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The Getting Attention Blog Ideas, tactics, and tips for effective nonprofit communications

NPTech.Info Pulls popular info and general news on nonprofits and technology from around the web

OurSharedResources.org Free, interactive site for those in and interested in volunteer management to find and add useful resources.

Strategically Speaking Blog on strategic thinking and planning in the nonprofit sector from Wisconsin's Frank Martinelli (WNA Member)
 

For more info: WNA Career Center

Website Intern, Community Shares of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee

Watershed Project Manager, Kettle Moraine Land Trust, Madison

Job Developer, Forward Service Corporation, Green Bay

Our purpose is to increase the effectiveness, visibility, and credibility of Wisconsin's nonprofits through advocacy, resource sharing, and technical support.
We find common ground for common good to offer a collective voice for nonprofits.

Step #1: Register Today for a special WNA free webinar "The Role of Wisconsin Nonprofits in the 2010 Census" on Tue, Nov 24, 1-2p (central). This webinar is also sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin Education Fund, Community Shares of Wisconsin, and the We Count! Wisconsin 2010 Census Project. 

Step #2: Go to NonprofitsCount, the most comprehensive website on the 2010 Census for the nonprofit community. There you can:

• Request a free Census Toolkit that will help you ensure your constituents are counted.
  
• Stay informed about what's going on in Wisconsin.

$4 trillion

Federal funds distributed to the states based on Census data over the next 10 years.

$5.8 billion

Census-based federal funds Wisconsin received in 2007 alone!

$1,032.55

Amount each person counted in the 2000 Census earned for Wisconsin in federal funds in 2007

 Register for the Special Webinar Today!

IRS Seeks Applications for Tax Exempt/Government Entities Advisory Committee
The Internal Revenue Service is seeking applications for vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt and Government Entities (ACT). The committee provides a venue for public input into critical tax administration areas. Two vacancies exist in both Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations. Members are appointed by the Secretary of the Treasury and serve two-year terms, beginning in June 2010. Applications will be accepted through Dec. 1, 2009.

Special Report #8: A Respectful Warning Call to Our Partners in Government
How is the economy affecting nonprofits? This National Council of Nonprofits Special Report on the Economic Stimulus & Recovery examines data from four national and nine state-specific surveys that show the undeniable truth: nonprofits are trying to meet increasing demands for more services at the same time that their operating cost. (See all Special Reports.)

Special Report #9: Strategies Being Used by Nonprofit Leaders To Cope with the Nation’s Economic Crisis
This report from National Council of Nonprofits synthesizes the data from four national and nine state surveys illustrating how nonprofits are coping with the impact of the economy and offers suggestions for cost-cutting measures and strategic steps nonprofits can take to address the allocation of scarce resources as they weather the downtown in the economy. (See all Special Reports.)

Will the Social Innovation Fund Fund Social Innovation?
The ... emerging Social Innovation Fund ... has generated lots of attention disproportionate to the relatively small $50 million appropriation recommended in President Obama’s FY2010 budget. One reason is that the SIF isn’t meant to fund specific nonprofit program topics or themes like youth or education or health or environment. Created by the SERVE America Act, the SIF will support efforts to strengthen and replicate nonprofit innovation.

Making Smarter Decisions: Five Business Intelligence Myths
If you collect and analyze data over time, it can tell you where you're headed, tomorrow -- and that can help you make better business decisions. That's when data becomes intelligence

The Ups and Downs of Transparency
Transparency is a hot topic - the new black, really - so what does this mean?  How much is the right amount?  For whom?  What are the ups and downs of demand for tranparency, which is here to stay.

Security Threats: A Guide for Small and Mid-Sized Nonprofits
Seven tips for avoiding common threats at your organization

[video] Corporate Sponsors:
 How to Keep Them Giving Year after Year
A few tips and examples of how to keep sponsors from year to year (even in tough economic times).

Permission is in the Eye of the Beholder: Four Steps for Repairing and Building Trust with Online Donors
Based on close observation of the field since its inception and several large scale surveys, I've concluded that most organizations who are raising money online have enormous flaws in their programs. This article discusses one such flaw.

Governor Doyle Signs Bill to Support Domestic Violence Nonprofits
On Nov 12, Governor Doyle signed into law AB-209, now Act 75, which authorizes counties to contribute to the capital improvements of domestic violence shelters and to fund nonprofits that provide assistance to low-income individuals or individuals who are victims of domestic violence and related crimes.

The measure was sought after the Marathon County Board acted to contribute funding for a local domestic violence shelter, but was prevented from doing so because of a legal opinion stating the county lacked statutory authority.

