The Center is pleased to announce we have a new space to hold classes in Prince George’s County, making training more accessible to those in suburban Maryland.

We also plan to have designated office hours there a few times a month, so members can more easily meet with staff if desired. Once these hours have been confirmed, we will post them on our website.

Upcoming classes at 9701 Apollo Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD, include:

Performance Measurement 101: Developing Your Logical Outcome Model
September 17 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Grant-Writing for Greater Impact
October 16 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

Volunteer-Staff Relationships: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
November 14 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

How to Present with Confidence, Command, and Charisma
December 3 @ 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

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July 27 – August 2

American Association of Suicidology was mentioned in The Washington Post for their work to decrease suicide rates in the US and support attempt survivors. The Association’s Co-chair, Travis Atkinson, was interviewed in an article discussing community crisis lines shutting down amid loneliness epidemic on Interlochen Public Radio (IPR).

Arts on the Horizon announced their 2019-2020 season line-up in Broadway World. This marks the 7th season for the company.

The Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA) granted Jacobs their 2019 Visionary Award.

A study by BoardSource, in partnership with Stanford University and GuideStar, on nonprofit board service was highlighted on The Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Casey Trees was highlighted in Bustle for their work to increase DC’s tree canopy in an article discussing what countries and organizations have done recently to plant more trees and influence the environment.

A Richmond (VA) youth is teaming up with Child Care Aware of Virginia to bring attention to hot car deaths according to Richmond Times.

disABILITY Resource Center celebrates 29th anniversary of ADA and is featured in an article by Hazard Herald.

Hemophilia Federation of America‘s FIRST Program, Promoting Women in Patient-centered Research, wins PCORI Grant, reported by Hemophilia News Today.

Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter will host a display during the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office 8th Annual Child Safety Day according to Fairfax News.

The National Center for Health Research‘s forum to discuss potentially high levels of lead on some Washington area playgrounds was featured on WUSA9. Additionally, the organization discussed breast implant standards and safety in Allure.

National Catholic Partnership on Disability was highlighted as a resource for preparing children with disabilities for baptism and confirmation on The Dialog.

A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition about housing affordability while earning minimum wage was featured in Yahoo Finance.

Melanie L. Herman, executive director of Nonprofit Risk Management Center, was named a top 50 influencer of 2019 by Nonprofit Times.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation granted $20,000 to Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area as a part of its Employee Giving Program reported by Financial Buzz.

Partnership for a Healthier Alexandria is partnering with the Alexandria (VA) Health Department to develop a community health improvement plan as was featured in The Zebra.

Project Knitwell‘s program to promote wellness and help people cope with stressful situations in hospital settings was featured on WJLA 7.

The Arc of Greater Prince William/INSIGHT recently held its annual dance for county residents with special needs, and the event was recapped on Prince William Living.

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam appointed Dr. Tammy Mann, President and CEO of The Campagna Center to the Virginia Board of Education according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Volunteer Alexandria is recruiting volunteers for the 2019 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics according to Alexandria Gazette Packet.

YWCA National Capital Area discussed racial profiling and the impact it can have on young people in WTOP.

 

July 20 – 26

Arlington Community Foundation announced educator and civic leader Dr. Alfred Taylor, Jr. as the recipient of the 2019 William T. Newman, Jr. Spirit of Community Award in Inside NoVA.

A collaboration between Building Bridges Across the River and the Washington, DC government to build the city’s first elevated public park received its latest donation, $5 million from Exelon, according to DCist. The 11th Street Bridge Park is scheduled to open in 2023.

DC Central Kitchen joins a panel discussion hosted by Food Tank to inform legislators on Capitol Hill about the intersections between food and health.

DC Vote was highlighted in The Washington Blade for their efforts to advance statehood for Washington, DC.

Institute for Local Self-Reliance was mentioned in a Washington Post article about the negative impacts Dollar Stores can have on communities.

League of American Orchestras awarded $80,000 in grant funding to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra according to the Virginian-Pilot. Funds will be used to help support a concert series.

National Catholic Educational Association‘s annual conference on anti-Semitism and the Holocaust was highlighted in Catholic News Service. The conference is hosted in partnership with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Georgetown University.

The National Center for Health Research applauded the Food and Drug Administration’s decision to press Allergan to recall certain breast implants after they were linked to rare illness in The Washington Post.

A report by Open Markets Institute about the concentration of power in several agriculture-related sectors was featured in Civil Eats.

Tidewater Community College received a $179,493 grant from the Virginia Community College System to assist with expanding workforce training programs according to NBC 29 News.

 

July 13 – 19

Arts on the Horizon announced they will host their second annual 5K fundraiser in September 2019 according to Alexandria Living.

