Smart Giving Matters

What’s a Sector Moment? Board Conflict, Governance Overhauls, and Big Social Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:59:00 +0000

As we take our seats around the conference room table for our bi-weekly staff meeting, discussion immediately revolves around the treats in the center of the table (we can’t help it, we’re an office full of foodies!). Once we’ve dissected the latest gluten-free, dairy-free, no sugar added baked good, or the plumpest and ripest fruit you’ve ever seen, or whatever other exotic concoction has been invented this week, we get down to business.

About three items into the agenda is where arguably the most important discussion of the day takes place; the part most of us ‘save up’ for all week, jotting down experiences on our notepads and saving links in a designated email folder. Mission Moments and Sector Moments are times for mutual sharing, making our mission come to life through real, authentic experiences.

As you might guess, Mission Moments are examples of those experiences in our daily work that directly relate back to our mission – for example, a great donor phone conversation or constructive feedback from a nonprofit going through the Accountability Wizard. Setting a designated time and format for sharing these moments serves as a way for all of us to connect to the value of our work, and to learn from each other and from our constituents.

Sector Moments, on the other hand, focus externally. These are examples of how our mission relates to the world – local stories about accountability and transparency, national nonprofit news, or trends and perspectives related to mobilizing informed donors and accountable nonprofits for the greater good.

Today, we want to take our mutual sharing and learning to the next level by highlighting some of the latest sector moments that have sparked enlightening discussion around our conference room table:

Good Conflict Makes a Good Board

Harvard Business Review recently ran an article by Solange Charas, a consultant who went back to school to study the intricacies of board effectiveness. Her research revealed that boardroom discussion and conflict plays a powerful role in the level of organizational governance and board member attrition rates. Interestingly, casting a wide net and recruiting directors who didn’t previously know each other also contributed to high board effectiveness.

N.Y. to Consider Nonprofit Governance Overhaul

On Tuesday, New York lawmakers proposed two bills to streamline the process of forming a nonprofit and improve board oversight of executive compensation and contracts. “Between the two sets of bills, there’s a better chance of having nonprofit reform than ever before,” said Sean Delany, a spokesman for the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York and former assistant attorney general overseeing charities. “It’s a big deal.” Check out the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s article for more details.

The Big Social Questions Philanthropy Must Answer

Catherina Pharoah, for The Guardian, takes a close look at the UK’s giving landscape and whether or not philanthropy is really addressing pressing societal issues and challenges. Considering that the spending decisions of wealthy donors are private and entirely up to them, can a more just, inclusive, and innovative world be achieved through individual concerns and random acts of generosity? Pharoah poses many thought-provoking questions around the increasingly linked roles of philanthropy and business in addressing both local and global issues.

Sharing Sector Moments and Mission Moments allows us to take a step back from our busy days and look at our work from a broader perspective. What have you read lately? Does your organization set a designated time for sharing?

P.S. Don’t forget to register for our Annual Forum coming up on June 11! You don’t want to miss this opportunity to experience what it means to Dare to Fail on the Road to Discovery with best-selling author and keynote speaker, Peter Sims.

Taking Little Bets with Kris Kewitsch

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Fri, 10 May 2013 18:05:00 +0000

The theme for this year’s Annual Forum is Dare to Fail on the Road to Discovery, inspired by keynote speaker Peter Sim’s best-selling book, ‘Little Bets: How Breakthrough Ideas Emerge from Small Discoveries’. With the event just a month away, Council executive director Kris Kewitsch took some time recently to reflect on taking risks, learning from failure, and the importance of making little bets.

Can you tell us about a time you took a risk and it didn’t work out? What did you learn?

While with Target, I helped pilot a program that brings 25 pounds of food to every student at partner schools once a month to help ensure that kids get the nourishment they need to properly learn. The initial pilot found that the food selection caused families to not take full advantage of the program, as they didn’t know how to prepare some of the food items offered. We partnered with the University of Minnesota Extension program to provide recipes for the food being distributed each week, along with samples of each recipe.

Why is it important for donors and nonprofits to take ‘little bets’ together?

Donors and nonprofits often have similar intentions when it comes to moving work forward, but each individual and organization brings different skills, expertise, or resources to the effort that must be encouraged and embraced. By taking the time to find new paths, ways to work, or things to improve upon, we have the chance to advance our goal of improving the community.

What advice would you have for young professionals about taking risks?

Be creative, think outside the box, and don’t be afraid to ask. The other key piece is to listen and find those around you who have similar values to partner and collaborate with.

You won’t want to miss this year’s Annual Forum where more than 300 nonprofit, philanthropic, business, and community leaders will come together to discuss how we can best work together and take risks to achieve collective impact. To register, visit annualforum13.eventbrite.com or call 651-224-7030.

Have You Failed Lately? #AnnualForum13

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:41:00 +0000

Friends in philanthropy, local government, nonprofits and beyond: join us for our Annual Forum 2013!

Minnesota is home to some of the most rapidly shifting demographics and widening disparities in the nation. Our community’s growing needs tell us that it’s time to work harder, smarter and more closely with one another to build a brighter future for Minnesota. What’s it going to take? A hunger for innovation, a willingness to take risks, a commitment to accountability and a good dose of resilience when we fail.

We hope you’ll join us for this year’s Annual Forum as nonprofit, philanthropic, business, and community leaders come together to experience what it means to Dare to Fail on the Road to Discovery, with keynote speaker and best-selling author Peter Sims.

What do Thomas Edison, Chris Rock, and Jeff Bezos all have in common?

Answer: An understanding that the biggest ideas spring forth from a series of small discoveries that together lead to game-changing innovation.

In his latest book, Little Bets, Sims interviewed 200 successful creators and innovators to demonstrate that traditional linear problem-solving and fear of failure hinders creativity. A strong supporter of the national nonprofit landscape and the co-author of best-seller True North with Minnesota’s own Bill George, Sims is sure to inspire us. Together we can start making ‘little bets’ in order to build collective impact in our community.

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Networking begins at 11 a.m.

James B.Woulfe Alumni Hall

University of St. Thomas

We are very excited about this year's lunch event, featuring Peter Sims, the Charities Review Council Report to the Community, and our Community Leadership Award Ceremony.

Register online at annualforum13.eventbrite.com or call us at 651-224-7030. If you are interested in learning more about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kate Khaled.

Arrangements for the appearance of Peter Sims made through The GUILD Agency.

Have Something to Say About the Accountability Standards?

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:00:00 +0000

The Charities Review Council is excited to be launching an annual rolling review of the Accountability Standards®! This will be a continued initiative where 5-7 of the Standards will be reviewed every year. We’ll refresh and present our cutting edge Accountability Standards® each January, and the revised Standards will be applied to new reviews that year. (Note to nonprofits: Don’t worry! Not every Accountability Standard will change, and you’ll still only have to renew every three years).

You’ve seen our Meets Standards Seal®, but did you know that in order to meet Standards, an organization must first achieve positive results on more than 27 carefully researched measures? We work hand-in-hand with nonprofits to ensure that they have to tools and resources to build their internal strength through the Accountability Standards®.

“Recognizing that the world is ever-changing, the Charities Review Council is committed to annually reviewing the Accountability Standards. We want to help nonprofit organizations thrive in that world, while ensuring that donors feel confident that the Standards are relevant in terms of current trends and conditions,” said Patty Wilder, Vice Chair of the Council’s Board of Directors.

