February 2012

IN THIS EDITION

3 Greetings from ACE

4–5 Upcoming

Trainings & Events

6 Member Spotlight-

Arkansas County

Partners in Health

7 Federal and State

Policy Updates

8-10 Resources, Grants &

Other Links

11 Benefit of the Month

12 Contact Us

2

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence: Helping

Nonprofits Help Arkansas

We are proud to work with you to achieve ACE’s

mission and vision together:

Mission: Strengthen Arkansas Nonprofits

Vision: A strong, vibrant, united and effective

nonprofit sector that is well positioned to

meet the diverse needs of all Arkansans.

Our Core Values: Best Practices; Inclusive;

Unity in Diversity; Connecting & Equipping;

Statewide Vision & Regional Approach

Congratulations to ACE

Members JPMS Cox LLC, Helen

R. Walton Children’s

Enrichment Center and Food

Bank of Northeast Arkansas

for their nominations in the

Arkansas Business of the Year

Awards!

Cover Photo: White River, Batesville Arkansas

Dear ACE Members and Friends,

If you are reading this newsletter, then I am going to go out on a limb and say

that you must have a personal interest in Arkansas’ nonprofit sector. Am I

right? You may be a nonprofit leader, business person, consultant or even

an individual donor or volunteer. But my guess is that YOU are passionate about serving

the communities of Arkansas - and YOU are interested in making our nonprofit sector better

and stronger.

So, you’re interested, but are you INVESTED? As the state’s association of nonprofits, ACE

is committed to serve all nonprofits across this great state. However, it is our members

who reap the unbeatable benefits that only a membership with your state association can

provide. This includes access to national resources for technical assistance and top notch

training; cost saving benefits from office supplies to background checks; access to afford-

able health insurance for small and large organizations; advocacy on nonprofit issues at

the state and national level; and so much more! Even our business members and consult-

ants are given opportunities to promote their services while directly working with our non-

profit members.

If you are not currently an ACE member, I strongly encourage you to join our growing

coalition. You may visit our website to learn more about us at www.acenonprofit.org – or

you can even Click Here and go straight to an application for membership. However, I

would like to personally invite you to contact an ACE staff member and let us tell you about

ACE before you join! Let us brag about the work we are doing and explain the real benefits

of an ACE membership. We want you to fully understand what you are getting into because

it’s FANTASTIC and we don’t want you to miss a thing!

Please take a few minutes to learn more about ACE and how to become a member, or take

the time to Renew Your Membership now. You can call me or Rebecca Zimmermann,

Membership & Communications Coordinator, at 501.375.1223.

We look forward to hearing from you very soon!

Sincerely,

Emily

Emily C. Ingram

Interim Executive Director

P.S. Be on the lookout for a new Arkansas Diamond Standards™ training series coming this

spring – and the announcement of a Listserv exclusively for ACE Members!

GREETINGS FROM ACE

3

UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS & PROGRAMS

4

Demystifying the Big “C” Word- Collaboration

What we’re all told to do by Funders, but don’t quite

know how to!

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Can nonprofits really work together to address community needs?

If so, how is it even possible? Can it be successful? Would funders

actually support it? The simple answer is YES, and the Community

Foundation of Southern Arizona offers one such strategy on how it

worked.

In 2009, as the impact of the economic crisis spread, the Community Foundation for Southern

Arizona re-designed its community investment grant process to respond to the critical situation

that was unfolding in the nonprofit sector. In 2010, after gathering and analyzing feedback and

information received directly from nonprofits on needs in the community, the foundation

initiated a new grantmaking process that focused on a three-year cycle of funding broad-based

community collaborations. This new grantmaking strategy of only granting to coalitions of

nonprofits rather than individual nonprofits was explored by the foundation in order to maximize

the effort and impact of various nonprofits.

As nonprofits, we always hear of funders wanting us to collaborate more, yet we

lack many substantive models of what this looks like and how it could

potentially work. Hearing this presentation (from a funder) will hopefully help

answer many of those who, what, when, where, why and how questions that

linger when we talk about the big “C” word- Collaboration!

In this session, we’ll hear from Evan Mendelson, Vice President, Donor Relations and Program

Services at the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona, on how her

foundation implemented this grantmaking strategy and the pros and the cons of the entire

process.

As Vice President, Donor Relations and Program Services at the Community Foundation of

Southern Arizona, Evan is responsible for ensuring that donors receive excellent, quality service

and for implementing community investment strategies that create positive impact in southern

Arizona. Throughout her career in the not-for-profit sector, she has consulted, spoken and

written in the areas of philanthropy, nonprofit management and public affairs.

