Monday, March 28, 2005: Volume #2, Issue #67
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

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In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• National Youth Summit
• Community Based Voter Strategies
• Nonprofit Boards and Fundraising
2. Promising Practices
• Using a rating system to find your top tier
3. News
• Religious Sects Played Major Role in Struggle for Power During the Vietnam War
• County to See Bumper Crop of Spreading Farm Markets
• Asian Cultures Focus of 'Tridentity' Event
• Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Spanish, Press 3 for Urdu, Press ...
• Jobs-Plus Gets an a+
• Event Announcement Um Marks 40th Anniversary of First Vietnam ...
• Metro Briefs
• Vietnamese Agent Orange Lawsuit Dismissed by New York Judge
• Court Decision on Agent Orange Angers Vietnamese-Americans
• History Day Winners Announced
• For the Girls
• Playing to Nguyen
• Prosecution Opens Ryan Case
• A Sense of Place
• Worship in Living Color
• Hmong Festival Features Education, Health Matters with...
4. Funding Opportunities
• The SBC Foundation (CA & WI)
• The National Endowment for the Arts
• Reebok Human Rights Award
• Bank of America Charitable Investments
• The Presidential Freedom Scholarships
• U.S. Department of Labor
• The Department of Housing and Urban
• Marshall Fields (WI)
5. Resources
• The Chronicles of Philanthropy Fundraising Services Guide

I. Announcements

National Youth Summit: Youth in Action-Making a Difference

The National Youth Summit will focus on ways youth can and are making their voices heard through public policy, the economy, community service, and creativity. Youth and adults will explore how to build and maintain meaningful partnerships that strengthen communities. Together, they will participate in interactive workshops, attend networking events, hear from special guest speakers, and enjoy youth entertainment.

For more details about the National Youth Summit or to register online, visit: www.ncfy.com and click on the Summit logo, or call: 301-608-8098. The National Youth Summit will be held at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, DC from July 28-30, 2005.

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Conference: Community Based Voter Strategies: Building Political Power from the Ground Up

Location: Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.

Date: April 11-13, 2005

A limited amount of financial assistance is available to cover some or all of travel (up to $300/person) and hotel expenses. ALL PARTICIPANTS ARE REQUIRED TO PAY THE REGISTRATION FEE.

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Nonprofit Boards and Fundraising

Your board can be one of your most powerful fundraising assets. Learn how to quickly assess their fundraising potential and find strategies to motivate them. Our instructors outline policies and structures to ensure the board_s commitment. Developed in partnership with BoardSource, this course shows you how to work most effectively with your board to raise money.

Fee: $195

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II. Promising Practices

Using a Rating System to Find Your Top Tier

From Campagne Associates

Nonprofit fundraising works on the 90/10 rule-90% of dollars raised come from 10% of donors. While this is common knowledge among fundraisers, what often remains a mystery is how to identify those prospects with the greatest potential to become part of that top tier. Research is essential to learn more about constituents, but it is only the beginning. Ranking or rating prospects makes the most of the information gathered and creates a firm foundation upon which relationships can be built.

The Three Cs:

When considering current top prospects and donors, most fundraisers think about those who are the most involved with their organization-Board members, parents and alumni, volunteers, and those who've received services personally or for family members. Next are those who share a common interest in the organization's mission or cause. Rounding out the list are those people who have lots of money to give, even if they haven't given yet. Collectively, these attributes can be considered the 3Cs of fundraising-commitment, concern and capacity.

Commitment:

Commitment is a person's emotional connection or bond to an organization, and has a direct impact on motivation to give. In fact, it often is the strongest factor in determining how likely it is a prospect or constituent will make a contribution. It is based on a person's feelings for, and relationship and history with an organization. Commitment reflects the real difference an organization has made in a prospect's life, and is inspired by strong and deeply held emotional beliefs or experiences. For example:

• An alumna giving to the university she attended after participating in homecoming events and seeing old friends;
• A family giving to the hospice that cared for their loved one;
• A couple adopts a puppy from a local humane society and gives to the shelter that cared for him.

These relationships should not be taken for granted. Identifying and understanding commitment can serve as a guide to strengthening the relationship between donors and fundraisers. Organizations need to make concerted efforts to keep people involved and their commitments strong. It is important to question how committed a constituent base is to an organization, and to consider different ways to build the level of commitment among both current donors and potential supporters.

