Monday, July 11, 2005: Volume #2, Issue #81
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

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In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• Strategic Planning
• Show Me the Money
• Your Board and Fundraising
• What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know
• Become a fearless fundraiser
2. Promising Practices
• Accountability Matters
3. News
• TN Buddhist Temple Vandalized
• Ex-Guerrilla's Gamble for Peace Backfires
• Thousands of Lao Hmong Face Deportation from Thailand
• Baby First Casualty Among Hmong Refugees Cast out of Thai Homes
• School Candidate Hopes to Open More Doors for African-Americans
• Hmong Festival Paid Its Own Way
• America's Forgotten Allies
• Stitching Skills Bind Hmong History
• Making a Profit, Making a Difference
4. Funding Opportunities
• The San Francisco-based Creative Work Fund
• Jack Kent Cooke Foundation
• Do Something
• The Community Foundation Silicon Valley
• The Global Health Council
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• CreateAThon
• NPower Greater DC Region
• Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation
• WORLD SUMMIT YOUTH AWARD
• Ruddie Memorial Youth Foundation
• BALANCE BAR Community Grants
• Unitarian Universalist
5. Resources
• Capaciteria

I. Announcements

07/16/2005 Strategic Planning. Open to the Public. All Day. Location: Racine, WI. Registration: Required. Host: Holy Redeemer Institutional Church of God in Christ. Contact: Dr. William Rogers. Phone: 414-466-1800 Ext. 5161. Email: wrogers@hrcogic.org

***

Your accounting, finance, and HR folks are integral to advancing your mission. Help them help your cause even more by sending them to SHOW ME THE MONEY, the California Association of Nonprofits' (CAN) 4th Annual Nonprofit Finance Conference, in three California locations this summer.

• Los Angeles on Wed, August 17
• Orange County on Thurs, August 18
• The Bay Area on Wed, Sept 14

Go to ga0.org for a full schedule, speaker profiles, online registration, and more details.

***

Your Board and Fundraising (90 minutes; free); Learn how to actively engage a nonprofit board of directors in fundraising.

August 24, 11:30 am

Foundation Center,
1627 K Street, NW
Washington, DC

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What Every Nonprofit Needs to Know About Budgets, Audits and Intermediate

Sanctions Deadline/Event Date: July 29, 2005
Maryland Nonprofits Training
7/29, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fee: $45 members/$90 nonmembers

Held at the Silver Spring office of Maryland Nonprofits 8720 Georgia Avenue, Suite 303, Silver Spring, MD 20910

***

Center for Nonprofit Advancement training
Individual Giving: Making the Ask
Deadline/Event Date: July 26, 2005
July 26, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
1666 K St. NW Suite 440 Washington, DC 20006

Become a fearless fundraiser. This session at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement teaches the mechanics of raising money from individual donors. Learn the basics in the first hour, including the giving cycle and how to choose the right prospects. The second hour focuses on successfully structuring meetings with donors and increasing their investment over time.

To register, visit www.nonprofitlearning.org, click on "Nonprofit Learning," choose your course of interest, and click on "register me" to complete the Center's secure online registration process.

The nonprofit rate for workshops is $69, the member discount is $49, all others pay $79, and onsite registration is $99. If you have any questions, please contact Kai Dwyer at 202-457-0540 or kaid@nonprofitadvancement.org.

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II. Promising Practices

Accountability Matters: Without the Public Trust, Nonprofits Wouldn't Exist

From Blackbaud

Just as investors want assurances that publicly traded companies are ethically and financially sound, donors are increasingly demanding transparency from the nonprofits they support. In this white paper, explore key issues including financial and regulatory compliance, stewardship, and donor trust within the nonprofit sector, as well as simple steps to achieving a higher level of accountability.

Read on...

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III. News

TN Buddhist Temple Vandalized
WBIR-TV
July 8, 2005

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Ex-Guerrilla's Gamble for Peace Backfires
Minneapolis Star Tribune
July 5, 2005

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Thousands of Lao Hmong Face Deportation from Thailand
Radio Free Asia
July 6, 2005

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Baby First Casualty Among Hmong Refugees Cast out of Thai Homes
San Jose Mercury News
July 6, 2005

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School Candidate Hopes to Open More Doors for African-Americans
Lowell Sun
July 7, 2005

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Hmong Festival Paid Its Own Way
Pioneer Press
July 7, 2005

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America's Forgotten Allies
Sydney Morning Herald
July 8, 2005

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Stitching Skills Bind Hmong History
Green Bay Press Gazette
July 9, 2005

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Making a Profit, Making a Difference
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
July 9, 2005

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IV. Grants

1. (Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, or Solano counties, California)
   The San Francisco-based Creative Work Fund

   The San Francisco-based Creative Work Fund, a program of the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, invites artists and nonprofit organizations to create new art works through collaborations. The fund gives equal consideration to 1) collaborations between artists and arts organizations, and 2) collaborations between artists and non-arts community organizations (youth, human services, educational, environmental, and others.)

