NYS Comptroller Cites Increase in Late Contract Payments

Comptroller DiNapoli: Increase in Late Contracts with Nonprofits Impacts Those in Need   In one of our recent newsletters we reported on Urban Institute's National Study on prompt contracting, which ranked New York State within the "Top Ten Worst" in Nonprofit contracting and payments. Just this week, NYS Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released a report with additional data proving, unfortunately, what we already suspected. New York State is getting worse at paying nonprofits what they are owed for services. Key Findings:  ·         State agencies were late 87% of the time in approving contracts with nonprofit providers in 2013.This is an increase from 2012, when 78 percent of contracts were approved late. ·         Late approvals prompted interest payments, mandated under the Prompt Contracting Law, which cost the state $185,519. The bulk of the interest was paid by four agencies as seen in the below table:  Agency Amount  % of NYS Interest Paid Department of Health $79,573 43% Division of Criminal Justice Services $56,487 30% Office of Children and Family Services $24,969 13% State Education Department $24,155 13% "Every day, New Yorkers rely on not-for-profits to care for their children, improve their health, get housing and much more,"DiNapoli said. "Simply put, the state can't provide all of these basic services without the help of not-for-profit organizations. And when contracts and payments are late, it hurts people and providers, costing the state taxpayer dollars in interest payments "We applaud Comptroller DiNapoli for tracking and highlighting this problem year after year,"said Doug Sauer, chief executive officer of the New York Council of Nonprofits Inc. "Unfortunately, facts do not create policy, they only inform it. The state of New York, despite best intentions, has taken its eye off the ball."   Although there have been multiple attempts to fix the system, such as the NYS Grants Gateway, little has made any real substantial changes to improve the system. The Comptroller's report recommends that state agencies: ·         Make prompt contracting a priority to reduce costs to the state and nonprofits ·         Pay prompt contracting interest with the first payment due after the start of a late contract ·         Re-align contract start dates to reflect the time required for the procurement process.  To download the Full Report click here, for a breakdown by nonprofit, region, and length of days for approval click here. Want more information? Please contact our Policy & Program Associate, Amber Vanderwarker.

Download the Prompt Contracting Annual Report  Click here to download the Full Report, and click here for a breakdown by nonprofit, region, and length of days for approval.   Updated on Prompt Payment Legislation: It may be late in the legislative session, but you can still help us pass  A.9599/ S.7340. It's passed in the Assembly, but has not moved in the Senate. Send an email or call chairman Michael Ranzenhofer's office today to move the bill.   NYCON News & Resources State Commits to Additional Gateway Fixes NYCON's Efforts Makes a Difference and a Win for Nonprofits National Study of Nonprofit-Government Contracts and Grants 2013 NYS: State of the Sector Survey Results

Community Foundation grants have big impact on area

Non-profit organizations in Herkimer and Oneida counties are feeling a spring in their step this month, following an announcement from The Community Foundation.

The foundation’s most recent grants will be used to fund a wide range of projects, from work stations for bicycle repair to flood emergency preparedness training.

The charitable foundation that awards grants monthly to nonprofit entities, invested nearly $800,000 in April and May with the aim of impacting residents in both counties for “years to come.”

Communications and Marketing Director Cassaundra Baber said the foundation believes each of the nonprofit organizations receiving funds will have an impact on their communities.

“In the past few years the foundation has been transitioning from a responsive agency into an investor. We looked at our role in the community, and took steps to ensure we know what our community needs,” Baber said.

One of the communities greatest needs, Baber said, is reliable transportation and the knowledge of how to care for it.

Matt van Slyke, of the Utica Bike Rescue, said the $42,063, the organization received from the foundation will be used to expand their repair workshops. They also will offer several programs that teach economically disadvantaged adults and children how to repair and maintain their bicycles, which otherwise would be discarded or unused.

“We’re going to be able to establish our community bicycle workshop more among those who need the service, because those funds will be used to purchase bicycle-shop quality tools and parts. The way we operate now is using donated tools and used parts,” Slyke said.

Following concerns from heavy floods across central New York in 2013, a $50,000 grant to the American Red Cross of CNY seeks to ensure that residents are prepared in areas that flooding is still a concern.

