Subject: MCN Gulf Coast Update - June 9, 2008
MCN Gulf Coast Update - June 9, 2008
Below please find information on the following topics:
Gulf Coast Trainings/Workshops
1) FEMA Helping Hands Workshop June 17 at the Bay St. Louis Library.
2) Webinar on Relationship Building with Sam Burke, June 11
3) Advocacy Planning for Nonprofit Organizations June 19th, 8:30am to 1:30pm, at the Nonprofit Center in Gulfport
4) ABCs of Strategic Planning Friday, June 20, 9am to 12 noon in Biloxi
5) Software Trainings at YOUR nonprofit site on the following topics: Using Excel to Develop a Grant Budget, Using ACCESS to Track Program Clients and Services, Quickbooks for Administrators, and Quickbooks Training for Bookkeepers.
6) Self-Care for Disaster Response Workers and Caregivers, Three-day workshops through July 2008.
7) Free webinars from the Foundation Center on Grant Seeking and Fundraising
8) Grant writing working sessions weekly at convenient locations on the Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast Meetings and Conferences
9) Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence Children’s Conference June 23.
10) American Federation of Fundraisers (AFP) Conference in New Orleans June 11-13 11) SMVOAD meeting Thursday, June 5th, at 9am to 11:30am, MS State University Coastal Research and Extension Center in Biloxi.
12) Second Annual Mississippi Coast Mental Health Summit: Finding Meaning through Recovery, June 11-12, MS Coast Coliseum and Convention Center
13) Public Session on how to apply for National Service volunteers June 11 th , from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Hands On Gulf Coast, 2113 Pass Road in Biloxi.
14) SMASO meeting with Mark Hambrick of Oxfam America June 24 th , from 3PM to 4:30 at Church of the Redeemer in Biloxi. Minutes of April 29 th meeting attached.
Positions Available
15) Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center seeking a Homeownership Counselor.
16) Four staff positions open at Presbyterian Disaster Assistance on the Gulf Coast.
17) Long Term Recovery Supervisor and Construction Manager needed at Hancock Housing Resource Center/Hancock County Long Term Recovery
18) The Mississippi Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs seeks an Executive Director.
19) Information on consultants in Grant-writing, Website Development, Strategic Planning, Accounting and Bookkeeping, and other nonprofit issues needed for Gulf Coast. Contact [email protected]
Funding Opportunities of Special Interest to Gulf Coast
20) Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health grant applications due June 23.
21) Southern Partners Fund to support rural organizing efforts in Deep South due August 1. Southern Partners Justice for Katrina Recovery and Renewal accepted on rolling basis. 22) The Oak Hill Fund’s Environmentally Sustainable Affordable Design Program accepting Letters of Inquiry.
23) Grant applications for HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities due July 16.
24) Grant applications for HUD Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program due July 11.
Local Fundraisers for Nonprofits
25) Cool Coupons books to support your nonprofit, O’Keefe Educational Media, and local businesses available from O’Keefe Educational Media.
26) The Women’s Resource Center 2 nd Annual Walk for Life June 14 th at William Carey University.
27) Rebuilding of Congregation Beth Israel “International Food & Wine Tasting” June 17 in Biloxi.
Other News
28) Mississippi Nonprofit Audit Limit Requirement raised to $500,000.
29) Nonprofits with contributions under $25,000 must now file e-Postcard Electronic Notice with the IRS.
30) New report on mental health post-Katrina released May 28, 2008.
Training Details
1)The next FEMA Helping Hands Workshop will be on Tuesday, June 17, from 6pm to 7:30pm at the Bay St. Louis Library and Administrative Headquarters at 312 Highway 90. For more information please contact Laura Mason, FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaison, at [email protected] or 228-239-5988 (cell) or 228-897-9622 (desk).
2) Sam Burke, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, will lead an MCN webinar on “Relationship Building in the Nonprofit World” from 10am to 11am on Wednesday, June 11. This webinar targets individuals new to the nonprofit world and will focus on methods to identify key people and networks and how to position your nonprofit as an investment, not a charity. The cost is $15 for MCN members, and $30 for non- members. To register please go to www.msnonprofits.org. For a flier on upcoming MCN webinars, please see attachments
3) “Advocacy Planning for Nonprofit Organizations” will be held Thursday, June 19 th , from 8:30am to 1:30pm at the Nonprofit Center at 11975 Seaway Road in Gulfport. Lunch is included. This FREE half-day training will improve your understanding of the advocacy planning process and teach you to organize your organization's advocacy efforts for maximum effectiveness.