Casey Trees discussed Washington, DC’s crape myrtle flowers and their origin in DCist.

The Father McKenna Center was highlighted in a Washington Post story about Frères Branchiaux, a candle company started by three local young entrepreneurs. Each month, the boys donate a portion of the proceeds to Washington-area homeless charities.

A report by the Health Care Transformation Task Force about maternity care in the US was highlighted on Health Affairs Blog.

Research by the National Low Income Housing Coalition about the nation’s affordable housing shortage was mentioned in CNBC.

National Press Foundation is partnering with Bayer AG to launch two educational programs focused on increasing journalists’ awareness of agriculture and cardiovascular disease according to Yahoo Finance.

Open Markets Institute discussed federal government antitrust enforcement and competition in the tech sector in Bloomberg and The American Prospect.

Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press Executive Director, Bruce D. Brown, discussed concerns about a proposed federal bill that would criminalize the disclosure of the identities of covert CIA agents operating abroad in The Washington Post.

Tenants and Workers United discussed the impact Amazon HQ2 will have on Northern Virginia rental prices and affordable housing options in Curbed and Richmond Times.

Wesley Housing Development Corporation discussed the decline of affordable housing options across the Washington-area in Curbed.

 

July 6 – 12

Britepaths was named Non-Profit of the Year by the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce at the Greater Washington Good Business Awards on June 7, 2019.

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement will hold its 2019 Board Leadership Award Reception on Thursday, July 25 at 6:00pm. The award reception will follow a special professional development program where participants will learn success secrets from the award finalists: Adventure Theatre, Martha’s Table and Primary Care Coalition.

The Campagna Center‘s partnership with Hooray for Books was featured on WTOP. Recently, over three hundred books collected for the organization were lost due to flooding. Since then, the bookstore has begun re-collecting books to donate them to the organization.

Hemophilia Federation of America was recognized with a four-star rating by Charity Navigator and a Platinum Seal of Transparency by GuideStar according to EIN News.

Institute for Local Self-Reliance discussed waste management efforts across the Washington Region on WAMU 88.5’s Kojo Nnamdi Show.

N Street Village was featured on WJLA for their work supporting women experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC.

Nonprofit Village currently has affordable professional space available for nonprofits. They have multiple membership tiers to fit a wide range of needs and budgets, saving organizations at least $7,000+ annually on services and equipment. More details and tour information can be found on their website.

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… and reduce the negative impact of the new tax law.

With the increase in the standard deduction and the new limitation on state and local tax deductions, fewer people itemized on their 2018 returns, thus decreasing the tax incentive to make charitable gifts. In addition, the estate and gift tax exclusions were also doubled, which may lessen the incentive to make bequests to charities. According to the Tax Policy Center, these changes led to an estimated 12 to 20 billion dollar decline in overall charitable giving, or roughly a 5% decline in contributions.

So, what should your nonprofit do?

Focus on developing high net worth donors now and educating individuals on maximizing their way of giving, recommends Javier Goldin, managing partner of Goldin Group CPAs. Further he offers four suggestions to give potential donors.

1. Group gifts

One way to join the 1 in 10 tax filers expected to itemize this year is to do something called bunching. With this strategy, as many deductible expenses as possible (for example, medical expenses) are shifted into one year, so that itemizing becomes advantageous. Then the standard deduction is taken the next year or two.

In the case of charitable gifts, that would mean donating two or three years’ worth of gifts in one year. This may be tough for those who may not have extra cash accessible, but there’s a solution to that issue. By making a substantial gift—typically a minimum of $5,000—to a donor-advised fund, the donor can deduct the full gift now and then direct the money to charity over time. Fidelity, Schwab and Vanguard are among the financial firms offering these planned giving accounts.

2. Use IRA distributions

People who are 70½ or older and are taking required minimum distributions from an individual retirement account can funnel those withdrawals directly to charity (up to a max of $100,000 a year). With what’s called a qualified charitable distribution (QCD), donors can’t write off the gift, but they won’t owe income taxes on the withdrawal. So in the 22 percent federal tax bracket, a $10,000 QCD saves $2,200 in taxes. (A QCD is not an option with 401(k) savings plans or, in virtually all cases, from Roth IRAs.)

3. Donate stock winners

Another way to come up with a big gift is to tap into investment portfolios. More than nine years into this bull market, donors may be sitting on highly appreciated stocks or mutual funds. By donating that stock instead of selling it, donors may be able to deduct the full market value. They also avoid the big tax bill they would face if they cashed out and kept the profits.

