Thursday, July 30, 2004: Volume #2, Issue #39
The VERB Weekly Email Digest
Edited by Sophy Pich, VERB Project Associate

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In This Week's Issue

1. Announcements
• Advocacy Communications International
• Board Boot Camps
• National Voice Nonprofit Legal Call
2. Promising Practices
• Is Your Board Liable for Controversial Decisions?
3. News
• UH professor takes fresh look at U.S. immigrants
• Minority candidates to make few gains
• Hmong Refugee Dontations 'overwhelming'
• U.S. Offers Hmong Refugees a New Home
• Complaints About Oakland Museum's Vietnam Exhibit
• Resource Shortage May Hurt Hmong Refugees
• California, Hmong Refugees Prepare for Each Other
• Vigil Planned for Vietnamese Tribe
• Hmong Told Story on TV Show
• Federal Grants Will Help Resettling Hmong
• Thousands of Hmong Call US Home
• A call for tolerance, understanding for newest ...
• Hmong Refugees Risk Unknown
• Refugees get crash course in US culture
• Rhapsodies of Repressed Rage
• Entertaining former enemies
• Unused Land Reaps Bennefits for Hmong
• Hmong migrate to little houses on the prairie
• City Task Force Takes on Racism
4. Funding Opportunities
• Blakemore Foundation
• Acton Institute's Center for Effective Compassion
• Action Without Borders--Idealist.org
• The Jewish Fund for Justice
• Bank of America Foundation
• The Staples Foundation for Learning
• The Art Institute of California-San Francisco
• Community Foundation for the National Capital Region
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Corporation for National Service
5. Resources
• Great Ideas from Innovative Organizations

I. Announcements

Mediastudio, a graphic design firm, and Advocacy Communications International, a public relations firm, are hosting CreateAThon, a 24-hour marathon of pro bono assistance for nonprofit advocacy organizations.

501(c)(3) nonprofits in DC and Northern Virginia are eligible to apply. Up to 12 organizations will be selected to work with the CreateAThon team on the creation of a graphic design product and communications plan on October 1.

Email questions to CAT@mediastudio.com.

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Board Boot Camps

Do you have key staff or board members who need to learn the roles and responsibilities of serving on a nonprofit board of directors? They should attend a two-hour Board Boot Camp session, for $35. Upcoming Board Boot Camp sessions are July 28, August 18, and September 15, from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at MAP. For more information, www.mapfornonprofits.org; select Nonprofit Services, Board Development. Or call (651) 647-1216

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NATIONAL VOICE NON-PROFIT LEGAL CALL
DATE: Tuesday, August 10, 2004
TIME: 1:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time
2:00 Eastern Daylight Time
Dial-in Number: 1-661-705-2000
Access Code: 54386

Join National Voice for a conference call with lawyer Holly Schadler on legal issues related to non profit organizations engaged in election and civic participation work. Holly will give a brief overview presentation followed by Q & A.

Crystal Wabnum
Intern Organizer: Native American Voters
National Voice/IATP
2105 First Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55404
Tel: 612.879.7531
Fax: 612.870.4846
crystal@nationalvoice.org
www.nationalvoice.org
www.november2.org

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II. Promising Practices

The Minnesota Supreme Court recently determined that a rule that protects for-profit boards also applies to nonprofit boards.

The "business judgment rule" was implemented to help judges determine whether board members breached their fiduciary duties in making a decision. Fiduciary duties call for the board of directors to make the decision with due care and in good faith.

Under the business judgment rule, the outcome of a business decision is not analyzed. Instead, the judge looks at the standard of care used in connection with decision and the process by which the board members became informed before reaching their conclusion. Judges are not interested in the correctness of the decision made, only that the proper process was carried out.