The Council wants to make sure that both nonprofits and donors have a strong voice in determining what the Accountability Standards® look like. We are committed to continuously improving and building shared agreement about which standards are important to the common good, and which standards indicate a truly strong organization.

As an informed and invested donor or nonprofit professional, you can work with us to strengthen the way we support the nonprofit sector by participating in a survey that will inform the Standards Review process.

This is a team effort. We know we don’t have all the answers, so we need your help. Tell us about what it means to be a strong and smart nonprofit. Tell us what informs your giving decisions. Tell us how we can build strong, shared standards that the whole community can stand behind.

Find out more about the annual rolling review of Standards, and participate in our online survey and be entered to win some great giveaways - all to improve the nonprofit community.

Take the survey!

Do you represent a nonprofit organization? CLICK HERE.
Are you a supporter of nonprofits? CLICK HERE.

A Cultural Shift: Reflections on #MNnptech 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:53:00 +0000

By Amy Sinykin, Associate Director

I’ve been thinking a lot about perspective lately and I realized I’ve been witness to an interesting cultural shift in the professional realm. This was evident at the Nonprofit Technology and Communications Conference yesterday, sponsored by MAP for Nonprofits and Minnesota Council of Nonprofits. You see, I’m no longer surprised by the overwhelming number of attendees who carry their laptops, phones, and tablets from session to session. You might be thinking “well, duh.” And you’re right - of course more technology will be

visible at a tech conference than at any other conference.

But on the other side of the scene, at my favorite local finance workshops, no one has their phone or tablet out. And I mean no one. It’s the kind of environment where you pretend to look for a tissue in your bag and as you lean down, you surreptitiously look at your phone to check for texts or tweets. Yet, and here’s where you may not have noticed the change--just last month, there were several of us finance geeks with phones out, live-tweeting the presentation. No sneak peeking at phones required!

How great is it when the keynote speaker at a technology conference confirms your own observations? I felt so on top of things. The culture is changing. As the ladies from Geek Girls Guide, Meghan Wilker (@irishgirl) Nancy Lyons (@nylons), so humorously and intelligently conveyed, we are no longer in an industrial age where we need to be at the office from 9-5 to get our jobs done. The tools are with us everywhere we go, and while sometimes we might not want them buzzing and beeping as we sit in the quiet of our backyards, they are there when we need them.

My favorite quote from the Geek Girls was “technology offers the ‘hyperlink’ override of hierarchy.” Anyone can have a voice in your organization. Our choice now is to learn to embrace it or try to force a false hierarchy. As individuals, we have the opportunity to move forward into the new world of blending our personal and professional lives. And as organizations, we have the chance to blend the organizational voice with those unique individuals’ voices. As Lyons said, “Organizations need to learn how to let people do things instead of how to make them do things.”

At the Council, we began the blending several years ago. It has been a bumpy and uncomfortable road, but we’ve all survived and are grateful for the journey. We can now say that we have a social media friendly culture - it’s in each employee’s job description and everyone from our executive director to program staff is eager to share their social media adventures with colleagues.

So here’s to hoping for more bumps. Technology is changing rapidly and it will continue to be uncomfortable—humans are the ones using it after all.

P.S. Don’t forget to save the date for our Annual Forum on June 11, where we'll be talking more about change and the little bumps and failures along the way!

Save the Date and a Big Welcome to Yer Chang!

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:27:00 +0000

Before reading further, please take a minute to pull up your calendar and Save the Date for our 2013 Annual Forum on June 11, from 11:00am - 1:30pm. We’re bringing the Forum to a whole new level this year, and we’re pretty jazzed about the pieces that are coming together. We’ll tell you more in a few weeks, but here’s what we can say for now: Our keynote speaker is a nationally recognized bestselling author, he’s talking about failure, and what you’ll learn is game-changing. Stay tuned for more! You do not want to miss it.

********

Now for even more exciting news. You might have noticed a ‘welcome’ trend recently: we’re growing. We’re working really hard to build an incredible team of experts to move the Council forward into a new era of social change. Part of that is demonstrating our commitment to measurement and evaluation. So meet our new research and evaluation consultant, Yer Chang. She’s busy building a number of surveys and working on defining our impact, but she generously took a few minutes to tell us a bit about herself in her own words.

1. How did you end up in the research and evaluation field?
Serendipity, actually! Starting at a very young age, I’ve always had a curious mind and loved searching for information as a way to learn and grow – I just didn’t know that it was called research. And as for my love for evaluation, it came much later while studying at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. In school, I took a course in program evaluation and was amazed of how naturally things came to me as I read the course materials and completed the assignments. However, I put that passion for evaluation on the back burner and didn’t pay much attention to it until after graduation as I met with one of my mentors for lunch. She shared with me her career path in program evaluation, and she quickly introduced me to her other colleagues in the field. I am very fortunate to have great mentors. Since that meeting I have enjoyed working on multiple research and evaluation projects.

2. If you could open your own business, what would it be?
I love food, so it would have to be a restaurant, of course! I especially love Southeast Asian food, anywhere from Thai, Lao, Burmese, Vietnamese and Hmong food would fit my fancy. I also love organic produce and fresh veggies, so I would try to incorporate that into the menu as much as possible.

3. Tell us about your favorite movie of all time.
I probably have watched “Titanic” about a dozen times. I just love the romance story that is told through the two main actors, Kate Winslet and Leonardo Dicaprio. I would probably watch it another dozen times if I had the time.

4. What are you most excited about working on at the Council?
I am most excited about bringing my knowledge and expertise of program evaluation to the Council. I look forward to working with the staff and board. I think, the council is at a pivotal point in building up their services and I am thrilled to be in the midst of this exciting change.

5. If you could go on a vacation anywhere at no cost, where would you go?
My escape would be to Chiang Mai, Thailand. I lived in Thailand for a year in 2003 and have not gone back since. I love the variety of things you can do there, I miss my friends and of course, I love the food!

6. Do you have any advice or tips for nonprofits regarding easily-accessible evaluation tools or resources?
I love American Evaluation Association (AEA), Minnesota Evaluation Association (MEA) and Minnesota Evaluation Studies Institute (MESI). All these organizations are full of resources, tools and information about evaluation. AEA has an annual conference every year in the Fall, it also has daily blogs, and just tons of resources online. MEA has local topical interest gatherings quarterly or monthly, local evaluators to connect with and acts as a local chapter to AEA. MESI has an annual conference in the Spring, great resources online and offers additional ways to connect to local evaluators.

One of my favorite books of all time is Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation by Joseph S. Wholey, Harry P. Hatry, and Kathryn E. Newcomer. It’s the book we used during the evaluation course that got me started on this journey. Every now and then I refer back to the text to refresh my skills and it’s also a great resource for those who want to explore the field of evaluation.

7. What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?
I took a short vacation once to Phuket, Thailand in 2003. Phuket is known as one of the largest island south of Thailand. My friend was from the area so she took us to the most fabulous restaurant ever! We took a paddle boat from shore to reach the restaurant, which was located on the water – it was beautiful and only something you would only see in a movie. We ate live seafood, fish, and oysters caged within short distance of where we were seated. We selected our fish by pointing to which one we wanted cooked and served to us. We had the most fabulous and fresh oysters straight from underneath our seats. It was the best restaurant experience ever!

