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Nonprofit Finance Fund (nff.org) is conducting its sixth annual nationwide survey examining the current state of the nonprofit sector, and we hope that you will add your voice.

NFF’s Survey is one of many tools that The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven uses to inform improvements in funding practices, and the more data we have, the more effective our decision-making becomes.

The survey, which is anonymous and takes only 10 minutes to fill out, collects data on important financial and management issues facing nonprofits. To take the 2014 survey, please click on this link before it closes on February 17th:http://nff.org/2014

NFF will analyze the results and distribute them to the community in April. Respondents who choose to give their contact information will receive the results directly. View previous years' findings and media attention here: http://nff.org/survey

If you have already filled out the 2014 survey, thank you for supporting this community organizing effort!

Greetings To All

The month of February is upon us at Grove Street and I thought I would recount a special story about our distinguished resident Dalia Bacon –From Wikipeadia the following is a brief recounting of her life and a small note for her remembrance on this Valentines’ Day -  

Delia Salter Bacon (February 2, 1811 – September 2, 1859) was an American writer of plays and short stories and a sister of the Congregational minister Leonard Bacon. She is best known today for her work on the Shakespeare authorship question.

She promoted the theory that the plays attributed to William Shakespeare were written by a group of men, including Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh and others.

She was befriended by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson, and, after securing sponsorship to travel for research to England, in May 1853, met with Thomas Carlyle, who though intrigued, shrieked loudly as he heard her exposition.^[4]

Puzzled by the gap between the bare facts of William Shakespeare's life and his vast literary output, she intended to prove that the plays attributed to Shakespeare were written by a coterie of men, including Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh and Edmund Spenser, for the purpose of inculcating a philosophic system, for which they felt that they themselves could not afford to assume the responsibility. This system she set out to discover beneath the superficial text of the plays. From her friendship with Samuel Morse, an authority on codes, and encryption for the telegraph, she learnt of Bacon's interest in secret ciphers, and this prompted her own approach to the authorship question.^[8]

By way of this modern era, Dalia is witnessed in the following book published in 2008 by -

Jennifer Lee Carrell, Interred in their Bones – has been reviewed on Amazon Books, to wit: 

  “Jennifer Lee Carrell’s highly acclaimed debut novel is a brilliant, breathlessly paced literary adventure. The action begins on the eve of the Globe’s production of Hamlet when Shakespeare scholar and theater director Kate Stanley’s eccentric mentor Rosalind Howard gives her a mysterious box, claiming to have made a groundbreaking discovery. Before she can reveal it to Kate, the Globe is burned to the ground and Roz is found dead…murdered precisely in the manner of Hamlet’s father.

Inside the box Kate finds the first piece in a Shakespearean puzzle, setting her on a deadly, high stakes treasure hunt. From London to Harvard to the American West, Kate races to evade a killer and solve a tantalizing string of clues hidden in the words of Shakespeare, which may unlock one of history’s greatest secrets.”

This book by Carrell contains many of the theories and notions annunciated by Bacon and as she was admired by Emerson, Whitman, and Hawthorne. Dalia still lives on with her magnus opus which was approx. 1,000 pages of intense study and development leading into madness by her theories on Shakespeare and one very broken heart.

To make mention – Dalia fell in love while developing her hypotheses but was rebuked by her lover and she fell into a deep remorse and heartache never to recover. What is interesting to note – there is always a rose at her grave…..She is interred in front her brother Leonard Bacon at 52 Cedar Avenue.

All The Best

Patricia Illingworth

Chief Docent

Position Available:

AmeriCorps VISTA - Food Justice Youth Corps - New Haven, CT

Partnership of CitySeed, New Haven Food Policy Council, Common Ground School

Age 18 or older

Objective: Help us develop youth leadership on food justice issues - support a mobile farmers market and a Youth Food Advocacy Internship with the NH Food Policy Council.Details on VISTA service/pay/benefits and more are on the CitySeed website.

We would especially like to hire a young person from the New Haven Area for this position, so please spread the word! Applicants from all areas welcome! Thank you! 

http://cityseed.org/employment

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the region’s largest grantmaker, is accepting applications for the 2014 Responsive Grants process. This grants process is intended to be a source of flexible funding and is open to all requests from nonprofits serving the 20-town region of The Community Foundation for projects and organizational support that meet the eligibility criteria.