Read on: http://www.campagne.com/pdfs/rating_system.pdf

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III. News

Religious Sects Played Major Role in Struggle for Power During the Vietnam War
Viet Weekly
March 17, 2005

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County to See Bumper Crop of Spreading Farm Markets
Seattle Times
March 21, 2005

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Asian Cultures Focus of 'Tridentity' Event
The State News
March 21, 2005

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Press 1 for English, Press 2 for Spanish, Press 3 for Urdu, Press ...
Yahoo News
March 22, 2005

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Jobs-Plus Gets an A+
Pioneer Press
March 22, 2005

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Event Announcement UM Marks 40th Anniversary of First Vietnam ...
U of M News Service
March 22, 3005

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Metro Briefs
Minneapolis Star Tribune
March 23, 2005

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Vietnamese Agent Orange Lawsuit Dismissed by New York Judge
News Target
March 23, 2005

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Court Decision on Agent Orange Angers Vietnamese-Americans
Viet Weekly
March 24, 2005

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History Day Winners Announced
Mount Shasta Herald
March 23, 2005

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For the Girls
Waukesha Freeman
March 23, 2005

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Playing to Nguyen
Silicon Valley's Metro
March 24, 2005

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Prosecution Opens Ryan Case
Fresno Bee
March 25, 2005

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A Sense of Place
Minneapolis Star Tribune
March 26, 2005

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Worship in Living Color
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
March 27, 2005

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Hmong Festival Features Education, Health Matters with ...
Enterprise-Record
March 27, 2005

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IV. Grants

1. (California and Wisconsin)
   The SBC Foundation

   The SBC Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2005 SBC Excelerator grants program. The SBC Excelerator program, now in its fourth year, will award $9 million dollars in competitive grants to nonprofit organizations for projects that use technology to build stronger communities.

   The SBC Excelerator grants program serves as a catalyst for improving operations among nonprofits in the area of technology. Since its inception in 2002, the SBC Excelerator grants program has provided more than $27 million to help more than 1,500 nonprofit organizations across the nation integrate technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach. SBC Excelerator grants have been used for Internet access, online volunteer recruiting, e-fundraising, staff technology training and online outreach.

   To qualify for an SBC Excelerator grant, an organization must operate within SBC's 13-state service region and the proposed project to be funded must emphasize education, community development, health and human services, or arts and culture. Competitive grants will range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are one year in length.

   Collaborations by two or more organizations will be considered for grants up to $50,000 for one year. Interested organizations can apply for this year's grant by downloading a copy of the 2005 request for proposals (RFP) from the SBC Foundation Web site. For more information, call 1-800-591-9663 or email SBCFDN@txmail.sbc.com.

   Deadline: June 15, 2004

2. (National)
   The National Endowment for the Arts

   The National Endowment for the Arts created the Summer Schools in the Arts program to raise the quality and availability of arts education in communities nationwide. The program is designed to support rigorous, challenging summer arts education programs that enable children and youth to acquire knowledge and skills in the arts as well as gain lifelong interests in the arts and culture.

   A summer school in the arts is one that provides summer instruction in one or more arts disciplines; offers a comprehensive curriculum where participants actively create and/or perform as well as respond to the arts; culminates in public performances, exhibitions, or other demonstrations of the participants' achievements in the arts; measures the extent to which students gain knowledge and skills according to national, state, or local arts education standards through pre- and post-assessment tests; offers instruction to the same group of students over a minimum of ninety contact hours; may provide free or subsidized tuition for students of limited financial resources; and serves children and youth generally between the ages of 5 and 18.

   The Arts Endowment anticipates awarding fewer than fifty grants, ranging from $15,000 to $35,000. All grants require a match of at least one-to-one. Summer school programs must take place during the summer of 2006.

   Nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) organizations; units of state or local government; or federally recognized tribal communities or tribes may apply. Please note that funding is not available for individual elementary or secondary schools, including charter and private schools, directly.

   Deadline: May 23, 2005 (Statement of Interest)

3. (National)
   Reebok Human Rights Award

   Established in 1988, the Reebok Human Rights Award provides recognition and financial support to young people from the United States and around the world who have made significant contributions to the cause of human rights, often against great odds. A $50,000 grant is given to further the work of each award recipient.

   Nominees must be thirty years of age or younger on December 31, 2005. Award candidates cannot advocate violence or belong to an organization that advocates violence and must be working on an issue that directly relates to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Women and men of all races, ethnic groups, nationalities, and religions are eligible. The award is given to an individual, based on that individual's personal achievement and commitment; it is not given to groups, organizations, or as a memorial award to people who have died.

   Deadline: May 31, 2005

4. (National)
   Bank of America Charitable Investments

   Bank of America Charitable Investments has commenced the second year of its Neighborhood Excellence Initiative, designating an additional $17 million to recognize, nurture, and reward organizations, local heroes, and student leaders helping to rebuild and revitalize their communities in thirty-eight of the bank's major markets across the United States.

   Working with community partners, Bank of America developed the Neighborhood Excellence Initiative to provide the participating markets with support through three distinct programs:

   1. Neighborhood Builders: $200,000 in grant funding and leadership training over the course of two years to two local nonprofit organizations working to promote vibrant neighborhoods. The combination of operating support and leadership training is designed to help strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of the selected organizations and promote the professional development of their leaders.
   2. Local Heroes: Recognition of five community heroes whose achievements and leadership on local issues contributes significantly to neighborhood vitality. Recipients will direct a $5,000 contribution to an eligible nonprofit of their choice and will be honored at a public ceremony.
   3. Student Leaders: Development of five high school students in their junior or senior years who are exemplary young people with an interest in improving their neighborhoods. To further their personal and educational growth, each student will participate in an eight-week paid summer internship with a community-based organization, as well as a mentorship program arranged by Bank of America.

   Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible. Program guidelines, application and nomination materials, and the list of participating communities are available at the Bank of America Web site.

   Deadline: June 30, 2005

5. (National)
   The Presidential Freedom Scholarships

   The Presidential Freedom Scholarships are designed to promote student service and civic engagement. Students from every high school in the United States are eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship through the program in honor of their outstanding service to the community.

   The annual college scholarship program, which will award up to 7,800 scholarships, is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service's Learn and Serve America ( http://www.learnandserve.org/ ) program. Since 1997, over 37,000 students from every state in the nation, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Department of Defense overseas schools have been recognized.

   Nominations are open to high school juniors or seniors during the 2004-05 academic year. The scholarship program provides $500 of the award, which must be matched with at least $500 from a community organization, civic group, or business.

   Students who complete at least 100 hours of community service, either through a school-based service-learning program or independently through service at a nonprofit or faith-based organization, are eligible to receive the scholarship.

   The early notification deadline for certifications April 1, 2005, which will enable schools to recognize their scholarship recipients at their high school awards ceremony, if applicable. The final postmark deadline is July 1, 2005.

   Deadline: July 1, 2005

6. (National)
   U.S. Department of Labor

   PDF: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-5907.pdf

   Summary: The Employment and Training Administration (ETA), U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announces the availability of $1,000,000 to award grants to eligible "grassroots'' organizations with the ability to connect to the local One-Stop delivery system. The term "grassroots'' is defined under the Eligibility Criteria.

   ETA has identified $1,000,000 from the FY 2005 appropriation for One-Stop/America's Labor Market Information System. The agency expects to award approximately 40-50 grants. The grant amount for each grassroots organization is expected to range between $20,000 and $25,000. The period of performance will be 12 months from the date of execution by the Department.

   Eligibility Requirements: For purposes of this announcement, eligible grassroots organizations must be non-profit organizations which: Have social services as a major part of their mission; Are headquartered in the local community to which they provide these services; (a) Have a social services budget of $350,000 or less, or (b) Have 6 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Neutral, non-religious criteria that neither favor nor disfavor religion will be employed in the Department's selection of grant recipients and must be employed by grantee recipients in the selection of sub-recipients.

   Deadline: April 28, 2005. Applications must be received no later than 5p.m. (Eastern Time).

7. (National)
   The Department of Housing and Urban

   The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published its FY 2005 Notice of Fund Availability. Several program investments reflect a workforce development and/or economic development emphasis.

   Among them is Youthbuild:

   The purpose of the Youthbuild program is to assist disadvantaged young adults between the ages of 16 and 24 years of age in distressed communities to:

   1. Complete their high school education;
   2. provide on-site construction training experiences which result in the rehabilitation or construction of housing for homeless persons and low- and very low-income families;
   3. foster leadership skills;
   4. further opportunities for placement in apprenticeship programs; and
   5. promote economic self-sufficiency for program participants.

   HUD has identified approximately $56,444,800 in appropriated funds and carry over is available for FY 2005, plus any funds available through recapture, minus any amount needed to correct errors.

   HUD lists various performance outcomes that should be addressed by the applicant, including number of jobs created; percentage change in earnings as a result of employment for those participants; number of participants trained; and, percent of participants trained who find a job.

   Deadline: The application submission date is May 17, 2005.

   The March 21 Federal Register, summarizes the background on these funding opportunities. The "SuperNOFA" also addresses funding opportunities under the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency program ("which addresses the needs of public housing residents by providing supportive services, resident empowerment activities and/or assisting residents in becoming economically self-sufficient") and the Public Housing Neighborhood Networks (whose centers "offer comprehensive services designed to help public housing residents achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency").

8. (Wisconsin)
   Marshall Fields

   Marshall Fields, a Midwestern retailer, will award grants in several areas, including health and welfare and youth leadership.

   Grants of up to $5,000 will be given to organizations that promote prevention and intervention among at-risk families, foster greater health services, or help build community awareness of health issues. Programs that develop youth leadership within the community, including mentoring skills and community service, as also eligible to apply.

   Applicants must be located within Marshall Fields retail-store communities, be a 501(c)3 nonprofit or a unit of local government, including schools.

   Store Locator

   Deadline: April 29, 2005

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V. Resources

To help you find a consultant, we have categorized the advertisers in the Fund-Raising Services Guide by their specialties. Companies are listed in the Guide in alphabetical order. After you have looked at the information in the Fund-Raising Services Guide, you have the opportunity to request additional details using the online information-request form.

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If you wish to contribute to the VERB Weekly e-Digest, please send all materials to sophy@searac.org