To recap, she’s an evaluation geek, she’s full of resources, and she loves delicious food. Obviously, Yer fits right in already. Save the date for June 11 at the Annual Forum and you can meet her yourself!

Five Reasons Nonprofits Should Attend the Multicultural Forum on Workplace Diversity Conference

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:27:00 +0000

In this blog post, you will hear from the Charities Review Council’s Program Director, Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson, who will be representing the Charities Review Council at the upcoming Multicultural Forum on Workplace Diversity. If you are ‘on the fence’ about whether to attend the Multicultural Forum, this one’s for you!

This amazing national conference happens every year in the Minneapolis. This year’s theme is Our Time to Lead.

The need for true leadership in Diversity and Inclusion has never been greater. Minnesota nonprofits are facing a challenging and shifting landscape. We have significant population changes, shifting funding priorities, growing competition, and nation-leading disparities in education, health care, and employment. Diversity and Inclusion will play a vital role in determining our success around these disparities.

I have attended this conference for five years and leave refreshed, invigorated, and ready to take action. Most importantly, I leave hopeful for our future and our work. Here are my five reasons local and national nonprofits should attend this conference:

1. Cross Sector Pollination

Independent and Public Sectors folks make up 50% of conference attendees. Steve Humerickhouse, Director of the Forum, shares “every organization—even nonprofits—needed to have a global perspective.” Large health care organizations, NGOs, and multi-national for-profit corporations have great case studies and decades of effort on workplace diversity and inclusion that any size organization can learn from. Nonprofits bring their rich legacy of partnerships, collaborations, social responsibility and justice which for-profits can learn from. The Forum is a rich and vibrant solutions-oriented environment.

2. World Class Thinkers & Leaders

If you get excited hearing someone speak about things they know so well you get ideas yourself, this is the place for you. You will discover what it takes for employees with diverse backgrounds and experiences to create, grow, and innovate. This conference is great regardless of your professional level. Steve shared that “cultural competence from everyone in the organization is required to effectively work with colleagues, partners, and participants from around the world or around the corner.”

3. Good Scholarships!

Scholarships are available for the Multicultural Forum. Check out the Scholarship Availability page. Who is eligible: Students and Employees of nonprofit organizations with budgets of $5 million or less. Conference components available for scholarships include:

Day 1 Pre-Conference Professional Development Institutes (3.5 hours of intensive study)
Day 2 Conference- Workshops, Morning and Lunch Sessions
Day 3 Conference Workshops- Workshops, Morning and Lunch Sessions

There are great volunteer opportunities too! Volunteering is a great way to participate in the conference.

4. Great Sessions Day 2 & Day 3

There are roughly 30 sessions a day. This is a learning conference, so you are encouraged to change sessions if you think you can get a better return on your time in another session. Here are some sessions I’m looking forward to attending:

Day 2 sessions Include:

Diversity ROI Strategies for Government, Higher Education, and Non-Profit Organizations;
Creating a Truly Inclusive Diversity Strategy that Includes People with Disabilities;
Working Together for Minnesota’s Prosperity: Closing the Achievement Gap for Persons of Color

Day 3 sessions include:

Diversity, Inclusion and the Unconscious Mind: How Does What We Know About the Brain Impact the Way We Do Diversity Work in the 21st Century?
Strategies for Inclusive Performance Appraisals and Millennials in the Workplace – How to Attract and Motivate a New Generation
Bias and Cultural Competence in Recruitment and Selection

5. The Professional Develop Institutes (my personal favorite)

Day 1: Professional Development Institutes:

Predictive Analytics for Diversity (lead by Hubbard and Hubbard - this is really cool)
Negotiating Difficult Conversations: Tools for Gaining Senior Leader Buy-In & Action
Neuroscience of Inclusion: Leading with the Brain in Mind
The Maslow Connection: What Every Business/D&I Leader Should Know About Building Inclusive, Productive Workplaces

It’s time for each of us to ignite the leader within ourselves and to explore diversity in new ways. Hope to see you there!

For more information about how to get involved with the Multicultural Forum on Workplace Diversity, visit their website at http://www.stthomas.edu/mcf/.

Allied Veterans of the World: How Can We Avoid Nonprofit Scandals?

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 18:42:00 +0000

Nonprofit organizations and charitable causes make our communities stronger. They address pressing needs and issues with passion and hard work. Many people rely on charities’ services to get through difficult times, find hope and support, or just to make ends meet. But what happens when we find out that a nonprofit isn’t really doing the mission driven work they claim they are doing?

A Florida nonprofit was recently in the news for a scandal involving a $300 million gambling operation. Allied Veterans of the World ran nearly 50 internet cafes with computerized slot machines, which are legal in Florida if most of the proceeds go to charity. However, investigators found that executives of Allied Veterans of the World were spending most of the profits on themselves – using donations to purchase lavish boats, beachfront condos, and sports cars.

Nearly 60 people were arrested, and Florida’s lieutenant governor, Jennifer Carroll, abruptly resigned due to involvement as a consultant with the organization. Hundreds of veterans are now homeless and out of a job due to the scandal, and many more individuals are left feeling cheated and lied to after supporting what they thought was a valid veteran’s organization.

At the Charities Review Council, we pride ourselves on being a nonprofit capacity building organization, rather than a charity watchdog, but it’s also our job to help protect the relationship between nonprofits and their donors. After all, when predatory organizations scam donors, it makes securing funding that much harder for mission-driven, legitimate charities. We take our nonprofit and donor education role seriously, and consider it central to our mission to bring these stories to the attention of our constituents so you can make smart giving choices.

So how do you know a nonprofit is truly focused on their mission?

Look for accreditation. Check to make sure the organization is on our list of the Most Trustworthy Nonprofits.
Research. Scrutinize the organization’s mission, service statistics, program components, and impact. Be sure to take note of the fine print, as well.
Reach out! Make a call and ask specific questions related to your interest area in supporting the cause. For example:

How do you help veterans just returning home?
What services do you provide to veterans in need of housing or food?
Do you help veterans with job hunting assistance?

Engage. That’s right - you can get involved by volunteering with the organization or by digging deeper into the issue itself.

For Veterans organizations, try searching the County Veteran Service Officer in your county of residence at www.macvso.org for local needs of veterans.

It is our priority to help donors and nonprofits form strong, healthy, productive relationships that build collective impact. We can only move our missions forward when trustworthy nonprofits work hand in hand with generous, confident and engaged donors.

For more information on how to best support Veterans organizations, check out our website: http://www.smartgivers.org/how_to_support_veterans_in_minnesota

Charities Review Council Hosts an Idea Open House

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:46:00 +0000

St. Anthony Park Library (photo credit)

Do you have a million-dollar idea to make St. Paul even better? Together with the Forever Saint Paul Challenge, we invite you to attend an Idea Open House on March 11, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the St. Anthony Park Library.

This special event is open to all Minnesotans and is a way for you to learn more about the Forever Saint Paul Challenge, get inspired, brainstorm your million-dollar idea, or make a submission!

We know our community is full of brilliant minds, and the Charities Review Council, along with co-host Ujamaa Place, would love to see the winning idea come from St. Anthony Park.