To find out more about this training, please click here to download a flyer. To register, please click the following link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx? sm=l9akyToC0kQI67N938uUNw_3d_3d
For more information, contact Adele Lyons, Program Director for Biloxi/Gulfport MS, John S. & James L. Knight Foundation at [email protected], 228- 896-2808 or Samuel Moore at [email protected], 202-355-7090.
4) “ABC’s of Strategic Planning: Creating a Road Map for Your Organization” will provide you with information on the fundamental concepts of strategic planning and tips on creating an effective strategic plan. The workshop will be held from 9am to 12 noon at the Church of the Redeemer/DeMiller Hall at 610 Water Street in Biloxi. The fee is $29 for MCN members, and $69 for non- members. To register please go to www.msnonprofits.org. Please see attached flier for more information.
5) The MS Center for Nonprofits recently received a grant from AT&T to provide technology trainings at the offices of grassroots Gulf Coast nonprofits serving under-served populations. Workshops will be offered on the following topics to fit the particular needs of eligible nonprofits: Using Excel to Develop Grant Budgets; Quickbooks for Administrators; Quickbooks for Bookkeepers; and Using ACCESS to Track Program Clients and Services. The workshops will be provided for five to six nonprofit employees at a nonprofit’s work site (small nonprofits can meet together) using MCN laptops. Please contact Sue Weishar, MCN Gulf Coast Coordinator, to arrange a technology training to fit the technology needs of your nonprofit at 228-575-9148 or [email protected].
6) The Foundation for the Mid South, in partnership with the American Red Cross Hurricane Recovery Program, will be providing three-day workshops through July 2008 on Self-Care for Disaster Response Workers and Caregivers in Mississippi Coastal Towns. The workshops will be lead by Dr. Gargi Roysircar, Professor of Clinical Psychology at Antioch University. Individuals interested in attending the workshops should contact Dawn Leach (601-329-9762 or [email protected]) for dates, location, and registration information. Also see http://www.fndmidsouth.org/Documents/Mississippi_Project_PR_final_080314.p df
7) The Foundation Center is now offering free one-hour training webinars on the following topics: Grantseeking Basics, Introduction to Finding Funders, Introduction to Fundraising Planning, and Before You Seek a Grant: Checklist for New Nonprofits. To sign up for these free, interactive webinars go to http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/training/webinars/calendar.html The Mississippi Center for Nonprofits has made available to the public the Foundation Center’s searchable database on 90,000 funders, Foundation Directory On-Line, at the Orange Grove Public Library at 12031 Mobile Avenue in Gulf Port. Training on how to use the database is provided at the weekly MCN Grant Writing Working Session (info below)
8) MCN continues to offer weekly workshops on the basics of grant-writing at convenient locations on the Gulf Coast. Please see attached flier for dates and times of these free workshops. We are developing times and dates for July- December grant writing working sessions.
Meetings/Conferences Details
9) The Gulf Coast Women’s Center for Nonviolence (GCWCFN) is organizing a conference to provide practical skills and information to professionals working with children who are exhibiting or at high risk for behavioral or emotional issues due to domestic violence, sexual abuse, or substance abuse in the home. Workshop topics include Domestic Violence Basics, Effects of Domestic Violence on Children, Forensic Interviews and Child Sexual Abuse, and Group Work with Children. From Stormy Seas- Interventions for Young Survivors will be held June 23 from 8am to 4pm at the MSU Extension Center at 1815 Popps Ferry Road in Biloxi. Applications for staff development hours from the MS Department of Health Child Facilities Licensure as well as social work units from NASW have been applied for. For more information please contact GCWCFN at 228-436-3809 or [email protected].
10) The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) is holding a conference in New Orleans June 11-13at the Hampton Inn and Suites Convention Center. For information on the conference and to register go to http://afpneworleans.afpnet.org/2008AFPGreaterNewOrleansFundraisingConfere nce.aspx
11) The next meeting of the South Mississippi Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (SMVOAD) will be held on Thursday, June 5 th , at the Mississippi State University Coastal Research and Extension Center, 1815, Popps Ferry Road, Biloxi, starting at 9am. For more information contact Joshua Joachim, with the MS Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, at 228- 233-7376 or [email protected]
12) The Second Annual Mississippi Coast Mental Health Summit, “Finding Meaning through Recovery”, will be held June 11 & 12 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center, Biloxi. The fee is $75. CEUs will be available. For a detailed summit agenda and to register for the summit go to website of the MS Coast Interfaith Disaster Task Force at www.msidtf.org.
