Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Foundation Center Offers Grants Info on Economic Crisis
The Foundation Center is publishing grants responding to the economic crisis, availabe here, weekly on an interactive map, in daily RSS feeds, and on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/FC_econcrisis.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Sources of Information Regarding Stimulus Funds
The National Council of Nonprofits, a partner association of the New York Council of Nonprofits (formerly CCSNYS), continues to post their Special Reports on Economic Stimulus & Recovery. The National Council of Nonprofits is proud to openly share this evolving series of Special Reports about our nation’s economic recovery, including analysis of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly referred to as the economic stimulus bill) that President Obama signed into law on February 17, 2009.
The newest report, Sources of Information Regarding Stimulus Funds, is available now: Special Report #4
This report identifies national and state sources of information about the federal stimulus funds, including official recovery websites that states have established.
The newest report, Sources of Information Regarding Stimulus Funds, is available now: Special Report #4
This report identifies national and state sources of information about the federal stimulus funds, including official recovery websites that states have established.
Friday, March 6, 2009
The OD Guest View: Nonprofits strengthen community
The Observer-Dispatch Guest View recently featured Brian Howard, executive director of the Oneida County Historical Society. Read the full article here. Below is an excerpt about the impact of nonprofits:
Seems like each morning my e-mail brings dire messages from one museum organization or another, reporting on state or federal funding cuts, facility closings, and event postponements or cancellations. Indeed, tough times create significant challenges for organizations like ours, demanding a creative, flexible approach to doing business to ensure not just our survival, but the continuance of our mission.
Nonprofits do not manufacture goods; their “products” are less tangible. However, the Oneida County Historical Society and other nonprofit organizations in the Mohawk Valley perform vital, necessary services, around which the community can sustain or build its quality of life. They sell services, provide care and education, and foster a sense of community. They are the safety net, the keepers of culture, the caregivers, the helping hand, the smiling face.
Over the last year, more than 3,000 people have attended lectures and presentations at the Oneida County Historical Society. We also worked hand-in-hand with our local school districts, providing “non-traditional” educational opportunities for more than 500 elementary and middle school-age students. Schoolchildren toured our galleries and participated in a valuable summer education program. More recently, the society took one of our Civil War battle flags to Adirondack Middle School to help celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
However, perhaps because the impact of activities like these cannot be easily measured in dollars and cents, a “return on investment” cannot be easily calculated or quantified, either. From there it is often a short jump for contributors to target their charitable contributions for cuts when finances are tight. But cutting funding entirely, a wholesale end to giving, would be a terrible mistake.
It is incumbent upon our nonprofit leaders to operate their organizations efficiently and effectively, and to be good stewards of the money still coming in to them. Yes funding is down, but staying positive, mission-focused, and community-minded can go a long way toward navigating through these tough times.
Times are tight, on that point there is no debate. In these times we all must buckle down and work together to ensure a positive future. Just as it is important for each business and private citizen to consider their charitable contributions, it is incumbent upon our local nonprofits to be fiscally responsible. Also, to remain focused on providing services, perhaps at a reduced level, but to provide them nonetheless, to the citizens of the Mohawk Valley.
Yes, it is not easy, but nonprofits not only require the support of the communities they serve; they also deserve it. Inspiration, education, entertainment — these are the intangibles that make life in this or any region worth living.
Seems like each morning my e-mail brings dire messages from one museum organization or another, reporting on state or federal funding cuts, facility closings, and event postponements or cancellations. Indeed, tough times create significant challenges for organizations like ours, demanding a creative, flexible approach to doing business to ensure not just our survival, but the continuance of our mission.
Nonprofits do not manufacture goods; their “products” are less tangible. However, the Oneida County Historical Society and other nonprofit organizations in the Mohawk Valley perform vital, necessary services, around which the community can sustain or build its quality of life. They sell services, provide care and education, and foster a sense of community. They are the safety net, the keepers of culture, the caregivers, the helping hand, the smiling face.
Over the last year, more than 3,000 people have attended lectures and presentations at the Oneida County Historical Society. We also worked hand-in-hand with our local school districts, providing “non-traditional” educational opportunities for more than 500 elementary and middle school-age students. Schoolchildren toured our galleries and participated in a valuable summer education program. More recently, the society took one of our Civil War battle flags to Adirondack Middle School to help celebrate the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.
However, perhaps because the impact of activities like these cannot be easily measured in dollars and cents, a “return on investment” cannot be easily calculated or quantified, either. From there it is often a short jump for contributors to target their charitable contributions for cuts when finances are tight. But cutting funding entirely, a wholesale end to giving, would be a terrible mistake.
