Monday, June 27, 2011
Community Foundation Honors Max and Hope House
The Celebration was made possible by the generous support of The Community Foundation's Corporate Partners, which are listed below with links to their websites. Chester's Flowers provided support with greenery and flowers for the Stanley Stage.
The Rosamond Childs Award is given to an individual who exhibits the spirit of giving and profound commitment to the community as exemplified by Rosamond G. Childs, The Foundation's first and most generous benefactor. Theodore Max, M.D. was a trustee of The Community Foundation for nine years and served on several committees. Dr. Max is a proponent of many local not-for-profit organizations, including The Community Foundation, where he was instrumental in starting three funds. In his remarks, Dr. Max reflected on the impact Rosamond Childs herself had on his life, and the value of being involved in and giving back to one's community.
The Community Impact Award recognizes a not-for-profit organization that has used its grant support for extraordinary impact and results, and demonstrates excellence in services and programs. Over the past 15 years, The Community Foundation has made 29 grants totaling more than $264,000 to Hope House, which provides meals to the community's underserved populations, many of whom are requesting these services for the first time due to the economic downturn, loss of manufacturing jobs and the number of elderly guests stretching their retirement incomes. Sandy McLean and Reverend Kirk Hudson spoke about the importance of The Foundation and community support in helping them fulfill their mission.
This is the sixth annual presentation of these Foundation awards. Previous recipients of the Rosamond Childs Award are Richard Hanna, F. Eugene Romano, Dwight E. Vicks, Jr. and the late Richard W. Couper and Addison White. In 2006, two not-for-profit organizations, CAP-21 and Compassion Coalition, received the Community Impact Award. It was awarded to Thea Bowman House in 2007, Community Transportation Systems in 2008, Johnson Park Center in 2009 and Young Scholars Liberty Partnership Program in 2010.
The awards come as The Community Foundation unveiled its 2011-2013 Strategic Plan, which can be found online here.
In addition to the award presentations, The Community Foundation formally welcomed Larry Bull as Board President. Bull takes the helm after the two-year term of Georgiana Roberts Ide. Several new committee chairs were also acknowledged: Rich Callahan on the Community Leadership and Strategic Initiatives Committee, Linda Cohen on the Marketing & Development Committee and Eve Van de Wal as co-chair on the Grants Committee. Returning to their committee leadership posts are Keith Fenstemacher, Governance Committee; Don Carbone, Finance Committee; Richard Zick, Audit and Compliance Committee; and Mary Morse returns as co-chair of the Grants Committee.
Friday, June 24, 2011
FIFTH ANNUAL LATINO UPSTATE SUMMIT COMES TO MOHAWK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN UTICA ON OCTOBER 21, 2011
“After coming to Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Albany, the Latino community in the Mohawk Valley is proud to welcome the Latino Upstate Summit to Utica,” MVLA President Sonia Martinez said.
Since 2007, the Summit has addressed such issues as education, immigration, health care and economic development by bringing together leading experts in these and other fields for panel discussions designed to make policy recommendations to New York’s leaders.
Experts on this year’s panels include:
• Health Disparities: Dr. Patricia Bomba, Excellus Health Plan; Dr. Aymme Belen, DMD PC; Dr. Martin Morell, MD, ARTHRITIS SPECIALISTS; and Dr. Cynthia Jones, MD, Utica Community Health Center
• Education: Dr. Andy Lopez-Williams, Mohawk Valley Charter School for Excellence; Mickey Smith and Elizabeth Jimenez, Adult Learning Center; and Ralph Hernandez, President of the Buffalo Board of Education
• Immigration: Peter Vogelaar, Executive Director, Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees; Peter Mares, La Casa & Catholic Charities of Wayne County; Andrea Callan, NY Civil Liberties Union;
• Youth: Gary Harvey, Youth Construction Initiative Program, Proctor High School; Kitzia Burgos, House of Good Shepherd; Mary Hayes-Gordon, Young Scholars, Utica College; and Rita Paniagua, Spanish Action League of Onondaga County
• Workforce and Employment: Edwin Lopez-Soto, School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University; David Mathis, Oneida County Workforce Development; Ryan Leogrande, NYS Department of Labor;
• Community: Juan Thomas, Utica College; Patrick Johnson, New Life Institute, Cathie Bullwinkle, Oneida County Health Department
• Best Practices (Concluding workshop): Anthony Colon, Techno-Logic Solutions
“The 2010 Census says that there are more than 243, 000 Latinos living north of the Hudson Valley, in urban, suburban and rural settings. The needs for these communities are as varied as the cultures that represent Latinos,” Martinez said.
