July 2012

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 2

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

IN THIS EDITION

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4-5

6-7

8

9

10-11

12

Greetings from ACE

Upcoming

Trainings and Events

Member

Corner

Federal and State

Policy Updates

Grants Corner

Resources & Other

Links

Contact Us

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence:

Helping Nonprofits Help Arkansas

The Arkansas Secretary of State's

Annual Report for Nonprofit

Corporations is due August 1, 2012.

The results are in! The Nonprofit

Compensation Report: An Analysis of

Arkansas Nonprofits 2012. Click here to

find out more and get your copy.

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 3

GREETINGS FROM ACE Dear ACE Members and Friends,

Here we are – just beginning the long “dog days of summer” when the thought of

going outside is quickly dismissed. In the good old days, or back in the day as they say

now, it seemed summer in the south meant work would slow down, things would move at a slower pace

and there would be time to prepare for the fall. Not anymore. Work and life, in general, continue at a

breakneck pace. How do we slow down and get back the time we need to rejuvenate our energy and

creativity? Here are my top 10 suggestions:

10. Plan ahead – make sure important projects are completed before those dog days start allowing you

to spend some “quality time” with your brain.

9. Stop scheduling all but the most important meetings. Freeing up your time speaks to your seriousness in

prioritizing your time for the important things. Then schedule this “found” time to play with ideas, concepts,

and creative solutions to clingy problems.

8. Make it a party – invite your staff to play, too.

7. Have fun at work – plan a potluck at lunch, have an early tailgate party, surprise the staff with the

unexpected.

6. Institute a new ritual by cleaning out your office during the month of August. Box up the old, set up the

new and get ready for productivity. Can’t get started – take it one day (or one pile) at a time.

5. Do something that enhances your career such as writing an article, giving a speech, or cleaning up

your resume.

4. Expand your mind by engaging it with new information or concepts that help keep you current in your

field, and remain innovative and fresh in the approach to your mission.

3. Spread the knowledge and insight you gain with a colleague, test your ideas, find a mentor to help

you make the changes you want to make in yourself as a leader or in your organization.

2. Just put your feet up, sip a cool drink and RELAX – it’s highly underrated as a method of improving

productivity, but it works!

1. And the most important - DON’T FORGET TO COME TO THE ARKANSAS COALITION FOR EXCELLENCE

ANNUAL MEETING AT THE CLINTON CENTER ON AUGUST 22ND FROM 10:00 A.M. TO 3:00 P.M. This meets at

least 6 of the Top 10 suggestions. Talk about a winning strategy!

Hope to see you there –

Stephanie Meincke, MSW Executive Director

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org

UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS &

PROGRAMS

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Arkansas Coalition for Excellence Summer Tech Series

Online Communications Strategy 101

Still haven’t quite mastered social media, e-mail blasts, and e-newsletters? Have trou-

ble integrating new trends in technology to your overall communications strategy? In

this workshop learn important tools and goals to utilize online communications. And

learn how to create an online community of volunteers,

donors, staff, and even clients that will help to form a solid base of support for your

organization.

Conducted by. Rebecca Zimmermann–

ACE Membership and Communications Coordinator– AmeriCorps VISTA

Thursday, August 2

12:00p.m.-1:00p.m.

Webinar– online and by phone

FREE

Register Here

AFP Arkansas

How to Talk to Your Board

Our Boards tend to place a great deal of emphasis on results. Your Board wants to

hear about ROI and low fundraising costs. How do you create an understanding of

the long-term nature of major gift development? What do you do if you don't really

even have access to the Board to try to deepen their understanding? Perhaps you

have leadership gaps and issues to deal with from a campaign, or you are not sure

what your own position or credibility is with the Board. We will explore three actual

case studies where the development professional successfully handled talking to their

boards and outline several strategies you can ADAPT to your SPECIFIC SITUATION to

help you talk to YOUR Board!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

11:45a.m.- 1:30p.m.

Little Rock

ACE members pay AFP member rate of $15

Register Here

UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS &

PROGRAMS

5

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 6

ACE MEMBER BENEFITS

Do you know all of the cost-savings your membership includes?

Contact Rebecca at 501.375.1225 or

rzimmermann@acenonprofit.org for more information.

Research Grants Online for FREE as Part of Your

ACE Membership

GRANTSTATION offers nonprofit organizations,

educational institutions, and government

agencies the opportunity to identify potential

funding sources for their programs or projects as

well as the resources to mentor these

organizations through the grantseeking process.

GrantStation provides access to searchable da-

tabases of private grantmakers that accept in-

quiries and proposals from a variety of

organizations; profiles of Federal financial

assistance programs; state-level financial and

technical assistance provider resources; and a

constantly growing database of international

grantmakers.

