First and foremost, Twitter and Facebook are communications networks.  That is to say that the primary actions that take place are the posting and reading of messages, pictures, etc…  To date these channels haven’t proven themselves to be majors centers of fundraising activity.  In fact, a recent web usability study from the Nielsen Norman group has confirmed that people look to Facebook as a secondary engagement point behind a non-profit’s full website. 

This confirms that people use Facebook and Twitter to promote the “social benefit” part of the giving process.  So, its important to understand the context of social media and realize that it is preferable to have messages like, “I just gave and so can you”, rather than messages simply showing that someone has “liked” an organization.   Peer behavior can be a powerful force, so make sure your tools encourage social messaging after a donation takes place.

For more information about creating content on Facebook for your non-profit, there are some great resources available athttp://www.facebook.com/nonprofits.   For information about how KIMBIA integrates donation forms and messaging directly into Facebook, email us at info@kimbia.com ... http://trust.guidestar.org/

2011 Request for Proposals and Application:

Arbor%20Brothers%202011%20RFP%20and%20Application.pdf

From the National Center for Family Literacy:

Thinking about college can be a daunting experience for families. To help get the conversation started, NCFL's new online resources will inspire Hispanic families to start talking about college as a reality.  

Suite of resources:  

• En Camino: Educational Toolkit for Families offers five online modules with activities for Spanish-speaking families to help increase their investment in and pursuit of educational opportunities. These modules are available in both English and Spanish.
• On Our Way: Program Instructional Guide includes instructional activities that intergenerational literacy programs can implement with families and adults in their programs.
• Turning Points: A Case Study of Family Literacy - Community College Partnerships offers descriptions of exemplary postsecondary educational transition partnerships between family literacy programs and community colleges, including successful programs in Lake City, Fla., Louisville, Ky., and Providence, R.I.
• Promoting Postsecondary Educational Success for Adults and Families - A Practical Partnership Guide is an examination of what makes a literacy program - community college transition partnership work.
• Family Literacy: A Valuable Gateway to Postsecondary Education examines the impediments to attaining a postsecondary education and how literacy programs can help with the transition and increase college graduation rates for nontraditional students.

This project is supported by MetLife Foundation. To learn more about this initiative, read the recent joint press release. 

Elm City Cycling is conducting a city-wide bicycling Survey. It takes less than 10 mins to complete this survey. If you or people you know use a bicycle to get to work, run errands or just for fun please fill out this survey and share the link with a friend. 

Position Available: Court Coordinator/Mediator

Position Summary:   The Court Coordinator coordinates the adult court mediation program in G.A. Court No. 23 and supervises the court juvenile court mediation program.

Supervision received: Reports to the Associate Executive Director

Supervision exercised: Adult and Juvenile Court Mediators

Core Duties:

• Coordinates the adult court mediation program in G.A. Court No. 23, including court coverage and overall case selection, referral and management
• Maintains regular contact with court personnel, including Judges, State’s Attorneys, Public Defenders, Victim Advocates, Bail Commissioners and others, as needed
• Works in court on a regular basis each week, engages in on-site mediations and conciliation, and trains and supervises other court staff
• Conducts case development for court referrals
• Assists with outreach and public education
• Prepares agenda for and facilitates monthly court team meetings
  • Prepares monthly adult mediation program reports for CSSD
  • Oversees adult court record keeping and mediation case data entry
  • Provides technical assistance to other court mediation programs
  • Communicates with supervisors, peers, or subordinates by providing information by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person which includes conducting or attending staff meetings, consulting with managerial or supervisory personnel or dictating correspondence
  • Works to establish positive working relationships with co-workers
  • Communicates clearly and respectfully with colleagues in identifying and resolving conflicts while using the mediation model
    • Works to establish positive working relationships with coworkers

• Other duties as required by the Executive Director and/or Associate Executive Director

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Knowledge and a high level of experience in practicing mediation and facilitation
• Skill in reading comprehension to understand work related documents
• Effective communication skills both written and oral
• Skill in active listening and able to understand different perspectives
• Skill in establishing and maintaining constructive and cooperative working relationships using interpersonal skills

Education and Experience:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
• Received a minimum of 32 hours of  mediation training and have at least one year of experience in mediation, highly desirable.