Another option is to keep the stocks or funds in their portfolio and donate the shares. Then using the cash that they would have donated to your nonprofit, they can buy more shares in the same investments.

4. Save more in high-tax states

Charitable giving can be particularly beneficial for those who live in states with high income taxes. If the limits on state and local tax deductions push their overall tax rate higher, the value of their donations is higher too. That’s because every dollar donated (assuming itemizing is worthwhile) saves a higher amount in taxes. Capital gains also fall into the new federal law limiting state tax deductions to $10,000. For donors who live in states with capital gains taxes, their effective tax rate on those gains has gone “way up,” making it even more advantageous to donate winning stocks to your nonprofit before December 31.

Finally, it’s essential to make your nonprofit stand out to donors by providing accurate and complete information. Dazzle them with your infrastructure and financial efficiencies. These items will go a long way in persuading your donors that their dollars go further with you.

Article contributed by Javier Goldin, the Center’s CPA Partner. Javier is also a Founding and Managing Partner with Goldin Group CPAs in Bethesda, MD, chosen nationally as an Innovator Firm for the profession.

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Guidelines for setting up an unpaid internship program:

Internships provide an excellent way to prepare students for the workforce, provide hands-on training and launch careers. For nonprofits, it’s an opportunity to help shape the emerging workforce, nurture an interest in the nonprofit sector and discover potential new employees.

For many of us, an intern also provides some much needed free assistance. This view, however, could lead to trouble. There have been several cases where an employer has been forced to pay back-wages to someone who completed an unpaid internship. While for-profit companies have been looked at closer than nonprofits, it is still a good idea to understand the guidelines.

Below, we’ve provided a summary of the criteria for an unpaid intern position. Plus, with input from Center member Miriam’s Kitchen, we’ve also provided a helpful checklist for setting up an internship program.

Criteria for an unpaid internship

In the Department of Labor’s internship programs under the Fair Labor Standards Act, it explains how courts have used the “primary beneficiary test” to determine whether an intern is in fact an employee. A summary of the test criteria that the internship must meet includes:

  • Be similar to training that the student would receive in an educational environment. If a college provides credit or if the intern gains experience that could be used elsewhere, this would fit the criteria.
  • Be a benefit to the intern, not the organization.
  • Not replace a paid employee, and work under close supervision of a staff member.
  • The employer gets no real advantage from the intern, and sometimes may be impeded by having the intern.
  • The intern is not entitled to a job at the end of the training.
  • The employer and intern agree that the intern is not entitled to wages at the end of the internship.

When considering offering a stipend, understand that it may send mixed signals to the DOL. Either the wages are earned, or this is a training program that benefits the intern.

Internship Program Checklist

  1. Define the need. Determine what department or team could use an intern in a way that benefits the student as well as the organization.
  2. Determine the time and duration. Will it be a semester long, over winter break or during the summer? Knowing the duration will guide setting the number of hours per week and what duties to include in the program. Students may have less time during the academic semester than over the summer. Every internship should have an end date. The DOL does not let you keep an intern indefinitely.
  3. Specify the roles and responsibilities of the intern. Create a description of tasks and a timeline with check-ins to monitor progress. Include rules, policies and expectations so the intern, and your team, understands what is required right from the start. Make sure tasks/projects are reasonable and realistic.
  4. Decide if the intern will be paid, receive a stipend or be unpaid. Obtain approval from President/CEO for any payments. For unpaid internships, answer the following questions:
  • Will the intern receive course credit?
  • Are there written goals and objectives associated with the internship?
  • Is the student’s on-the-job learning beneficial to his/her future career?
  • Does the intern understand that the internship is unpaid?
  • Does the program pass the “primary beneficiary test?”
  1. Advertise the internship opportunity. Post online, on your website, circulate with colleges and universities.
  2. Collect and review applications, sharing best candidates with the hiring department.
  3. Conduct interviews either in person or via Skype.
  4. Once a candidate is selected and has accepted, complete an intern information sheet with details about criteria, school requirements and credits, etc., as well as any HR forms and return to HR.
  5. Make sure interns have an opportunity to engage with staff at multiple levels and get the most out of their experience. Consider including a rotation through several departments.
  6. Ask for feedback. At the end of the internship, ask for the intern’s perspective and input about the experience. Re-evaluate your program and adapt if needed. This is also the time to share feedback with interns about their performance.

If you have other suggestions, please share them!

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When setting up a 457(b) plan makes sense:

In 2019, the government allows taxpayers to contribute up to $19,000 annually to their 401(k) or 403(b) plans ($25,000 if over age 50). However, executives at nonprofit organizations tend to max out these qualified retirement plans early and are looking for a deeper tax shelter beyond these limits. Also, receiving additional employer contributions into their 401(k) or 403(b) plan is difficult because of anti-discrimination testing restrictions.

