A bi-weekly update from the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.                                        

policyupdate
CALL-TO-ACTION: Join MNN in Protecting the Johnson Amendment and Nonprofit Independence
A U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee approved a bill with a rider that would significantly weaken enforcement of the Johnson Amendment, vital language in U.S. tax code that keeps nonprofits independent by preventing their engagement in partisan politics. This rider is critically flawed in that it would prevent o rganizations from addressing community challenges without being pressured to endorse candidates. The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday, July 13. If you live or work in the  MA-5 congressional district Representative Katherine Clark (who serves on the Appropriations Committee) needs to hear from you TODAY We encourage you to call (202) 225- 2836  or  email Congresswoman Clark  with  this simple message: "As your constituent, I ask that you act to strip the Johnson Amendment language in Section 116 from the Financial Services appropriations bill."

The National Council of Nonprofits plans to deliver a letter to each member of the House Appropriations Committee today, co-signed by MNN and thousands of other organizations, to demonstrate that the nonprofit sector nationwide stands with the majority of American voters in supporting the Johnson Amendment and nonprofits solely focused on advancing the public good.

To educate yourself on this issue and to help craft your messaging, see our one-pager on the Johnson Amendment and our   Commonwealth Insights report.

RSVP Today for Policymaker Roundtable with Rep. Sánchez RSVP
Our next Policymaker Roundtable will take place on  July 26 at 9am with Representative Jeffrey Sánchez at Associated Grant Makers, 133 Federal Street, Suite 802, Boston. Representative Sánchez was first elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 2003 and has served in many important roles, including his current post as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing. His legislative priorities include access and retention in education, public infrastructure development, workforce development, public health, and affordable housing. You can learn more about the Representative  here

To register, click  here. Please note: Policymaker Roundtables are open to MNN members only. Learn about becoming an MNN member  here

budgetstate
MA Legislature Approves Final FY2018 Budget
On Friday, July 7th, the Massachusetts House and Senate voted to send a $40.2 billion FY2018 budget bill to Governor Baker for his review.  It includes a modified employer health care assessment. 

The assessment would increase the current employer medical assistance contribution (EMAC) for employers with 6 or more employees, by $26 per employee (from $51 to $77 per employee annually). Employers with employees on MassHealth or ConnectorCare would pay an additional charge of up to $750 for each employee receiving those benefits (the assessment is calculated at 5% of the first $15,000 of annual pay). Most importantly, the assessment would not penalize employers for employees who are on spousal, parental, veterans, or Medicare coverage as the original proposal would have. The assessment would sunset two years after implementation and the projected total amount to be collected has been scaled back to $200 million.

The budget bill also includes a two-year rate adjustment for unemployment insurance that will save employers hundreds of millions of dollars. It does not include the insurance market changes or MassHealth reforms proposed by the Baker Administration in late June. 

The Governor has 10 days to review the budget bill.  His options include signing it, vetoing sections of it, or recommending further amendments for consideration by the Legislature.
sponsor
Sponsorship Open for MNN's Annual Conference
Put your organization's name in front of over 600 nonprofit and business leaders at  MNN's 2017 Annual Conference on November 1, 2017, at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel . With ample opportunities to learn, share, and inspire, this event is geared towards bolstering the nonprofit sector and the people who power it by offering networking, workshops, and other resources. This year, we'll celebrate MNN's tenth anniversary by taking stock of the position of the nonprofit sector in 2017 and looking at how to overcome today's challenges and continue to build upon our successes in the decades ahead.

Tables sold out quickly last year, so be sure to reserve yours soon! Find out more about sponsorship packages by c licking here to access our sponsorship sign-up form.

webinarsJuly and August's Free Wednesday Webinars

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: What You Need To Know
O n July 26 from 11am-12pm,  join  American Student Assistance (ASA)  as they discuss the federal  Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program and how nonprofit workers in particular can utilize it to limit their student debt. ASA is a Boston-based industry-leading nonprofit dedicated to helping students nationwide realize their higher education dreams in a financially responsible way. ASA recently launched a  campaign to ensure that as many eligible borrowers as possible know about PLSF. Given proposed changes in the President's budget proposal, this topic is timely and may be of interest to some of your organization's employees. Register here.