IN THE SEARCH AREA, GrantStation offers Members access to all of our grantmaker listings and research tools.

(Click on the highlighted headings to see sample records) This section of the website helps you find grantmakers

who might fund your programs and projects. You can search private grantmakers based in the United States,

Canada, and internationally. These profiles are searchable by geographic focus, areas of interest, and types of

support. You can also search for upcoming federal grants and loans and identify state funding opportunities.

IN THE WRITE AREA, GrantStation offers a set of practical tutorials to assist grantseekers in developing a solid

base for their grantseeking programs, and in crafting compelling documents designed to garner the attention

ofgrantmakers. Included in this section are step by step guides on how to get started in the grantseeking process,

write a letter of inquiry, develop a full proposal, and revise and edit past proposals.

IN THE LEARN AREA, GrantStation offers a number of resources to bolster grantseeking strategies and the

management of grant awards, including how to document in-kind contributions questions to ask the grantmaker

before applying and Online Education sessions that can further your grant knowledge.

GRANTS2020, an interactive visioning tool to help you realize the grants potential for your organization is also

included. In addition to the visual depiction of your funding sources, you also receive custom analysis and

recommendations.

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org

MEMBERSHIP

Mission Outreach of Northeast Arkansas The Stand Foundation,

North Little Rock | William

Lane, LLC, Little Rock |

Monique’s Playland, Little

Rock | American Red

Cross of Great Arkansas |

Elevate, Little Rock |

Hannah Pregnancy

Resource Center, El

Dorado NEW | CASA of the

Tri-Peaks, Booneville |

Arkansas Zoological

Foundation, Little Rock |

Sallis Ranch Large Animal

Rescue, Greenbrier | Heifer

Foundation, Little Rock |

CASA of the 14th Judicial

District, Harrison |

Arkansas Center for

Character Ethics, Little

Rock | We Care of Pulaski

County, Little Rock |

Bethlehem House, Conway

| Women and Children

First, Little Rock | Jim

Miles, Jonesboro | United

Way of Independence

County, Batesville | Sarah

Spencer, Little Rock |

Arkansas Single Parent

Scholarship Fund,

Springdale | Wolfe Street

Foundation, Little Rock |

Miracle League of South

Arkansas, El Dorado NEW|

Dr. Judith Killen, Conway |

Boys & Girls Club of Saline

County, Benton|

Siloam Spring Regional

Health Cooperative, Inc.,

Siloam Spring |

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Mission Outreach of

Northeast Arkansas,

Inc. Celebrates

30 Years

What began as a simple

vision to provide a place of

refuge to those with no home

has turned into a

multi-faceted non-profit

organization that not only

provides shelter, but many

other programs and services

designed to help one change

their life for the better.

Mission Outreach is a sixty-bed emergency homeless shelter that is located in

Paragould and primarily serves Greene, Craighead, Clay, Lawrence and

Randolph counties. An on-site food pantry, which has distributed 2,412 food

boxes in 2012, and an on-site soup kitchen, which has served 25,385 meals this

year, help to fight hunger in Northeast Arkansas.

Mission Outreach also operates a charitable clinic that offers primary medical

care and prescription assistance to individuals who have no private health

insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, thus having no access to healthcare besides

a visit to a local emergency room.

Other services offered by the staff such as one-on-one case management,

goal setting, financial strategies classes, support groups, transportation and

employment assistance are all crucial to the goal of offering new hope.

Recently, Mission Outreach has cast forth a new vision for the future that

includes the construction of a new facility dedicated to meeting the needs of

homeless families, women with children and single women. This new facility will

allow Mission Outreach to address needs more promptly and will separate

those in need from an environment of potentially harmful choices.

If you would like more information on Mission Outreach of Northeast Arkansas,

Inc. please visit their website at www.missionoutreachnea.com or contact them

at 870-236-8080.

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org

PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Action on Tax-Cut Extensions, Sequestration Report

Unless Congress acts, the tax cuts of 2001, 2003, and 2010 automati-

cally cease at the end of this year. To stop that from happening,

the House is scheduled to vote this week on two bills

(H.R.8, H.R.6169) to continue tax cuts for all income levels and to im-

plement an expedited process for comprehensive tax reform legis-

lation next year. The House will also vote on a version (S.3412)the

Senate passed last week (51-48) that would continue the tax cuts

for everyone except those earning more than $250,000 annu-

ally. House Ways and Means Democrats today plan to introduce

legislation identical to the Senate bill, as well as a measure to return

the estate tax to 2009 levels with a $3.5 million exemption and a

maximum rate of 45 percent. The two chambers could also resolve

differences this week and pass a bill requiring the Administration to

issue a detailed report on how federal agencies would implement

the $109 billion in automatic cuts scheduled for January 2.