This year’s keynote speaker during the lunch will be Ms. Pegine Echevarria, MSW, CSP. Ms. Echevarria is CEO/President of Team Pegine Inc. a global think tank, training and organizational development company focusing on leadership, diversity and motivation. Her clients include the US Navy, US Army, National Guard Bureau, Colgate Palmolive, Intel, and Northrup Grumman.
In addition to the Mohawk Valley Latino Association, Utica-Rome area participants in this year’s summit include businesses, non-profit leaders and government officials from communities across New York State.
Other participating agencies and organizations include Hispanics United of Buffalo, Ibero-American Action League, the Spanish Action League of Onondaga County, Centro Civico of Amsterdam, Noticias y/e Notas, Capital District 100 Hispanic Women, and New York State United Teachers (NYSUT).
Sponsors for the 2011 Upstate Latino Summit include Excellus Blue Cross/Blue Shield, AmeriCU Credit Union, AT&T, Central NY Association for the Blind, CNY Latino, IBOPE Zogby International, Mohawk Valley Chamber of Commerce, Resource Center for Independent Living, 484 Design and No Sheep Designs.
For more information on the Summit, please visit our web site, www.latinoupstatesummit.org or contact Martinez at 315.738.1083 x147.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Executive Director Search - Family Advocacy Center
5639 Walker Road * Deerfield, NY 13502 * 315-797-8630 * 1-800-399-8004
http://www.familyadvocacycenter.org
Providing Advocacy and Support Services to Families/Individuals with Developmental and Other Disabilities
Position Opening
Executive Director
The Family Advocacy Center, serving Oneida and Lewis counties, is seeking an Executive Director. The Executive Director, in partnership with the Board of Directors, is responsible for the organization's consistent achievement of its mission/goals and will have day-to-day responsibility for program development and administration, communications, personnel, volunteers and budget/finance.
The ideal candidate will have:
• Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with equivalent experience in human services, public administration, social work or related fields
• Progressive experience working with families and individuals with developmental and other disabilities
• Experience in fundraising, public relations, and legislative advocacy
• Experience in non-profit social services management including budget, personnel, and financial responsibilities
• Experience working with a non-profit Board of Directors
In addition, the ideal candidate will have the ability to:
• Work with persons with diverse disabilities
• Provide oversight of professional staff
• Effectively communicate in a variety of formats
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs
• Proficiently operating computer software used in a non-profit setting
The salary depends on education and experience; liberal benefit package.
The Family Advocacy Center provides high quality advocacy and support services to families/individuals in Oneida and Lewis counties with developmental and other disabilities, empowering them to achieve their potential and promoting opportunity for continued growth. Family Advocacy Center's eight (8) employees have been providing educational advocacy and service coordination for over 30 years.
The Family Advocacy Center does not discriminate on any basis including race, creed, color, religion, gender, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
The Family Advocacy Center requires criminal background check of perspective employees.