Grants awarded in this category range from over $5,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on available funds and terms of grant. Any nonprofit that creates positive sustainable impact in the areas of: arts and culture, basic needs, civic vitality, economic success, quality education, the environment, health and wellness and children and youth is encouraged to apply. In 2013, more than $2.9 million in single and multi-year grants was awarded through the Responsive Grant process; deadline to apply is 5:00 pm on March 28, 2014.

Nonprofit organizations seeking a grant through the Responsive Grant process are strongly encouraged to sign up for the Grantseeker Information Webinar scheduled for Tuesday, February 11, 2014 from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Grant seekers may attend in person at The Community Foundation or from their office. Register for the webinar here. If you would like to attend in person, please contact Denise Canning at dcanning@cfgnh.org or 203-777-7076 to reserve a seat.

Guiding Principles, Eligibility Criteria and Opportunities for Responsive Grants

Grants awarded through The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Responsive Grant process are based on The Community Foundation’s commitment to support nonprofit organizations in the Greater New Haven region that strive towards providing the highest quality services and advance ideas, innovations and techniques that improve the quality of life for area residents. It is important that nonprofits continually improve their services and programs by applying what they learn through self-reflection, assessment, evaluation and use of data, knowledge building, risk taking, and the use of sound and prudent financial management practices. It is the belief of The Community Foundation that the best use of the community’s endowment is to invest in nonprofits that 1) display leadership in addressing issues and seizing opportunities in the community, 2) regularly perform evaluation of their services and 3) practice sound programmatic and organizational management. 

The following eligibility criteria applies to all competitive grant opportunities at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven; distributions from permanent unrestricted and preference funds, Community Foundation initiatives and several donor advised funds make grants under this category possible:

• Organizations must be defined as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) or any applicable statute of the Internal Revenue code.
• They must provide services within The Community Foundation’s local service area comprising: Ansonia, Bethany, Branford, Cheshire, Derby, East Haven, North Branford, North Haven, West Haven, Oxford, New Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, Milford, Seymour, Shelton, Wallingford, Orange and Woodbridge.
• Applicants must also adhere to a policy of non-discrimination.
•  The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven does not make grants or loans to individuals, nor does it provide permanent funding for projects.

For more information, visit The Community Foundation’s website at www.cfgnh.org/grants.

In addition to providing capacity building workshops, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven raises the visibility of nonprofits through giveGreater.org® (www.giveGreater.org) - an online platform that provide scomprehensive information about local nonprofits serving its 20-town region. The website provides one searchable database for people to find, learn about and give to nonprofits serving Greater New Haven and to engage the community around the issues and opportunities that impact the region. Donors can view profiles and make online donations 24/7. giveGreater.org has distributed over $2.2 million in new and matching funds as a result of direct online donations and several fundraising campaigns;  another campaign, The Great Give® 2014, is scheduled for May 6-7, 2014. Nonprofits interested in creating a profile on the site to participate in this year’s campaign are urged to contact Stephanie Chung at schung@cfgnh.org or call 203-777-7077.

Thanks to the generosity of three generations of donors, millions of dollars each year are distributed from an endowment of more than $400 million and comprising more than 900 named funds at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. In addition to its grantmaking, The Community Foundation helps build a stronger community by taking measures to improve student achievement, reduce New Haven’s infant mortality rate, promote local philanthropy through www.giveGreater.org and encourage community awareness at www.cfgnh.org/learn. For more information, visitwww.cfgnh.org or www.facebook.com/cfgnh.

Hi all,

GrantStation is heavily discounted on Tech Soup just through tomorrow, 1/22 at 5pm:

http://www.techsoup.org/grantstation?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=npaside010914

Does anyone use it regularly?  It is helpful?  Should IRIS (or any other nonprofit) spend $99 to have it in-house?

Thanks!

Kelly Hebrank

(khebrank@irisct.org)

New Haven Festivals, Inc.