Donor Disclosure Ordered for Some Political Ads

Non-charitable nonprofit organizations spending money for

“electioneering communications” will be required to disclose the

names of donors contributing $1000 or more in a year, the Federal

Election Commission announced Friday. The new guidance applies

to groups, such as chambers of commerce, unions, and 501(c)(4)

advocacy organizations, that run ads that expressly name a federal

candidate prior to an election. The FEC decision comes in response

to court rulings overturning a prior rule that limited disclosures to

contributions intended for political messaging. The new guidance

does not apply to 501(c)(3) organizations because they are already

barred from engaging in partisan election activities.

Learn more about how your nonprofit can advocate at ACE’s an-

nual meeting afternoon breakout session. Creating a United Front: Arkansas Nonprofits & Public Policy

What is the role of nonprofits in the political realm? Do we have an

active part to play, or do we passively react to changes? In this

session, learn what Arkansas nonprofits can do to strengthen our

voice in policy discussions. Led by: Brett Kincaid, Arkansas Advo-

cates for Children & Families. Click here to register today.

8

DHS Division of

Community Service & Non-

profit Support, Little Rock |

SWADC Literacy Councils,

Hope |

Quapaw Quarter

Association, Little Rock|

Junior League of Little

Rock, Little Rock NEW |

Blue & You Foundation for

a Healthier

Arkansas, Little Rock |

Just Communities of Arkan-

sas, Little Rock |

Lonoke County Council on

Aging, Lonoke |

Kids Life & Money, Conway

NEW | Big Brothers Big

Sisters of Central AR,

North Little Rock|

Want to join our

coalition of 309

members dedicated to

strengthening the nonprofit

sector ? Contact Rebecca

at 501.375.1225 or

rzimmermann

@acenonprofit.org

Arkansas Community Foundation Giving Tree Grants Through ARCF signature Giving Tree Grant Program, ARCF supports a

broad range of projects with the potential for statewide impact and

programs serving immediate local needs. Each of their 27 local offices

and our central office in Little Rock offers Giving Tree grants at least

once a year. Typically, these grants are available for a wide variety of

charitable causes;. Check with the local office to which you’re apply-

ing for information about the current grantmaking focus.

How to Apply

Download and complete the application form at www.arcf.org between July 10

and August 15, 2012. Applications must be submitted to arcfgrants@arcf.org by

11:59 p.m. on August 15. If you need assistance, contact Chris Love, Arkansas

Community Foundation’s program director, at clove@arcf.org or 501-372-1116.

Barber Law Firm Century Fund

For over a century, the Barber Law Firm has prided itself on being a forward-thinking

organization – a leader in our profession. To honor our 100th year in practice, we

committed to giving back for the next century with the formation of the Barber Law

Firm Century Fund.

With annual contributions from the firm for the next century, each year the Barber

Law Firm Century Fund will distribute a portion of its annual earnings to a designated

nonprofit partner. Designed to generate approximately $8 million in charitable

contributions over the next century, the fund will produce greater impact each

year with total annual distributions of approximately $250,000 by 2110. For Informa-

tion on how to apply click here. Deadline August 15.

Support for Social Justice Groups in the U.S. and Canada

Unitarian Universalist Association: Fund for a Just Society

The Fund for a Just Society, a program of the Unitarian Universalist Association,

provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. and Canada that address

issues of social and economic justice. The Fund supports organizations that use

community organizing to bring about systemic change leading to a more just

society and mobilize with those who have been disenfranchised and excluded from

resources, power, and the right to self-determination. Consideration is given to

projects that are less likely to receive conventional funding because of the

innovative or challenging nature of the work or the economic and social status of the

constituency. The maximum grant amount is $15,000; however, most grants range be-

tween $6,000 and $8,000. Requests are reviewed two times per year; the next applica-

tion deadline is September 17, 2012. Visit the Unitarian Universalist

Association website to review the funding guidelines.

GRANTS CORNER

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org 9

Look for more available grants on GrantStation.com.

Get a free subscription with your ACE membership.

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org

RESOURCES AND OTHER LINKS

TIP OF THE MONTH

Mind the Gap By Melanie Lockwood Herman

Readers who have been to a “tube” station in London will instantly recognize the title of today’s essay on risk. Intro-

duced in 1969 on the London Underground, “Mind the Gap” signs were posted to warn riders to exercise care

when stepping over the varying-in-size gap that exists between the station platform and the train. The phrase is now

used in transit systems worldwide from Singapore to Stockholm.