   The fund has announced that, for 2006, it will expand its geographic range and award approximately $525,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations and collaborating media or performing artists in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, or Solano counties, California.

   Projects must feature one or more artists collaborating with a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. The principal collaborating artists must live in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, or Solano counties, and have lived there for at least two years. Collaborating organizations also must be based in one of the four counties.

   The media arts encompass film, video, radio, sound or video installation, or computer-based forms. Performing artists may be performers or creators (e.g., playwrights, choreographers, or composers). The performing arts encompass dance, opera, performance art, plays, and vocal and instrumental music. (Spoken-word poets should apply in the literary arts category in a future year.)

   Grants in both categories will range from $10,000 to $35,000. Projects are expected to be completed within two years, but those of longer duration will be considered.

   Deadline: November 4, 2005

2. (National)
   Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

   As part of its commitment to find and support highly talented low-income students, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has announced the creation of the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artists Awards. The awards will be granted through From the Top, a National Public Radio program featuring young classical musicians.

   The grant to From the Top will support one-year scholarships worth $10,000 each for twenty-five of the best low-income young classical musicians in the United States. Scholarship funds may be used for music-related tuition, training, or instrument purchase. The scholarship recipients will perform live on From the Top and will participate in a cultural leadership training program.

   Students will be evaluated and chosen for the award based on exceptional musical talent; unmet financial need; academic achievement; and strength of character.

   Applicants must be between the ages of 8 and 18 and must apply before the start of their senior year of high school. Although applicants do not need to be a U.S. citizen to apply, they must reside and/or attend school in the U.S. Home-schooled students are also eligible to apply.

   Deadlines: September 1, 2005; November 1, 2005; and January 30, 2006

3. (National)
   Do Something

   Do Something awards $500 grants to change-makers and potential community leaders age 18 and under who identify problems in their communities and then create game plans to do something to change their world.

   Grants are awarded in three areas: community building, health, and the environment. Young people can apply on their own, or on behalf of a group or team. The Do Something Youth Advisory Council reviews grant proposals twice a year and awards ten grants every fall and ten grants every spring.

   Applicants must be 18 years old or younger on October 21, 2005, to receive a fall 2005 Do Something grant.

   Deadline: September 2, 2005

4. (Silicon Valley)
   The Community Foundation Silicon Valley

   The Community Foundation Silicon Valley has revised its community grants program and launched a new Web site with the goal of making its programs easier for nonprofits and community members to access and understand.

   CFSV will now provide general operating support to Silicon Valley grantees through its renamed Community Investment Grants program. (Previously, the Community Foundation only provided support for specific programs.) The program will provide one-year general support grant awards of up to $20,000 to nonprofits working in one or more of the following focus areas: Arts and Cultural Participation; Education and Lifelong Learning; Neighborhood and Civic Engagement; and Self-Reliant Individuals and Families.

   There are four quarterly grant application deadlines for these grants. To be eligible, organizations must have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and the organization's core program must serve a significant population in Santa Clara County and southern San Mateo County, California.

   Deadlines: September 1, 2005; November 1, 2005; February 1, 2006; and May 1, 2006

5. (National)
   The Global Health Council

   The Global Health Council is accepting nominations for the 2006 Gates Award for Global Health.

   The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation established the $1 million Gates Award for Global Health to recognize an organization that has made a major and lasting contribution to the field of global health.

   The annual award rewards organizations which have developed processes for improving health, especially in resource-poor settings, with measurable results. The award recognizes past achievements and the promise of continuing activity and improvement.

   Any organization from any country in the world that has substantively improved the health and the lives of people in need may be nominated for the Gates Award; the organization may be a charitable institution, a private company, or a public entity.

   The award will be presented on June 1, 2006, in Washington, D.C., at a special Awards Ceremony during the Global Health Council's Annual International Conference.

   Deadline: October 31, 2005

6. (National)
   The Occupational Safety and Health Administration

   The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is offering $6.9 million to educate Hispanic and non-English-speaking workers, small business employees, and high-hazard workers under the Susan Harwood Training Grants Program.

   The fund is broken up into two categories: Targeted Topic Training Grants, which includes training on general industry hazards, and Training Materials Development Grants for the development and application of training materials across a wide range of topic areas. Targeted Topic Training Grants comprise $2.9 million of the fund, with individual grants at approximately $150,000. Training Materials Development Grants make the other $4 million, with individual grants around $200,000.

   In addition to physical hazards, programs may also address prevention of violence and substance abuse in the workplace.

   Nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for this award.

