Source: NPQ Wed. Feb.14 2018

When nonprofit and charitable organizations advocate, for whom are they actually speaking? When organizations claim to represent a specific constituency, must there be a process that includes that group in setting their advocacy agenda? When a group styles itself as a grassroots organization, must there actually be a grassroots structure? The evolution of the century-old American Jewish Congress illustrates why these questions are of critical importance in this age of high-volume political strife...

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/02/14/nonprofits-need-truth-advocacy-policy/

Job Summary

United Way of Greater New Haven (UWGNH) brings people and organizations together to create solutions to Greater New Haven’s most pressing challenges in the areas of Education, Income, and Health.  We tackle issues that cannot be solved by any one group working alone.  

We are seeking a full-time person to support the mission of the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network Task Force members, public and private partners, and United Way team to develop, implement, and measure homeless services that end veteran and chronic homelessness for individuals, youth, families and all other populations.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in working with housing resources, homelessness services, and passionate about helping people in need.   

Reporting Structure: Reports to Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network Manager. 

Essential Job Functions:   

• Maintain and improve the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network housing and exit systems though the referral process, relationship building, consistent communication, meeting facilitation, data coordination/reporting, coaching and training.
• Support the Greater New Haven Coordinated Access Network entry systems through 211 scheduled CAN assessments and coordination meetings.
• Generate and respond to frequent phone and email communications timely.
• Work with the Communications Team to develop a timeline and process for Coordinated Access Network story development.
• Be present and visible in the community and with partners (donors, volunteers) representing UWGNH at a wide range of community events and campaigns.
• Collaborate effectively within the organization, working cross-functionally with all departments.
• Establish effective and efficient processes that align priorities with greater organization goals, strategy, and mission.

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field required.
• 2-3 years of experience in related field preferred.
• Experience with group facilitation and training.
• Ability to balance a variety of perspectives within a politically sensitive environment
• Ability to inspire a collaborative work environment.
• Ability to speak and write clearly and concisely for a broad audience.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to balance and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Knowledge and understanding of the challenges/barriers homeless people face.
• Proficient with MS Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong commitment to maintaining integrity and confidentiality of client information.
• Result-oriented, problem solver, willing to learn, and able to manage an aggressive workload.
• Local and Statewide travel is required; candidates must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Must be able to lift 25-50 lbs.

Personal Characteristics    

Ideally, the successful candidate will be:

• Personally committed to advancing UWGNH’s values, mission, goals and programs.
• Personally committed to helping change the lives of others.
• Proactive and strategic thinker with the ability to work both individually and collaboratively.
• A flexible, reliable, creative, outgoing and energetic person who can handle and prioritize multiple activities and responsibilities; a self-starter and finisher.
• A superior communicator who shares information readily and concisely, and listens as well as gives advice.
• A team player who inspires collaboration and functions decisively.
• Emotionally mature and self-confident, with a sense of humor in order to maintain balance and perspective.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should submit a detailed letter of interest, resume, and contact information for three references to employment@uwgnh.org.  No phone calls, please. 

All applications are treated confidentially.  The position will remain open until filled.

**United Way of Greater New Haven is an equal opportunity employee.**

State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey

Nonprofit leaders: It's time to Raise Your Voices

Tell us how the world looks to you today. 

TAKE THE SURVEY

The Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF) Survey is the largest national sampling of our sector, gathering and publishing crucial data about the health and challenges of US nonprofits.

Local participation in this survey will result in better data on our region. Please take the time to complete.  
 
The survey is a powerful platform that raises the voices of nonprofits large and small, urban and rural, across sub-sectors and geographies. It’s a real-time dataset widely used and cited by nonprofit leaders and boards, funders, advocates, policy advisors, media, researchers and many others.
 