Send resume, writing sample, and list of references by August, 1st, 2011 to:
familyadvocacycenterinc@gmail.com
or
Executive Director Search
c/o President, Board of Directors
Family Advocacy Center
5639 Walker Road
Deerfield, NY 13502
After Reports That The IRS May Have Mistakenly Stripped NY Groups Of Tax-Exempt Status, Schumer Urges All Nonprofits To Double Check The IRS List
Schumer: Losing Tax-Exempt Status Could Be An Unfair Blow To New York’s Nonprofits
Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer unveiled a new section of his website to aid New York nonprofit groups that may have mistakenly lost their tax exempt status. Schumer is strongly encouraging nonprofit groups to check a recently-released Internal Revenue Service (IRS) list, available on Schumer’s website, to ensure that they have not been mistakenly stripped of their tax-exempt status – a move that could cost these groups thousands of dollars. Schumer’s webpage was launched shortly after media reports indicated that several nonprofit groups, including the New Windsor Little League and Plattekill Public Library, were included on the list released June 8th, despite the fact that their paperwork was up to date and filed with the IRS. Several nonprofit groups were never contacted by the IRS, despite several attempts to send mailings and other communications to warn the groups of the looming deadline to avoid losing their designation as a 501(c)(3) group.
“Little leagues, public libraries, museums, meal programs, and other nonprofit organizations that are the very fabric of communities throughout Upstate New York are at risk of losing their tax-exempt status and paying thousands of dollars in penalties through no fault of their own,” said Schumer. “Whether because of a lost notice in the mail or paperwork errors, no nonprofit should needlessly lose their tax exempt status. Every nonprofit group in Upstate New York should take a moment to ensure that they won’t be forced to pay unnecessary taxes this year. I’ve launched this new page on my website to make it easy and painless for groups to make sure that they’re not on the list, and to take steps to correct the problem if they are. Remaining tax-exempt helps keep costs down while boosting fundraising for charity organizations.”
"The good work of community charities has a vital impact on the everyday lives of New Yorkers,” said Doug Sauer, Chief Executive Officer of the New York Council of Nonprofits. “Whether it is providing volunteer first responder assistance, providing food and housing to families in need, caring for our children, disabled and elderly, fostering economic development or creating and promoting arts and culture - charities are integral to our quality of life in ways that are often taken for granted. NYCON is eager to do what we can to assist those organizations whose tax status have been revoked so that they continue their important contributions."
On June 8th, the IRS released a list of 275,000 nonprofits nationwide who automatically lost their tax-exempt status because they failed to file annual reports for three years in a row. The list included over 19,000 New York organizations, including more than 6,000 across Upstate New York. While the IRS believes that many of these organizations are no longer operational, they acknowledge that some groups on the list might not have been aware of the requirement, and are taking steps to allow these nonprofits to reinstate their tax-exempt status. In making the announcement, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said that, “We realize there may be some legitimate organizations, especially very small ones that were unaware of their new filing requirement.”
The list includes a diverse range of nonprofit groups including sports leagues, public libraries, museums and other educational programs, conservation groups, religious organizations, business networking groups, and others. There are over 106,000 registered nonprofits in New York state, according to the New York Council of Nonprofits, employing over 1.2 million New Yorkers statewide. Included in this total are 3,000 food pantries that feed approximately 3 million people each year. Over 17,000 people work in New York museums, which help contribute over a billion dollars to the state’s economy each year, thanks to visits from 6.6 million families, senior citizens, and students. In 2010, the American Red Cross in New York responded to 3,920 local disasters, and has trained nearly 590,000 people in First Aid. The group has also trained over 168,000 people in emergency preparedness, collected over 400,000 units of blood, and helped over 66,000 military families through their Armed Forces Emergency Services and Community Outreach Programs, according to the New York Council of Nonprofits. New York charities play an important role in communities across the state, and should be allowed to continue to do their good work in a tax-exempt state that will help their bottom line, allowing the nonprofits to serve more Upstate New Yorkers.
Here is how the nonprofits who lost their tax-exempt status break down across the state:
- In the Capital Region, approximately 952 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
- In Western New York, approximately 687 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
- In the Rochester-Finger Lakes Region, approximately 867 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
- In the Southern Tier, approximately 562 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
- In Central New York, approximately 811 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
- In the Hudson Valley, approximately 1,942 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
- In the North Country, approximately 426 nonprofits lost their tax-exempt status.
