Nonprofit News & Views
The Nonprofit News & Views section, brought to you by the WCN Advocacy Committee, addresses the issues that affect the nonprofit sector in the broadest sense.
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Washington Nonprofit Handbook Available: Published by Washington Attorneys Assisting Community Organizations
8-2010
The "Washington Nonprofit Handbook: How to Form and Maintain a Nonprofit Organization in Washington State" (2009) is now available for free in pdf format on our website at www.waaco.org (type in 'nonprofit handbook' in the 'search' area). This handbook, authored by Washington business and nonprofit attorneys, contains information about the various laws impacting nonprofit organizations in Washington. Chapter topics include How To Form a Nonprofit; Governance and Operations; Obtaining Recognition as a 501(c)(3) Organization; Maintaining Federal Tax-Exempt Status for Your 501(c)(3) Organization; International Activities and Grantmaking; Fundraising: The Obvious and Not-So-Obvious Pitfalls; Washington State Taxes and Nonprofit Corporations; Fiscal Sponsorships, Joint Ventures, and Other Collaborations; Employment Issues; Intellectual Property Considerations; Personal Information Security and Online Privacy Issues for Nonprofit Organizations; and Ceasing Operations.
From the National Council of Nonprofits: Make a Difference in August
7-2010
Pundits typically point to Labor Day as the official beginning of the political season, but in reality the election season actually begins after the Independence Day recess. This means that virtually everything Congress does from now until Election Day, November 2nd, will be viewed through the lens of scoring points with voters. This also means that direct contact with voters is at its highest premium for the next several months. Representatives and Senators WANT to meet with you, so Congressional leaders have made it especially easy this year for incumbents to connect with constituents by scheduling unusually long August breaks. The August break is the ideal time to introduce your nonprofit organization to your federal officials, impress them with the impact of your work, and influence their thinking. Don't be shy! Make democracy work by keeping your federal officials informed by reaching out NOW to schedule those all-important meetings for educating them about the significant community challenges your nonprofit is tackling.The choice is yours: will you speak up for your community's needs, or sit silently on the sidelines? http://www.councilofnonprofits.org/
Volunteer Report
7-2010
United Way of King County announces the release of a new report "Volunteer Management: Challenges and Opportunities Facing Nonprofits." Written by a leading expert in the field of volunteer management, the report is based on results from a United Way of King County survey that included more than 600 respondents from organizations across King County. The analysis addresses challenges of volunteer engagement, hopeful signs, and implications for organizations, leadership, and funders. The increased local and national focus on mobilizing volunteers requires an examination of the infrastructure needed to support service. We hope this report will be used to guide nonprofits in investing time, money and other resources into their volunteer engagement practices and stimulate funders to explore how service is - or could - be supported in their work.
Washington Nonprofits
2-2010
Posted by: Trula Nicholas, WCN Steering Committee Chair
A new state association has been formed in 2010 that will provide Washington’s 50,000+ nonprofits with representation in state and federal policy decisions. Its mission is to provide a voice for nonprofits and associations from all parts of the state and increase the ability of public benefit organizations to achieve their missions and serve their communities. FMI: http://www.washingtonnonprofits.org/.
December 2009 Report on Nonprofit Capacity
3-2010
Posted by: Sheri Emerson, WCN Advocacy Committee
Philanthrophy Northwest recently released a report on nonprofit capacity building and needs in Washington State, including Whatcom County data. This report was funded by several major foundations, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Medina Foundation M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust and others. It focuses on the important of building the capacity of individual nonprofits and of the sector, which "is not only the right thing to do, it is strategic, logical and good business practice." To view "An Assessment of Capacity Building in Washington State", go to http://www.philanthropynw.org/s_pnw/sec.asp?CID=14919&DID=34321.
The 2010 Trends in Northwest Giving Report
4-2010
Posted by: WCN intern
Philanthropy Northwest announced the release of the 2010 edition of Trends in Northwest Giving. The 2010 edition analyzes more than 22,000 grants from more than 450 organizations, totaling more than $1.3 billion in funds to Northwest nonprofits in 2008. This report analyzed 22,669 grants to Northwest nonprofits from 458 funders in 2008, totaling $1,322,509,298. This comprehensive report is published once every two years offering an in-depth look at giving from foundations and corporations to six states in the Northwest - Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. FMI: http://services.philanthropynw.org/Trends%20pdfs/Trends2010_FINAL.pdf
New State Legislation HB 2576 Signed Into Law
5-2010
Posted by: Sheri Emerson, WCN Advocacy Committee
Washington's Governor Gregoire signed state legislation, HB 2576, on April 27, 2010 authorizing restructuring fees for the division of corporations and affirming authority to establish fees for the charities program of the Office of the Secretary of State. FMI: http://search.leg.wa.gov/pub/textsearch/ViewRoot.asp?Action=Html&Item=2&X=511141606&p=1 and http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?year=2010&bill=2576.