Fall GFC Update Event 2015: New Tricks & Treats for Fundraiser$$

If you browse this blog and some of the page tabs at the top, you may notice that NSC, AFP, NPML, CSPRC  and other local G&FC program partners frequently offer their expertise at training events/informational programs for their members and local nonprofit professionals and volunteers. On Thurs. Oct. 29, you're invited to get an update on the research expertise available at the GFC here at Central Library as well as find out in person about the opportunities these groups provide:

CENTRAL 4 FUNDRAISER$: Fall 2015 Update

Thurs. Oct. 29, 2015               9-10:30 am  

Mary McMurtrey from the Greater St. Louis Community Foundation will open the gathering by highlighting the primary  research sources recommended by local funders. SLPL's FIN librarian Kim Parks will fill you in on the latest changes in the Foundation Directory Online and some of the other specialized business databases, research websites and local directories available  free here.
Then Jane Langa from NSC, Bret Heinrich from AFP, Dan Sise from NPML, Kate Howell from CSPRC, Kent Hornberger from GPA and Rebecca Buffington from YNPN will each describe (in kind of a speed-dating rotation) the opportunities and benefits their organizations provide.

Because the program will begin before Central Library is officially open to the public, PREREGISTRATION for this FREE Event is required.  Call 314-539-0357 or Preregister here. We'll have coffee , Q&A, light refreshments and time to network with the experts.

More experienced fundraisers may also Register to stay  for the separate, hands-on Foundation Maps database tutorial at 10:30.

4th Monday Meetup & Program Coming up

If you're interested in a quick (30 min.) in-person look at the information and help available to you at the Grants & Foundation Center, I encourage you to come to  Get to Know the GFC here in the Social Sciences Rm. Monday at noon.  (If you sign up here, we'll prepare a take-away packet for you.) Monday's 5-minute focus: Grant TOS (Types of support) Because the 4th Monday of May is Memorial Day, the next Meetup will be June 22-- same orientation tour, but the 5-minute focus will be on grant geography.

Dan Sise

And, if you're interested in how to administer a grant once you've won it, be sure to stay around for Grant Management Basics, 2-4 pm in the training room, taught by Dan Sise of UMSL's Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program. Dan will go over the essentials you need to know to effectively put the grant to work for your nonprofit. (More details and sign-up under G&FC Events on the left of the screen. 


Both events are free and free parking is available.

Once You Get the Grant....

Did you look over the new Grant Reporting Tool available from the Gateway Center for Giving website? It consists of general tips and a menu of core questions considered best practices in effective grant reporting and was produced by a knowledgeable team of local grantmaker leaders.

 Come learn more about reporting as well as other grant contract requirements and best practices on April 27, 2-4 pm, when NPML's Dan Sise, goes over Grant Management Basics here in a free session in the 2nd flr. training rm. More details & Registration here. 

Basics for Nonprofit Leaders Series to Start with Legal Issues

Attorney and NPML community engagement manager Dan Sise will describe the basic legal responsibilities, duties, liabilities and protections that affect every person who agrees to serve on the board of directors of a 501C(3) nonprofit Thurs. May 1 from 3-5 pm here at Central Library in the training room. This free session will be the first in this year's series for new/prospective nonprofit leaders (board or staff) cosponsored by NPML and AFP (See our events calendar -->)  If you or someone you know is interested, phone (314 539-0357) or email me so we can have enough material ready and let you know about free parking.

Grant Management Basics Here April 10

Winning the grant is just the first step. Thurs., April 10, 2014 3 pm,  Dan Sise, instructor and community engagement manager at UMSL's NPML, will describe what your nonprofit needs to know to KEEP the granted funds coming in, including  understanding:

• the grant agreement as contract, 
• disbursement processes and issues, 
• reporting requirements and 
• plans for managing deadlines 

Dan also has lots of tips and great links to pass along, so E-mail me to sign up for this free program here at Central Library in the 2nd floor Training Room so we can have enough materials ready. 