In 2015 we learned that, despite the US economic recovery, vulnerable communities were going without because nonprofits couldn’t meet increasing demand. Leaders reported persistent worries about succession planning, workforce retention and financial sustainability. One said: “Our greatest challenge is the uncertainty and constancy of operating on such a knife edge.” For many today, that knife edge feels even thinner. Now more than ever, the country needs to know what's at stake.

The Survey only takes about 25 minutes and you don’t have to do it all at once – just remember to finish the questions and hit “submit” before Feb. 21, so your voice is included! Your responses will remain anonymous unless you choose to identify yourself.

Questions? Email survey@nff.org. 

The Pro Bono Partnership provides free, direct legal services to Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey nonprofits that serve the disadvantaged. In 2016, the partnership worked for 34 nonprofits in Greater New Haven, donating more than 1,000 hours of legal services valued at more than $400,000. Annually, it works with about 700 nonprofit clients in the three states.

“Smaller institutions often do not have a budget for legal fees without impacting their services,” says Pro Bono Partnership Director of Marketing Mindi Lund. “The Pro Bono Partnership has about 1300 volunteers in the tri-state area. These are attorneys that bill at hundreds of dollars per hour. The nonprofits get that for free.”  Read more about the work of the ProBono Partnership.

Michael Moody - NonProfit Quarterly - Friday Jan 26.

Having survived yet another frenzied December giving season, we usually find ourselves in the new year reflecting on that end-of-year charitable scramble and what it means for the bigger picture. Unfortunately, these reflections can slide toward the negative. Both our holiday gift exchanges and our year-end giving can feel very transactional. And while these gifts are vital for nonprofit sustainability, are they good for philanthropy writ large and long-term?

https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2018/01/25/relationship-nonprofits-can-better-engage-next-gen-donors ;

The following workshop series explains the funding opportunities and application processes at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation. Participation is strongly encouraged, even for experienced applicants. All workshops are free, but advance registration is required.

The following workshops are open to nonprofits providing services in the 20-town region of The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, including the five towns served by its partner in philanthropy, the Valley Community Foundation. For a full list of grant opportunities at The Community Foundation, CLICK HERE.

Grantseeker Information Webinar

Friday, February 2, 2018
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Learn about the competitive grant processes at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation. This is particularly valuable to organizations that plan to apply for a 2018 Responsive Grant. Topics covered include timelines, application types and required attachments, and upcoming workshops to support your application preparation. Attend right from your desk, or join us or in person! 

Register Now 

Valley Community Foundation Grants Overview Orientation

Monday, February 5, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

This workshop is especially designed for organizations that serve the Valley area (Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour and Shelton) and plan to apply for funding from the various grant processes offered by the Valley Community Foundation. 

Register Now

Nuts & Bolts

Thursday, February 15, 2018 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. in New Haven
Tuesday, February 20, 2018 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. in Shelton

A step-by-step look at the applications for Project, Operating and Capacity Building support in the combined 2018 Responsive Grant process offered by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven and the Valley Community Foundation. This workshop is a complement to the Grantseeker Information Webinar, which focuses on the Responsive Grant process and requirements.

Register  Now

“A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” - Greek Proverb

The City of New Haven--in partnership with the Urban Resources Initiative--is offering FREE TREES to New Haven residents this spring.  This is a great opportunity for residents to give a gift to future generations and be part of something larger than themselves.

Trees beautify the city, improve the air, reduce flooding, help wildlife, and increase property values.  Adopting a tree also supports the local workforce.  The program provides training and job experience to members of the New Haven community who are underemployed (high school students and formerly incarcerated adults). 

To make a request, New Haven residents (renters or owners) can call URI at 203-432-6189, email uri@yale.edu, or fill out our online form (http://uri.yale.edu/get-involved/request-free-tree).  Each tree and location is reviewed by a certified arborist before planting.

Comcast NBCUniversal is offering $225,000 to three to eight nonprofits in Connecticut  that are driving positive change in their local communities by leveraging media, technology and innovation.

