Archive for the ‘Nonprofit’ Category

Information System for a Volunteer Center: System Design for Not-for-Profit Organizations with Limited Resources by S. Chalasani

This case focuses on the development of information systems for not-for-profit volunteer-based organizations. Specifically, we discuss an information system project for the Volunteer Center of Racine (VCR). This case targets the analysis and design phase of the project using the Unified Modeling Language (UML) methodology, database modeling, and aspects of project management including scope and risk management. Students must decide how to proceed, including recommending an IT solution, managing risk, managing scope, projecting a schedule, and managing personnel. The rewards and special issues involved with systems for not-for-profit organizations will be revealed. This case can be used in a variety of courses, including systems analysis and design, database management systems, and project management.

The Public Relations Handbook for Nonprofits: A Comprehensive and Practical Guide by Art Feinglass

Nonprofit organizations must employ effective, professional public relations techniques in order to get the recognition, support and dollars they need to fulfill their missions. The Public Relations Handbook for Nonprofits offers you the first comprehensive guide to all the practices organizations need to do well in their efforts to do good. This title examines all the elements, tools and processes involved in an effective nonprofit PR campaign.

Offering a combination of theory and practice, it shows you how to market to your key audiences, both inside and outside of your organization. In addition to helping you understand you target markets and shaping your message for your audience, Feinglass discusses all the key public relations vehicles, including:
news releases, press kits, brochures, newsletters, annual reports, direct mail, advertising, the internet, special events

A final chapter walks you step by step through the process of developing your own comprehensive public relations campaign.

Leveraging Good Will: Strengthening Nonprofits by Engaging Businesses by Alice Korngold

Leveraging Good Will shows how nonprofit organizations can access the extraordinary resources of businesses, and how for-profits can benefit from partnering with nonprofits. Written by Alice Korngold—an expert in matching business professionals with nonprofit organizations—this important resource clearly demonstrates how nonprofits can gain valuable experience, expertise, relationships, and funding that will elevate and advance their organizations while businesses can build stronger relationships with the community and develop the next generation of leaders. Filled with illustrative examples and real-life success stories, Leveraging Good Will is an insider’s guide to what it takes for nonprofits to transform their organizations through partnerships with businesses. Step by step, the book outlines how to create a solid plan based on proven-in-practice techniques.

With a brief shutdown, some of these functions might elicit ho-hum responses, but other shutdown dynamics might hit nonprofits where they are vulnerable:

In the 1995 and 1996 shutdowns, payments to federal contractors affecting approximately 20 percent of the dollar volume of contracts were “affected adversely by the funding lapse” according to the CRS. Nonprofits know what that means. Grant awards and contract reimbursements will be delayed – on top of those already delayed, as NPQ has reported.

And the pain will spread to the states. Many state and local program staff are partially paid for by federal dollars. As those payments slow and stop, state governments will either have to temporarily replace federal dollars with their own resources, in short supply, or simply lay people off and shutter programs. As a result, federal grant and contract payment delays will add to delays for nonprofits at the state and local levels.

Provided by: The Nonprofit Quarterly, Rick Cohen

Non Profits Made Easy by David Bangs, Jr.

The guide that helps you help others.

If you want to spend less time worrying about making ends meet and more time focusing on your nonprofit’s mission, this is the book for you! We’ll show you how to stay financially solvent by applying traditional business planning to the unique challenges of a nonprofit.

This practical, easy-to-use guide:

- Provides proven strategies for cash-flow management so your nonprofit doesn’t have to operate hand-to-mouth
- Enhances fundraising efforts and provides the hard numbers and measured outcomes your donors want to see
- Minimizes overhead and maximizes funds for your primary mission

Extensive checklists, forms and work sheets make the business side a breeze so you can improve your organization and fulfill your mission.

Nonprofit Essentials: The Capital Campaign by Julia Ingraham Walker

Preparation. Planning. Execution. It’s all here!
Finally, a clear and compelling guide to the key components shared by all campaigns. Illuminating case studies, practical tools, proven strategies, and helpful hints displayed throughout the book highlight solutions to common stumbling blocks that can trip up even the experienced campaign professional. Emphasis is given to new tools available through the Internet, such as Web sites for prospect research and the use of electronic media to help make your organization’s case stand out among the competition.

by Sonja Chevere

Do you support a nonprofit organization? If not, then maybe it's time to get involved. But how far are you willing to go? A dear friend of mine, Wendy Sipple, went through great lengths to support her favorite charities–she went bald! On Saturday, March 13th Wendy had her head shaved at the annual St. Baldrick's event. The St. Baldrick's Foundation raises funds to provide grants for childhood cancer research. Wendy also grew her hair long for two years prior to the event so that she could donate her hair to Locks of Love. A local news station in Sacramento, CA covered the event and interviewed Wendy. Here's the link to see her going bald for charity! http://www.kcra.com/video/22839439/index.html

NPC: 
Tell us a little bit about your organization. Why was it started?

 

Kevin Lindamood:  Health Care
for the Homeless of Maryland provides health-related services, education, and
advocacy to reduce the incidence and burdens of homelessness.  We began in
1985 as part of a national demonstration program sponsored by the Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation, the Pew Charitable Trust, and the US Conference of Mayors
in response to the modern emergence of homelessness, of a magnitude unseen
since the Great Depression.  Our goal was to identify the unmet health
needs of people experiencing homelessness.    