Please join us at the Idea Open House, for an evening of fun for the whole family, with enjoyable activities and free food! Feel free to stop by for a portion of the evening, or stay the whole time.

So, are you ready to share what you would do with $1 million to make St. Paul great? Submit your million-dollar idea at an Idea Open House and you will have the chance to win a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.

RSVP here and learn more about the Forever Saint Paul Challenge at MNIdeaOpen.org.

We hope to see you there!

Marc Hosmer Joins Us for Good This Time!

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:02:00 +0000

Marc Hosmer joined the Charities Review Council last fall as a temporary nonprofit services assistant. He fits in so well here that he was recently offered a permanent Program Coordinator position and we were thrilled when he accepted (literally, there was cheering in the office)! Besides his love for nonprofits, his generous spirit, and his boat building skills, we also appreciate his laid-back personality, go-getter attitude, and furniture rearranging abilities.

In his new role, Marc works closely with nonprofits by providing trainings and one-one-one technical assistance as they complete the Accountability Wizard review process. He works tirelessly to ensure that organizations have all the resources, information, and tools necessary to help them as they work to Meet Standards.

When he’s not keeping busy with helping nonprofits, Marc also serves as Executive Director of Urban Boatbuilders, an organization that utilizes the building of wooden boats as a vehicle to develop academic, vocational, and leadership skills in the lives of at-risk youth. He provides leadership to staff and volunteers, oversees fundraising efforts and administers programming; he also works closely with the board of directors to ensure success and facilitate growth for the organization.

“I have two fantastic part time jobs that fulfill my loves of helping nonprofits develop their capacity and leadership within youth development organizations,” said Marc.

Though it seemed an odd combination of responsibilities at first, Marc quickly realized just how intertwined his work has become at both Urban Boatbuilders and the Charities Review Council. Having spent over a decade in nonprofit leadership positions, he mistakenly thought he knew most of what there is to know about effective organizations.

“Becoming familiar with the Accountability Standards has helped me to ensure that Urban Boatbuilders is meeting the expectations of the nonprofit sector and it has greatly informed my work of providing key information and building trust with donors.”

Marc is convinced that going through the Accountability Wizard is valuable for three reasons:

Earning the Meets Standards seal demonstrates to individual donors and corporate foundations a commitment to running a transparent and accountable organization.
Meeting standards builds confidence within organizations by confirming that they’re doing the right things to ensure accountability, transparency, and legal compliance or creating an awareness of gaps and providing support in addressing those areas of concern.
The review process is a great vehicle to facilitate board engagement. It provides education and open lines of communication to board members who aren’t steeped in the nonprofit world on a daily basis.

“Time and again we hear how the Accountability Standards lead to important discussions among board and staff, and that it helps individual board members better understand their role and how they can best contribute to the organization.” Marc loves the nonprofit sector, can you tell?

Way to go, Marc! We’re really psyched you are on our team for good!

Donor Privacy is Where It's At

noreply@blogger.com (Keely) — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:07:00 +0000

As the Marketing and Development Specialist here at the Council, it’s my job to make sure the community feels comfortable funding the work that we do. The support we get from our donors powers our progress and protects our mission; you are as much a part

of our work as we are. Our donors help us build capacity in the nonprofit sector; they determine how widely we can deliver our services and how many nonprofits can Meet Standards. For these reasons, I won’t compromise when it comes to protecting our donors.

We hear from individuals every day who are overwhelmed by the number of solicitation letters they receive from various nonprofits. They’re frustrated and confused, wondering what to do and how their name got on so many mailing lists. Oftentimes, donors don’t realize that they can request only one solicitation per year, or that their name can be removed from a list altogether. Supporters want to make careful decisions about who to fund and how to do that, and we need to find ways to show how important that support is to us.

Here at the Charities Review Council, we have 27 Accountability Standards, but our Donor Privacy Standard is my very favorite. While each and every standard is an important piece of the puzzle, the mutual respect, warmth, and sense of security conveyed by our donor privacy Standard makes me feel like I’m curled up in a blanket with my favorite book next to a roaring fire on a frigid Minnesota evening. But seriously, protecting donor privacy is the least we can do to show how much we value the people who believe in our mission.

The Donor Privacy Standard requires that:

organizations have a privacy policy available explaining how donor information is collected and used;

donors are able to prevent their information from being shared upon request;

organizations include a discontinue contact policy to guarantee that donors are removed from solicitation lists when requested.

These policies can look a little bit different depending upon the nonprofit in question. Organizations may include their donor privacy provisions in a Donor Bill of Rights, in regular communication to the donor (e.g. giving envelope), or in a website privacy policy. Be sure to ask your favorite nonprofit about its policy. Find more information on policy requirements on our website.

Like many organizations, here at the Council, we take all donor requests seriously and have a system in place to guarantee that personal information, solicitation and contact preferences are tracked and updated with timeliness and precision.

As organizations who wish to do community good, it is our duty to protect the generosity of those individuals who donate money, resources, and time to us by guarding (and guaranteeing!) their privacy. And as donors, we need to advocate for ourselves to make sure that the letters in our mailboxes come from organizations that ensure the safety and privacy of our protected information.

Calling All Idea People: St. Paul Wants You!

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 17:28:00 +0000

Our staff, from interns to Executive Director, is united on the issue: we love Saint Paul. We love our capital’s neighborly feeling, the walkability of its blocks, the delicious croissants from Trung Nam French Bakery, the quirky finds at Ax-man, and the red leather booths at Mancini’s Char house. We wax poetic: for Golden Thyme Café, for Irish Fest and for the Riverfront. Our capital city is pretty great already, and we want to help create a vision for an even more exciting future.

It’s not surprising, then, that we’re thrilled to support the Saint Paul Foundation’s Forever Saint Paul Challenge, a million dollar idea challenge to make our capital city forever strong. The Saint Paul Foundation invites individuals, groups, and organizations who love Saint Paul as much as we do to propose million dollar ways to make this great city even better than it already is. The winning idea will receive a $1 million grant to put their plan into action.

We’re putting our thinking caps on, and the lightbulbs are already illuminating, both figuratively and literally. Last week our team helped artist Ta-coumba Aiken place Lite-Brite pegs into what we hope will be a record breaking installation. We added just 21 small sections to what has now grown into an astounding community built art project, in anticipation of the Forever Saint Paul kick-off event this Saturday. If you’re reading this, we’d like you to consider entering the Forever Saint Paul Challenge. We believe that putting our heads together is the best way to grow great ideas.

Here’s how you can join us in supporting the Forever Saint Paul Challenge:

Attend the launch event: If you love Saint Paul, we ask that you join the St. Paul Foundation and Mayor Chris Coleman at the public launch event on Saturday, February 16th at the Union Depot, where Forever St. Paul supporters, along with local artist Ta-coumba Aiken, will attempt to set a Guinness World Record, "Largest Picture Made of Lite-Brite." The Lite-Brite mural will be 12 feet by 24 feet and filled with more than 520,000 Lite-Brite pegs. Family-friendly activities start at 3:00 p.m. and the official lighting ceremony will be at 7:00 p.m. There will also be live music, food and super-sized games. The event is free and open to the public, so bring an entourage!