13) The Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service (MCVS) will hold a public information session on how to access National Service Programs (including Americorps, VISTA, National Civilian Conservation Corps, Learn and Serve America, and Senior Corps Program) from 1:30pm to 3:30pm on Wednesday, June 11, at Hands On Gulf Coast, 2113 Pass Road in Biloxi. To RSVP please contact Caitlin Brooking at 228-257-6094. For information on National Service Programs in Mississippi please call 601-432-6779 or 800-393- 1793 or visit www.MCVS.org. Applications for Americorps Programs will be due to MCVS in November, 2008, for Americorps Programs to start in August, 2009.
14) Mark Hambrick, Community Development Specialist with Oxfam America on the Gulf Coast, will be the guest speaker for the South Mississippi Alliance of Service Organizations (SMASO) meeting on Tuesday, June 24 th from 3pm to 4:30pm at the Church of the Redeemer/DeMiller Hall Conference Room, 610 Water Street in Biloxi (on Highway 90 two blocks east of the Hard Rock Café). At the meeting Mark will discuss the work of Oxfam America in rebuilding the Mississippi Gulf Coast, future funding opportunities with Oxfam America, and what Oxfam America looks for in a grant partner. Everyone is invited.
Nonprofit Positions Available on Gulf Coast Details
15) The Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center has a position open for a Home Ownership Counselor. An applicant should have skills in dealing with mortgage default and delinquency, knowledge of disaster recovery programs, and a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience. The position will assist hurricane- impacted homeowners and those facing foreclosure. Mail cover letter, references, and resume to Charmel Gaulden, Executive Director, Gulf Coast Fair Housing Center, 2218-24 th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501 or fax to 228-396-4857. Applications are due by June 25.
16) Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is seeking to fill the following four staff positions: Hurricane Response Manager; Volunteer Village Coordinator; Financial Manager; and Case Manager Liaison. For detailed job descriptions and to submit an application go to http://www.pcusa.org/hr/ Under “Search for Open Positions” click open “Search for Opportunities”. Then on the page that opens, at the field “at State(s)” choose Mississippi, next click “Search”.
17) The Hancock Housing Resource Center/Hancock County Long Term Recovery is looking to fill the following two positions: Long Term Recovery Supervisor and Construction Manager. For detailed job descriptions please contact the Hancock Housing Resource Center at 228-467-9048.
18) The Mississippi Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs is seeking an Executive Director, who will be responsible for the hands-on, daily management of the state legislative, state funding efforts and business requirements in support of the Mississippi Alliance of Boys & Girls Clubs. For a detailed job description please see: http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/Jobs/JobDetails.aspx? Job_DID=J8F85066G54G1LD2RXK&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=99af89623611 4375b698a581c303feee-266085833-RG- 4&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_Mississippi_Alliance__
19) Talent Needed! We are seeking to build a data base of talented persons willing to work as consultants to Gulf Coast nonprofits with expertise in the following topic areas: accounting; bookkeeping; grant writing; fundraising; marketing; strategic planning; and technology. Please send contact information on the talented consultants you know to MCN Gulf Coast Coordinator Sue Weishar at [email protected]. Thank you!