   Deadline: July 21, 2005

7. (National)
   CreateAThon

   Do you know of a nonprofit in dire need of design or communications services, but without the budget to pay for them? Send them to www.mediastudio.com, where they will find information about CreateAThon, a 24-hour design blitz providing pro bono creative services.

   Applications are due to Mediastudio noon on August 3, and winners will be notified on September 8. This annual event is brought to the DC area by Mediastudio, a Northern Virginia-based branding agency that specializes in nonprofit communications efforts.

   Here's how CreateAThon^tm works:

   1. 501(c)(3) organizations located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area are invited to submit applications to the Mediastudio hosted CreateAThon(tm) in September.
   2. 10-12 organizations will be selected to work with the CreateAThon(tm) team on the creation of a graphic product. *In addition, selected groups will receive a comprehensive financial policy and procedures manual, tailored for your organization, that incorporates the latest policies, regulations and compliance requirements outlined in Sarbanes-Oxley and related nonprofit legislation.
   3. All projects will be completed-from start to finish-during a 24-hour blitz starting September 30 at 8 am.

   Any questions can be emailed to CAT@mediastudio.com (no phone calls please!).

   Deadline: August 03, 2005

8. (National)
   NPower Greater DC Region

   The NPower Greater DC Region Technology Innovation Award honors nonprofits in the metro Washington, DC area whose innovative use of technology has helped them improve key aspects of their operations and more effectively fulfill their missions:

   • Overall mission
   • Efficiency of day-to-day operations
   • Effectiveness in serving clients and key stakeholders
   • Increasing fundraising, advocacy or volunteer efforts

   The Award provides the winning nonprofit $10,000 in technology consulting services provided by NPower (over a 12-month period) and free Microsoft software valued at $25,000. In addition, the two other finalists will each receive $5,000 in NPower services and $10,000 in Microsoft software.

   The deadline for submitting an application is September 16, 2005, with three award finalists selected in early October 2005. The finalists will create a live presentation for the Technology Advisory Council, and the winner will be announced at a luncheon in late October.

9. (National)
   Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation Mattel and the Mattel Children's Foundation announce funds to support the health and well-being of children. Programs must address physical or mental health, increase access to health care, increase access to education, promote literacy, promote afterschool educational achievement, or promote self-esteem of girls. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations. Awards ranging from $5,000-$25,000 are available. GrantID: GD529 Deadline: September 30, 2005
10. (National)
    World Summit Youth Award

    Young people from 16 to 27 years old interested in e-content, portals and websites are invited to apply for the World Summit Youth Award international competition. It is the first global "Youth For Youth" initiative for selecting and promoting best practice in e-content and technological creativity, demonstrating young people's potential to create digital opportunities. To find out how to participate, visit the WSYA website, and select "The Categories" on the left hand side: http://www.youthaward.org.

    Deadline: August 31, 2005

11. (National)
    Ruddie Memorial Youth Foundation

    The Ruddie Memorial Youth Foundation aims to identify and disseminate innovative and effective practices for helping underprivileged youth reach their full potential. The Foundation helps assess the effectiveness of innovative youth programs by offering Evaluation Grants. These grants are targeted to innovative programs or innovative components of programs that provide youth with new opportunities for health, personal growth and success. Grants range from $5,000 to $20,000 and are targeted to small or medium nonprofit organizations with budgets of less than $5,000,000. (The Foundation also offers Replication Grants and Dissemination Grants for previous grantees.)

    Deadline: August 1, 2005 (online submission only)

12. (National)
    BALANCE BAR Community Grants

    BALANCE BAR Community Grants support nonprofit organizations that offer programs that enhance people's physical health while they pursue a passion that enriches their lives. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations such as road runners clubs, trails conferences, parks and recreation departments, athletics programs and leagues, youth organizations, etc. Eligible requests include support for equipment, training, education programs, and events.

    Organizations can apply for a grant ranging from a minimum of $1,000 to a maximum of $25,000.

    Deadline: August 31, 2005

13. (National)
    Unitarian Universalist

    The Fund for a Just Society, a program of the Unitarian Universalist Association, makes grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that address issues of social and economic justice. Priority is given to groups of people organizing to create change in the economic, social, and political structures that affect their lives. Projects are welcome that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the constituency.

    Deadline: September 15, 2005

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V. Resources

Capaciteria is a comprehensive, searchable database directory of administrative resources that help nonprofits leverage their own capacity. It promotes peer review because MEMBERS can comment on and rate individual resource links as well as add useful new links. Like Google, search requests return link results weighted to rise based on ratings and popularity given to them by nonprofit users. Members can use the 'Favorites' feature to personalize their list of easily accessible links in Capaciteria. Learn about Capaciteria's unique features and 90 categories of information here.

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