Arts-related fiscal sponsors to meet in July

Fractured Atlas is hosting a meeting for arts-related fiscal sponsors from 3 to 5 p.m. on July 13 at its 10th floor office at 248 W. 35th St. in New York City. Discussion topics will include best practices, legal considerations, advocacy efforts for connecting to funders and handling online donations. The fiscal sponsorship guidelines recently issued by the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors will also be discussed. Organizations outside of New York can join the discussion via Ustream video system. To participate, sign up for a free Ustream account by clinking on the RSVP link. For more information, contact Dianne Debicella, the fiscal sponsorship program director for Fractured Atlas, at (212) 277-8020, ext.204.

Community Initiatives issues annual report for FY09

While uncertainty reigned in the economy for both Community Initiatives and the nation, it was also a milestone year for the organization. Community Initiatives moved to new office space, rebranded under a new name (was Community Initiatives Fund), launched a new Website, converted to new accounting software, hired additional staff, and set out to overhaul its operational systems to provide better service to the 104 projects it fiscally sponsored in FY09. Community Initiatives’ annual report paints a picture of its activities, with lists of its projects and funders, in its report, which is accessible by clicking http://www.communityin.org/annual-report.html. For a paper copy, please contact prudy@communityin.org.

California nonprofit seeking participants

The producers of the 32-year-old Northern California Nonprofit Compensation and Benefits Survey are inviting California nonprofits to participate in the 2010 survey. The survey helps organizations set fair salaries and benefits, evaluate industry compensation standards for a range of positions, and budget and plan for the cost of adding staff. Formerly administered by the Center for Nonprofit Management, this year’s survey will be produced by Nonprofit Compensation Associates of Oakland, Calif. The survey has been renamed “Fair Pay for Northern California Nonprofits: The 2010 Compensation and Benefits Survey.” To take the survey, visit NCA at www.nonprofitcomp.com or call 510/645-1005.

New info on donor-advised funds

San Francisco attorney Greg Colvin, author of the fiscal sponsorship bible "Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do It Right," has new information on a 2006 tax law change that could affect projects that are also donor-advised funds. Although the IRS has not issued regulations interpreting the new statute, on his Web site Colvin provides his firm's take on the law's relevance to fiscal sponsors. He also provides a detailed definition of a donor-advised fund.

For the full text, go to www.fiscalsponsorship.com and click on "memo."

To be, or not to be — a 501(c)(3)

When should a new program go for its 501(c)(3)? When is it better off choosing a fiscal sponsor?

This is the nonprofit startup’s dilemma.

The answers are on attorney Gregory Colvin’s blog, fiscalsponsorship.com. Colvin is author of the seminal book on the topic, Fiscal Sponsorship: 6 Ways to Do It Right, and partner in Adler & Colvin in San Francisco.

He lays out the advantages of each mode of operation and compares them in a realistic context that can result in pragmatic decisions.

Foundation Center seeking data

The Foundation Center is collecting the most recent data available on U.S. foundation support in response to the economic crisis, offering the first look at how foundations are aiding nonprofits as they struggle with the fallout from the downturn. The Center is making this information publicly available in an interactive map on its Web site, and has already gathered information on more than $56 million in support -- 135 grants and program-related investments (PRIs) of approximately $22 million and $34 million, respectively. The map displays the data by state, county, city, ZIP code, or congressional district. New grants will be added to the map on an ongoing basis to provide the most current picture of foundation giving for programs and issues relating to the downturn. An RSS feed will deliver the latest grants lists to anyone who signs up at the Center's site. Grantmakers are encouraged to send announcements about grants or PRIs related to the economic crisis to Matthew Ross at mr@foundationcenter.org. This mapping resource is part of the Center's broader initiative to provide the latest information, news and research to shed light on the potential impact of the economic climate on the field of philanthropy. Visit "Focus on the Economic Crisis" at http://www.foundationcenter.org/focus/economy
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