Join staff each week as we comment on hot topics in the nonprofit community - the economy, nonprofit leadership, mergers and more!
To respond to a blog posting, click on 'comments' at the end of each posting. (Please note that the Roundtable reserves the right to post or not post a comment following a review by staff. Responses to postings do not necessarily reflect the views of the Roundtable).
Big Idea #17 Speed Networking by Elizabeth Clawson, National Council of Nonprofits
Written by Amy Fishman, on August 07, 2009
My big idea is a speed-networking event just for junior foundation staff and junior nonprofit staff to meet and get to know each other's missions. As in speed networking, the nonprofits could sit in one orbit and the foundation staff in another, and one orbit would rotate so nonprofit participants get to meet their foundation counterparts, and vice versa, in an informal setting. The point would be not pitching a grant or seeking out programs, but putting faces to the organizations and learning about how they work before interacting with them in a formal funding relationship.
Nonprofit Collaboration, Mergers and Saving the Safety Net
Written by Rosetta Thurman, on July 30, 2009
It's been a tough year for nonprofits in Greater Washington. Here at the Roundtable, we've been moving fast to adapt and provide relevant support to help nonprofits lead effectively through the economic change that is sweeping our region. Although the outlook is still unclear for the future of our local organizations, we believe that there are several ways for us to move forward as a nonprofit community, including
Explore new ways of working together, including collaborations and mergers
Partner with local government
Advocate to preserve existing funding and save the safety net for nonprofit services
Explore New Ways of Working Together
Nonprofit Collaboration and Mergers
This week, the Roundtable convened over 50 nonprofit leaders at an event on nonprofit mergers and collaboration with Dan McCormick, beginning the second phase of our New Ways of Working Together series. (The Powerpoint presentation of the Nonprofit Collaboration and Mergers event can be accessed here. You can also watch a two-minute video online.)
During the seminar, Dan stressed the importance of:
conducting initial discussions of mergers and collaborations in a safe and neutral environment
focusing on the implementation of mergers
keeping the focus on capacity building to deliver mission
Let us know if you are interested in exploring this topic or if you would like to share your ideas on how to engage collectively in this discussion.
Partner With Local Government
Northern Virginia Nonprofits Nonprofit NoVA hosted a meeting this week with several policy makers including Barbara Favola (Arlington County), Wally Covington (Prince William County), Rob Krupicka (City of Alexandria) and Verdia Haywood (Fairfax County). Some panelists' suggestions to nonprofit leaders:
When you approach a local government, emphasize collaboration, efficiencies, outcomes, and accountability.
Let your local government know how nonprofits can save them money.
Use coalitions/groups to present ideas to Department heads and to create a forum for ideas about how best to change the system - not just to ask for funds
Click here to read more about what our panelists had to say.
Montgomery County Nonprofits Are you looking for funding? Come to the 4th Annual Nonprofit Funding EXPO on August 18, 2009 from 7pm - 9pm at the Long Branch Community Center in Silver Spring, MD. RSVP to Ann Tran
Meet representatives from County agencies and learn about county funding opportunities.
Get tips on grant writing from local experts
Hear from foundation leaders about what they look for in a proposal
Learn how to advocate for your projects and programs.
Advocate to Save the Safety Net
DC Nonprofits
This Friday, the DC Council votes on budget cuts. The Mayor has proposed more than $52 million cuts to social services. Over half of the overall cuts fall on human services (a disproportionate share, as those services represent less than 1/3 of the total budget). Cuts include $6.2 million in funding for TANF and $1.8 million for legal services. The Save our Safety Net campaign hosted a rally at noon today (July 30) at the Wilson Building (1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW) to urge the DC City Council to invest in the safety net. If you weren't able to attend, call your DC Councilmember (or Chairman Vince Grey, or an At-Large Councilmember) and urge them to adopt a course of responsibly balanced budget cuts and sufficient revenue enhancement.
Cultural Alliance, Sitar Arts Center and other Roundtable Members are also engaging the DC Council through DC Advocates for the Arts; send an email to learn more.
Nonprofits and the Impact of the 2010 Census
Did you know if just 100 people in your community fail to respond to the 2010 Census, your community could lose approximately 1 million dollars in federal funding over a ten year period?