It is incumbent upon our nonprofit leaders to operate their organizations efficiently and effectively, and to be good stewards of the money still coming in to them. Yes funding is down, but staying positive, mission-focused, and community-minded can go a long way toward navigating through these tough times.
Times are tight, on that point there is no debate. In these times we all must buckle down and work together to ensure a positive future. Just as it is important for each business and private citizen to consider their charitable contributions, it is incumbent upon our local nonprofits to be fiscally responsible. Also, to remain focused on providing services, perhaps at a reduced level, but to provide them nonetheless, to the citizens of the Mohawk Valley.
Yes, it is not easy, but nonprofits not only require the support of the communities they serve; they also deserve it. Inspiration, education, entertainment — these are the intangibles that make life in this or any region worth living.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Charities Say Government Is Ignoring Them in Crisis
The New York Nonprofit Press related a New York Times story how, like many for-profit companies, charities are seeking help from the government, and they are upset that policy makers do not understand how much the recession has hurt them. Last week, nonprofit leaders representing thousands of organizations across the country signed on to a manifesto that calls on political leaders to support the work of nonprofits. See today's New York Times.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Local Nonprofits See Funding Yanked
There have been recent concerns raised among Oneida and Herkimer nonprofits about some recent cases of funding being pulled by New York State funders. If your nonprofit has faced this situation or been impacted, please share your feedback here or by e-mail.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Cultural Blueprints Info Offers Insight for Mohawk Valley
As we begin 2009, now is a good time to revisit the New York State Council on the Arts Cultural Blueprints blog. Cultural Blueprints was a statewide series of public forums initiated by the New York State Council on the Arts to identify regional and statewide strategies and opportunities for the arts to serve as a catalyst for cultural, economic and community development. A session was held in the Mohawk Valley, and the notes available here, outline the discussions that took place. Participants explored five themes: Infrastructure, Intellectual Capital and Workforce Development, International and Global Thinking, Investment and Financial Models, and Image and Identity. Explore the key themes of these breakout sessions as well as some of the potential action steps proposed by participants.
As you take a look at the results, there are many commonalities with recent discussions amongst the ED Group. Four primary areas to consider are: economic impact; collaborations/partnerships; improved communication; and cost sharing/resource sharing. There is a clear opportunity for area nonprofits to capitalize on these efforts as the ED Group moves forward with their "Economics of Nonprofits" focus for 2009.
As you take a look at the results, there are many commonalities with recent discussions amongst the ED Group. Four primary areas to consider are: economic impact; collaborations/partnerships; improved communication; and cost sharing/resource sharing. There is a clear opportunity for area nonprofits to capitalize on these efforts as the ED Group moves forward with their "Economics of Nonprofits" focus for 2009.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Excellus lost $54M in 2008
The Post-Standard reported in a recent article that Excellus BlueCross BlueShield lost $54 million in 2008 due to high medical expenses, declining enrollment and investment losses. The insurer paid $79 million more than anticipated in member health benefits and lost $70 million on investments because of the Wall Street meltdown. Excellus said its level of reserves fell by $329 million to $858 million at the end of 2008. Reserves are the nonprofit's financial cushion against spikes in expenses or declines in revenue.
Last year's loss was the company's biggest since 1998, when it lost $5.1 million. Excellus made a profit of $84.3 million in 2007. The insurer's enrollment declined last year by about 160,000 members, or 8 percent. The company said that reflects job losses related to the economic downturn, employers dropping coverage and the loss of business to competitors. Excellus raised health insurance premiums an average of 8.3 percent in 2008.
Nonprofits will watch closely for the impact from this financial disclosure. Will 2010 bring significant premium increases? How will nonprofits respond or what can they do? Join the conversation here and offer your own ideas. NYNED and the New York Council of Nonprofits (formerly CCSNYS) will keep you updated and informed. Contact us anytime with your health insurance questions.
Last year's loss was the company's biggest since 1998, when it lost $5.1 million. Excellus made a profit of $84.3 million in 2007. The insurer's enrollment declined last year by about 160,000 members, or 8 percent. The company said that reflects job losses related to the economic downturn, employers dropping coverage and the loss of business to competitors. Excellus raised health insurance premiums an average of 8.3 percent in 2008.
Nonprofits will watch closely for the impact from this financial disclosure. Will 2010 bring significant premium increases? How will nonprofits respond or what can they do? Join the conversation here and offer your own ideas. NYNED and the New York Council of Nonprofits (formerly CCSNYS) will keep you updated and informed. Contact us anytime with your health insurance questions.
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