Thus, two crucial questions arise:

  1. How can executives defer income beyond the limits imposed on qualified retirement plans?
  2. How can they receive a higher employer contribution on top of their 401(k)/403(b) plans without having to give it to the entire staff and strain the organization’s budget?

For these executives, a nonqualified 457(b) plan, also known as a top hat plan, may be a great solution for the following reasons:

  1. A 457(b) plan allows executives to shelter an additional $19,000 of income from federal and state taxes each year on top of the amount contributed to their 401(k) or 403(b) plans. When you factor in the 401(k) and 403(b) limits, it amounts to a huge potential tax savings—as much as $38,000 ($44,000 for those over 50) of income per year!
  2. Executives can also receive employer contributions in addition to the match they receive in their retirement plan without running into problems with anti-discrimination testing. Any employer contribution into a 457(b) plan is considered ordinary income to the employee; therefore, the organization and the executive must pay their share of FICA taxes on the amount contributed, however, that contribution is sheltered from federal and state income taxes.
  3. Execs can opt for some combination of the two. For instance, if the Board approves $10,000 in extra employer contribution, they still have $9,000 to shelter from taxes should they choose to do so.

Let’s see how such a plan might work in action:

Jane Doe is an executive at Nonprofit X. She is fifty one years old and contributes $25,000 from her paycheck to max out her 403(b) plan each year. Seeing a need to reduce her taxes, Nonprofit X establishes a 457(b) plan to bonus execs like Jane Doe up to $19,000 per year.

Jane Doe sees the following tax advantages from this strategy: Supposing she pays at a 37% federal income tax rate, with her 457(b) plan, Jane Doe will save a little over $7,000 per year in federal taxes alone ($19,000 x 0.37 = $7,030)—in addition to the savings she already sees in her 403(b) plan.

Ultimately, a 457(b) plan presents an attractive option for nonprofit organization executives who are looking to defer more of their income past the $19,000 limit on qualified (i.e., 401(k) or 403(b)) retirement plans. Therefore, setting up a 457(b) plan may help your organization strengthen recruitment and retention of top performing executives by offering a more attractive retirement benefit.

Of note, a 457(b) is not appropriate for all organizations and is subject to requirements and restrictions. Ensure a qualified tax professional is consulted.

 

Article contributed by: Amir B. Eyal, JD, CFP®, AIF®, Employee and Executive Benefits Specialist at the Center for Nonprofit Advancement. Amir is also the CEO of Mylestone Plans – a national leader that educates the members of the nonprofit community on how to achieve their financial goals. Mylestone provides a comprehensive range of institutional services to hundreds of non-profit organizations, as well as private financial and investment planning to their leadership and employees.

 

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The Center is turning 40! Join us in celebrating our past as we look toward the future.

Share your story: #Rocking40withtheCenter

What has Center membership meant to your nonprofit? What benefits have made a difference? How has the Center helped you expand your capacity and impact? Post your thoughts and stories using #Rocking40withtheCenter, and we’ll share your message with our entire network.

Spread the word: Rocking40 Membership Drive

Our membership has grown considerably over the years, and as nonprofits face new challenges, we plan to broaden our outreach and support even more. If you know of organizations that would benefit from Center membership, please encourage them to join!* For every nonprofit you refer that becomes a member, the Center will thank you with a $40 gift card to Starbucks.

*To refer a nonprofit, send the organization name, contact name and email address to Sean Sweeney. Or tell the nonprofit to join online and include your name and email on the application where it asks, “How did you hear about the Center.”

 

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Thank you to all who responded to our recent survey on the effects of the federal government shutdown. We heard from nonprofit organizations of varying types, budget sizes and locations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Here’s what we learned

~ Although just a little over 50% of survey respondents receive federal funding, the shutdown had an impact across the board.

~ It was encouraging to see almost 90% of respondents had operating funds in reserve, although only 40% of those had three months or more.

~ 50% of all respondents saw an increase in service needs during the shutdown, but only 30% had program supplies in reserve. Of those, 60% had to tap into their reserves.

~ Even more significant than the quantifiable stats was the immeasurable impact on nonprofits, families and the community.

“It is clear that a strong nonprofit sector is critical when our residents and communities are in crisis,” observes Glen O’Gilvie, CEO, Center for Nonprofit Advancement. “We are proud of the support our network provided and encourage a replenishment of reserves and greater coordination in preparation for any future challenges.”

Some of the impact stories shared:

“We provided a 5-day supply of groceries to over 400 furloughed government workers and contractors.”