Volunteer as a community reviewer: Community reviewers are needed to review the million dollar ideas and help narrow them to 25 semifinalists from April 6-24. You can sign up online at http://svy.mk/117T8Ea. For questions about being a community reviewer, contact Cat Beltmann at Citizens League, cbeltmann@citizensleague.org or 651.289.1075.

Submit an idea: Tell us what you would do with $1 million to make St. Paul an even better place to live at MNIdeaOpen.org/foreversaintpaul.

The Charities Review Council invites our friends, our allies and favorite nonprofits to join us in supporting this exciting project and in entering great ideas. Game on!

Partnering for Stronger Nonprofits in Greater Minnesota

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:59:00 +0000

What do Bremer Bank, MAP for Nonprofits, and the Charities Review Council have in common? We’re working together to strengthen greater Minnesota’s nonprofit landscape. We’re thrilled to report that on January 9-11, the Charities Review Council and the Bremer Bank Branch of Brainerd hosted another successful workshop in the Strengthening Nonprofits series supported by the Otto Bremer Foundation. More than 25 local nonprofits in the Brainerd Lakes area have joined this effort to build their capacity and organizational strength as they work to meet standards.

Our Capacity Building Services work with funders in the communities or topics they serve to make the Accountability Standards accessible, non-threatening and easy to achieve for nonprofits. Our workshops create a safe, fun, engaging, personal and risk-free space for organizations to go through our process.

Before the Charities Review Council began collaborating with the Otto Bremer Foundation and Bremer Banks, there were only four organizations from the Brainerd Lakes area on the Charities Review Council’s list of nearly 500 nonprofits that Meet Standards. “Now, there are more than 25 organizations that have started the Accountability Wizard and they are all on track to Meet Standards in the next six months to a year,” reports Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson, the Charities Review Council’s Program Director, who led the Brainerd workshop series.

This means that there is now a group of organizations in greater Minnesota who share a language about how to build sustainable nonprofits while meeting donor and sector expectations. The Accountability Standards give nonprofits the opportunity to advance their mission by becoming more transparent and accountable, helping improve visibility, reputation, and public trust. This can translate into more effective organizations and much more viable outcomes for these nonprofits.

“While miles and lakes separate our communities, they’re facing many of the same challenges in greater Minnesota as nonprofits in the Twin Cities,” said Atlas-Ingebretson.

“Capacity building and support in greater Minnesota are much needed, as populations are declining and shifting, poverty is on the rise, and there is less money to go around.” Through our partnership with Bremer Bank, we’ve been able to make a difference for nonprofits in Brainerd, and we hope to continue this work in communities across the state and beyond.

At the Charities Review Council, we’re committed to building collaborations. It is exciting to be working with Amy Wyant and the Bremer Bank of Brainerd. They have contributed their time, space and resources to ensure the success of our efforts for the common good of the Brainerd Lakes area. It has similarly been rewarding to strengthen our relationship with nonprofit allies, like MAP for Nonprofits, who provided key expertise during our workshops. Many thanks to Amy and our Bremer Bank family, and Jay Lyons and Phil Duran from MAP for Nonprofits.

To talk about how we can work together, contact Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson (651-224-7030).

Get to Know Kate Khaled!

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 18:09:00 +0000

Kate Khaled joined the Charities Review Council last month as the Engagement and Development Manager. Her primary duties include building relationships with constituents while overseeing the Council's fundraising, marketing, and communications strategies.

1. How did you end up in Minnesota?

I grew up in Montreal, Quebec, but spent my childhood summers up north near Grand Rapids, Minnesota where my grandparents have a summer home. I’m the daughter of two of Roseville’s cutest high school sweethearts, so all of my holidays and vacations were spent here with our extended family. When it came time for me to think about graduate school, the University of Minnesota appealed to me because it was a great program, new and also familiar. In my second year pursuing my Masters of Public Health, I met my own sweetheart, Taqee. He ‘put a ring on it,’ and the rest is history. I love this state and I couldn't be happier to be building my career and raising my children here.

2. What about working at the Charities Review Council attracted you to the job?

The Charities Review Council is a unique resource that adds an incredible amount of value to our nonprofit and philanthropic landscape. It’s an organization with a rich history that also has an eye toward the future. This role attracted me because our team is poised to grow into an even stronger, farther-reaching, innovative ally for nonprofits and donors alike. I’m also really excited to be working with Kris Kewitsch, our new Executive Director. She has great ideas and a strategic mind. Our team has so much energy, and I’m excited to help the Council connect with the community even more than we already do!

3. Tell us 3 unexpected things about yourself:
Well, you probably wouldn’t guess this by looking at me, but I’m a proud and active member of the Twin Cities Muslim community. Also, since I’m married to a second generation Bangladeshi-American, my culinary repertoire has expanded tremendously. I make a mean chicken korma. What else? I’ve been an outdoor enthusiast all my life. I took my first ten day wood-canvas canoe trip when I was twelve, and have been hooked ever since. In college, I spent my summers teaching paddling techniques and leading sea kayaking trips in the Apostle Islands. Despite being raised in Montreal, I suppose my love of paddling and portaging makes me a Minnesotan to the core.

4. What do you like to read?
I read the Harvard Business Review blog every day to get my daily shot of professional inspiration. In my spare time I blog about family at Perpetually Nesting, so I read many of my friends’ nationally recognized parenting and lifestyle blogs. There are a lot of terribly talented writers online who come from Minnesota. Oh! Let’s also not forget Minnesota Rising and Pollen – two of our homegrown resources for civic connectivity. I read (and tweet!) a lot.

5. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Turkey, Malaysia and New Zealand. Since our life has been so busy, we haven’t had a honeymoon yet. That combination, over a 6 week span of time, would be my dream travel itinerary.

6. What’s your favorite restaurant of all time?
I love Little Szechuan’s authentic menu – their Chung King Chili Shrimp is amazing. I also am a huge fan of Cecil’s Deli. When scheduling lunch meetings, I usually try to persuade people to meet me at Cecil’s!

7. Name 3 of your passions/hobbies.

As a social media native and technology enthusiast, I’m continually exploring creative ways disruptive technology (like social media) can be leveraged for good. Most of my time at home is spent cooking and entertaining. When I’m not hosting brunch for family and friends, I’m usually writing, playing with my boys or restoring mid-century furniture in our garage.

Part 3: Achieving the Full Benefits of Meeting Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:17:00 +0000

This three-part series recounts one organization’s journey to meet the Accountability Standards through integrating their entire organization. The Charities Review Council’s Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson sat down with Ekta Prakash, Executive Director of CAPI, an organization working to guide refugees and immigrants in the journey toward self-determination and social equality.

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How Integrating Meeting Standards Improved Return on Mission
Part 3 of a 3 part series inspired by CAPI’s journey to Meet Standards

By Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson

The language of love, or the language of Return on Investment in this case, has a real ring to it. In the nonprofit sector where “I’ll show you the money if you show me the impact” is the growing trend, Return on Mission (ROM) is a huge issue.

The million dollar questions: How is what we are spending our time and resources on impacting our mission? Does accountability and transparency play a serious role in ROM or is it a box you check for a favored funder, donor, or board member?

Ekta took me to happy town when she started talking about how the Accountability Wizard was changing what CAPI’s clients expected from the organization (there it is - Return on Mission, folks). What do the Standards mean for program outcomes, and do they improve the Return on Mission?