Effective Board Governance
Join us on August 2 from 10-11am for this webinar on effective board governance. Karen Kent and James Matzdorff, CPAs of Kevin P. Martin & Associates, will discuss what the true roles and responsibilities of a nonprofit board should include, along with the most common barriers to effective governance. You'll learn tips and techniques to ensure that your board is operating efficiently and in the best interest of your organization's mission. Register here.
nonprofit4112
Nonprofit 411: Boards of Directors Can (and Should) Align Organizations with Future Realities
By Eric Curtis, President,  Curtis Strategy

The business models of nonprofit organizations are changing fast, but boards of directors are far behind the curve in making governance changes to keep up with the shifting landscape. Nonprofit organizations must take on the challenge of becoming more dynamic in the rapidly changing marketplace. This journey begins by building a breakthrough board of directors capable of aligning their organization with future realities.  Read more .
QUICK LINKS 
Finance and Administrative Coordinator, Just A Start Corporation 
Director of Finance, Chelsea Jewish Lifecare
Senior Accountant, Mass Energy Consumers Alliance
Senior Residential Manager, Western Massachusetts Training Consortium
Basic Needs Case Manager, Catholic Charities of Boston
Manager of Institutional Giving, MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership
Managing Director, Grow Native Massachusetts
Associate Foundation Program Specialist, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Foundation
Registrar/Student Services Manager, The Concord Conservatory of Music
Development Officer- Cape Cod, Animal Rescue League Boston
Career Advancement Coordinator, Found in Translation

Salesforce Bootcamp 101, Boston, July 14
Nonprofit Summer Camp, Brattleboro (VT) , August 18
Introduction to Grants Research, Boston, September 6

Resources
MetroWest Nonprofit Network is pleased to announce a new program offering, the One-Day Summer BootCamp for Emerging Nonprofits in Framingham on July 26 from 9am-3pm. Whether your organization is 0-3 years old or is just starting, this one-day workshop will provide you with the basic information you need to get off to a great start and take your organization to its next level. They'll cover the basics and beyond of governance, insurance, fundraising, program planning, the board-staff relationship, and financial/legal management. Register here.

The Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands is pleased to announce an educational Breakfast Workshop, " Fundraising 101 ." This workshop is geared towards those who are new to fundraising, board members, volunteers, and others who are interested in learning more about one or more these areas in the fundraising process. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, July 26 from 8am to 12pm  at the Cape Codder Resort, Route 132, Hyannis, MA, and will include a continental breakfast.  Tickets are $15 for members of the Philanthropy Partners of the Cape and Islands and $30 for non-members. Register here.

Looking for a podcast about go od people advancing good ideas to make the world a better place? Boston University School of Education's Power of Good  podcast  highlights the work of people doing great things, caring things, often life-saving things for other people. Host Jake Murray seeks out these leaders and innovators around the country from the education, social work, health, faith-based, and human and community service fields (among others) to learn more about their work, what they do for others, and why they do it. Guests offer insights and remind us all that 'doing good' for others is hard, fun, and among our greatest and most rewarding responsibilities as human beings. Click here.

Tufts JumboCode is a group of undergraduate students studying computer science who share a passion for creativity and helping others. JumboCode shares their skills to help you  create an app, design a website, or build software  to optimize the success of your non-profit. They work to create a  cost-free partnership  between your organization and a team of JumboCoders with various backgrounds that will best suit your needs. V isit their  website or Facebook  page for more information. If you are interested in working with them, want to learn more, exchange ideas, or see examples of past work, send a message to TuftsJumboCode@gmail.com.
 
In collaboration with the National Council of Nonprofits, MNN and Associated Grant Makers invite nonprofits and funders to a half-day of facilitated programming dedicated to building better working relationships and increasing the impact of the sector. The Great Funder-Nonprofit Relationships event will be on  September 12 in Boston. For more information or to register click here.

The Bridgespan Group is working with six local funders to provide Leading for Impact®, an innovative capacity building program, to nonprofits in the Boston area. Leading for Impact® is a city-based consulting program designed to help ambitious nonprofits pursue strategic opportunities and build capacity to both improve their performance over time and achieve greater, local impact. Through Leading for Impact®, Bridgespan will help accelerate the impact of 50 high-potential nonprofit organizations in the Boston area through 2021. They will be launching cohorts of 8-9 organizations every 6 months, and Bridgespan is currently enrolling for the cohort that will start in December of 2017. This program is best suited for organizations that are working to increase social mobility in the greater Boston area, and that have executive teams of four to six individuals. Please see the  list of organizations that have participated in the program. Click  here to learn more.







New & Returning Affiliate Members 
*Special discount for MNN members

Public accounting and consulting firm that helps nonprofits through its assurance, tax and advisory capabilities.

Helps small- to medium-sized nonprofits raise more money, including major gifts, capital campaigns, and board development.
*10% discount with a $250 maximum. Prospect research services are excluded.

Works with individuals, organizations and coalitions to build leadership capacity through teaching, coaching, and consulting.
*Register at the alumni rate whenever that lower rate is an option in their trainings or events.

New & Returning 

MNN's work is made possible by the Barr Foundation, The Boston Foundation & the Highland Street Foundation.
If you'd like to share a story or have a job, grant or other information that is important to Massachusetts nonprofits, contact  info@massnonprofitnet.org.