Time: 2:30 - 3:45pm

Location: Arkansas Studies Institute

401 President Clinton Ave

Little Rock, AR 72201

Next to the Main Library

Cost to attend: FREE

To register e-mail Rebecca at rzimmermann@acenonprofit.org

The Summit: Where Volunteer, Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leaders Meet

Thursday, April 26th and Friday, April 27th

Hosted by. the Arkansas Department of Human Services-

Division of Community and Nonprofit Support

In partnership with the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence and the Arkansas Community Foundation

For more information click here

5 Trends in Technology that will Shape a new Reality for Nonprofits

ACE/FireSpring Trainings

Tuesday March 20th

To some, the word “technology” is titillating – it conjures up

excitement and pumps adrenaline to the brain. But to others,

“technology” elicits an uneasy feeling in the gut that makes them want to curl up

on the couch with a blanket and a book.

Exposure to too much of the geeky stuff causes them to just shut down. In this

session, Jay will take you by the hand – regardless of your current geek IQ – and

help you understand how each of us can benefit from the trends in technology. In

just over an hour you’ll: · Learn about eCommunities · Discover how to use

technology to get things done in your nonprofit for less money · Learn how your cell

phone will change your life (if it hasn’t already) · Understand how our children are

being pre-programmed for the workplace of the future This fascinating information

is presented in a down to earth style by one of America’s top-rated speakers. If you

haven’t caught Jay on CNN, MSNBC or at one of his keynotes at a national

conference, you’ll want to be sure not to miss this engaging, informative session that will help you

understand, in real terms, our “new reality.”

Time: 9:30-11:00a.m.

Location: Webinar accessible online and by phone

Cost: FREE

Coming soon: Arkansas Diamond Standards™ Trainings!

Learn more about the Arkansas Diamond Standards ™ best practices that guide

nonprofits to excellence in four areas: Mission, Money, Management, and

Governance.

5

MEMBERSHIP

ACE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

Partners in Health of Arkansas County

Thank you to all of our new

and renewing members!

ACCESS, Inc – Pine Bluff

St. Joseph’s Center of Arkansas-

Little Rock NEW

Dianne Williams- Greenbrier

Healing Farms Retreat and Inte-

grated Recovery Services Inc.-

Little Rock

Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home

and Family Services Inc.- Little

Rock

The 20th Century Club of Little

Rock, Inc.- Little Rock

Generations of Faith, Inc.- El

Dorado

Van Buren County Literacy

Council- Clinton

Hunter Goodman- North Little

Rock

Helen R. Walton’s Children’s

Enrichment Center- Bentonville

Museum of Discovery- Little

Rock

Arkansas Interfaith Conference-

Little Rock NEW

Hannah K. Vogler- Little Rock

Arkansas STEM Coalition- Little

Rock NEW

Zion Climbing Center- Searcy

The Arkansas 4H Foundation-

Little Rock

Argenta Community

Development Corporation- North

Little Rock

Precious Hearts Student Center-

Pine Bluff

Arkansas Head Start

Association- Little Rock

Youth Bridge, Inc.- Fayetteville

ACHANGE- Little Rock

Hispanic Community Services,

Inc.- Jonesboro

Reptile Rescue Center- Little

Rock NEW

The EAST Initiative- Little Rock

Patrice Brown- Little Rock

Garland County CASA- Hot

Springs

Arkansas Insurance Department

SHIIP, Little Rock NEW

Arkansas United Community

Coalition- Fayetteville NEW

Project 3:27, Inc.– Conway NEW

James E. Harris, P.A.– Little

Rock

6

Arkansas County Partners In Health (ACPIH) is a grassroots initiative that seeks to

identify and address health issues in the community through health promotion and

disease prevention programs. The network was created in January 2002, after the

need for such an organization was identified through public meetings hosted by the

local health unit in Arkansas County. The network originally began with three

partnering organizations as a Hometown Health Initiative. Today, the community-based

non-profit is comprised of individuals from twenty-eight organizations in three counties

including educational institutions, healthcare providers, health organizations,

community service groups, consumers, government agencies, faith-based

organizations and the business community.

ACPIH focuses on collaborating, coalition building, assessing community health and

prioritizing local health issues. The network develops and implements health strategies

that are designed for and supported by the local community through data driven

programs with sustainability in mind. ACPIH programs reach individuals of all ages in

Arkansas, Lonoke and Jefferson counties.