New Nonprofit Start-Up Class at NpML

Dan Sise, community engagement manager at UMSL's Nonprofit Management Leadership Program, will offer an intensive, day-long class for persons interested in Starting & Governing a Nonprofit 501(c) (3) in Missouri on Thurs. Nov. 14 at UMSL. Dan is an attorney (Some of you have attended programs he's done here at the library) and  will focus on how the steps you taking in forming a nonprofit affect how you must operate in the future. Cost of the 9-4 pm class, including lunch, is $89. This is a great chance to get the basics at one session. Call 314-516-5655.

Get Nonprofit Bylaws Help May 29 at UMSL

Whether you're trying to draft, revise or just learn more about bylaws for a nonprofit organization,  attorneys Dan Sise (NPML) and Laurie Hauber (LSEM) will go over the what, why and how of Nonprofit Bylaws  Weds. May 29, 2-5 pm,  on the UMSL campus. Cost $25. Speaking from experience at their  sessions here at the G&FC, I can endorse Dan and Laurie as wonderful teachers and highly recommend this NPML class.
Go to www.umsl.edu/npml or call 314-516-5655 to register.

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.

Basic Legal Issues Overview for Nonprofit Boards

June 21, 3-5, Dan Sise will again be here at Schlafly offering his expertise with an overview of such issues as legal liabilities, risk management, insurance coverate and the types of legal protections available for board members and volunteers.Cosponsored by NpML. Free.

990 Annual Forms Are June 14 Topic

Don't put your hard-earned tax exempt status at risk. NpMLcommunity engagement specialist attorney Dan Sise will discuss The 990 & Your Nonprofit's Tax-Exempt Status here at Schlafly on June 14 from 3-4:30 pm. Thanks to G&FC program partner NpML Dan's expertise is abialable at this free event; just let us know you're coming so we can prepare enough support materials..

What to Do When You Get the Grant

June 15 from 3-4:30 pm here at Schlafly, NPML's Dan Sise will go over Grant Management Basics --- common issues encountered by nonprofits once they receive a grant:

• the grant agreement as contract


• disbursement processes


• reporting requirements


• managing deadlines

Contact me to sign up for this free program cosponsored by the Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program.

CANCELLED : Aug. 17

WATCH FOR THIS EVENT IN SPRING 2012

Four Missouri nonprofits are on the latest IRS list of organizations whose IRS tax-exempt status has been revoked. You can find out who they are on the www.irs.gov/charities/ website (plus get to a lot of great information and remarkably user-friendly instructions for nonprofits ). The list is updated monthly and serves as a reminder to every 501(c)3 to keep filing the appropriate 990 tax statement each year to avoid losing your hard-earned status. The IRS has been cracking down lately, part of increased overall expectations of nonprofit accountability by donors and the public.
Attorney Dan Sise from NPML will present a free overview of The 990: Its Versions & Your Nonprofit's Tax-Exempt Status -- with special emphasis on the 990-N return for small nonprofits --on Wednesday, May 4 from 3-4:30 pm here at Schlafly. He will also talk about what to do if your organization misses its filing deadline. Contact me to sign up so we can have enough materials and bring your questions for Dan.

Presenting Legal Basics for Nonprofit Boards and Staff

Dan Sise will discuss basic legal principles and regulatory information affecting tax-exempt nonprofit corporations at a free workshop here at the Schlafly branch library April 6 from 3-4:30 pm. The event will cover topics including legal duties and liabilities of board members, risk management, insurance and protections available for volunteers. Cosponsored by UMSL's Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program but contact the G&FC to register or with questions.

More January Events for St. Louis Nonprofits

Jan. 20, 3-4:30 pm, Online Communities for Your Nonprofit: Legal Aspects of Social Media, free, here at the Schlafly Branch, Information technology attorneys from the St. Louis Corporate Counsel Assn.’s pro bono committee will discuss ways to create creative online communities without unhappy surprises. Will post more details after the holidays.

