Archive for the ‘Showcase’ 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.

Fundraising for Social Change by Kim Klein

Since it was first published in 1988, Fundraising for Social Change has become one of the most widely used books on fundraising in the United States. Fundraising practitioners and activists rely on it for hands-on, specific, and accessible fundraising techniques, and it has become a required text in dozens of college courses around the country. This fifth edition offers the information that has made the book a classic: proven know-how on asking for money, planning and conducting major gifts campaigns, using direct mail effectively, and much more. The book has been significantly changed to include new technology—e-mail, online giving, and blogs—and contains expanded chapters on capital and endowment campaigns, how to feel comfortable asking for money, how to recruit a team of people to help with fundraising, and how to build meaningful relationships with donors. In addition, this essential resource contains new information on such timely topics as ethics, working across cultural lines, and how to create opportunities for fundraising more systematically and strategically

The Grantwriter’s Start-Up Kit: A Beginner’s Guide To Grant Proposals by Successful Images, Inc.

Fundraisers are often intimidated by the prospect of writing grant proposals. But missing a grant opportunity can mean losing important programs and essential services. For the fundraiser in need of practical skills and guidance, The Grantwriter’s Start-Up Kit shows how to prepare for the process of writing a successful grant proposal.

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.

NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, Children of the Earth. Why was it started?

Nina Meyerhof: I brought young people from around the world together to attend the World Summit for Children that was being held at the United Nations. I’m an educator and something inside of me was touched that the summit wasn’t “of children,” it was “for children.” I wanted to activate young people so they could see that they have a voice in their own future and destiny; they can participate in declarations that pertain to their own life. It was the first time that young people were able to present. They presented to UNICEF, the Dalai Lama, and to the General Assembly.

I’ve always been in education. I use to run a children’s camp called Heart’s Bend, and it was there that I ran leadership programs for 30 something odd years. I was also a Special Ed Director for ten schools. So what emerges is that I finally stepped out into the world and did global education and multi-cultural education. I started peeling the onion looking at what is the inner core that brings us all together as one humanity. Children of the Earth was booked as an understanding that our spiritual nature is universal and all our dreams are the same; we just have different processes that brings us to that goal.

I traveled around the world and started doing programs in different areas. In the last 3 – 4 years, we received a grant and it’s helped build our capacity by allowing us to put the pieces together as an infrastructure and have a way to tally everything we’re doing. Children of the Earth is building the platform for the voices of young people in the consciousness movement.




NPC: Who does it serve?

Nina Meyerhof: Children of the Earth serves young people who feel within themselves a stirring and knowingness that there can be a better world and that there is hope; they want to participate in the process. We formed spiritual hubs and social action chapters around the world so that young people who follow spiritual principles could work towards aiding their country through different projects. Children of the Earth includes approximately 10,000 young people from around the world. Our long-term goal is to build a virtual platform with mentors, books, and blogging–giving voice to young people so they know there is a home for them in the spiritual movement. Our young people range in age from15 – 30.




NPC: How long have you been in operation

Nina Meyerhof: Children of the Earth was formed in 1990.




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

Nina Meyerhof: At first young people visiting our website averaged anywhere from 30 – 50. We are now setting up a pyramid of action by training certain young people and in return they train others and it continues. The pyramid creates a ripple effect that helps get more young people involved.






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

Nina Meyerhof: I think everyone would say finances; trying to find means of sustainability. We need to have our hubs and chapters stand on their own. We support them in different manners, and we have a lot of volunteers. However, volunteers come and go. I would love to give stipends to young people so they can see their life work and find means to really focus on it. Our capacity grant has helped us get on our feet and get organized, but it will eventually run out.




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

Nina Meyerhof: The biggest advice is to have a passion for what you’re doing because it’s a long road ahead. The benefits are much more in terms of you fulfilling your destiny and purpose rather than saying I have an income.

NPC: How can people get involved?

Nina Meyerhof: There are so many ways to get involved. Right now we’re setting up volunteer programs in Nepal to help build a school and an orphanage in Rwanda. We’re in need of administrative help and finding young people who are good with social networking. It’s all about volunteering and finding your niche. You have to be strong in what your offering and be willing to work to make it a collective. I’d love to invite young people from the United States to get more involved. We have people all over the world, but the U.S. they come and go like it’s a diversion rather than a life’s work. I have the wonderful opportunity of always presenting at major conferences, and it is my goal to bring young people with me so that they can one day take on that role. It would be really good to have some U.S. contacts.

