address hiring basics, benefits, compliance and record keeping, and will enable attendees to outline priories as they build HR function and grow their organizations. This event is free so register now!

Special Forum with Congressman Moulton
The  Highland Street Foundation , in partnership with MNN, is pleased to invite you to a breakfast forum with Congressman Seth Moulton on  Monday December 5th at 8:00 AM , at the  New England Center and Home for Veterans  in Boston. Elected to the 6th Congressional District of Massachusetts in 2014, Congressman Moulton has focused on economic growth for families and improving veterans' health care, and currently serves on the House Armed Services, Budget, and Small Business Committees.  Come hear Congressman Moulton reflect on his first term in Congress, the historic Presidential election, and his vision for the next term. 

Networking and a light breakfast begin at  7:30 AM,  and the program starts at  8:00 AM Spaces are limited, so RSVP now!  For questions regarding this event, please contact Marta Hodgkins-Sumner, Director of Membership and Programs,


Policymaker Roundtable with Secretary Walker
MNN's 2016 Policymaker Roundtable series brings together MNN members and government leaders to have candid conversations about the issues impacting the nonprofit sector.  We are excited to announce that on  December 12th from 9:00 - 10:00 AM  at the NonProfit Center in Boston, MNN members will have the opportunity to hear from Ronald L. Walker, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development for the Commonwealth. In this role, Secretary Walker oversees five labor and workforce development regulatory agencies and directs and executes Governor Baker's agenda on workforce development and unemployment  assistance, job creation, business services, and labor.  Click here to read more about Secretary Walker.  The event is free, but an RSVP is required as a light breakfast will be provided.  Register now and reserve your spot!

Support of the Policymaker Roundtable series is provided by the Hyams Foundation through its Special Opportunities Fund.

policyupdatePolicy Update: OT Rule Implementation Halted
Last week a federal district judge in Texas issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking the implementation and enforcement of the Overtime Final Rule. As a result, this new regulation will not go into effect on December 1st. The lawsuit came about as the result of twenty-one Governors and Attorneys General filing a complaint alleging that the Department of Labor did not have the authority to create higher or different standards for overtime eligibility.

Two important things to note. First, the Department of Labor is expected to appeal the decision immediately. Depending on the outcome of the appeal, the new overtime rules could still become law. Second, the injunction to stop the Overtime Final Rule does not affect the applicability of existing requirements under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) or state or local employment laws. In other words, compliance with existing labor laws is still crucial for nonprofits to maintain their status. As we continue to monitor this situation, we advise that all of our members take the time to ensure you are in compliance with current laws and to be prepared in the event that the injunction is lifted. You can read more about the preliminary injunction here.

For more information on the injunction against the Overtime Final Rule and how nonprofits can remain in compliance with existing laws, please contact Tonja Mettlach, Director of Government Affairs, at [email protected].

webinarFREE Wednesday Webinar



Each month, MNN partners with one of our affiliate members - experts in their field - to present a free webinar on timely and relevant topics for the nonprofit sector. This month attorney Ellen Lubell will provide a framework to assess how assets can be used in new ways to generate additional revenue and/or extend the reach of ideas or programs.  Register now to reserve your spot!
By Barbara Andrews, CPA, Senior Audit Manager,  Kevin P. Martin & Associates, P.C.

Not everyone believes that fraud can happen at their organization.  You know your employees and you have shared professional and personal milestones.  However, the reality is that fraud does happen, and it could happen to your organization.  A 2016 Global Fraud Study issued by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) reported that the median loss for a Not-for-Profit organization was $100,000.  For a small not-for-profit organization this is a huge hit to the bottom line and most likely a bigger hit to the organization's reputation.  The cost of fraud is much more than stolen money, a stolen identity or the misreporting of financial statement information.  It can cost the organization future funding plus the time and effort expended by employees and the Board to repair the organization's reputation.

Read more  here.
QUICK LINKS 
Preschool Teacher, Catholic Charities of Boston
Development Associate, Mustard Seed Communities
Finance Director, Mass Insight Education
Director of Development, Breakthrough Greater Boston
Outreach and Development Manager, MetroWest Visitors Bureau
Executive Director, Horizons at Dedham Country Day School
Executive Director, OUT MetroWest
Development Manager, HILL for Literacy 
Development Officer, Louis D. Brown Peace Institute
CBDS Case Manager, Greater Waltham Arc
Executive Director, Acre Family Child Care
Major Gifts Officer, Unitarian Universalist Association
Administrative Coordination, United Way of Hampshire County
Finance and Operations Manager, Brookline Community Foundation
Major Gifts Officer, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
Internship Coordinator/Employer Liaison, Community Action of Franklin, Hampshire & North Quabbin Region

Grant & Award Opportunities
Farm to School, Due December 8

Trainings & Events 
*Discounts for MNN members
The Power of Dialogue, Cambridge, December 1
Lobbying 101 Workshop, Plymouth, December 8
Nonprofit Incorporation Workshop, Boston, December 8

Resources
The Barr Foundation is currently seeking proposals from innovative schools and programs with the goal of  supporting the development of exemplary schools and programs across the region. Applicants can begin preparing their proposals for one-year planning grants of up to $150,000 each to support the development of their school or program. Barr will accept proposals via an online form, which will go live on December 12 following a Barr-led webinar for prospective applicants (subscribe here to receive the webinar invitation). All proposals for planning grants are due by February 15, 2017. For more information, click here

On Monday, December 5th at 6:30 pm, join the Harvard Kennedy School alumni association and leaders from Boston's professional sports teams to hear more about  philanthropy  and impact. Moderated by Lisa Hughes, WBZ Anchor, the program will feature Steve Pagliuca, Josh Kraft, and Linda Henry. To learn more and get tickets click here.
 
Human trafficking is the coercion of individuals to participate in forced labor, domestic servitude or the sex trade against their will. The Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign works to combat the heinous crime of human trafficking by raising awareness around the country. The Blue Campaign provides free resources to educate and train professionals and the general public to recognize and report human trafficking.

Princeton Alumni Corps' Project 55   works closely with their partners to place passionate, energetic and highly capable recent Princeton graduates in one-year, paid fellowships in six cities, including Boston. AlumniCorps' staff recruit, evaluate and refer candidates to partner organizations based on their position description and the qualities they seek in a fellow. Partner organizations are required to pay a minimum stipend to fellows, as well as provide health insurance. Y ou can read more about the program and its requirements here.

Rosie's Place in Boston is spearheading an Access to Justice project to build a website called MassLegalLink through which Social and Human Service workers can get answers to the legal questions that their clients frequently ask them. Rosie's Place is currently seeking lawyers, and other knowledgeable individuals as "experts," and people willing to act as beta testers to help them refine the site. If you are interested in being an expert and/or a beta tester for the site, please contact Lee Glickenhaus at [email protected] or 617-731-2930.

The Collective Impact Forum , a partnership between FSG and the Aspen Institute, is hosting its annual field-wide  Collective Impact Convening  on May 23-25 at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston. This national conference will attract more than 400 funders, backbone leaders, and other collective impact partners. Nonprofits who are currently involved in cross-sector partnerships - or interested in learning more about best practices in collective impact - are invited to attend.  Use promo code MA100 to take $100 off the individual three-day nonprofit rate of $945



New & Returning Affiliate Members 
*Special discount for MNN members

Cabot Risk Strategies LLC
Cabot Risk Strategies LLC is a dynamic and highly experienced team of insurance professionals dedicated to helping clients effectively manage risk through insured solutions, self-insured solutions or a combination of both.

New & Returning