The NBCUniversal Foundation, in partnership with NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, launched Project Innovation, a new grant challenge program in 11 markets where NBC and Telemundo-owned stations are located. Through Project Innovation, non-profit organizations that are using technology and innovation to solve everyday problems in their communities will be awarded grants to help support and expand their programs.

If your organization works in Connecticut, apply for a Project Innovation grant here.

The Beth-El Center homeless shelter and soup kitchen in Milford has been awarded a $2,500 grant from the Norma F. Pfriem Foundation.  The grant is for the specific benefit of the children living at the Center and will be used to purchase age appropriate birthday and holiday gifts for them.

Funds from the grant will be used to purchase toys, clothing, educational devices as well as wrapping paper and cards for birthday or any holiday occasions.

According to Attorney Matthew B. Woods, Norma F. Pfriem Foundation Trustee, "We are pleased to provide Beth-El Center with this funding to support and bring some happiness to the children living at the shelter."

Through its shelter, soup kitchen and case management, the Beth-El Center cares for and responds to the needs of the hungry and homeless in the greater Milford community.

For more information on the Beth-El Center's programs, visit www.bethelmilford.org.

The Beth-El Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to alleviate homelessness and hunger in the greater Milford community in conjunction with

community partners and public and private organizations.

Position:  Executive Director

Required skills and experience:

• Fiscal management in a nonprofit Human Services agency and knowledge of issues of hunger and homelessness
• Knowledge and experience in fundraising and grant writing
• Familiarity with support and resource partners in the greater Milford community
• Knowledge and experience with State of CT agency funding and contract compliance
• Ability to recruit, assess and develop employees with a commitment to the agency mission

If you meet the selection criteria, please send your resume and cover letter to:  Toni Dolan

at:  tdolan@bethelmilford.org no later than February 15, 2018.

Lots of different job openings at Common Ground http://commongroundct.org/get-involved/join-our-staff/

This show is an organic conversation between individuals interested in peace and wholeness within themselves and our community at-large. Contributors will examine the knowing of Truth, encountering new information, the risk of absolutes and conditions within human.kind.both that help get us beyond conflict.
Finite experiences will be shared. Journey stories. Inquiries. Sources. Exploration of “being” in the world. Balance. Connection.

Five diverse individuals came together literally meeting for the first time to risk conversation that would be public about being in the world today. They conversed for 90 minutes and have agreed to come together again. This group has committed to meeting and conversing more. 

Other groups of five are welcome to do the same on Sunday afternoons at WPAA-TV. If interested in being involved in these conversations contact susan.adele@wpaa.tv   We will gladly host the introductions and capture of conversation of others that are interested. 

This show was inspired by Nelson Ford whose art is central to the production.

The series has a YouTube Channel.

Sunday, January 14, 2018  Noon to 4:00 pm

Monday, January 15, 2018 10:00 am to 4:00 pm

Free for all! 

The Yale Peabody Museum will open its doors once again in honor of Dr. King and his efforts to ensure environmental and social justice among all people. The weekend's activities will include world-class performances, community open mics, and educational activities for visitors of all ages. Special Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. programming also include the 9^th Annual Teen Summit, Professional Poetry Slam and Art Contest.

World Stage Performances
Don't miss out on our World Stage Performances located on the 1st Floor in the Great Hall of Dinosaurs!

Sunday, January 14, 2018
12:15 PM DJ Kenny

1:00 PM & 2:15 PM Red Supreme Productions Hip Hop Dance Entertainment Break Dancing 

3:15 PM Nation Drill Squad Youth Program

Monday, January 15, 2018
10:30 AM Cliff Powell
12:00 PM Mooncha
1:00 PM Kouffin Kanecke
2:00 PM Tia Russell Dance Studio - Lyrical dance & Jazz
3:15 PM Michael Mills - Drum circle finale