Read more: http://www.uticaod.com/article/20140524/News/140529665#ixzz32vNy0FCp

Upcoming Events & Webinars

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Medicaid Compliance...(But Were Afraid to Ask)  A special four-part NYCON "Lunch & Learn" Webinar Series brought to you by the Experts; FREE for NYCON Members. Non-Member Nonprofits are $75 per session or $275 for series.  If you would like to attend all four,please choose "Series" Ticket type.You will be automatically registered for each session through June. All webinars are from 11am to 12:30pm. Register Medicaid Compliance... Medicaid Compliance Plans ... Medicaid Self Auditing...Medicaid Self-Disclosures... Medicaid Audits ... Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse...Office of the Medicaid Inspector General ... OMIG...If these words and phrases are part of a typical day at your nonprofit, we have designed the perfect series of webinars for you. Participants will hear directly from experts in the field (including David Ross, former Acting Medicaid Inspector General for the State of New York, and David Rottkamp, CPA and leader of Grassi & Co.'s not-for-profit practice area) and get the practical information they need to provide appropriate oversight and management of Medicaid-funded programs, understand the role of the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General, and much more.   Next Webinar: Know Thy Compliant Self: How to Conduct a Medicaid Self Audit May 15th, 2014 11:00am to 12:30PM Presented by David R. Ross, Esq, and David M. Rottkamp, CPA Register Part of any provider's compliance program is their compliance plan, and the key part of any compliance plan is the concept of risk assessment and self auditing. This means identifying where errors are most likely to be made, and then reviewing your Medicaid claims and documentation for compliance with applicable requirements. Hypotheticals for risk assessment and self audit will be discussed. As participants will hear, self auditing can be the best preventative medicine. A question and answer period will be provided. Complying with the Nonprofit Revitalization Act:  Practical Webinars for New York Nonprofits Presented by David Watson, Esq, Sr. VP of Legal Accountability Services, NYCON and Michael West, Esq., Legal Advisor, NYCON May 20th and June 26th, 2014 Webinars are held from 11:00 am to 12:30pm The Nonprofit Revitalization Act is a landmark change in the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law of the State of New York and will usher in a modern era for the operation and governance of nonprofit corporations starting July 1, 2014. As always, here at the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON) your one-stop tool box and soap box we eagerly anticipated the updated statutes and have prepared a practical webinar series to address your immediate needs in the updating of your bylaws and governance materials. We encourage all of our Members to take advantage of these webinars. Part 1: New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act Part- Steps To Compliance - An Overview A comprehensive overview of the Act to take place with a plenary Q/A portion to be held in February, April & June. This offering will provide you with an overview and a practical set of actions to take to amend your bylaws to meet the new standards of the Act Part 2:  New York Nonprofit Revitalization Act: Implementing Your  Compliance Checklist - Whistleblower, Conflict of Interest, Committees & Executive Compensation These webinars will be held In March and May will be a more detailed and focused on the various topics included in the Act that are new and have implications on Board governance in general and your operations specifically. Click here to register. Dates: May 20th   Cost: FREE & Open Only to current NYCON Nonprofit Members. All webinars are from 11:00am to 12:30pm. .  Date: June 26th Membership Benefits: Get to Know Us! [Webinar] May 30, 2014 2:00 pm Register In our "Get to Know Us" Sessions, NYCON staff will tell you a lot more about our membership benefits - and answer all the questions you have regarding our process, costs and what you get for FREE. We will be talking about these benefits... Nonprofit Training, Education and Professional Assistance NYCON empowers our members with the best practices, policies, and procedures as well as information on ever-changing regulations, funding, accountability and more. Cost Savings Solutions for Nonprofits NYCON leverages the purchasing power of thousands of nonprofits to bring you economies of scale on everything from Office Supplies to Fundraising Software. The Nonprofit Voice in New York State NYCON represents our members on the local, state and national level, giving voice to small and medium sized nonprofits everywhere.

Upcoming Event Listing How to Conduct a Medicaid Self-Audit Nonprofit Revitalization Act Webinars Membership: Get to Know Us Fundraising Breakfast Roundtable Webinars & Events from Our Partners Southern Tier Workshops Fundraising Breakfast Roundtables For Mid-Hudson Valley Nonprofits  Part III: May 22nd, 2014   8:00am to 9:30am Creating A "Planned Giving Culture" at Your Nonprofit   FREE RSVP TODAY NYCON is pleased to bring a series of three exciting, interactive discussions on fundraising to Mid-Hudson Valley nonprofits this spring. NYCON staff expert Audrey Grifel, with 25+ years of practical experience working with nonprofits on fundraising and donor management, will be facilitating these exciting discussions with our special guest speaker, philanthropist Nick Preddice. Mr. Preddice will give you a rare glimpse into the world of a major donor - sharing his expertise and advice.  Other Upcoming Webinars & Events from NYCON Partners....  Telling Your Story with Blogs, Photos, and Videos  FREE: 10 Tips for Measuring Programs Through Data     Before You Install: Selecting Software That Suits Your Needs   Southern Tier Capacity Building Mini-Grant and Assessment Programs: Resource Development & Fundraising 101: Building Relationships and Moving People to Act [Binghamton] July 10, 2014 9:30am-1:00pm  Strategies for Not Just Good...But Great Governance![Binghamton] August 6, 2014 9:30 am-1:00pm