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Nina Meyerhof: We’re at the point of how we’re defining ourselves as we go beyond religion into not interfaith but intrafaith. We try to weave the understanding of where is the universal human being and what is the goal of life on planet earth so that there is no division but looking at our sameness’s rather than learning tolerance for differences.

Dr. Nina Meryhof is the President of Children of the Earth. For more information about the organization, please visit the website at www.coeworld.org.

NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, the Foundation. Why was it Started?

Patricia Daniels: I founded the Foundation to commemorate my beloved son Ryan’s life and to be of service to those like him.

NPC: Who does it serve?

Patricia Daniels: It serves deserving, talented and qualified high school graduating African American male students.

NPC: How long have you been in operation?

Patricia Daniels: We started the Foundation in March 2008. However, qualified Laurel High School students began receiving a scholarship in Ryan’s memory several years before the Foundation existed. The first student was awarded a scholarship in Ryan’s memory in 2005.

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

Patricia Daniels: The Foundation’s first year was our formative year. To date, two students have received a scholarship from the Foundation . . . one in the 2008/2009 school year and one in the 2009/2010 school year; both young men may apply to renew their scholarships.



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

Patricia Daniels: For the Foundation, board member retention is our biggest challenge.

NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

Patricia Daniels: Starting our, lack of funds was a challenge.

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

Patricia Daniels: I would advise someone starting a nonprofit in Maryland to take the training entitle How to Start a Nonprofit Organization in Maryland. The training is offered by the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organization, Inc. I believe this training served me well.

NPC: How can people get involved?

Patricia Daniels: People can get involved by volunteering their time, skills and abilities on one or more of our existing committees . . . Fundraising Committee, Marketing Committee, Finance Committee, Scholarship Committee, and Volunteer Committee . . . and by supporting and attending our fundraising events.

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Patricia Daniels: I’d like to share that additional information about the Foundation, including information about our fundraising events, is available on our website at www.ryanomancefoundation.org.

Patricia Daniels is the Founder and Chair for The Foundation. For more information, please visit the website at www.ryanomancefoundation.org.

NPC: Tell us a little bit about your organization, Heifer International. How long have you been in operation? Why was it started?

Pamela Stone: Heifer’s first year of operation was in 1944, but the idea got going a bit before that during the Spanish Civil War. Dan West, our founder, was serving as a conscientious objector doing alternative service and providing relief supplies along with a lot of the other Church of the Brethren, Mennonites and Quakers. People had to stand in line – sometimes all day – for relief supplies. And then they had to make terrible choices about which children would live or die based on how much milk powder and other supplies they received. Dan had been a farmer, so when he saw all this beautiful farm country, he got to thinking, “Why are we doing it this way? These people are farmers. They can be self-reliant instead of waiting for relief. Why not give a cow instead of a cup?” So, Heifer became about “Not a cup, but a cow.” And he really understood the human need for dignity and self-reliance.

He was a very charismatic leader who traveled around and talked with people, and the idea got going for Americans to donate farm animals to those in other countries who needed assistance. Because of World War II, the first shipments went to Puerto Rico, instead of to Europe. But shortly thereafter, shipments were sent with “sea-going cowboys,” volunteers to help heal war-torn Europe.

NPC: What is Heifer doing in India?

Pamela Stone: Heifer is working to end hunger and poverty and care for the Earth. One of the tools we use to do that is the gift of livestock. In India right now, it’s primarily goats. So we provide people here and around the world with livestock and training in their care so that they can become self-sufficient for food and for income. And, of course, everyone who receives a goat, makes a pledge to Pass on the Gift. So, here and around the world, it’s a cycle of giving that keeps on going and everyone who’s a recipient becomes a donor. I think one of the keys to success here is that we partnered with really strong existing NGOs (non-governmental organizations). That’s a model that Heifer’s doing everywhere. It’s not just Heifer. It’s working in partnership with key in-country organizations.

NPC: Livestock Development is at the heart of Heifer’s work. How can the gift of a goat change someone’s life?

Avni Malhotra: It’ll make a lot of difference in their lives. They will have better nutrition [in the form of] milk and cheese for their children. It will improve their social standing. Most of them are a landless people, and they are completely dependent on someone else. So now, they will have an asset that they own, and that will make a big difference in their social standing. It will make a difference in the fact that they will have some livelihood, some income coming in from selling goats, kids, as well as the milk later on. And, that will make the conditions in their lives improve. It will make a difference in the position of women because the women will now be the breadwinners in some way. They will be contributing to the income of the family more directly. They will be making decisions about money and about how the society should function.