Best Practices for Board Members to Follow:

1. Whether the decision has been made by disinterested members: Board members who have a personal interest in any proposed transaction that is before the board must abstain from voting. Further, it is recommended, but not required, that discussion about the transaction should be done without the interested member's presence. If there aren't enough disinterested members to obtain a quorum for voting, disinterested board members should be temporarily elected for the purposes of voting on the matter.
2. Whether the board's decision was reasonably well informed: The court will examine what steps the board members took to make an informed decision. Factors that the court takes into consideration are the amount of time spent on reaching the decision, level of scrutiny applied by the members, and the depth of information gathered for each issue.
3. Whether the board made its decision in good faith: The court will look at whether the members acted in the best interests of the organization. It is important to note that whether the decision was actually the best one for the corporation is not what is at stake here. Instead, the court will analyze whether the board acted in good faith in making the decision. Good faith can be shown by stating the facts leading up to the decision and articulating a rational basis for it in the board minutes of the meeting.

Board members of nonprofit corporations have the same fiduciary duties as board members of for-profit corporations. As such, the court will apply the same scrutiny to nonprofits as they do to for-profit corporations. As long as directors make decisions in good faith and are reasonably informed, the protection of the business judgment rule will be applied.

This information provided by Charley Ravine, director of MAP Legal Services. Charley works with nonprofit organizations, providing a full range of legal services to nonprofit organizations, including assistance with incorporation, pro bono legal volunteers and advice through MAP's Legal Hotline. For more information, see www.mapfornonprofits.org, Nonprofit Services, Legal; or email Charley at cravine@mapfornonprofits.org

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III. News

UH Professor Takes Fresh Look at U.S. Immigrants
July 16, 2004
Houston Chronicle

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Minority Candidates to Make Few Gains
Dayton Daily News

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Hmong Refugee Donations 'Overwhelming'
July 19, 2004
Post-Crescent

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U.S. Offers Hmong Refugees a New Home
July 20, 2004
Kansas City Star

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Complaints About Oakland Museum's Vietnam Exhibit
July 20, 2004
Civilrights.org

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Resource Shortage May Hurt Hmong Refugees
July 21, 2004
National Public Radio

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California, Hmong Refugees Prepare for Each Other
July 22, 2004
Kansas City Star

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Vigil Planned for Vietnamese Tribe
July 23, 2004
NewsOK.com

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Federal Grants Will Help Resettling Hmong
July 24, 2004
KARE

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Thousands of Hmong Call US Home
July 25, 2004
Green Bay Press Gazette

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A Call for Tolerance, Understanding for Newest ...
July 25, 2004
Oshkosh Northwestern tml

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Hmong Refugees Risk Unknown...
July 26, 2004
Appleton Post Crescent

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Refugees Get Crash Course in US Culture
July 26, 2004
Appleton Post Crescent

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Rhapsodies of Repressed Rage
July 26, 2004
Long Beach Press-Telegram

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Entertaining Former Enemies
July 26, 2004
Sun-Sentinel.com oll=sfla-news-opinion

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Unused Land Reaps Benefits for Hmong
July 27, 2004
Appleton Post Crescent

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Hmong Migrate to Little Houses on the Prairie
July 28
Minnesota Public Radio News

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City Task Force Takes on Racism
July 29, 2004
La Crosse Tribune

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IV. Grants

1. (National)
   Blakemore Foundation

   Established by Thomas and Frances Blakemore in 1990 to encourage the advanced study of Asian languages and to improve the understanding of Asian fine arts in the United States, the Seattle-based Blakemore Foundation (http://www.blakemorefoundation.org/) is currently accepting applications for its Frances Blakemore Asian Art Grants program.

   Grants will be made only to tax-exempt organizations in the United States such as museums, universities, and other educational or art-related institutions for programs, exhibits, or publications that improve the understanding of Asian fine arts in the U.S.

   For the purposes of the program, Asia is limited to the countries of China, Japan, Korea, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines, Mongolia, and Tibet. The term "fine arts" refers to paintings, graphic arts, ceramics, sculpture, and textiles.

   Deadline: November 1, 2004

2. (National)
   Acton Institute's Center for Effective Compassion

   Charities that help people in a direct, personal, and accountable way -- and receive mainly private funding -- are encouraged to apply for the 2004 Samaritan Award. The competition, which is sponsored by the Acton Institute's Center for Effective Compassion, is designed to recognize America's leading charities and give them greater visibility with prospective donors.