Zannette Lewis Environmental and Social Justice Professional Poetry Slam and Community Open Mic
Come and check out the Professional Poetry Slam located in the David Friend Hall on the 3rd floor, on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM. Watch and listen to the wonderful stories that these poets will perform. The Professional Poetry Slam will include the following participants: Poetic Black, Jasmine Eaton, Sharmont (Infliuence) Little, Joel Francois, Lynnette Johnson, Noel Quinones, Tha Real, Ashley Wonder, Sky Raven - The Vegan Poet, Mind Evolution, Paragraph, Brad Walrond, Nicole Najmah Abraham, Jamie Lewis, Chris Lilley, Zulynette Morales, and Face. The Community Open Mic will take place in the David Friend Hall on the 3rd floor, on Monday, January 15, 2018 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

9th Annual Teen Summit
All teens are invited to our 9th Annual Teen Summit located in the David Friend Hall on the 3rd floor, on Sunday, January 14, 2018 from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM. Teens will be able to participate in hands-on table top activities and discussions revolving around Dr. King and his efforts to ensure environmental and social justice among all people. 

Art Contest!

OPEN to all middle school and highschool students
Please send in your registration form with your art piece. Deadline for art submissions is Wednesday January 10, 2018.
All art work submissions must be original and no larger than 13x17
Registration Form: http://peabody.yale.edu/sites/default/files/documents/events/MLK_Art_Contest_Form.pdf 

The top 20 submissions will be displayed at the Peabody Museum during the 2018 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. two-day celebration.
Prizes
1st Place: $150, a 2018 MLK t-shirt
2nd Place: $75, a 2018 MLK t-shirt
3rd Place: $25, a 2018 MLK t-shirt

Mail or deliver entries to: 
Public and Youth Engagement 
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History 
170 Whitney Avenue 
P.O. Box 208118 New Haven, CT, 06520-8118

If you have any questions, please contact the Public Programs Office at (203) 432-3776 or peabody.programs@yale.edu

When you join GNH Community you automatically have a blog page on the site. You can use this blog to post job openings, share information about something you need or let the community know about something you have to offer. You may also use the blog to share your thoughts and opinions, perhaps even something you wrote for another occasion that you would like to share with a broader audience.

Your GNH Community blog page may also be used to promote your organization's blog or website. postings. Just click on BLOGS in the ribbon above, then click add, post your blog entry title and a teaser  paragraph with a link back to the complete post on your blog or website. \

Blog post are shared every Wednesday via social media with people connected to GNH Community via social media. 

GNH Community if a free service to the local nonprofit community provided by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.

P.S.: Don't forget to use tags to facilitates the finding of your post via the GNH Community search function 

The voices of people starting over after coming home from prison are raised up on Criminal Justice Insider, a new radio show sponsored by The Community Foundation and Family Reentry. The show explores the lives of people affected by incarceration, both ex-offenders and their family. Guests will be invited to talk about the challenges of living outside of prison and offer perspectives on what makes the difference between going back in or staying out for good.

Criminal Justice Insider airs on the first and third Fridays of every month on WNHH radio and livestreamed from The New Haven Independent Facebook page. A written article will accompany each episode.

Find past shows here.

"With unique access, go inside an effort in Connecticut to change the way parole works and reduce the number of people returning to prison. In collaboration with The New York Times, the film follows four former prisoners as they navigate the challenges of their first year on parole." - Frontline

The voices of people starting over after coming home from prison are raised on “Criminal Justice Insider,” a new radio show sponsored by The Community Foundation on the New Haven Independent’s WNHH radio station, which airs the first Friday of every month.

The show aligns with The Foundation’s leadership strategy on incarceration and reentry, and is just one of several ways we are working with local media outlets to inform the community. 

Our long-standing support of nonprofit journalism is continuing with new general operating grants from The Community Foundation and our affiliate, the Valley Community Foundation to fund the work of the New Haven Independent and Valley Independent Sentinel. 

A new grant was also awarded to Connecticut Health Investigative Team (C-HIT) to support reporting on in-depth stories including disparities and access to health care. Continue reading.