Please send resume and letter of interest to: Kathleen Benoit, Office Manager, Community Mediation, Inc.,

32 Elm Street New Haven CT 06510  or e-mail same to kathy@cmediation.org

All resumes must be received by Friday, June 10, 2011

Hi All,

I am wondering if anyone can tell me which donor management database you use? We currently use raisers edge but are interested in getting some info on others.

Many thanks!

Cara

giveGreater.org is an online database of local nonprofit profiles that enables donors to learn about, connect with and give to nonprofits 24/7.

The profiles are:
  populated with comprehensive information from multiple sources;
  searchable by interest area or geography;
  not available anywhere else.

giveGreater.org
  Adds value to the community by providing knowledge to help existing and potential donors make more informed, and therefore better philanthropic decisions;
  Gives donors what they have been asking for: high quality, reliable information on nonprofit organizations and community issues;
  Is provided by The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven;
  Is a resource for individuals as well as other funding organizations.

giveGreater.org
  Increases fundraising and marketing presence of nonprofits by putting them in front of donors and providing on-line giving capacity;
  Strengthens nonprofit capacity and results through rigorous examination and reporting on key aspects of their operations and governance;
  Provides organizational assessment, peer benchmarking and builds accountability of nonprofit sector by increasing public scrutiny.

2011 Training Dates:

You can increase your organization's visibility in 2011 by creating a profile on giveGreater.org.  Click on the links below to sign up for one of the following sessions:

Go behind the scenes of the NEW HAVEN POLICE DEPARTMENT - Apply today for the Citizens’ Police Academy.

The Citizens’ Academy is an 8 week course designed to enlighten residents about the New Haven Police Department. The Goal is to Bridge the information Gap between the Community and the Police Department.

Participants must be 18 yrs or older.

Learn more, ask questions... get answers, role play... See what its like to walk in the shoes of a police officer. Its free and dinner is  provided.

Applications are being accepted now for the sessions that begin April 27, 2011, 8 consecutive Wednesdays from 6pm-9pm. Classes are held at the Police Academy 710 Sherman Parkway in New Haven. Application Deadline is7PM, April 22. Applications will be accepted during regular business hours at the police department and during extended hours April 13-15, and April 20-22, until 8pm.

For more information and an application if you have difficulty downloading one at this link: 

http://mynh/pdfs/Brochure%20Application2011.pdf call Officer Kelly Turner Cole at (203) 946-6119 between 8am and 4pm, weekdays or email: KTurner@newhavenct.net 

CAHS mission and vision: Works to end poverty and to equip and empower all families in Connecticut to build a secure future. We envision a Connecticut where all children and families thrive and, regardless of income, contribute to and share in Connecticut’s growth.  Low-income residents—working in collaboration with policy makers, business and labor leaders, the faith community and the general public—play a central role in developing policies and programs that ensure the state’s prosperity, as well as their own. Together, they build a culture of shared responsibility and success. 

Job Description

Title:                                       Outreach Advocate

Employment Status:               Full-time, Exempt

Reports to:                              Program Director

Summary: The Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) seeks a New Haven area Outreach Advocate.  The Outreach Advocate will work to increase Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP-formerly food stamps) enrollment in Connecticut by conducting outreach and education in the greater New Haven area.  Information provided through outreach will include SNAP income guidelines, application information, pre-screening for benefit eligibility, and other activities designed to raise awareness of SNAP among eligible non-participants.  This effort is to take place throughout New Haven County in accordance with the Connecticut State Outreach plan.

Job Description:

Strategy & Execution

SNAP Outreach:

• Provide information about SNAP to potentially-eligible populations via incoming telephone calls.
• Become knowledgeable about program regulations, developments, and issues and discuss them with potential applicants.
• Conduct pre-screening of potentially-eligible populations in conjunction with outreach events and presentations using online screening tools.
• Provide application assistance via e-fax, mailings, telephone follow-up upon completing pre-screenings.

Leadership

• Close collaboration with the Program Director, outreach staff, and staff at partner agencies to ensure access to SNAP benefits.

Administration & Reporting

• Keep a running log of all applicants contacted and activities conducted in relation to the project.  Provide this information to the Program Director at the end of each month.