After including staff and board in the journey to Meet Standards and being dedicated to internal accountability and transparency, Ekta shared one more exciting jewel the ROM, the “SO WHAT”.

“By including staff in the Accountability Wizard review process and increasing internal transparency, having more authentic public transparency was a natural next step. Completing the review in an inclusive way increased our organization’s fluency in the sector standards and in our ability to share the CAPI story with the public.”

By integrating staff and board into the review process and using it as a teaching tool, CAPI had a transformative experience. This is how the Standards are felt at the day-to-day operations level of an organization.

“Ultimately, we are building a brand of accountability and transparency that is communicated at all levels of the organization,” Ekta said. “We can translate it to our funders and our public in the course of doing business. This has affected the community’s expectations of our organization.”

This greater internal capacity shifted the focus of programming for CAPI. Ekta shared that “by being more accountable to those who use our services it is more of an exchange with them. They have greater expectations of us and we have greater expectations for them.” (This is known as a positive feedback loop of greater expectations, a wonderful thing).

“This leads to a future of hope and highly respectful and dignifying experiences for everyone - staff, clients, and board,” she said.

ROM Spotlight!

In 2012, CAPI joined the Garden Gleaning Project as one of their new partnering food shelf agencies and expanded their Return on Mission Approach. CAPI’s food shelf, located in the Sabathani Center, is the state’s only Asian specific food shelf – offering specific foods and “linguistic accessibility” for Southeast Asian families. Each individual that is gardening a plot at one of CAPI’s gardens is able to grow more fresh food for themselves and their families. In return for being able to use the land, CAPI requests that each individual make a small donation to the CAPI food shelf once a month and assists gardeners in transporting their fresh produce donations to the CAPI food shelf. Read more at http://gardengleaning.org/2012/07/17/capi-community-gardens-and-block-party/

Part 1: Intentionally Including Board & Staff in the Review Process is the Golden Ticket
Part 2: How Meeting Standards Boosts Internal Accountability and Transparency

Part 2: Achieving the Full Benefits of Meeting Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 15:28:00 +0000

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How Meeting Standards Boosts Internal Accountability and Transparency
Part 2 of a 3 part series inspired by CAPI’s journey to Meet Standards

By Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson

"One of the most valuable reasons that a nonprofit should go through the Charities Review Council’s Accountability Wizard review process is for internal transparency."

This is not what I expected to hear from Ekta. Often the Council discusses the importance of sector transparency and accountability to meet donor or funder expectations. This is still very true, however, Ekta shed light on the day-to-day value of meeting Standards.

“A lack of internal transparency within an organization can be a source of great inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and strife.”

In a blog article for the Center for Effective Philanthropy called “Transparency Starts at Home,” Phil Buchanan discussed the role internal transparency plays in enabling staff to improve their work, as well as some of the concerns leadership has with being transparent.

Ekta shared that “accountability to do what we say we're going to do is huge for our relationships with funders, board members, and the community; it's not just the leadership that is responsible, it’s the whole staff.”

Sounds simple enough, but do all staff members at your organization understand this and its impact on the future of your work and mission?

Ekta went on to say that when staff understands the importance of accountability and transparency and their role in maintaining it, they have more authentic buy-in and can communicate clearly to all constituents.

These are some key ways to boost internal accountability and transparency:

Encourage staff to be focused on impact and realistic about potential outcomes. Leadership must provide staff with the information they need to make sound plans, while encouraging a safe space for frank conversations to avoid over-promising.

Enable staff by providing access to internal processes. When staff members have clear roles, know what is expected of them, and what to expect from others, accountability and transparency becomes a possibility and a priority.

Promote understanding of what you’re doing and why. Clarity of finances, funding strategy, and strategic goals promotes the feeling of stability and confidence within your organization, enabling staff to be more effective and focused on their objectives.

Read Part 1: Intentionally Including Board & Staff in the Review Process is the Golden Ticket

Part 1: Achieving the Full Benefits of Meeting Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:37:00 +0000

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Intentionally Including Board & Staff in the Review Process is the Golden Ticket
Part 1 of a 3 part series inspired by CAPI’s journey to Meet Standards

By Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson

During my chat with Ekta, I experienced a moment of clarity from which I got a positive case of the willies. These kind of willies may also be known as the “warm fuzzies” and yes, you can get warm fuzzies about nonprofit sector accountability and transparency (or at least I can). Ekta shared with me the power that the process of going through the review process and meeting Standards was having on their organization. I found myself wanting to shout “Yes! Yes!”

Organizations know that donors and funders value the “Meets Standards Seal” showing that a nonprofit is stable and well-managed. Oftentimes, one or two staff members work through the Accountability Wizard to learn the Standards, upload their key documents, and answer related questions, only involving others when the board needs to vote on an issue, conduct an assessment, or finance staff needs to find a copy of a 990. These lucky few (seriously, I mean lucky) quickly see the benefits of learning and applying the Standards.

The benefits are many but the most transformative changes seem to occur if the organization includes all staff, board, and volunteers in the learning process and celebrates the success of meeting Standards. Ekta shared that she thought it was necessary for the CAPI staff to understand the Standards and the related practices.

“We cannot do our work as leaders of an organization without staff understanding the Accountability Standards and how they show up in their day-to-day work. This is a key contributor to the stability of our organization.”

Here are some ways you can get your whole team up to speed on the Accountability Standards:

Celebrate your Meets Standards Seal - Yep, it’s that simple. Don’t let the accomplishment of meeting Standards go unnoticed. Tell the story of how trustworthy your organization is internally, as well as externally. Share the seal with staff and board members so they can include it on materials, explain what it means and what you did to get it. Educate them about the existence of nonprofit standards and how they help to bring the sector together. Most of all, ensure your institutional knowledge is kept by sharing it!

Standards Ice Breaker - Take turns having staff share one or two Standards as an icebreaker for your staff meetings. Give a brief introduction of the standard, then challenge the group to talk about how it is important to the work of the organization and how it relates to any current sector issues or news (this can work for board meetings too).

Share with Stakeholders - Volunteers, participants, partners, and community members all have a stake in your work. Produce a short story about meeting the Accountability Standards for your website, newsletter, or a postcard explaining your achievement and what it means for your work. This promotes pride in the work and builds a sense of obligation and accountability that is appreciated.

Up Next: How meeting Standards boosts internal accountability and transparency.

Series Intro: Achieving the Full Benefits of Meeting Standards

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Our upcoming three-part series will recount one organization’s journey to meet the Accountability Standards through integrating their entire organization.

The Charities Review Council’s Lynnea Atlas-Ingebretson recently sat down with Ekta Prakash, Executive Director of CAPI, to discuss the spirit of the Accountability Standards and its power to transform the culture and day-to-day work of an organization.

Lynnea somewhat reluctantly describes herself as a nonprofit sector geek, and as such, the experience that Ekta shared convinced her that when you involve the “whole” organization in the journey to Meet Standards, it can be quite powerful.

CAPI’s mission is to guide refugees and immigrants in the journey toward self-determination and social equality. While exploring the benefits of meeting the 27 Accountability Standards, Ekta provided three lessons learned from CAPI’s experience:

Stay tuned as we post three informative blogs covering these topics over the next month to gain valuable tips and insight into the process of completing an Accountability Wizard review.