SEPT 16: The Roundtable hosts a webinar on NONPROFITS & THE 2010 CENSUS conducted by Nonprofits Count. This webinar is open to any Roundtable Member staff. 12Noon-1:00pm; RSVP to Nana. Find out more about what is at stake and what nonprofits can do to ensure a complete count in 2010.
How is the 2010 Census is important to your mission?
Why do nonprofits play such an important role in ensuring a complete and accurate count?
What can your nonprofit can do right now to get involved?
Where is the Census Bureau is right now in its preparations for the 2010 count?
Nonprofit Montgomery! Director MaryAnn Holohean wins 2009 Grantmaker in Capacity Building Award
Written by Amy Fishman, on July 20, 2009
MaryAnn Holohean receives the 2009 Grantmaker in Capacity Building Award with Rick Moyers, Director of Programs at the Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation.
MaryAnn Holohean , director of Nonprofit Montgomery! was awarded the 2009 Grantmaker in Capacity Building Award on Friday July 17th, 2009 at the LaQuinta Club & Resort in Palm Springs, California. Nonprofit Montgomery! is an affiliate of the Nonprofit Roundtable of Greater Washington. MaryAnn Holohean has directed it since its inception in January of 2007.
MaryAnn was honored for her work with the Meyer Foundation from 1994 to 2003 as the founding director of Meyer's Nonprofit Sector Fund. MaryAnn is truly a national leader in capacity-building grantmaking and was involved with the founding of the Nonprofit Roundtable, Technology Works for Good (NPowerGreater DC region) and was the co-founder of Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.
Earlier this week, The Nonprofit Roundtable sent out an email to Roundtable members informing them of Major Fenty's plans to address DC's new $340 million revenue shortfall ($190 million for FY2009 and $150 million for FY2010). Members were asked to call (202-727-1000) or email Mayor Fenty (mayor@dc.gov) to ask him to protect vital safety net programs as he works to balance the budget. Alternatives to cutting safety net programs such as raising revenues and tapping into the District's rainy day fund were suggested.
Roundtable 2009 Annual Meeting: Big Ideas Contest!
Written by Rosetta Thurman, on May 21, 2009
We want your ideas ... ideas to make Greater Washington's
nonprofit community stronger, more influential, and have a greater impact
in the future. On
June 10, three $1,000 awards will be given to the
contributors of the best three ideas, thanks to the sponsorship of Gelman, Rosenberg & Freedman. WIN $1,000 FOR YOUR BIG IDEA!
Upholding the theme of our June 10 Annual Meeting, "Which Future for Our Nonprofit
Community?" we invite Roundtable Member organizations (staff,
board members) to submit BIG IDEAS--
solutions for what we should do now to transform the nonprofit community
in Greater Washington.
Selected ideas will be posted on the Roundtable's blogleading up to the
Annual Meeting. Staff and board will cull the list to the top 10
Big Ideas and Members will vote on them during our 2009 Annual
Meeting. Three winning Big Ideas will be chosen by a majority vote
of attendees onsite on June 10 and receive $1,000 for their nonprofit
organization.
Submit your Big Idea online (in 100 words or
less) before 5pm
on June 8 to enter the contest! (Early entries may
get more visibility!)
The top 10
Ideas will be voted upon by Members on June 10.
Three ideas
will be selected and contributors will each receive $1,000 for their
nonprofit organizations - Roundtable Member organizations - thanks
to the sponsorship of
Gelman, Rosenberg
& Freedman.
Our Annual
Meeting keynote speaker Paul Light shares seven of his
Big Ideas for the nonprofit community at the end
of his 5-page Four Futures article. You can also view
our first entry from Martha's Table's Lindsey Buss on our blog.
We say "Enough!" Enough talk
about the challenges of the economic environment - let's lean into the
future with new energy. Let's face our challenges head on and
outwit those challenges with new ideas. We want your ideas about
how to move through this economic downturn and emerge stronger as a
sector.
Submit your ideason what you or
other organizations can do, and your ideas for what we can do
together as a nonprofit community. We want concrete ideas that are actionable in the next year.
Big ideas, small ideas - let's hear them!