“We saw a 10% increase in call volume to our 24/7 hotline; an increase in anxiety and stress for clients across all of our programs and services, especially those seeking federal assistance for basic needs like food and shelter.”

“Donors became clients. Donors terminated recurring monthly donations.”

“We have been providing additional food support for guests, including bags of full and frozen meals. And with the cold weather and ‘life threatening wind-chills,’ guests are requesting gloves, hand warmers and other essentials. The government shutdown is a reminder that many members of our community could be just a few paychecks from experiencing homelessness.”

“As an environmental organization headquartered in the DC region, we provide a lot of programming and stewardship of public lands. During the shutdown, we were unable to access Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, where we keep freshwater mussels for an education program. We have also responded to calls about trash and illegal dumping at federally-managed sites and worked with the city to remove more than 400 tires that were illegally dumped during the shutdown on National Park Service land.”

“… a sense of demoralization. Our constituency assumed/believed that the government was solid, an institution that could be trusted, relied on. There has been a definite sense of loss, hope and trust.”

These narratives deliver a clear reminder of the valuable and vital support nonprofits provide our communities.

Resources to share with your clients and those in need:

•  Metropolitan Washington Council of Government 
•  United Way National Capital Area
•  Helpline 2-1-1: This free and confidential helpline provides information about social, health and government resources, and connects callers to community resources in their local community. 2-1-1 is available in multiple languages 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is available to callers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

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Every member of a nonprofit’s team has an important role in advocacy, even if it’s not included in their assigned responsibilities. If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit, then you are most likely passionate about its cause and in a prime position to advocate on its behalf. Whether you’re a regular at legislative hearings, or you just want to tell your friends why your nonprofit’s services are so valuable, having the right tools will help you deliver your message successfully.

Five key skills for excellence in advocacy:

Show your passion – How often have you been in a situation where someone is trying to pitch you on a product or idea and it’s obvious they don’t really believe in it themselves? The first thing you do is question their real motive. Next, you tune them out. As an advocate for your organization’s mission you’ll be effective when you let your passion for the cause shine through. This is one time when it’s great to wear your heart on your sleeve!

Know your subject – You need to make a case for your issue or cause, and you need to be able to respond to questions and objections. Know everything about what your nonprofit does, who it serves, how it makes an impact, so you can speak with authority. Not only will you be more effective, you’ll position yourself as an expert that your audience can rely on for the future.

Practice diplomacy – This one can sometimes be the hardest. When you are trying to win someone over, avoid getting angry and steer away from insults. As an advocate you want to build support for your cause. Skilled advocates understand the difference between stating a case and starting an argument. You’ll make more progress by practicing the art of patience and showing respect for differing opinions.

Be persistent – If diplomacy is the art of patience, persistence is the art of stamina. It doesn’t always come naturally – most of us are uncomfortable with confrontation. As an effective advocate, you’ll want to demonstrate an ability to overcome obstacles, avoid showing frustration, don’t be discouraged when success does not come easily and don’t give up.

Communicate well – Advocates often need to make their case around complex issues that may stir up strong reactions. Perhaps the most critical skill for excellence in advocacy is to be an effective communicator. Here is where practice is most important. If you need to speak in public, try stating your case in front of a friendly audience first and ask for constructive feedback. With written communications, get started early, organize your thoughts and make sure a fresh set of eyes reads what you’ve written before it goes out. Typos are not an advocate’s friend!

These key skills are ones we can all develop with a bit of practice. The more tools in your toolbox and the more you use them, the better you’ll be at doing a great job. Keep at it and you can help change the world!

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Two new positions are now open!

As we head into our 40th year, the Center plans to deepen our commitment and support of nonprofits in our region. To expand our outreach and advance our member services to the next level, the Center is adding two new staff members to our internal team.

Membership Associate
Communications Associate*

 

To apply: Send cover letter (REQUIRED) and resume to Taylor Strange.
*Communications Associate application also REQUIRES three (3) writing samples.

Application DEADLINE: 5:00pm on Monday, February 11, 2019.

Please help us spread the word. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply!

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We are happy to announce his recent promotion to Education and Special Programs Director.

In his new role, Sean will serve as Program Director of the Center’s AIM, EXCEL and Board Leadership Award competitions, as well as continue to develop goals for and manage the Center’s Training Hub. He will also work with the COO on special programs providing best practices and capacity building to nonprofits.

Sean joined the Center in August 2014 as an Education Associate and then advanced to Education and Programs Manager. He has been integral in coordinating, implementing and expanding the multiple training options available through the Center. He is considered by all to be a valuable asset to our team and to our members. Please join us in congratulating Sean on his promotion.

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