Ekta Prakash holds an MA in Sociology from the Delhi School of Economics and a Masters in Nonprofit and Public Administration from Metropolitan State University. Prior to joining CAPI, Ekta worked for the Presbyterian Homes and Access Press. She was also a National Gender Equity Campaign Fellow with Asian American/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) and a Leaders Advocacy Parity Fellow for the Smoke Free Asian American Pacific Islanders Housing Project. "My personal philosophy is also based on my management theory of organizational behavior and Maslow's hierarchy of needs. I am always open to ways to improve myself as an individual and I’m committed to serving my community.”

Games Aren’t Just for Kids, But Nonprofits Too

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie) — Mon, 10 Dec 2012 19:54:00 +0000

As nonprofits continue to develop programing that will better serve clients and bring awareness to their causes, a critical piece in this puzzle is technology. And a critical piece in the technology puzzle is the increasing use of online gaming.

In the Co.Exist article, “Games For Civic Participation, Social Causes, and Fun,” Ben Schiller highlights five of the best examples of nonprofits utilizing online gaming technology to improve their programs.

1. Macon Money

2. Commons

3. Reality Ends Here

4. Situationist

5. Re:Activism

It’s fascinating to see all of the uses and possibilities for this technology. As Schiller goes from game to game, from cause to cause, it becomes clearer that this really could be part of the future for social engagement. So what makes some games successful and others not? According to the article’s research, “Games tend not to work when they’re intended to drive home a particular message, or have participants find one correct answer.”

Another interesting observation is that none of the highlighted games involve any type of fundraising in the game platform. When games have the user’s best interest in mind and are ultimately meant to be an enjoyable experience for the user, then that’s the ticket to an authentically engaging game.

It’ll be exciting to watch this technology and innovation develop as nonprofits become more creative in engaging their constituents online. A fun exercise for your nonprofit might be to brainstorm a game it could develop. How would you engage users? What outcomes would you want from the game? What experience would you want users to have?

When Taking Legal Action against a Nonprofit

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:22:00 +0000

What steps can you take when you discover something about an organization that doesn’t pass the smell test?

Recently we received a letter in the mail from a concerned donor. His issue was with a specific nonprofit that he knew (and had evidence) was carrying out activities not in line with the organization’s bylaws. On a daily basis we get many calls from donors looking to find out more information about this or that nonprofit. Some inquiries are very generic, some only concerned if the organization has earned our Meets Standards seal, and others with very specific questions or concerns that need more investigation.

In the case of our letter-writing concerned donor, we knew and agreed with the man that an organization should not be doing activities counter to what the bylaws dictate. But ultimately, the best course of action we could recommend to the man was:

· First, to call/write the organization and have a discussion with them about the concern. Try and find out the reasoning behind their actions and let them know why you, as one of their constituents, are concerned about that action.

· Second, if that doesn’t get you any closer to a solution, the next step would be to contact the Attorney General's office. Third party reviewing organizations, like the Charities Review Council, have no legal jurisdiction over nonprofits and it’s best to take those concerns to the AG’s office.

In cases that are less serious, or when you’re first researching an organization, we have a list of questions all potential donors should ask charities before making a donation. And of course, we always recommend finding out whether or not an organization is on our list of Most Trustworthy Nonprofits, and if not, asking the organization why.

Questions to Ask Charities Before Giving

What is the exact name of the charity? Many organizations have similar-sounding names. It’s easy to assume a charity is the community organization with which you’re familiar, but this may not always be the case.
How does the charity use your contribution? The Council recommends that at least 70 percent of a charitable organization's total expenses should be used for program services. Although fundraising and administrative costs are necessary to a well-managed organization, donors should expect that a substantial amount of their contributions are used for program services.
What are the organization’s unique mission and programs? Different charities attack the same problem from different angles. Three cancer charities may have three very different programs:

making research grants to scientists
publishing pamphlets on a healthy lifestyle
providing free mammograms to low-income women.

Your desire to fight cancer might coincide with one mission more than others.

Read the remaining questions on our website, and be sure to keep them in mind when making donations during this season of giving.

Mustache to the Max Day 2.0

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Give to the Max Day is just around the corner! This Thursday, November 15^th, Minnesotans will come together to raise as much money as possible for nonprofits and schools in 24 hours – starting at midnight on Thursday through midnight on Friday. By engaging as many donors as possible to give to their favorite Minnesota charities in one day, GiveMN.org showcases Minnesota’s unparalleled generosity to the world!

During last year’s Give to the Max Day, the Council did something different around the office and Give to the Max Day was coined Mustache to the Max Day. With your help we exceeded our goal of 75 donations and our then executive director, Rich Cowles, agreed to grow a mustache.

Board member, Jay Kim, demonstrates
the power of a mustache.

We had so much fun in 2011, that we’re bringing you Mustache to the Max 2.0, with even higher stakes this year.

If the Council receives 100 donations on Give to the Max Day, our staff & board will sport ‘staches around town.

Photos will be posted on social media (#mustachetothemax) over the next few weeks for your viewing pleasure.

Why should you donate to see us in mustaches?

Executive director, Kris Kewitsch lays it on the line: “This is the ONLY time you’ll see me with facial hair!”

From board member, Tony Helmer, fundraising extraordinaire: “Believe me, behind every successful fundraising campaign is a great mustache.”

Board chair, Heidi Neff Christianson, says, “Smart giving is more important than ever, plus my kids will LOVE to see me wearing a mustache.”

Be sure to donate on Thursday to see our board and staff sporting fuzzy upper lips!

For updates and buzz, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We’ll send an update via email in the afternoon on progress towards our goal.

Smart Giving Tips for Give to the Max Day 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Marketing Communications Intern,) — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:34:00 +0000

Individuals and nonprofits from all over Minnesota are gearing up for GiveMN.org's 4th annual Give to the Max Day (GTMD) on November 15th, but how can you make the most of your donations on this special day?

With the smashing success of the past three "Great Minnesota Give Togethers", this year there is much to look forward to—and hopefully new records to break.

In 2009, more than $14 million was raised for 3,400 Minnesota nonprofits contributed by roughly 38,000 donors.
In 2010, the bar was raised with more than 42,000 individual donors participating and more than $10 million was raised for Minnesota charities.
Last year, $13.5 million dollars was raised by more than 47,000 individuals.

To help break these past records, here are four tips for being smart with your Give to the Max Day donations:

1. Keep an eye out for Minnesota’s Most Trustworthy Nonprofits by looking for the Meets Standards Seal on a nonprofit’s GiveMN page:

2. During GTMD, donate to your favorite organization during “off hours” (e.g. 2am!) to help your chance at winning a “golden ticket” (throughout the 24-hour Give to the Max Day, one donor will be randomly chosen every hour to have $1,000 added to their donation, with a Super-sized Golden Ticket of $10,000 awarded to one individual's donation at the end of the event).

3. Rally your friends, family, and co-workers together to join you in your efforts of supporting your favorite organization. The more donations your favorite organization gets, the better chance it has at winning a $12,500, $5,000, $2,500, or $1,000 prize grant (which will be going to nonprofits that receive the most dollars during GTMD—for more details read here).

4. Busy on November 15th? Schedule your donation ahead of time! New this year, GiveMN is offering the option to schedule your donation to be processed on Give to the Max Day, like you would a monthly bill payment.

