NPML Annual Fundraising Institute Coming in June

UMSL's Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program will offer it's comprehensive Fundraising Institute covering current  practices and ideas June 17–20, 2013  at the J.C. Penney Conference Center, UMSL North Campus. Fees range from $35 - $99 per workshop or register for all 6 courses for $350.

The 2013 Fundraising Institute will offer new topics as well as updates to our popular grant writing and fundraising research classes. Six sessions over four days includs topics on:

• Grant Writing
• Planned Giving
• Grant and Fundraising Research Techniques
• Ethics in Fundraising
• Planning and Managing Successful Special Events
• Panel Discussion with Funders

For a detailed schedule or to register go to http://umsl.edu/~pcs/noncredit-offerings/fri.html#.UZZOf66d6Sq

Funder Site Supports Black Male Achievement

Is your organization aware of  BMAfunders.org?

The Foundation Center and the Open Society Foundations recently launched the web portal BMAfunders.org to facilitate engagement, collaboration, and strategic decision making among funders, nonprofits, and policymakers working to promote positive outcomes for black men and boys in America. The site is supported by the Campaign for Black Male Achievement, in which the Open Society Foundations has invested $50 million over the past five years. BMAfunders.org supports those working to reverse the damage done by years of systemic injustice by providing access to a variety of knowledge resources, including:

• A mapping tool that fosters collaboration by showing who's funding what program, where;
• A timeline of philanthropic milestones that sheds light on the historical context of the field;
• An "Outcomes Toolkit" that points users to key measures that will help them assess the impact of their work; and Research reports case studies of work on the ground that highlight innovation and lessons learned.

Another Great Free E-Newsletter for Nonprofits

Keep up with state and national reports and news about professional development and advocacy issues important to the common interests of Missouri's more than 15,000 nonprofits by requesting a subscription to Nonprofit Missouri's free weekly NPMO Newsletter Updates at  info@nonprofitmissouri.org. While you're at the Nonprofit Missouri site, check out the resource links this important organization offers, as well as the benefits of membership.  And get details on speakers and workshops at  the June 12-13 annual conference in Columbia, Beyond Survival: Preparation and Prevention.

Nonprofit Reads: "It's All about Relationships"

Nonprofit development office professionals are invited to bring questions or a problem you've experienced with building long-term donor relationships to discuss informally with been-there-done that fundraising colleagues -- including Liz Reeves from the St. Louis Public Library Foundation -- at the May 28 session of Nonprofit Reads, from noon-1 pm in the 1st floor book club room at Central Library. 

An electronic copy of “It’s All about Relationships,” a recent 2-page article by St. Paul fundraisers who have been successful at establishing and nurturing relationships with a variety of donors, is available now to prime your thinking about this topic. Just send an e-mail request to kparks@slpl.org and I'll send you a copy or you can come by the G&FC for a print-out.  Bring your lunch to the discussion if you like, beverages will be provided, 

Nonprofit Reads meets on the fourth Tuesday of each month; topics so far have included effective networking techniques and generational giving patterns. Assigned readings are just a jumping off point for getting to know colleagues and problem-solving discussions.

Small St. Louis Neighborhood Sustainability Grants Available this Summer

Are you part of a group who could use $5,000 to improve your neighborhood this summer?

The City of St. Louis 2013 Sustainable Neighborhood Small Grant Competition invites teams of city residents, neighborhood organizations, schools, religious organizations, and community groups to propose sustainable projects for their own neighborhood. Seven $5,000 grants will be awarded to winning projects.

Catherine Werner, Sustainability Director from the City of St. Louis Mayor's Office, will describe the Competition at a free information session May 16 for potential applicants from 6-7 pm in the 2nd floor training room at Central Library.

To win, a project must be submitted on behalf of at least one of the 79 official City of St. Louis neighborhoods. A project team must include an organization that has not-for-profit status and who can serve as fiscal representative if awarded the prize money.  Grant applications for projects must be submitted online by June 15.  Go to http://sustainableneighborhood.net/ for details.

Monetizing Your Artistry in St. Louis

• Weds. May 15, noon- 1:30, Books Every Working Artist Should Read, Central Library 2nd floor Training Rm. Discover some really helpful books for individual visual artists, writers, musicians and filmmakers seeking to take their careers to the next level -- books that provide solid information about practicalities like copyright, negotiations and marketing and books that provide inspiration to help you through the process. Sue Greenberg, executive director of St. Louis Volunteer Lawyers and Accountants for the Arts and published writer, will share her list and invites you to bring titles and websites you have found helpful to share with colleagues. Bring your lunch as well, beverages will be provided. Also note: limited free parking is available for participants in the center aisle of the lot on the northwest corner of 15th "& Olive. Call the G&FC for details.
• In preparation for this session, in conjuction with Central Library's Arts, Entertainment and Literature librarians, we've updated our recommended list of local and national funding websites and books offering grants and other specific markets for individual 1) Funding for Filmmakers, 2) Funding for Musicians, 3) Funding for Visual Artists, and 4) Funding for Writers.  E-mail me for a copy of a particular list or come by and examine our  resource Kiosk at the Grants & Foundation Center.
• RAC -- Regional Arts Commission -- recently has made a new series of funds available to individual local artists: 10 annual $20,000 fellowships, and  $75,000 to be split into several smaller grants of $500 to $3,000 for area artists. Go to www.art-stl.com/artistscount/index.php/grants/  to find our more and sign up for updates.

  

  RAC -- Artists Count

Learn Basic Legal Issues for Nonprofit Boards May 9 at Central Library

If you are new leadership of a St. Louis area nonprofit organization, as a board member, staff member or volunteer, you're especially invited to our Thurs. May 9 session of Basic Legal Issues for Nonprofits, 3-5 pm in the 2nd Floor Training Rm. here at Central Library. The free overview session, led by attorney and instructor Dan Sise from UMSL's Nonprofit Management and Leadership Program, will include important information about your legal liabilities and responsibilities, types of protection available, insurance coverage options and risk management policies to consider. Those who have attended Dan's sessions on this and other nonprofit topics in the past highly recommend this summary of "legal basics" to all who want to help lead their nonprofit wisely and well. Just let us know by e-mail or phone if you plan to attend so we can prepare background material.