Jan. 21 - Gateway Center for Giving Annual Meeting/40th Anniversary, Powell Hall, 11-1, Cost: $40, go to www.centerforgiving.org

Jan. 27 - AFP Extended Session with Katya Andresen, Social Networking and Behavioral Economics for Fundraisers, 8 - 1:30, $70 for nonmembers to attend both sessions, contact afp@qabs.com to register. Want to prepare? Ccheck out either of Andresen's books, Robin Hood Marketing or People to People Fundraising from the G&FC.

Jan. 27 - Gambling & Fundraising: What Nonprofits Need to Know, 3-5 pm, led by Dan Sise at UMSL, Fee: 20. Click on the NPML Link at right.

Learn about "The 990: Its Versions & Your Nonprofit's Tax Exempt Status" Here

Nov. 10, 3-4:30 pm here at Schlafly Library Dan Sise, attorney and NPML's community engagement specialist, will give discuss the various forms of the IRS 990 annual return, especially the new 990-N for small nonprofits. He'll also talk about what to do if you miss the 990 filing deadline and your status is threatened. Stop by the G&FC, call or e-mail me for details or to sign up.

Failed to File a 990? IRS Revocation Relief Possible

From NPML's Dan Sise --The Internal Revenue Service announced July 27 that small nonprofit organizations at risk of losing their tax-exempt status because they failed to file required returns for 2007, 2008, and 2009 can preserve their exempt status by filing returns by October 15, 2010. Two types of relief are available for small exempt organizations -a filing extension for the smallest organizations required to file Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard), and a voluntary compliance program (VCP) for small organizations eligible to file Form 990-EZ, Short Form Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax. Find more information about the filing relief program on IRS.gov.
Also on this topic, Guidestar has updated a report --Automatic Revocation of Nonprofits' Tax-Exempt Status: What Nonprofits, Grantmakers, and Donors Need to Know available free at http://www.guidestar.org/ or in a print copy here at the GFC.
Dan will present a program on "The 990, Its Versions and Your Nonprofit;s Tax Exempt Status" here Nov. 10th.

Basic Legal Issues for Nonprofits May 13

St. Louis attorney Dan Sise will discuss basic legal principles and regulatory information affecting tax-exempt nonprofit corporations at a free workshop here at Central Library May 13 from 3-5 pm. The event will cover topics including legal duties and liabilities of board members, risk management, insurance and protections available for volunteers. Cosponsored by UMSL's Nonprofit Management & Leadership Program but contact the G&FC to register or with questions.

Learn Grant Management Basics Here April 15

Presumably you've finished -- and sent in -- your personal income tax forms, so you're ready to come to Central Library April 15 from 3-5 pm in Meeting Rm. 1 to learn about the forms, contracts, issues and reporting requirements to be attended to once your organization has secured a grant. Dan Sise, an attorney and NPML community angagement associate, will update the overview of this topic, with recommended resources, he led here last fall. The program is free, but please register with us so we can prepare enough materials. Cosponsored by NPML

Coming Here in 2010

The G&FC special events focus for the first part of 2010 is on helping nonprofits learn more about working together to adapt to the changing world of philanthropic economics. For details about all the events listed on our blog calendar (scroll down, right), call or e-mail us.

Thanks also to the specific speakers who have agreed to present: These include Les Johnson and Gail Dickson from ARCHS; Marilyn Sheperd, Fontbonne VP of Institutional Advancement, for AFP; Sue Greenberg from VLAA, and Dan Sise from NPML.

Many thanks to the partner organizations for making these substantive sessions available to you at no charge. For more information about these acronymed organizations, click on their website links at right.

You are Awarded the Grant! Now What?

Dan Sise from UMSL's NPML will discuss Grant Management Basics at a free workshop here at Central Library Oct. 28, 3-5pm. He'll discuss issues, suggest practices and procedures and give examples from grant awards and agreements. E-mail or call us to register.