While waiting for a mechanic to finish routine maintenance on my Mini Cooper this morning I heard a promo for TV

coverage of the 2012 Olympic Games. The mention of London reminded me of the simple, but effective “Mind the

Gap” signs I’ve seen on my trips across the pond, and led me to ponder the frequent “gaps” that go unnoticed

and therefore unattended in risk management programs.

While pondering strategies for increasing the winning percentage (or sustaining the winning streak!) of your risk

management program, ask whether the following gaps may be present:

A gap between the intent of your volunteer policies… and your volunteers’ understanding of those policies.

A gap between the knowledge required to provide thoughtful fiscal oversight… and the demonstrated fiscal

literacy of your current board. Hint: if board members don’t ask any questions when the Finance Committee de-

livers its report, the word “gap” is probably an understatement.

A gap between your proudly proclaimedcommitment to safety… and your track record of injuries, accidents

and near misses.

A gap between the 100% participation target for your staff and volunteer training, and actual attendance at

“required” education sessions.

A gap between your lofty statement expressing a “commitment to transparency” and yourwillingness to let

stakeholders peek behind the organizational curtain of secrecy.

A gap between your resolution to “adopt best practices in youth protection” and your track record of reach-

ing out for help to implement best-in-class program design, screening, training and supervision.

A gap between your intent to embrace “enterprise risk management” and the narrow scope of your silo-

based, operational risk management program.

A gap between your statement, that “our most important assets are our people” and staff morale.

A gap between your avowed “trust in employees” and your inclination to micromanage them.

A gap between your resolve to “hire the best and the brightest” and your compensation and benefits pack-

age.

A gap between nonprofit sector and risk management industry “best practices” andbusiness as usual.

If you’re keen to spot other “gaps” in your risk management efforts, AND close any of the applicable gaps listed

above, consider joining our team of risk leaders for the 18th annual RISK SUMMIT sponsored by the Nonprofit Risk

Management Center, this August 26-28 in Chicago. As indicated at the top of this issue of the eNews, the Early-Bird

discount will disappear tomorrow. Registertoday to avoid disappointment. To learn more about the conference,

visit the SUMMIT webpage. Click on the PROGRAM tab to see the line-up of sessions and speakers.

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

ideas about any risk management topic, suggestions for simple but clever warning signs, and questions about the

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

resources at www.nonprofitrisk.org and offers consulting assistance to organizations unwilling to leave their missions

to chance.

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Arkansas Coalition for Excellence | 200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100 | Little Rock, AR 72201 | 501.375.1223 | www.acenonprofit.org

TIP OF THE MONTH

JOBS CENTER

Membership Coordinator/ Americorps VISTA– Arkansas Coalition for Excellence

Executive Director– National Community Land Trust Network

Chief Development Officer– American Red Cross

Major Gifts Associate– American Red Cross

Program Associate– The Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation

Create a JOBTARGET account on our site to post your organization’s open positions.

ACE members post for free!

11

Using Social Media to Improve Corporate Event Sponsorships

If your organization works with corporate sponsors, you’ve probably put some thought into defining the

different levels of sponsorship and what to include in each. Such perks can help lure new sponsors by

offering a return on their investment beyond just a charitable contribution or can tempt existing sponsors

to increase their donation.

There’s an entire realm of perks you can offer to increase the value of your sponsorship packages. By

thinking about ways to incorporate online resources into your packages, including websites, email and

social media, you might find exciting new ways to draw sponsors and let your community know about

the businesses that help make your programs possible.

Designing such key communications as emails to your list, or a sign-up page, using a sponsor’s corporate

colors, fonts and other branding elements can draw a strong connection between them and the event.

If the nature of your website makes it difficult to incorporate someone else’s brand, consider creating a

micro-site. It is simply a small, separate site just for the event.

Don’t forget the possibility of using your social media channels to recognize your sponsors. You could in-

clude a commitment to write about your partnership. For example, you could agree to mention them in

one blog post, twice on Facebook and four times on Twitter.

If your organization has a blog, you could offer sponsors a guest post about something cause-related

that overlaps with your mission. You could hold a contest to find the employee who’s most enthusiastic

about your cause and then hand them the reins of your Twitter feed or Facebook page for a day.

Multimedia can be a compelling way to recognize sponsors. Consider a photo with key staff members

from your sponsor’s company, or a video interview. If they provide a branded banner or sign, you could

use it for a backdrop. If you’re hosting a live event, take pictures of participants in front of it and post

them on your Facebook page or with your event photos.

Read more.

Thank you for reading this month’s edition of our

newsletter. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Stephanie Meincke, MSW

Executive Director

smeincke@acenonprofit.org

Emily Ingram,

Associate 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

Helping Nonprofits Help Arkansas