Requirements

•          Bachelor’s Degree in related field or equivalent experience

•          2-3 years professional experience with a nonprofit or volunteer organization

•          Bi-lingual (English-Spanish) strongly preferred

•          Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and internet resources. 

Key Qualifications

•          Ability to collaborate well with others.

•          Ability to handle multiple projects.

•          Superior time management and communication skills.

•          Ability to grasp complex program regulations and effectively communicate them to diverse audiences.

•          Ability to communicate effectively on the telephone and in writing to a diverse group of people.

•          Comfortable with online screening tools (training provided).

•          Creative and energetic problem solver, who is able to work effectively in a team.

•          Friendly, flexible, confident and assertive.

Send resume, cover letter, references and salary requirements to Brian Berry at bberry@cahs.org

With an estimated one in three Connecticut residents without dental insurance, two free clinics scheduled this year in Waterbury and Hartford may set records for treatment.

The fourth Connecticut Mission of Mercy clinic will be held Saturday and Sunday, April 16-17, at Wilby High School, 460 Bucks Hill Road, Waterbury, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

The third annual Inner City Dental clinic will be held Saturday, May 21, at Community Health Services, 500 Albany Ave., Hartford, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Grants totaling $92,000 have been awarded by the Beatrice Fox Auerbach Foundation Fund at the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to help support the clinics, which operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

                                                            Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your dental needs addressed!

Bring a folding chair, a book or some other object to keep you occupied and make sure you arrive early to reserve your place in line!

Check it out at: http://www.terrifictransitions.org/nche/best/youth.php

A new bill allowing cities to install intersection safety cameras, which issue tickets to vehicles that do not obey red light signals, has passed the Transportation Committee by a vote of 25 to 11. Text and other information about the bill, currently labeled S.B. 706, may be found here on the Connecticut General Assembly's website. There are many supporters of the bill this year, including Toni Walker and Roland Lemar, state representatives from New Haven. The bill is also supported by Bike Walk Connecticut, the state's largest bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organization.

The Hartford Courant reports at http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-red-light-cameras-0319-20110318,0,594323.story, and links to an online poll (shown here) which, with 1,072 votes recorded, indicates support for the devices. An excerpt from the Courant's coverage:

The legislature's transportation committee voted Friday to approve a bill that would enable any Connecticut municipality with a population of more than 60,000 to install cameras to take pictures of red-light violators at intersections, and to impose a fine of $124 for each violation.

The 25-11 committee vote sends the bill to the floor of the state Senate for debate and action. Approval also would be required in the House before the bill could be sent to the governor, who then would decide whether to sign it into law. Legislative approval isn't guaranteed. At least one such bill has cleared the committee in recent years, but none has been approved in the full House and Senate.

According to the Courant, the towns of more than 60,000 people in Connecticut are Bridgeport, New Haven, Hartford, Stamford, Waterbury, Norwalk, Danbury, New Britain, West Hartford, Greenwich, Hamden, Meriden and Bristol.

Click here for our coverage of previous years' legislation, and here for an earlier summary from the Tri State Transportation Campaign.

A group called CT Safe Roads has launched a website to help advocate for the devices. If you support the use of intersection safety cameras, which are currently deployed in more than 400 U.S. cities and have been shown to be extremely effective at reducing deaths caused by red light running, please visit the website and email, call or set up a visit with your state representatives. Several well-written op-eds supporting the cameras can be found in Connecticut's newspapers, including the Courant, Bristol Press, and New Haven Register.

From http://www.newhavensafestreets.org/

STATE OF CONNECTICUT

OFFICE OF POLICY AND MANAGEMENT

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

March 17, 2011

To:  Connecticut’s Nonprofit Community

RE:  Federal Aid Funding for January 11-12, 2011 Snowstorm for Nonprofit Organizations

Dear Colleagues,

Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Homeland Security, under the leadership of Commissioner Boynton, has successfully applied to FEMA on behalf of Governor Malloy for disaster funding to help defray costs associated with the January 12, 2011 record-breaking snowstorm.  Fairfield, Hartford, Litchfield, New Haven, New London, and Tolland Counties have been designated and approved (aid for Middlesex and Windham Counties is still pending).  Aid is available to eligible nonprofit organizations.