Updated December 28, 2009 In 2009, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have recoginzed the importance and impact of nonprofits by engaging many of them in our Greater Washington region.
Below is a list of White House engagements with Roundtable Members. (If we have missed your organization, please send the information to Nana by email.)
December: Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington welcomed President Obama according to The Hill , the Washington Post , their webpage , and the official White House video. "While most of us were digging our cars out of the snow or shoveling sidewalks, Club members of our Richard England Clubhouse #14 in Northeast D.C. were enjoying their time with the President of the United States! President Obama paid the Club an unannounced visit, and the children got a once in a lifetime chance to be a part of something amazing."
November: Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital met with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama to witness the signing of the Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act. This act authorizes the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins that honor the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scout movement in 2012. (This photo sure seems like a presidential bow to a Girl Scout!)
October: Brainfood visited the White House again for Halloween "to help the White House Kitchen throw a Halloween party for the President and First Lady's guests, including military families and White House and Residence Staff children." July: Brainfood visited the White House, according to the Washington Posttheir website , "to prepare for the Obamas' Fourth of July extravaganza."
June: Unity Health Care welcomed First Lady Michelle Obama to their Upper Cardozo Health center, according to a White House press release , the First Lady's speech , and Unity Health Care's website . Vincent Keane noted that, "the financial investment in the renovation and modernization of community health centers is unprecedented. As Health Care Reform remains a high priority for all Americans it is obvious that President Obama envisions CHC’s as playing a key role in insuring health care access for many of the 46 million uninsured."
June: Greater DC Cares welcomed First Lady Michelle Obama as the keynote speaker for their Business and Philanthropy Summit. "The Summit convened business, nonprofit and community leaders to recognize excellence in community service and philanthropy, exchange ideas, share promising practices, and develop stronger partnerships to better impact the region during this extraordinary economic time."
April: The Capital Area Food Bank welcomed Mrs. Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, joined
more than 100 congressional spouses, passing out packages of wheat pasta and cans of pineapple as
volunteers bagged meals for low-income kids in the area. Said the First Lady: "I think it's important for Americans to see you all here doing this. We can give
something back to the D.C. community that often times don't get to see
us."
March: Miriam's Kitchen was featured on the Today Show and in the New York Times after a visit from Michelle Obama who said,
"I'm not going to talk long. My purpose here is to listen, work, and to
scoop some risotto."
Obama volunteered at Miriam's Kitchen, where she served about 50
homeless guests. She stood at the end of a serving line and dished up
risotto with mushrooms. Mrs. Obama praised the menu at Miriam’s Kitchen, a nonprofit drop-in center serving this city’s homeless.
February: Mary's Center welcomed First Lady
Michelle Obama where she declared, "DC is our home," according to a press release, the White House Blog, Slate and El Tiempo Latino, as well as lots of television among other
media hits. The White House transcript quotes the First Lady
declaring, "One of the things that I didn't realize, as I was talking to
Maria - the fact that here you've got pre-school, you've got teen centers, and
you've got help for college, this is the kind of center that's taking care of
not just women and children, but the whole family -- that's a unique and
important model."
January: President Obama visited Sasha Bruce Youth Work during Inauguration weekend, rolling up his sleeves to volunteer, and encouraging America to do the same.Sasha Bruce Youthwork welcomed Barack Obama who spoke with staff and clients and took up a paint brush, according to a press release, the Washington Post and video, as well as the White House blog, among other sources.
We look forward to the progress that the nonprofit community will make in partnership with the Obama Administration!
from May 1, 2009
All of Washington, DC is abuzz with conversation about President Obama's first 100 days
in office. While there is much to discuss by way of our new President's
policy decisions, the nonprofit community is also talking about the
commitment the new administration has made to our sector. Not only has
the President passed new legislation via the Serve America Act to
encourage community service and nonprofit capacity building, but the
First Family has set the example by volunteering themselves. (Listen here for our recent Serve America Act Conference Call held with National Council of Nonprofits.)
funding opportunities.
according to a White House 
"DC is our home," according to a 
January: President Obama visited Sasha Bruce Youth Work during Inauguration weekend, rolling up his sleeves to volunteer, and encouraging America to do the same.