   The grand prize 2004 Samaritan Award is $10,000. In addition, nine runners-up will receive a package of management consulting services valued at more than $1,000. Nonprofits, 501(c)(3)s, grassroots organizations, and church programs are all invited to apply.

   Samaritan Award winners will be announced at the Toward Effective Compassion Conference, hosted by the Center for Effective Compassion, in Washington, D.C., on December 2, 2004.

   Deadline: September 1, 2004

3. (National)
   Action Without Borders--Idealist.org

   Action Without Borders—Idealist.org (http://www.idealist.org/) is holding its first annual design competition for nonprofit organizations in the categories of Web, print, and multimedia.

   The competition seeks to promote excellence in design in the nonprofit sector and to reward and acknowledge those designers who take limitations and move beyond them to create works that are functional, aesthetically powerful, and promote the social good. Winning entries will be show- cased in an online gallery on the Idealist.org Web site and in an exhibition in New York City. In addition, winning entries—gold, silver, bronze, and student in each category—will receive prizes donated by the pro- gram's sponsors (e.g., gold entries will win Apple Laptop Computers donated by Aladdin Knowledge Systems).

   The competition is open to entries from around the world. To be eligible, work must be produced for nonprofit organizations and be accompanied by a copy of the organization's tax-exempt certification or its latest newsletter or brochure. Work must have been completed between January 1, 2003, and August 31, 2004.

   Deadline: August 31, 2004

4. (National)
   The Jewish Fund for Justice

   The Jewish Fund for Justice supports organizations working to alleviate the root causes of poverty and the disenfranchisement of low-income people in the US. JFJ supports community-based organizing and advocacy that promote leadership development and build community self-sufficiency to strengthen the impact of low-income people on the public debates over issues affecting their lives. The Fund's grantmaking issue areas include economic justice; women in poverty; investing in youth; building community; assisting new Americans; and engaging Jews in social justice.

   Eligible applicants include organizations that engage in community organizing and/or grassroots advocacy; are led by and benefit low-income people; address the systems, societal values, institutions, laws, or policies that perpetuate poverty; operate at the community level or have strong community roots; and have an annual budget under $1 million.

   Letters of Inquiry are accepted at any time. Grants range from $7,500-$20,000. For further information, contact JFJ at jfjustice@jfjustice.org.

   Deadline: Open

5. (National)
   Bank of America Foundation

   Bank of America Charitable Investments has launched a two-year, $15 million program to recognize and support organizations and individuals that are helping to rebuild and revitalize their neighborhoods. The Neighborhood Excellence Initiative will provide operating and capacity-building support for nonprofit organizations, recognition for community leaders, and opportunities for young people to serve their neighborhoods in 30 of the bank's major communities across the United States.

   The initiative is composed of three programs:

   The Neighborhood Builders program will provide $200,000 in grant funding and leadership training over the course of two years to nonprofit neighborhood organizations in the 30 eligible communities. The combination of operating support and leadership training is designed to strengthen the capacity and infrastructure of the selected organizations and promote the professional development of their leaders.

   The Local Heroes program will recognize five community heroes per year in each of the 30 selected communities whose achievements and leadership on local issues contributes significantly to neighborhood vitality. Recipients will be able to direct a $5,000 contribution to an eligible nonprofit of their choice.

   The Student Leaders program will recognize five high school students in their junior or senior years in each of the 30 communities who are recommended as 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.

   Deadline: Various

6. (National)
   The Staples Foundation for Learning

   The Staples Foundation for Learning provides funding to programs that support or provide job skills and/or education for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth.

   Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations.

   For further information or to obtain a copy of the application, contact the foundation at foundationinfo@staples.com.

   Deadlines: August 2, 2004 & September 30, 2004

7. (California)
   The Art Institute of California-San Francisco

   Bay Area nonprofit groups that have been hard hit by economic conditions or are struggling to launch their programs now have a new resource for creative design services.