A series of county-wide meetings with FEMA and DEMHS have been scheduled for the week of March 21.  These meetings will give you an opportunity to learn about eligibility and the process for applying for funding.  A schedule of these meetings is attached.  If you experienced noninsured costs associated with the January 12 storm, I highly recommend that you send a representative from your agency to your designated meeting.

Attached, I have included some more information concerning eligibility.  Even if it may look like you are not eligible, I still recommend that you attend the meeting and hear directly from FEMA and DEMHS. 

Please note:  Even if you were not a party to the initial application from Connecticut to FEMA, you may still be eligible for assistance.

Please note: Aid for individuals and businesses was not available from FEMA for this storm.

Please note:  Eligible expenses will be covered at 75% of the documented costs.

Sincerely,

Deb Heinrich

Nonprofit Liaison to the Governor

(860) 418-6235

Deb.Heinrich@ct.gov 

Attachments:

Eligible Applicants

Private Non-Profit Organizations

Schedule of Applicants’ Briefings

SUMMARY:  Primary responsibility for raising operating funds for $900,000 annual budget. Research grant opportunities; conduct grant writing and reporting. Solicit, cultivate and maintain individual and corporate donors and investors. Organize and oversee fundraising and friendraising events. Conduct all marketing and communications to support fundraising activities including website, newsletters and annual report. Coordinate and prepare quarterly reports to donors, investors and grantors. Coordinate community development breakfast series and other events as required.

Director of Development and Administration works closely with the Executive Director, Board of Directors, Development Committee and other volunteers and will be responsible for all aspects of development and communications including:

• Grant research and writing
• Timely and accurate grant reporting
• Investor recruitment, renewal, relations
• Donor solicitation – direct mail annual appeal, special campaigns
• Special events coordination – Community Breakfast series, Good Egg Awards dinner, etc.
• Public relations including press, publications, newsletter, web site maintenance

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

• Successful track record in all aspects of fundraising
• Excellent writer
• Excellent relational and communication skills
• Experience with financial planning and income projections
• Excellent data maintenance
• Organized, self-directed and detail-driven and able to meet deadlines

The above is not intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities and requirements.

Salary is competitive with nonprofits of similar size. 

To Apply

 Please send resume, cover letter, and salary history to: Carla Weil, Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund, 171 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06510 or carla@gnhclf.org .  For information about the Loan Fund please see our website at www.gnhclf.org.

The GNHCLF is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Thanks to Moses Boone for sharing this great list. Please forward this link to students that you know.

Actuary Scholarships for Minority Students

American Chemical Society Scholarships
American Geological Institute Minority Geoscience Student Scholarship
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Barbara Jordan Health Policy Scholars Program
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta
Higher One Scholarship (must attend meeting 4/13 in New Haven)
Engineering for Minorities
Gates Millennium Scholars
International Education Financial Aid
The Jackie Robinson Foundation (high school seniors only)
Jack Kent Cook Foundation Graduate Scholars Program
John L. Carey Accounting Scholarship
Kaiser Media Internships in Health Reporting
LGBT Scholarships
Microsoft Scholarships (for computer related degrees)
Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship (for environmental studies)
Unmet Need Scholarship

Scholarships for African -American Women
The Jackie Robinson Foundation (high school seniors only)
Ron Brown Scholarship (high school seniors)
Black Excel Scholarship Gateways
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Dr. James M. Rosin Scholarship
Fisk Premedical Summer Institute / Minority Medical Education Program
General Mills Technology Scholars Award
Law School: MCCA Lloyd M. Johnson, Jr. Scholarship Program
NAACP Scholarships: Earl G. Graves Scholarship, Agnes Jones Scholarship, Lillian and Samuel Sutton Scholarship, Roy Wilkins Scholarship, and the Hubertus W.V. Williams Scholarship
National Association of Black Journalists
National Black Police Association
National Society of Black Engineers Scholarship List
Sallie Mae Fund American Dream Scholarship
Siemens Teacher Education Scholarship Program
Spieler, Rhea and Louis Scholarship Program
UNCF Merck Science Initiative
United Negro College Fund

Scholarships for Latina Women
Hispanic Scholarship Fund (also for college students)
Adelante US Education Leadership Fund
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (Congressional Internship)
First in My Family Scholarship Program
Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
Hispanic College Fund
National Association of Hispanic Journalists
Salvadoran American Leadership and Education Fund