NPC: How does a woman’s involvement with Heifer’s programs affect her on a personal level?

Avni Malhotra: A woman in traditional society doesn’t participate in any kind of decision-making. She’s more the person who looks after the family, who is working from five in the morning to ten in the night. Once she becomes part of a self-help group, she will be someone who will be participating in group meetings, she will have access to loans through group savings, so she will get economic freedom. As a group member, she will also make decisions about who gets the loans, and which [community development] projects the group will take on. Do we take on goats, do we take on cows, do we take on something else? Plus these groups go out for training and for exposure, so it gives her mobility and a larger worldview. She meets people, she understands how the society functions, and she realizes her capacity, also. So that process, in itself, is very enlightening. The major change comes when the woman is a donor and she can give to somebody else. Then she realizes that she can contribute to the development process; she can help other women like herself, and that gives her a great feeling of empowerment.

NPC: Why does Heifer work primarily with women?

Pamela Stone: Well, it’s not just women. But, you know, women are the majority of the world’s farmers. Women do the most work, but they own the least. They haven’t had the same role in their families, with regard to decision making, despite all of the work that they’re doing. They haven’t had a chance for education. So, it’s a natural fit. But we don’t work solely with women, because if the husbands are in control and the women receive the knowledge, what’s the point? So, Heifer is working with the whole family, so that everybody realizes that it’s working together that’s going to help their families grow and thrive. Heifer helps them work together to visualize how they can change the future for their families and their communities, and realize that they have the ability, the resources, the power, and the opportunity to do that. What starts off as just a really small gift, ripples out to make major lifetime differences.

NPC: How can people get involved?

1) Call your local Heifer field office for ideas on working with other Heifer volunteers. Community Volunteering at www.heifer.org

2) Register a team on Team Heifer and then challenge friends to raise money. Fundraising Ideas at www.heifer.org

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

This project will provide 200 original families with goats and training; an additional 500 families will later receive goats through Passing on the Gift ceremonies. Through a generous private gift, donations will be matched up to $15,000. To donate, please visit: India Donation Form at www.heifer.org

Renowned photographer Brigitte Lacombe travelled to India to document Heifer’s work. To see her beautiful images visit: www.heifer.org/Lacombe

Avni Malhotra is the Country Director of Heifer International India and Pamela Stone is the Development Officer of Heifer International.

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

R.Evolución Latina: R.Evolución Latina is a collective of artists and activists committed to empowering the artistic community in order to inspire growth within the Latino Community through collaboration, productions, and educational support programs.

Our motto:  DARE TO GO BEYOND

R.Evolución Latina was created out of the need to let our Hispanic community know that Latinos can also be seen on a Broadway stage.  Founders Luis Salgado, Michael Balderrama and Gabriela Garcia are all Broadway dancers that felt the need to share their passion and accomplishments with the Latino community.  Being an example of how art can motivate you on a daily basis and how difficult it is to continue to grow as an artist both emotionally and financially, R.Evolución Latina  was created to help our aspiring Latino artists continue to grow by providing free workshops for them in various disciplines taught by some of the best teachers and performers in NYC.  Our children are our future and due to the lack of art programs in schools, R.Evolución Latina found itself being a vehicle to bring art to under served schools and communities with a high Latino population, to inspire their daily lives through art, daring it’s audience to “Go Beyond”, work hard to achieve their goals, collaborate and give back to their community.

NPC: Who does it serve?

R.Evolución Latina: We serve Latino and under-served communities throughout the 5 boroughs of New York as well as some areas of New Jersey.  Our reach also includes the New York artistic community and has recently expanded to include artists in Peru, Spain, and India. Our mission is carried by activists who reside throughout the United States and Puerto Rico as well as in countries such as Panama, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and Germany.

NPC: How long have you been in operation?

R.Evolución Latina: R.Evolución Latina was founded in 2007.  We are currently entering our 4th year in operation.

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

R.Evolución Latina: Our founding team consisted of just 10 volunteers and has grown to include over 50 active members and over 100 volunteers today. We impact around 500-750 students per year and have a rotating team of teaching artists made up of 40 performers from the Broadway, Film, and Television industries.

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

R.Evolución Latina: Our current challenge is keeping up with the continued growth and expansion of our organization. We are continually made aware of the growing needs of our community and our goal as an active organization is to keep up with and provide for these needs. We are proud of the reach that we have achieved thus far, but at times find it difficult to fulfill the multitude of requests that we get on a monthly basis from organizations, schools, artists, and communities seeking our guidance, involvement, and service.

NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

R.Evolución Latina: Our first challenge was getting our community to embrace our mission and our motto of daring to go beyond. R.Evolución Latina is about collaboration and taking action. In our early stages we found that other organizations were reluctant to jump on board with programs and events, but after proving that we are an ACTIVE organization, we now find ourselves fielding multiple requests from organizations throughout New York and and across the country.
NPC: What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a nonprofit?

R.Evolución Latina: Know your mission and make sure this is the forefront for everything you do. The mission informs every decision, program, collaboration, event, and step that the organization takes.

It is a commitment no matter how small your nonprofit may be. It takes a lot of hard work but the reward is wonderful. Make sure you have a good support group to help you out, as well as advisers and people who can see you through the process.
NPC: How can people get involved?

R.Evolución Latina: First they can take a look at our website, www.revolucionlatina.org and familiarize themselves with who we are and what we do.  Those interested in getting involved can contact us at: info@revolucionlatina.org.

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

R.Evolución Latina: Dare to Go Beyond! Atrevéte a Más!

Collaborative interview with Gabriela Garcia, Co director; Alison Solomon and Denisse Ambert, Executive Management Team of R.Evolución Latina. For more information, please visit the website at www.revolucionlatina.org.

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

Autumn Black: American Bible Society exists to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so all people may experience its life-changing message. The American Bible Society also equips churches and mission organizations with Bibles, Bible study resources and educational materials to teach others about the Bible’s life-changing message.

NPC: Who does it serve?

Autumn Black: American Bible Society serves people of all faiths, no faith, and across the Christian faith—Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant—American Bible Society increases people’s engagement with God’s Word.

NPC: How long have you been in operation?

Autumn Black: American Bible Society is one of the nation’s oldest nonprofit organizations. It has been in operation since 1816. We were established in 1816 and maintain a strong, nearly 200-year old history that is closely intertwined with the history of a nation first shaped only a couple of decades earlier.

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

Autumn Black: American Bible Society partners with 145 national Bible Societies working across 200 countries and territories through the United Bible Societies, founded by American Bible Society in 1946, and together we have served and touched a total of 5,100,831 for fiscal year 2009 alone. This number has grown tremendously since American Bible Society’s inception in 1816 where we served 6,410 lives. This year we plan on continuing to provide more than 5 million Bibles and Bible study resources to people in some 30 countries so they can experience the Bible’s life changing message.

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

Autumn Black: Fundraising is one of our most difficult challenges. In these tough economic times, donor’s giving may get smaller, but their hope for effective charity actually gets larger. They see the needs and struggles of people and want to respond in a way that clearly makes a difference. We are focused on serving these donors well, extending their reach and the good news of the Bible where needed most.

NPC: What was your most difficult challenge starting out?

Autumn Black: From the beginning, the American Bible Society’s mission was to respond to the spiritual needs of a fast-growing, diverse population in a rapidly expanding nation.
From the new frontier beyond the Appalachian Mountains, missionaries in America sent back dire reports of towns that did not have a single copy of the Bible to share among its citizens. State and local Bible Societies did not have the resources, network, or capability of filling this growing need. This was one of our most difficult challenges starting out and ever since American Bible Society has committed itself to organizational and technological innovation to make the Bible available where it is needed most.

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

Autumn Black: The most important thing, when starting a nonprofit, is having a passion for your cause. American Bible Society works hard to challenge the notion that the Bible is a dusty, outdated rule book by helping people engage with God’s Word to make sense of life.

NPC: How can people get involved?

Autumn Black: People can get started right away by visiting American Bible Society’s website and signing up for a scripture journey at http://journeys.americanbible.org/.

NPC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?

Autumn Black: We hope to always be a resource to churches and individuals who have engaged with and experienced the Bible for themselves and now passionately and enthusiastically join us in making the Bible as widespread as the water that cover the sea — so that all may experience its life changing message.

Autumn Black is the Director of Public Relations for American Bible Society. For more information about this organization, please visit the website at www.americanbible.org.

Nonprofit Essentials: Endowment Building [E-Book] Diana S. Newman

“Endowments are very appealing as dependable sources of income for nonprofit organizations. Diana Newman’s comprehensive work shows how endowments also can provide multiple opportunities for donor involvement when the solicitation program is well-designed and integrated with other fund development and program goals. Diana emphasizes the critical ethical issues inherent in marketing and structuring endowment gifts in addition to clear step-by-step guidelines for constructing the entire campaign. It’s an excellent reference manual and training guide.” –Joanne Scanlan, Ph.D. Senior Vice President for Professional Development, Council on Foundations