Posts Tagged ‘nonprofit organization’

Nonprofit Boards Roles, Responsibilities, and Performance (Nonprofit Law, Finance and Management Series) by Diane J. Duca

Any nonprofit that wants to survive beyond the nineties had better be governed by an effective, flexible board of directors. But what role should a nonprofit board play in fulfilling the organization’s mission? How should the board carry out its responsibility to see that funds and other resources are used in the most efficient possible manner? How can the board perform its duties without alienating staff members? What pitfalls can divert a nonprofit board from addressing critical board functions?

Nonprofit Boards: Roles, Responsibilities, and Performance answers these questions and many more. This practical guide is dedicated to helping nonprofit board members, chairpersons, and executive directors develop and manage effective boards, empowered to respond to the special needs of their organizations. Diane J. Duca offers different ways to approach organizing and utilizing a board by presenting different board models. Using case studies and illustrations from real-life situations, she explores every aspect of board management, clarifies the roles of board members and executives, and discusses the board’s legal and ethical obligations.

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.

How to Form a Nonprofit Corporation by Mark Warda

Explains how to file for tax exemptions. Identifies nonprofit laws and regulations for all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Contains tips for raising money. Addresses necessary start-up procedures. Answers concerns regarding protection of the nonprofit status. Includes types of possible nonprofit organizations. Discusses advantages and disadvantages of a nonprofit corporation.

Players in the Public Policy Process by Herrington Bryce

This book focuses on the nonprofit organization as a social capital asset and agent in all phases of the public policy process–from influencing political parties, platforms, and choice of candidates to the formulation and implementation of public policy including the facilitation of transactions. This book demonstrates the universal utility of the principal-agent paradigm for analyzing nonprofits in foreign or domestic policy, sectarian or faith-based, scientific or social as well as the regulatory (not just participatory) powers of these organizations over market and nonmarket actions as a matter of public, collective policy.

Placing the nonprofit in a principal-agent framework, the book emphasizes such topics as sources of conflict in public expectations and organizational performance, the moral hazard and benefits of organizational self-interest, tax exemption as compensation or a reservation price rather than just a subsidy, the role of social service organizations as managers of adverse social risks, and their inherent competitive advantage (even when faith-based) over firms as agents of choice for social service contracts from a strictly business perspective. It also deals with the role of nonprofits in governance such as over common pool resources, the moral hazard of policy, and the probability that the nonprofit could be an agent of distortions.

Third Sector Policy at the Crossroads: An International Non-profit Analysis by Helmut Anheier and Jeremy Kendall

This book explores key policy issues for the non-profit sector against a background of increasing competition, new public management and ever decreasing budgets.

The 18 chapters comprising this analysis of international nonprofit outfits is vintage Routledge: acadmic, dense, provacative, heavily derivative of earlier scholarly works and unafraid to make reasoned conclusions..
–Joe Vanacore, Sacramento Business Journal

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.

Every Nonprofit’s Guide to Publishing: Creating Newsletters, Magazines & Websites People Will Read by Cheryl Woodard and Lucia Hwang

Practical and hands on, this book shows you how to overcome inexperience and budget constraints — and produce publications that effectively promote your cause. From developing an idea to distributing the final publication, you’ll get the information you need. Find out how to:

* design and print engaging magazines or newsletters

* create an appealing website

* locate the best freelancers and vendors

* develop successful ad sales and fundraising strategies

* meet IRS and postal requirements for nonprofits

* use time-tested publishing ideas and resources

The book includes practical suggestions from veteran insiders, whose experiences range from tiny nonprofit startups to large, established organizations. The CD-ROM provides essential forms, checklists, schedules, worksheets, spreadsheets and more.

The One Page Business Plan for Non-Profit Organizations by James Horan

The edition of the One Page Business Plan Series has been specifically designed for Non-Profits. If you are responsible for founding or managing a non-profit organization… this book was written just for you! Now you can easily write a draft plan on a single page in less than two hours. Thousands of non-profits have already successfully written and implemented One Page Plans with this simple and effective planning methodology. This special version of The One Page Business Plan has been called “The One Page Promise” because it helps directors, boards, management and volunteers clearly define and live up to their promises at organizational, departmental, project and program levels… all in fast, easy to communicate and actionable terms!