“Local victim service providers and county governments obviously have strong shared interests in addressing domestic violence, especially as the effects of abuse ripple through entire communities, adversely affecting safety and quality of life,” said Patti Seger, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV). “[This Act] gives counties another tool to partner with local victim advocates.” Bill History

Rural Development is now accepting pre-applications for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant (RBEG) program for Fiscal Year 2010.
These grants are awarded to nonprofit associations, Indian Tribes, or public bodies in rural areas and must fulfill the specified population and income requirements. The grants are for financing and developing small and emerging private businesses with less than $1 million in revenues, and which will have fewer than 50 new employees. There is no maximum dollar limit for any one project. Funds can be used for technical assistance, revolving loan program, incubator/industrial buildings, and industrial park improvements. Deadline for pre-applications: 12/31/09. Download application HERE.

Study documents struggles of Milwaukee's arts groups
The Cultural Alliance of Greater Milwaukee ... conducted a Cultural Asset Inventory of the Milwaukee 7 region for the Greater Milwaukee Committee. ... As a result of the study, ... the Cultural Alliance ... [will develop] ... a Creative Community planning process that would build the creative capital of the city into a sustainable regional asset.

YWCA Merges, Expands Service Offerings
The YWCA of Greater Milwaukee and the New Hope Project agreed on terms of a merger. Under the terms of the merger, the New Hope Project will maintain its brand and program model under the YWCA's ownership.

Unraveling Development: What to Read and Who to Listen to
Yes, there’s tons of information out there and it’s your job to stay on top of it as best you can. As a professional, your job is to learn the documented body of knowledge. Fundraising and management and marketing/communications are not about your opinion. There’s a body of knowledge documented in books and articles and taught through continuing education and academic programs. 

Can Nonprofit Boards Vote By Email?
Can nonprofit boards vote by mail and email? As is true of so many matters, there are legal answers and sensible answers to this question, which may not be the same.

[podcast] Long Distance Boards
Soil and Water Conservation Society, founded in 1943, is an international organization serving more than 5,000 members. Board President Peggie James talks with Pat Wyzbinski of the Nonprofit Management Fund about the Society’s experiences with teleconferences, blogs, electronic publications, and other ways it engages leaders, shares information, increases efficiency, and reduces costs.This free podcast is part of an ongoing series from BoardStar,

Two New Additions to 10 Things Every Board Member Needs to Know Free White Paper Series
Finding Opportunity in Economic Crisis and Risk Management: Your Role as a Board Member are two new white papers from First Nonprofit Insurance Company, a WNA Preferred Vendor. Contact Katie Badeusz (312-627-7724) for your free copy.

13 Nonprofits Honored for Outstanding Taglines: "Nothing Stops a Bullet Like a Job" Pulls Top Honors for Homeboy Industries
A nonprofit’s tagline is hands down the briefest, easiest and most effective way to communicate its identity and impact. But this high-impact, low-cost marketing tactic is often overlooked or under-emphasized by nonprofits.

Seven Steps to Compelling Testimonials for Nonprofit Organizations
It’s challenging to get the right testimonials from your network. But you can count on getting strong material when you ask this series of questions (via phone or an online survey) as soon as possible after an individual’s interaction with your organization.  This approach is vastly more effective than an “open mike” call for testimonials strategy.

See Full Calendar for More

Webinar: Succession Planning, 12/1, 1-2p. Learn about emergency succession planning as a risk management strategy, developing a "leaderful" organization prepared for change, preparing the board, and extra steps around the departure of a long-tenured executive. Cost: $45. Some discounts apply. For more info/to register.

Webinar: Mobilizing Volunteers in the Face of Budget Cuts - A Realistic Look, 12/2, 12-1:30. When financial crisis strikes, ... where does volunteer involvement fit? Are you positioned to expand your volunteer corps or do you still need to lay the foundation for welcoming community participation? Can/should volunteers fill gaps left if you must layoff staff? Instructor: Susan Ellis, President, Energize Inc. Cost: $99; no additional fee for multiple participants at the same phone/computer connection. For more info/to register.

Forum: Fee Income and Pricing for Nonprofits: Expanding the Financial Base for Mission Achievement, 12/10, 9:30-11a, Milwaukee. Fees for services are central elements in the economic portfolio of nonprofit operations. This forum will explore the appropriate place of fee income, with some discussion of commercial ventures in nonprofit finance. Cost: Free. Registration deadline: 12/4. For more info/to register.

This quality print and electronic publication provides timely management resources; news; opinions; expert blogs; and the cutting edge, relevant, and useful information you need to manage more effectively and advance your mission.

The Nonprofit Quarterly promotes "spirited nonprofit management to strengthen the role of nonprofits to activate democracy"

 
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 The Legacy Group, Brookfield
Baraboo Area Senior Citizens Organization, Baraboo
Fiscal Assistance of Dane County, DeForest

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