Being included on the list means that these nonprofits are no longer eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions, and that any income the group receives may be taxed. This has the effect of raising taxes on the nonprofit, while also putting a serious damper on their fundraising. The Pension Protection Act, passed by Congress in 2007, requires tax-exempt organizations to file an information return or notice each year with the IRS. Smaller groups are required to file for the first time in 2007, and the law automatically revokes the tax-exempt status of groups that do not file for three consecutive years. As a result, the first nonprofits to be revoked under the new law saw their status removed based on 2010 returns, filed in April of this year.
Fortunately, as long as groups are aware that they have been improperly stripped of their tax-exempt status, they can take corrective action at minimal cost to the group. Any nonprofit that can demonstrate that it has met its filing requirement for one or more of the last three years can fax copies of their past tax returns to be reinstated at no cost to the group. Additionally, those groups with under $50,000 in income that have not filed tax returns over the past three years can file for reinstatement for a reduced fee of just $100. If the groups fail to file by December 31, 2011, that fee jumps to $400-850 for 2012. Due to the limited window to take advantage of cheaper and easier ways to reapply for tax-exempt status, Schumer is encouraging nonprofits across Upstate New York to check his website and the list of those that lost 501(c)(3) status to ensure that their paperwork is up to date. If a group finds that they have lost their tax exempt status, they can follow the instructions on Schumer’s website and take steps to see that it is reinstated.
The new section of Schumer’s website can be accessed by visiting http://schumer.senate.gov/Public/irs_6_22_11.htm
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
General Genesis Meeting Thursday June 16th - 7:30am at Hotel Utica.
We are pleased to welcome the following Guest Speakers:
Mark Feane, Herkimer County Industrial Development Association (IDA), will discuss Economic Development projects underway in Herkimer County.
Mark Reynolds, Mohawk Valley EDGE, will provide updates on the Marcy Nanocenter, Whitestown Business Park and other EDGE projects
Renee Shevat, GEMS Along the Mohawk, will discuss their (GEMS) Phase II project and other componets of their enterprise
Donna Donovan, Observer-Dispatch, will discuss new changes coming to the newspaper and her company's impact in the region.
Stephen Merren, Nexstar TV, will discuss several "new" News Programs being launched this Fall.
Andria De Lisle-Heath, "Herkimer Now" (Representative), will discuss how this grass roots organization is working to revitalize the village of Herkimer.
Kelly Blazosky, Oneida County Tourism, will offer a preview of the 2011 Summer Tourism Season.
Mike Farmer, Town of Webb Tourism, will offer a preview of the 2011 Summer Tourism Season.
There is NO CHARGE for admission. Coffee & muffins will be offered. Bring colleagues and friends,
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to promote an upcoming event, announce new hires and/or business opportunities.
Please confirm your attendance ~ RSVP to info@TheGenesisGroup.org
Thank you for your continued interest & support!
Ray Durso, Jr.
Executive Director
The Genesis Group
SUNYIT
100 Seymour Road
Utica, New York 13501
315.792.7187 telephone
315.797.1280 fax
email: info@TheGenesisGroup.org
web: www.TheGenesisGroup.org
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Difficult decisions for YMCA regarding operations
The cuts are an effort to ensure the organization’s long-term sustainability of the nonprofit, Executive Director Natalie L. Brown said.
“It was imperative for us to take an honest look at our operations, develop a long-term strategy and make some difficult decisions,” Brown said in a news release. “We’ve taken time to evaluate and consider our long-term plan so that we can continue to exist and successfully provide services to the community.”
The Mohawk Valley YWCA has been running an approximately $484,000 deficit since 2004, Brown said.
If the organization continued to operate without the changes, it would have led to the YWCA’s closure in five to nine years, Brown said. The program cuts came after about nine months of planning, and should put the YWCA in a better financial position to handle any cuts to grants or other financial resources in this changing economic environment, she said.
The pool is scheduled to close June 30.
Four full-time and several part-time positions will be eliminated due to the closure of the pool and children’s center, Brown said.