With records to break, causes to support, and money to raise, how will YOU make a difference during this year’s Give to the Max Day?

Exploring Board and Staff Communication

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie) — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:51:00 +0000

As most of us know, the vision, governance, and support a board of directors provides to nonprofits plays a critical role in the staff’s success in carrying out the organization’s mission. But what exactly are the appropriate lines of engagement between board and staff? How much interaction is too much and how much is too little?

Yes, this looks different for each organization—depending on critical factors like the nonprofit’s size, culture, and scope of work. In this Blue Avocado article by Jan Masaoka, “Should Staff Contact with the Board Be Restricted,” the benefits and hesitations behind board and staff interaction highlight why this is not a black and white situation.

Masaoka offers a few guidelines to help structure the relationship between board and staff in a healthy and productive way that is in the best interest of the organization:

· No restrictions for board-staff contact, but the executive director should be aware of meetings

· In board-staff meetings, keep discussion appropriate and within bounds of the topic (e.g. it would be inappropriate to discuss whether the board or executive director is acting responsibly in finance)

· Board can request information from staff, but not in a way that would require extra work from the staff (so it would be something already prepared)

· Personnel grievances must go through channels specified in the appropriate policies

· The organization should have a whistleblower policy to protect staff and to comply with federal law

While these are great guidelines to follow, the last suggestion from Masaoka hits on a point that the Charities Review Council feels is nonnegotiable.

When organizations go through the Charities Review Council’s Accountability Wizard®, one of the 27 Accountability Standards they must meet is our Whistleblower Policy Standard, which requires organizations to “maintain a policy and communicate the procedures for the reporting and investigation of complaints about perceived or possible illegalities, questionable practices, or policy violations.”

Something we recommend to organizations when writing this policy, is that it includes a way for employees to bring their concern about mismanagement or other issues directly to the board. This ensures that employees have a direction to take in case they are uncomfortable approaching the executive director directly.

We review hundreds and hundreds of different types of whistleblower policies and it might be surprising to learn that this idea that employees should be able to go directly to the board is sometimes not included. To help organizations revise their whistleblower policy to meet our Standard and include this recommendation, in our resources of sample documents, we provide a sample Whistleblower Policy.

So yes, while no organization is the same, and board-staff interaction will look different for different organizational cultures, the importance of a whistleblower policy that allows for cross board-staff communication is important in creating an accountable, transparent, and healthy nonprofit.

Measuring Impact on the Community

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 19:08:00 +0000

We asked fellow nonprofit geek and accountability hero, Andrew Gilbert, to share his views and thoughts behind one of our favorite Accountability Standards, Impact on the Community.

A reality faced by nonprofit organizations is that they are shaped by those who fund them. This simple concept was asserted just over ten years ago in the article Not-for-Profit Management: The Gift that Keeps on Giving. This was important at the time because the nonprofit sector was poised to begin taking on more work that had traditionally been done by public agencies. In today’s economy, it remains no less true and is most obviously evidenced by the prevalence of donor-advised funding in the sector, as well as the continued trend of government as grantmaker that started when the article was written. Simply put, the values, priorities, and philosophies of the donors, not necessarily the mission of the organizations, determine the type of work that is done.

Virtually all donations include an exchange, in that someone who provides money to an organization does so because they feel as though the value they share with the organization is being furthered through its work. In that way, the nonprofit sector has been formed to reflect the values of various individuals or groups who view the work of nonprofits to be worthwhile extensions and proponents of their value system.

Nonprofits that can demonstrate that their mission aligns with the value system of a donor are much more likely to receive a contribution from that individual or group.

The best way of demonstrating this is to show how working toward meeting organizational goals and objectives have benefited its stakeholder community. Many funders, particularly institutional funders, are placing an increasing amount of emphasis on the ability of funding recipients to demonstrate measurable results from donations. Nonprofit leaders have been working diligently to develop a myriad number of measurement systems (e.g. frameworks, scorecards, benchmarks, guideposts, toolkits, logic models, indicators, and strategy maps just to name a few), so many in fact, that one could almost conclude that there are as many ways to measure organizational success as there are organizations to measure.

A measurement tool is all well and good if a nonprofit provides an easily quantifiable service, but it gets much trickier for nonprofits that deal in human services and social welfare. It is difficult to generate metrics in a social welfare context that accurately demonstrate results that are directly attributable to organizations. Additionally, it is not always understood if results can be attributed to organizations. The metrics used are generally process related, such as the number of clients served. The success, or failure, of a constituent is tied to several different factors that are often independent of the services provided by a nonprofit. Because of this, many human service organizations have had trouble demonstrating desired results, even though their work has had significant impact on the community.

The important thing to keep in mind is that this movement toward results based management has changed the emphasis of many organizations from telling the story of their organization to describing its work through statistics.

I propose that a medium must be reached so that the values of the organization aren’t obscured by its “results.” Use the metrics that can be generated to demonstrate the progress of the organizations in reaching its goals and objectives in a way that tells the story of the organization.

Tying the effectiveness measurements of the organization into the value-driven story it tells to donors has two direct benefits:

The first is that it demonstrates to donors that the organization is committed to furthering their shared values, and that institutional pressure toward “success” measurement is not going to divert it from its mission.

The second is that it demonstrates that it can and will be a responsible, effective steward of the donation. At once the message can convey both passion and competence.

This lesson is an important one to learn for leaders in a sector in transition. In order to satisfy their own stakeholders, institutional funders (in particular grantmaking local and state governement agencies) are requiring grantees to be increasingly accountable for the results generated for an often-decreasing resource pool. Only those organizations that can share objective successes of community impact through the language of their values will properly be able justify their deservedness as grantees.

Andrew Gilbert is a graduate of the Master of Nonprofit Management program at Hamline University. He is currently working as an Outreach Coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Health.

Using Twitter Smart: Lists of nonprofit thought leaders

noreply@blogger.com (Jamie) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:24:00 +0000

Most organizations use or are told to use social networking sites. And most know why: share information with constituents, increase brand awareness, promote services, follow other interesting people, and the reasons go on.

At the Charities Review Council, one of the main ways we utilize Twitter is to follow other thought leaders in our cause space: nonprofit capacity building. By following sector leaders, trend spotters, and nonprofit news sources, we’re able to stay on top of major nonprofit happenings in one single place.

While that might sound all well and dandy, in reality with 72% of nonprofits having a presence on Twitter, there’s a lot of information floating around—some good and useful, some not so much. We follow over 1,800 Twitter accounts and sifting through our main feed can be daunting.

We’ve created a few public Twitter lists to help us organize our followers and access the information we need quickly.

Our three main lists:

Nonprofit Thought Leaders—this is a list of individuals who are leaders in the nonprofit and civic-engagement spaces and tweeting their journey along the way: executive directors, leadership staff, and up-and-coming sector superstars.

Nonprofit News—here you’ll find some great organizations (and some individuals) who consistently share insightful information about the nonprofit sector at large.

Reviewed Nonprofits—this is a list of nonprofits currently meeting all of our Accountability Standards and have earned our Meets Standards seal.

We hope these lists are helpful to you or your organization and we know our lists are far from complete—we’ve probably overlooked a lot of great organizations and individuals. So please, if you know of any accounts we should add to our lists, let us know in the comments!

Happy tweeting!

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