Project Storefronts Coordinator Job Description

Responsibilities:

Record Keeping and Tracking

• Maintain program records which include marketing/promotional material, applications, entrepreneur contracts, etc.
• Track the number of program inquiries, applicants, special events and other activities relevant activities.
• Create brief bi-monthly activity reports.
• Coordinate payment of space related expenses,

Marketing, Social Media and Web

• Post, tweet and upload materials on Project Storefronts social media channels.
• Assist in the creation of content for website and social media channels.
• Check website and social media channels for accuracy.
• Promote Project Storefronts and it activities to interested parties.

Event Planning and Coordination

• Assist in coordinating/planning program-related events and activities.

Entrepreneur Recruitment and Relationship Management

• Scheduling meetings and interviews with interested parties
• Receive paperwork and documentation from entrepreneurs; monthly reports, contracts and other materials
• Work with stakeholders as well as other relevant groups/individuals on entrepreneur recruitment and retention strategies
• Develop relationships with businesses, organizations and individuals in Project Storefronts’ neighborhood for cross promotional activities.

This is a part-time contract position (15 – 20 hours per week) with no benefits. Applicant must be available to work nights and weekends on an as needed basis. Interested parties should submit a brief cover letter and resume to Vivian Nabeta at vnabeta@newhavenct.net. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

About Project Storefronts

Project Storefronts is an award-winning program that brings fresh, innovative arts-related businesses to life in formerly vacant retail spaces in New Haven, by encouraging artists and entrepreneurs to test the viability of art/creative inspired businesses. Project Storefronts provides access to empty storefronts as well as provide participants with a technical support network of business and creative professionals.

I’ve put together a series of short (two to four minute) video vignettes that will enable you to attend to your own leadership development whenever you need a break, are waiting in line, or have a few minutes of down time. Each of these videos will provide you with useful tools and techniques for developing a more present and creative mindset, so that you can see new possibilities, make connections, and increase your effectiveness.  My hope is that they will inspire and support you to work and live at your best. To view them click on: Video Vignettes

There are a few available preschool openings for New Haven children who are 3 or 4 years old, or will be turning 3 by March, 2014.  Programs are in the Fair Haven, Downtown and Westville neighborhoods.  All programs are open from 7:30am to 5:30pm with fees based on a sliding fee scale.  For information contact the School Readiness office at 203-946-7875 or open the link to call the programs directly.  Flyer%20School%20Readiness%20preschool%20openings%2012-10-13.pdf

Every year, about 1,200 individuals who are released from prison come to  New Haven. Some are at the end of their sentence, while others are serving out criminal convictions in the community under the supervision  of parole or probation officers. When provided the right level of  support and opportunities, these ex-offenders can successfully become law-abiding and productive members of society. But a complex set of  factors make them highly vulnerable to relapsing to criminal activity and going back to prison.

Many ex-offenders have no place to go besides a homeless shelter or to  stay with friends or family in the poorest, most crime-ridden neighborhoods. They most likely lack a high school education and have limited work experience. The result is a disturbingly high recidivism rate. This cycle is devastating to families and neighborhoods and exacts a high cost from taxpayers. As successful reentry programs in New Haven and around the country have demonstrated, however, it is a cycle that can be broken.

Visit www.cfgnh.org to read The Community Foundation's latest issue brief on this topic.

The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the region's largest grantmaker and permanent charitable endowment, is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Disbursements Associate for the Finance, Investments, Administration & Technology Department. The Community Foundation’s mission is to create positive and sustainable change in Greater New Haven by increasing the amount of and enhancing the impact of community philanthropy. The deadline to submit an application is December 20, 2013.
Visit http://www.cfgnh.org/About/News/EmploymentOpportunities/tabid/391/Default.aspx for details on the position and how to apply.

Good Day To All,

This is now a period of hibernation for the earth. All is quiet. However, if during this period of hibernation and quiet, anyone needing information for any of the Grove Street Cemetery residents, or information concerning touring of the cemetery for next year I am always available by my e-mail p.b.i.newhaven@att.net, or by telephone 203.389.5403.

Until we meet again, please enjoy the quiet and winter views for this season.

For all who visited the cemetery this past year, I thank you for including Grove Street Cemetery in your plans and hope to see everyone again.

Happy New Year to One and All!!!

All the best,

Patricia B. Illingworth

Chief Docent

On the eve of November 19, among 200+ nonprofit partners, community leaders and friends, The Community Foundation excitedly celebrated its 85th anniversary.