After nearly a decade of existence, programs continue to center around health

promotion and disease prevention. Programs in the service area include community

health education and outreach, StrongWomen, Organ Wise Guys, prescription

assistance and child seat safety. This past year, ACPIH launched a worksite wellness

program for area businesses and was instrumental in bringing Diabetes

Self-Management Education to Arkansas County.

ACPIH often connects area residents to health care resources. ACPIH co-sponsors the

annual Grand Prairie Health and Wellness Expo, where many times it is the only

opportunity for individuals to receive health screenings for free or a minimal fee.

ACPIH AmeriCorps Volunteers ensure low-income, uninsured and under insured

residents receive prescription medications at no or low cost and connect individuals

who have or at risk of developing chronic health issues to other health resources in the

community and around the state.

Anyone who is interested in improving the health of the community and works or lives

full-time in Arkansas, Lonoke or Jefferson County can be a part of the organization.

There are opportunities to volunteer and serve on the Board of Directors. ACPIH board

meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and are open to the public.

PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

7

Payroll Tax Cut, Benefits Extension Enacted

Congress and the President reached agreement on extending tax and

benefits provisions that were scheduled to expire. The Middle Class Tax Relief

and Job Creation Act of 2012, approved by Congress and signed into law by

President Obama earlier this month, includes continuation of a two-percent

individual payroll tax cut, reauthorization of the TANF

program through December (a three-month extension),

extension of unemployment benefits for up to 73 weeks in

some states, and a two-year delay on the 27.4 percent

Medicare reimbursement cut to physicians (known as the

Doc Fix). The law does not renew any of the expired tax

provisions, such as the IRA rollover or other incentives for

food, book, or computer donations to charity.

Elections and Non-Charitable Nonprofits As the election season heats up, policymakers are

increasing efforts to curb what they consider to be abuses

by misuse of certain types of nonprofit organizations. But

this year, it appears they finally recognize the legal

distinctions between the different categories of nonprofit

organizations, in that 501(c)(3) nonprofits – unlike other nonprofit

organizations – already are prohibited from engaging in partisan election

activities. A bill in the House to require greater disclosure of the names of

donors expressly excludes charitable nonprofits. Likewise, when a group

of Democratic Senators sent a letter to the IRS regarding potential abuses of

tax law regarding electioneering, they expressly limited their inquiry to 501(c)

(4) “social welfare” nonprofit groups. Despite these positive signs, charitable

nonprofits should be on alert to correct and clarify news reports and

statements of policymakers that fail to distinguish 501(c)(3) organizations

from other nonprofits; otherwise public perceptions of the charitable sector

and unwarranted regulations may arise.

RESOURCES AND OTHER LINKS

NONPROFIT RISK MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE MONTH

Happy at Work

By Melanie Lockwood Herman

Productive and engaged are words that come to mind when I picture a high-performing employee in a nonprofit.

The literature on performance management is packed with advice about inspiring great performance among the

members of a staff team. Some of the techniques I often cite in workshops include the generous sharing of

information, eliminating “class” distinctions between employees who deliver services and those who provide

internal support (finance, administration, risk management, etc.), and helping employees understand how their

work advances a nonprofit’s mission. Recently I’ve become intrigued by the link between happiness and

productivity. Are happy employees more productive? What should leaders do to inspire happiness at work? New

research identifies factors that contribute to or detract from being happy and also highlights the link between

happiness and productivity in the workplace.

In an interview featured in the January-February 2012 edition of the Harvard Business Review, Harvard

psychology professor Daniel Gilbert explains that “We know that people are happiest when they’re appropriately

challenged—when they’re trying to achieve goals that are difficult but not out of reach,” and that “People

blossom when challenged and wither when threatened.” In a companion article titled “The Future Of Happiness

Research,” doctoral student Matthew Killingsworth writes that “…no matter what people are doing, they are

much less happy when their minds are wandering than when their minds are focused.” Killingsworth explains

that the research refutes the belief held by some managers that “a certain amount of daydreaming is a good

thing” with regard to overall employee productivity.

A challenged and focused workforce sounds productive, but is there an even more

compelling determinant of happiness? Daniel Gilbert cites our social nature as the

most significant predictor of personal happiness. According to Gilbert, a deep

sense of connection to others—friends, co-workers, family—is the most important

predictor of personal happiness.

As you reflect on the human “face” of risk in your nonprofit and the relationship

between happy workers and mission fulfillment, ask:

Do managers offer employees truly challenging assignments or frequently set

impossible or unrealistic deadlines, requirements or expectations?