 

NPC:  Who does it serve?

Kevin Lindamood:  Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) provides
comprehensive pediatric, adult, and geriatric medical care, mental health
services, social work and case management, addiction treatment, dental
services, outreach, prison reentry services, supportive housing, and access to
education and employment for men, women, and children experiencing
homelessness.  We use the Department of Health and Human Services
interpretation of the federal definition of homelessness – “one who lacks a
regular, fixed nighttime residence.”  This includes people living in
emergency and transitional shelter, in abandoned buildings, on the streets, or
“doubled up” with friends, neighbors, or relatives.

    
NPC:   How long have you
been in operation?

Kevin Lindamood:  HCH has been in
continuous operation since 1985.  We were incorporated as a nonprofit
501c3 organization in 1987.  

NPC:  How many people did you serve your first year? And, this year?

Kevin Lindamood:  In 1985, an HCH staff of four (two nurse
practitioners and two support staff) served 734 different people during 1,791
patient visits in Baltimore
City.  In 2008, an
HCH staff of 125 (representing a full array of health professionals) provided
comprehensive services to more than 6,500 different individuals during nearly
55,000 patient visits.  Statewide (including contractual relationships
with other organizations in Baltimore, Frederick,
and in Montgomery, Harford, and Baltimore Counties), HCH served nearly 12,000
individuals during more than 74,000 patient visits. 
    

 

NPC:  What is your
most difficult challenge as a nonprofit?

Kevin Lindamood:  The most difficult challenge for Health Care
for the Homeless was planning, funding, constructing, and mobilizing political
support for a new comprehensive clinic and headquarters building at 421
Fallsway in downtown Baltimore. 
In 2004, we realized we had outgrown our 20,000 square foot clinic and were
turning people away simply because we lacked the space in which to serve
them.  More troublingly, lack of space caused us to turn away resources
from individuals and foundations who wanted us to provide additional
services.  We feared we simply didn’t have the donor base necessary to
raise $15,500,000 to fund a building large enough to provide the range of
services necessary to end the homelessness of our clients.  We’re very
proud to report that our Capital Campaign has generated more than $16,000,000
(toward a $17,500,000 goal) and that our new building will open in January
2010.  The 60,000 square foot facility will allow for the expansion of
current services and will incorporate an onsite pharmacy, a pediatric clinic, Maryland’s first dental
clinic for homeless children and adults, and the expansion of our innovative
and effective “Housing First” program.    

 

NPC:  What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

Kevin Lindamood:  Very early in our organizational development,
Health Care for the Homeless had a year-long conversation about what kind of
organization we were – were we a direct service organization or an advocacy
organization?  People had very strong feelings on either side of this
question.  Ultimately, we concluded that we were and had to be both. 
We had to provide the comprehensive services that individuals needed now
while also working to change the public policies that created and recreated
homelessness faster than we could possibly stop it.  The integration of
direct services and advocacy became and remains a guiding philosophical
principle of the organization.  We can end homelessness by providing our
clients access to health care, housing, and a modest income while also working
on the level of public policy to provide the availability of these same resources
– comprehensive health care, affordable housing, and livable incomes – for
all.     

NPC:  What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a
nonprofit?

Kevin Lindamood:  Work to put
yourself out of business.  Provide comprehensive services to improve the
lives of your clients – but also work at the same time to educate the public,
engage lawmakers, and change the public policies that create the need for your
services in the first place.  Unfortunately, the homeless service field
has become an institution over the past three decades.  We believe in a
society that provides sufficient resources for all its residents so that
individuals and families aren’t living in shelters or on the streets – and
we’re working actively toward a future without homelessness. 
      

 

NPC:  How can people get involved?

Kevin Lindamood:  Find out more about homelessness and health.
 Talk to your elected representatives about affordable housing,
comprehensive health care, livable wages, and other policies necessary to
reduce poverty and end homelessness.  Learn more about effective models
like “Housing First,” through which HCH is helping our most vulnerable
neighbors remain in permanent housing and off the streets.  Support the
work of organizations like Health Care for the Homeless.  For more
information on HCH and our signature fundraising event The Chocolate Affair,
visit www.hchmd.org, contact us at info@hchmd.org, or call 410-837-5533. 
  

 

 

*Kevin Lindamood is the Vice President of External Affairs for Health Care for the Homeless of Maryland.

If your nonprofit organization is looking to purchase Microsoft software, check first to see if you qualify for a donation. Microsoft software donations are made in response to the requests of individual nonprofits to meet their organizational needs. All software donation requests are handled by Microsoft's nonprofit partner TechSoup. Eligible organizations may make one donation request each year. There is no membership fee for access to TechSoup, but there is a small administrative fee.
 
For more guidelines and more information, visit the website at: http://www.microsoft.com/industry/government/softwaredonation.mspx

Have you taken the necessary steps to optimize your website? Here are a few things you can do:

1. Use Wordtracker and Google AdWords to find your keywords and phrases. Use words that are pertinent to your organization and are search-able.

2. Start a blog. Be sure to provide RSS feeds, such as Feedburner, so that readers can be informed each time you update a post.

3. Provide a list of resources. Keep readers informed and intrigued about where they can obtain information.

4. Write newsletters and archive them on your website.

5. Create a Press/Media Room on your website. Store press releases, article clippings on your organization, etc.

Taking these few steps will have search engines crawling your site and will help boost your online visibility.