"Turning 85 could make one feel old," remarked  Foundation president Will Ginsberg.   "But in this proud, old community, in the City of New Haven’s 375th year, where Yale University is in its fourth century, where Clifford Beers Clinic held a year-long 100th birthday fete this year and this great theater [the Shubert] will join the centennial party next year, 85 actually begins to feel maybe not-so-old.  So at The Foundation we ask ourselves: are we eighty-five years old this year, or eighty-five years young? For The Community Foundation, this question has particular resonance, for in a very real way The Foundation exists to refashion the commitments and aspirations of prior generations to meet the challenges of today and create the opportunities of tomorrow. Everyday, in our work, we draw on both the experience that comes from being eighty-five years old and the exuberance that comes from being eighty-five years young."

Throughout the evening, guests were treated to songs by Music Haven's String Quartet (pictured above) and the Greater New Haven Community Chorus - Chamber Choir. Highlights of the evening included a short video presentation (below), expounding on The Foundation's What Inspires You? campaign. The video depicted inspirational stories of individuals and organizations working with The Foundation to create a stronger community.

Read more here.

I am pleased to provide you with information to help you connect with local healthcare resources and I can provide in-person enrollment assistance for the Access Health CT at Agency on Aging of South Central CT. We have the expertise to enroll people in the healthcare plan, we are happy to refer you to resources that will help you enroll and/or answer your questions. Most people who apply will pay lower monthly premiums than those shown here. Households with yearly incomes up to about $46,000 for individuals or $94,000 for a family of 4 will qualify for lower costs. You'll get final quotes for specific plans based on your income and household after you complete a Marketplace application.

Q: WHAT IF I CAN’T AFFORD INSURANCE?  

A: When you fill out a Marketplace health insurance application, you’ll find out if you can get lower costs on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs, or get free or low-cost coverage. Most people who apply will qualify for lower costs of some kind. You can save money in the Marketplace in three ways, depending on your income and family size:

1.   You may be able to lower costs on your monthly premiums when you enroll in a  private health insurance plan.

2.   You may qualify for lower out-of-pocket costs for copayments, coinsurance, and  deductibles.

3.   You or your child may get free or low-cost coverage through Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Q: WHAT IF I HAVE A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION?

A: Starting in 2014, being sick won’t keep you from getting health coverage. Insurance

Companies can’t turn you down or charge you more because of your condition. You can apply for Marketplace insurance when open enrollment starts on October 1st, and coverage starts as soon as January 1, 2014.

Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE DEPENDENTS

1.            Current spouse or domestic partner

2.            Children (natural, adopted, domestic partner's, or step) up to age 26

3.            Certified disabled dependent children of any age

4.            Children, up to age 26, if you have assumed a parent-child relationship and are considered the primary care parent.

I hope that you find this information useful. We have Spanish-speaking service available to assist individuals at the Agency On Aging of South Central CT. As soon you have all documents completed, or collected, please do not hesitate to call my office for your appointment to enroll.

• Easier to afford!    • Easier to understand, compare, choose, then use!

• Easier to access –NO limits for pre-existing conditions and NO lifetime maximums! 

What information do you need to provide?

• Birthdates for all family members who need coverage
• Social Security numbers for all family members who need coverage (or document numbers for legal immigrants)
• Citizenship or immigration status
• Tax returns for previous years employer and income information for every member of your household who needs coverage (for example, from pay stubs of W-2 forms – wages and tax statements)health care coverage information (policy numbers for any current health insurance plans covering members of your household)

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Adjunct Instructor

The Department of Public Policy seeks an adjunct instructor to teach Grantwriting and Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations. This graduate course will be taught face-to-face in a classroom at the University of Connecticut Greater Hartford campus in the Spring semester 2014 (January 21-May 13, 2014). The course will be offered once a week in the evening (either 4pm-6:30pm or 6:30pm-9:00pm). The class is planned to be converted to online in future semesters.

Grantwriting and Fund Development for Nonprofit Organizations

This course provides the student with essential knowledge and practice fundamentals for developing a revenue portfolio for a nonprofit organization. This includes the capacity to assess revenue needs and discern between revenue stream options in order to match and support the mission and structure of the nonprofit. Along with instruction of key philanthropic vehicles, specific emphasis will be placed on grant writing and government contracting.