Do supervisors help employees stay focused on mission-critical tasks and priorities, or send mixed signals

about what’s important by loading everyone on the team with time-wasting projects due yesterday?

And, most importantly, do leaders from the board room to the front lines encourage and model kindness and

appropriate social behavior to nurture trust, respect and even friendships among co-workers?

Risk management isn’t limited to keeping clients and caregivers safe from harm. The risk of an exodus of top

performing staff will increase as the economy continues to improve and your competitors start hiring. Instead

of waiting to discover that you’re understaffed, look for ways to make your agency an employer of choice. If

you want to reap the benefits of a happy workforce, collaborate to set challenging but achievable goals, help

your team focus on top priorities, and remember that socializing shouldn’t be restricted to sanctioned office

holiday parties.

Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. She welcomes your

ideas about any risk management topic, feedback on this article and questions about the Center’s resources

at Melanie@nonprofitrisk.org or (202) 785-3891. The Center provides risk management tools and resources

atwww.nonprofitrisk.org and offers consulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions to

chance.

8

TAX UPDATES

Tax season is here! Make sure you stay informed of all tax laws, and other IRS news.

Check out these recent updates

EO Releases FY 2011 Annual Report and FY 2012 Work Plan

Guidance on Requirements for Tax-Exempt 501(c)(29) Qualified

Non-Profit Health Insurers

EO’s 2012 Graduate Student Summer Internship

Applications Due March 2

EO Seeks Academic Hosts for Workshops for Small and

Medium-Sized 501(c)(3) Organizations

9

TK Foundation Fund Youth Development Program

Application available; click here for RFP.

The TK Foundation, a donor-advised fund of the Orange County Community Foundation, envisions a world where

all youth have access to opportunities that lead to employment that allows them freedom, equity,

security, and human dignity. The TK Foundation is interested in supporting youth development programs that are

meeting the needs of

motivated disadvantaged youth ages 15-21 through innovative and effective programs that help prepare the

program's young beneficiaries for employment and careers that will allow them to become self sufficient in

adulthood.

Grant requests may range from $50,000 - $500,000. Multiyear grant requests that fall within a grant period of up

to three years will be considered.

Please note that this program is seeking proposals for programs throughout the United States.

For questions or additional information, please contact Patricia Benevenia, Program Officer, by

emailing pbenevenia@oc-cf.org

Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation Grants

Each year the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation sponsors a special grant program in partnership

with Arkansas Community Foundation to support programs that serve African-Americans and other minority

communities in Arkansas.

Projects must focus on

Education

Health and wellness

Youth development

Small business development/economic development

Who Can Apply? 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, hospitals, schools, government

agencies and other

organizations with a clear charitable purpose are eligible to apply. All geographic areas of the state are

eligible.

Where Can I Get More Info? Check out the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame Foundation Grants page on our

website for details about this program. You'll be able to download and complete our PDF

IDEALWARE TIP OF THE MONTH

Finding Fans on Social Media

You need an audience for any social media strategy to work. The good news is,

because of the “network effect,” attracting a few followers can often increase

your potential audience exponentially—the very nature of social media makes it

easy for your friends to spread the word to their own networks of friends, and

so on. So how do you attract people to “like” your Facebook page, follow your

Twitter feed or subscribe to your blog?

It should go without saying that if you want people to pay attention, post some-

thing they’ll find useful and relevant. For more information click here.

JOBS CENTER

Traveling Sales and Maintenance Technician, Museum of Discovery

Executive Director, Arkansas Coalition for Excellence

Field Director, Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance

Program Administrator, Single Parent Scholarship Fund (Last Day to Apply 2/29)

Sign-Into your ACE member account to post jobs openings at your organization.

For a complete list of jobs click here.

10

NEED AN INTERN?

Are you in need of an extra set of hands or a new burst of creativity? Ouachita

Baptist University in Arkadelphia is interested in connecting some of our

outstanding students with your nonprofit as summer and fall interns. Positions

might include finance and accounting, education, marketing and public relations

and grant writing.

Please contact Lauren Land, Ouachita’s Director of Career Services,

at landl@obu.edu or at (870) 245-5283 to discuss this opportunity. Learn more

about Ouachita Baptist University at www.obu.edu.

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of our

newsletter. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Emily Ingram,

Interim Director

eingram@acenonprofit.org

Rebecca Zimmermann

Membership & Communications

Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA

rzimmermann@acenonprofit.org

Located within the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Offices

200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100

Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 375-1223

www.acenonprofit.org