Best of the Web : May 2014

	Best of the Web: May 2014 The Idealware “Best of the Web” is a monthly roundup of the top nonprofit resources from the Idealware blog, our Facebook page, and our Twitter feed to help you make the right technology decisions. Please forward it along to anyone you think might benefit from it.  Nonprofit Technology Staffing and Investments survey (NTEN)We know technology means something to your organization--our friends at NTEN and The NonProfit Times want to know what. This annual survey is a way to gather data from which the entire nonprofit community can learn. Not only will you greatly help your peers by taking this 15-minute survey, but you will be entered to win a $500 Amazon gift card. How's that for a win-win? Top Five Instagram Best Practices for Nonprofits (Nonprofit Tech for Good)Instagram is one of the hottest social media tools, so it makes sense that nonprofits looking to reach a younger audience or who strive to be on the cutting edge of technology want to dive in. Before you send out your first #nofilter, it's best to take a look at some of these tips specificlly intended for organizations dipping their toe in the Instagram pool. The Complete Nonprofit's Guide to Heartbleed (Idealware)If one news story has dominated the tech section headlines this spring, it's the Heartbleed bug discovery. Many sites were affected. Kyle Andrei breaks down what you need to know about it (and what you need to do right now) to keep yourself and your data protected. Coming Soon: A Whole New You in Your Twitter Profile (Twitter)There's an uproar each time Facebook changes its layout, but Twitter has remained largely recognizable since its launch in 2006. That could change as the social media tool experiments with a new look for the profile of select users with a greater emphasis on multimedia. Why We’re Removing Comments on Copyblogger (Copyblogger)For many blogs, the comment section can provide a unique avenue for creating a community around your website. For others--such as content marketing blog Copyblogger--it can be a dangerous environment requiring moderation so severe, it's better to start from scratch. Find out why in this intriguing post. How to Make Google Drive Work Like a Desktop Suite (LifeHacker)Nonprofits, with limited budgets and technology staff, are often looking for inexpensive and easy-to-use alternatives to complex software packages. For many, Google Drive provides the necessary basic office software functionality without costing a dime. But just because you have more sophisticated needs doesn't mean you have a bigger budget. These tips and tricks can help you get a bit more functionality out of Google Drive. The Nine Steps of Planning a Successful Technology Project (TechSoup)In this blog post for TechSoup, our own Research Analyist Kyle Andrei breaks down nine essential steps for making your technology project a success. Whether you're implementing a new database or defining goals for your email service, planning is an important element of getting where you need to be--both on time and under budget. How To Create Eye-Catching Graphics For Your Nonprofit (Without Using Photoshop!) (J Campbell Social Marketing)Surely by now you've seen nonprofits succeed in extending their reach with viral images, but did you know that you don't need expensive software to do it? This slideshow from Julia Campbell goes over the best practices for creating future viral images with tools that won't break the bank. Wearable Technology Can Change Relationships With Donors & Clients (The NonProfit Times) Google Glass may still seem like a tool out of science fiction, but many are already considering how wearable technology can be used as a aide to nonprofits and fundraisers. You might not be collecting data from your glasses at your next donor meeting, but the possibility is not as far away as you might think. Would you like to suggest a link for Best of the Web? Email it toinfo@idealware.org. ____________ You received this email because you signed up for Idealware updates. If you are no longer interested in hearing from us, click here to unsubscribe. Idealware | 1 Pleasant St., Suite 4E | Portland ME | 04101

Keep Going, Your Hard Work is Paying Off!

Good News to Report, Thanks to You   You Made the Difference!  Last Tuesday, NYCON met with the offices of Assemblymember James Brennan and Senator Michael Ranzenhofer , bill sponsors for the Nonprofit Revitalization Act, to further discuss the need to delay the effective date of the Act. We're pleased to inform members that both Brennan and Ranzenhofer's offices understand our perspective and are now working with NYCON and our members to delay the Nonprofit Revitalization Act's effective date. This is great news- but we still have work to do! NYCON is working with both offices in drafting a bill to amend the Act to ensure that nonprofits in New York State have the appropriate amount of time needed to comply. After the bill is placed into session,  we will be asking members to send letters and contact legislators to support the bill, we hope to have your support in the coming weeks!    NYCON wouldn't have been able to take this step without the tremendous assistance from our members communicating to their offices and own local elected officials, signing our petition, and providing us their testimonies - so this first (huge) step is thanks to you. You can still help now - and it's easy. If you haven't already please sign this petition and consider forwarding it to your nonprofit colleagues via email and your social media network. We need more nonprofit voices at the table. Thank you for your continued support! If you have any questions about this or any other public policy issue, please feel free to our  Program and Policy Associate, Amber Vanderwarker.

57 Days Left Until the Effective Date! Sign Our Petition  We're now at 150 signatures on our petition!  We know there are still many more out there who have not yet, so please join our efforts by signing our petition. Please Sign Our Petition!