She said she does not see the pool reopening in the future. Brown and the YWCA Board of Directors will be researching options on what to do with the unused facilities, she said.
“If it wasn’t a good program, this would be a piece of cake. It’s just really, really hard. Unfortunately sometimes you have to make those decisions,” Brown said.
The YWCA will continue to provide violence prevention education and sexual violence crisis services in Oneida and Herkimer counties, and domestic violence crisis services in Oneida County.
YWCA members who use the pool and fitness facilities plan to inquire board at its annual meeting tonight.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Community Foundation Supports Glimmerglass Festival Outreach to Oneida, Herkimer Counties
This year, residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties who have never attended a Glimmerglass performance, or have not been since 2006, can attend a production for just $12; the remainder of the ticket cost is subsidized by The Community Foundation grant.
Glimmerglass Festival’s Artistic & General Director Francesca Zambello encourages audience members to enjoy the scenic Glimmerglass campus and has added an array of special events, such as short musical programs, cast and crew question-and-answer sessions and special lectures to the season calendar.
The festival runs July 2 through August 23, with many matinee and early afternoon offerings. This year’s productions are Carmen, Medea, Annie Get Your Gun and the double bill of A Blizzard On Marblehead Neck and Later the Same Evening. Residents of Herkimer and Oneida counties who meet the criteria for the special ticket rate should call the Glimmerglass Box Office at (607) 547-2255 and mention HOCF to receive the special offer. Visit www.glimmerglass.org for details.
For more information about The Community Foundation, call 315-735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Next Program Announced: Strategic Planning for Financial Success set for Thurs, July 21st
In preparation for the upcoming Program, the Steering Committee is asking local nonprofits to complete the following survey about their organization. Specifically, the Steering Committee is seeking input about your nonprofit's fund development operations. The questions focus on the fund development committee and the fundraising plan. Please complete the survey HERE.
Date: Thursday, July 21st
Time: 9:00am - 12:00pm
Hosted By: Herkimer County Community College
100 Reservoir Road, Herkimer, NY 13350
Cost: FREE
REGISTER HERE
Monday, June 6, 2011
MALCZYK INTERNS AT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Malczyk earned his bachelor’s degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah in 2010. Prior to receiving his undergraduate degree, he was a missionary for his church in Recife, Brazil. He is currently enrolled in the MSW/PhD program in Social Welfare at SUNY Albany’s School of Social Welfare. He resides in Yorkville with his wife Jen and their son Robert.
In his role at The Community Foundation, Malczyk works with staff to evaluate grants recently made by The Foundation. His work allows The Community Foundation to assess the impact of its grantmaking and gain insight into its role as a resource for not-for-profit organizations and the community as a whole.
The Community Foundation has been a force for improving lives and livelihood in our region since 1952. The Foundation has made more than 4,700 grants totaling over $37.2 million in support of causes ranging from education to health care, the arts to the environment. Grants are generated by the more than 270 funds that comprise The Foundation’s endowment, established and advanced by area individuals and families.
For more information about The Community Foundation, call 315-735-8212 or visit www.foundationhoc.org.
NOTE: Ben will be interning with NYCON CEO Doug Sauer this fall.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Fueling Good Program Offers Chance to Win Free Gas for Nonprofits
For the 2011 Fueling Good Program, we’re focusing our support on four charitable categories: Education and Social Investment, Energy Assistance and Conservation, Environmental Protection and Restoration, and Health and Well-Being. Your organization must serve one of these interests and have 501(c)3 status to be eligible to participate. Please choose a category during registration. Thank you, and best of luck!
Get an overview of Fueling Good: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvZDcdn9q5U
How it works:
· Starting June 1, nonprofits will be able to register at http://www.fuelinggood.com/ to participate in the summer program. From July 14 – August 11, local communities will begin voting at that site for charities of their choice. (The full rules/details will also be available on the site starting June 1).
· CITGO will be awarding gas to 12 nonprofits at the end of August, with more to follow in the fall.
Who is eligible?
· 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the 27 states where CITGO operates.