Planned Key Learning Objectives of Course

Strategic Thinking

• History of nonprofit funding, assessment of current state of affairs and future trends.
• Strategic thinking in creating a healthy revenue stream portfolio for a nonprofit.
• Assessing revenue needs and options of a nonprofit.
• Incorporating marketing and community reporting into a revenue development plan.
• Implications (legal and tax) and benefits of fee-for-service, cause marketing, business partnerships and social enterprise unrelated income ventures.
• Ethics, communicating with donors and other issues in fundraising.

Philanthropy

• Philanthropic revenue strategies; including individual mass appeal donations, direct response, online giving and giving circles.
• Individual donor philanthropic strategies; including planned giving, endowments and other major gift vehicles.
• Capital and Annual Campaign management.

Government Contracting

• Understanding the implications (pros and cons) of government contracting.
• Effective government RFP and grant research strategies.
• Strategies in responding to a government contracting RFP

Grant Writing (private foundation and corporation)           

• Research strategies and understanding of donor software options.
• RFP response strategies.
• Grant writing skills and strategies.

Evaluation

• Basic principles of evaluation and assessment of revenue plans and strategies.
• Developing evaluation criteria and rubrics for grant applications.

Core Student Learning Assessments Planned

Students demonstrate competencies by:

• Developing a revenue assessment and strategy plan for a nonprofit.    
• Researching and writing a response to a private or government grant or RFP.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and teach course.
• Participate in teaching evaluation and assessment activities.
• Be available for meetings with students.
• Be prompt and responsive to student inquiries.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• MPA, MBA or master degree in related field with five years or more of demonstrated expertise in the field of nonprofit resource development, with specific expertise in grant writing and state/federal government contracting.
• Bachelor degree with ten years of the above experience and expertise will be considered.
• Excellent teaching skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Interest and or experience in teach online.
• Ph.D. in philanthropy, nonprofit management, public affairs, public administration or other terminal degree in related field.

COMPENSATION

Compensation is $5,000 per course for each semester taught.

HOW TO APPLY

Please contact Dr. David Garvey by email with a resume and statement of interest.

David Garvey, Ph.D.

Director, Nonprofit Leadership Program

Department of Public Policy

University of Connecticut

Greater Hartford Campus

Ph. 860-570-9087

david.garvey@uconn.edu

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community. We actively encourage women, people with disabilities, and members of minority groups to apply.

The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.

source: Maryland Nonprofit Blog

In response to the Washington Post article this weekend entitled:"Inside the hidden world of thefts, scams and phantom purchases at the nation’s nonprofits," I feel it’s important for us to consider some important points: 

It's vitally important to understand that the real story here is that dishonest people will try to take advantage of nonprofits – These are NOT stories about nonprofits defrauding the public, but about how individuals have tried to defraud charitable nonprofits such as Legal Aid (theft by their Financial Director and accomplice) and the Bible Society (where a former secretary stole money using falsified checks and a misused credit card). What this data actually reveals is how transparent our nonprofit sector is. The list was compiled from information that nonprofits disclose publicly every year in tax returns that are available to the public 24 hours, 7 days a week...

http://www.marylandnonprofits.org/dnn/Blog/tabid/581/EntryId/76/Any-Nonprofit-Can-Become-A-Victim-of-Fraud.aspx

Good Day!!!

There have been several requests concerning the species of bird in the cemetery. Hence, to this end, if there are persons who would be interested in the birds of Grove Street Cemetery, please call Mr. William Cameron at 203.777.1443, Mr. Cameron will be willing to assist in all requests.

Thank you.....

Patricia B. Illingworth

Chief Docent

203.389.5403

Cheers to All!!!

Just a quick reminder concerning the Cemetery....all public tours will end the weekend before the Thanksgiving Holiday. So every Saturday at 11:00am and then every Sunday at Noon. Now, if you would prefer a private tour, please call me at 203.389.5403, or my e-mail p.b.i.newhaven@att.net. Looking forward to meeting new guests.

Just a quick closing remark -

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting  and autumn a mosaic of them all." -   Stanley Horowitz

Thanking all and Cheers!!

Patricia Illingworth

Chief Docent