Funding Opportunities Details
20) The Gulf Coast Fund for Community Renewal and Ecological Health supports community, state and regional efforts that engage, empower and benefit displaced and returning residents, and that promote the sustainable and just rebuilding of neighborhoods, cities and ecosystems throughout the Gulf Coast. Applications for the Fund’s fifth grant cycle are due June 23. Please see the following link for more information: http://rockpa.org/special_programs/gulf-coast-fund/rfp/
21) The Southern Partners Fund serves southern communities and organizations seeking social, economic and environmental justice. Applications for their 2009 Regular Grants Cycle are due August 1. For a copy of the RFP and Cover Form please go to http://www.spfund.org/Grants/RFPRegularGrantCycle/tabid/63/Default.aspx In the middle of the page under RFP Instructions click open “2009 RFP” and “Southern Partners Fund proposal cover sheet”. The Southern Partner’s Justice Fund for Katrina Relief and Renewal accepts applications on a rolling basis, which are reviewed each quarter. For information on this grant program please see: http://www.spfund.org/Grants/JusticeFundforKatrinaRelief/tabid/61/Default.aspx
22) The Environmentally Sustainable Affordable Design Program of the Oak Hill Fund supports educational initiatives that encourage sustainability and affordability in residential design. In addition, support is provided to nonprofit housing organizations that focus on the incorporation of the principles of sustainability in the design and construction of affordable residential housings. Online Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time at http://www.oakhillfund.org/oakhillesad.html
23) Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities applications for funding from the U.S. Housing and Urban Renewal are due July 16. This program supports the construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of structures for occupancy by very low-income persons with disability. For the synopsis and link to the full RFP open the following link: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
24) HUD’s Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) supports innovative homeownership through self-help housing programs that require significant sweat-equity by the homebuyer toward the construction or rehabilitation of the dwelling. The applicant must be a national or regional nonprofit public or private organization or consortium that has the capacity and experience to provide or facilitate self-help housing homeownership opportunities. Your organization or consortium must undertake eligible SHOP activities directly and/or provide funding assistance to your local affiliates to carry out SHOP activities. You must propose in your application to use a significant amount of SHOP funds in at least two states. Affiliates must be located within the regional organization’s or consortium’s service area. For more information and a link to the full proposal, open the following link: Department of Housing and Urban Development: Self-Help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) Applications are due July 11.
Local Nonprofit Fundraisers Details
25) “Cool Coupons” books contain 58 coupons for Gulf Coast restaurants and other businesses, including several free and “2 for 1” specials. Nonprofits can sell the coupon books to raise money for their nonprofit. Each book sells for $10, of which $5 goes to the nonprofit and $5 to O’Keefe Educational Media to support projects for people with disabilities in Mississippi. For more information contact Janie O’Keefe, Project Director, at 228-669-7897 or [email protected].
26) The Women’s Resource Center is holding its Second Annual Walk for Life on June 14 th , starting at 8am at William Carey University in Gulfport. Teams of walkers or individuals can sign up at www.wrcenter.info (click open Walk for Life). For more information please contact Melody Worsham at 228-897-8958 or [email protected] ..
27) A fundraiser to rebuild Congregation Beth Israel will feature International Food & Wine Tasting at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi from 6PM to 9PM on Tuesday, June 17 th . Tickets are $25. For more information please contact [email protected] or call 228-547-1515.
Other Details
28) A bill introduced by the Mississippi Center for Nonprofits to increase the nonprofit audit threshold requirement was signed into law on May 10 th . Prior law required that nonprofits pay for an outside audit by a CPA if their contributions topped $100,000 in a fiscal year. A first-time audit can cost a small non-profit from $5,000- $10,000. HB 316 raises the audit threshold limit to $500,000. Nonprofits will a budget between $250,00 and $500,000 will now have to have a financial review rather than an audit. HB 316 is a huge victory for the Mississippi nonprofit sector, and we thank the following legislators for their support of the bill: Rep. Cecil Brown, District 66; Rep. Eugene "Buck" Clarke, District 22; Rep. Tommy Dickerson, District 43; Rep. Joey Fillingane, District 41; Rep. Johnny Stringer, District 87; and Rep . Preston Sullivan, District 22.
29) Nonprofit organizations whose gross receipts are $25,000 or less must now file on an annual basis to the IRS Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard. Previously these small organizations did not have an annual filing requirement with the IRS. For small organizations with a tax year that ended on December 31, 2007, their e-Postcard was due May 15, 2008. For small organizations with a tax year that ends after December 31, 2007, the e-Postcard is due by the 15 th day of the 5 th month after the close of their tax year. If a small organization fails to file their e-postcard for three consecutive years it will lose its tax-exempt status. Churches and organizations that are part of a group return do not have to file the e-Postcard. For more information please see http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=182843,00.html
30) The National Center for Disaster Preparedness and the Columbia School of Public Health recently released findings of a study on the mental health of households heavily impacted by Katrina 20-23 months after the storm. Results indicate that more than half the cohort reported significant mental distress, and that social support networks were associated significantly with better mental health status. For an abstract of the report and a link to the full report see: http://www.mailmanschool.org/news/display.asp?id=644
Thank you!
Mark McCrary Sue Weishar