   Local nonprofits are invited to apply for pro-bono graphic design and multimedia services from The Art Institute of California - San Francisco as part of the school's community service initiative to benefit area nonprofits. The design services for accepted projects will be provided at no charge through the school's Community Arts Resource Exchange (C.A.R.E.) program, which gives students opportunities to apply their design talents to projects that support the community.

   Groups may apply for assistance in areas such as logo development, poster and brochure design, flyers, postcards and other marketing collateral material, as well as multimedia and web design projects. Through this community service initiative, students make a positive impact on their local community by contributing their creative skills in art and design. Nonprofits benefit by receiving pro-bono work from up-and-coming visual and multimedia designers.

   To apply for projects, nonprofit groups must fill out a C.A.R.E. Project Request Form, available on the Web. The form also is available from Dan Soine, Director of Public Relations, The Art Institute of California - San Francisco, 1170 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, tel. 415-276-1030 or by e-mail at dsoine@aii.edu. The school reviews requests to determine feasibility and whether they will match with upcoming class projects.

8. (DC-metro)
   Community Foundation for the National Capital Region

   A program of the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region (http://cfncr.org/), the Common Ground Fund is seeking applications from nonprofit community-based organizations that focus their work within racially diverse communities for projects in the Greater Washington region that address social justice issues impacting communities of color.

   For 2004, Common Ground has a total of $250,000 available to support grants. Successful applicants will receive one-year grants of up to $35,000.

   Proposed projects must be conducted in a geographic community located within the Greater Washington region (Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Prince Georges County, Arlington County, the City of Alexandria, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, the City of Falls Church, and Loudoun County). To be eligible, applicants must be designated nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and must form partnerships that include organizations or leadership structures serving the selected neighborhoods.

   Applications must be submitted by the agency assuming primary responsibility for the leadership, management, and support of the project.

   Deadline: August 20, 2004

9. (National)
   Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

   Tobacco Policy Change: A Collaborative for Healthier Communities and States, a national initiative supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (http://rwjf.org/), provides resources and technical assistance for local, regional, and state-based organizations and tribal groups interested in implementing effective tobacco-prevention and -cessation policy initiatives.

   The goals of the program are to: 1) maintain tobacco policy gains and momentum in communities, states, and regions; and 2) strengthen and sustain the state and national tobacco policy change infrastructure (policy research, advocacy, and communications). The program seeks to engage diverse organizations and professionals in sustainable tobacco-control activities to decrease the prevalence of tobacco use in the United States.

   Approximately $12 million is available over three years to support professional staff and other infrastructure, public education, advocacy, communications, and outreach for tobacco control. Grants will be one year in duration and will vary in range from $50,000 to $150,000, depending on the strength of the proposal and the matching funds raised by the applicant.

   To be eligible, an applicant organization must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or be a tribal group recognized by municipal, state, or federal government entities; have demonstrated success in policy advocacy and grassroots organizing; and provide proof of hard cash matching-fund commitments for grants over $50,000.

   Applications will only be accepted online.

   Deadline: September 1, 2004

10. (National)
    Corporation for National Service

    The federal Corporation for National Service will award $2.9 million in grants to nonprofits and other groups that tap professionals as volunteers to meet critical community needs.

    Up to 60 AmeriCorps Professional Corps grants, ranging from $30,000 to $100,000, will be awarded to groups that engage professionals to address health, public safety, homeland security, education, and human services needs in underserved communities. Nonprofits, schools, and government entities that operate in two or more states may apply for funding.

    Employers must pay Professional Corps members' salary and benefits; grant applicants can seek up to $1,000 per full-time AmeriCorps member for program and administration costs. AmeriCorps education awards of $4,725 for members who successfully complete their full term of service will also be supported. Awards will cover a period of up to three years.

    Application deadline is August 17, 2004

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V. Resources

Meyer Foundation staff members are committed to sharing the knowledge they've acquired from grantees about effective nonprofit work. This series of articles shares some of these great ideas with you so that wider audiences can benefit from the exceptional work of Greater Washington's nonprofits. Round House Theatre is this month's featured nonprofit.

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