Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Introduction to Earned Income Strategies

Hi CLCs, ... this just in, FYI.
Best,
Liz


Save the Date: Thursday, May 24, 2007, 2:30 – 4:30 PM

Nonprofit Consultants Network presents:

Social Enterprise : Enhancing the Mission , Generating Revenue

Increasingly, nonprofit organizations are advancing their missions through a variety of business ventures. These organizations seek to diversify their revenue streams in order to achieve sustainability. For example, museums expand their merchandising business; public radio stations promote vehicle donation programs; community-based organizations manage catering businesses, laundromats, or revolving loan funds. “Social entrepreneurship” is a trend that is catching the eye of nonprofit leaders. Some of these activities have a clear fit with the organizations’ missions. Other activities have only a peripheral connection to the mission and pose a variety of risks. Our program will feature researchers and practitioners in the social entrepreneurship arena who will share their successes and lessons learned.

Come join us on Thursday, May 24th, 2:30 – 4:30 PM at the offices of The Philanthropic Initiative, 160 Federal Street , Boston . Learn what is happening here and around the country, and participate in a lively discussion.

A detailed agenda and list of speakers will follow in the coming weeks. A nominal fee of $10 will be charged to defray refreshment and other costs.

Questions? Please call Mark Dyer at 781-652-0380.

The Nonprofit Consultants Network was formerly the Network of Consultants for Excellence in Nonprofits. NCN’s new name and activities will be featured on a new website to be launched soon.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Profits with a Purpose

I recently learned of an amazing and high-performing nonprofit business venture. Actually a bunch of ventures, all earning profits, which in turn create a stream of support for a job training program that works with former gang members in LA. Whether it's their baked goods or their tattoo removal service, these guys are in the business of doing good.

You might look at the Homeboy Industries website and immediately think of ten reasons why you can't do what they've done. Before you click away, though, here are a couple of key points to consider:

Their grant application for public funding in 2006 was in a crowded field and got a mediocre score. Their first business failed. Their real second chance came from a relatively small grant:
$160,000.

Also, note that Homeboy Industries has a really easy and compelling message: "Jobs not jail." Simple, yes. More importantly, hard to argue with the implied logic. And most importantly, easy for an "outsider" -- that is, a potential donor/supporter/customer to grasp without a lecture on economic development, schools and the criminal justice system or the cruel and complex funding realities behind them.

So, have a look! Since some of you are no doubt entertaining ideas and some of you may be operating businesses (small or large) to create funds for your program, I'd love to hear your reaction, thoughts, inspirations or doubts.

Here is an episode of Fresh Air featuring the priest who is behind the whole success story. And to get you started on your own successful journey, consult this easy to use workbook offering a guide to starting a social venture, including an easy and short list of what elements you'll need in your business plan.

all the best,
Liz O'Connor

Friday, February 16, 2007

Inviting Other Bloggers

Dawn is asking a great question about how your sustainability partners can view the resources on this blog.

If anyone types in the URL address into their browser: http://ma21cclc.blogspot.com, the blog will come up with all the active links and resources. Just drop me a note if you find that is not the case.

We are glad that you are finding the sustainability resources useful. We'll be adding more information regularly and if you have a link to share, just let me know.

Cheers,

Deb

Can Partners Join the Blog?

Hi Folks. My first time on a blog. Thanks for all the support with sustainability! Can I allow some of my sustainability partners access to this blog? How do I invite them? There are some great web site connections here that they may want to follow-up on them.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

Where is My Funder?

Thanks to all of the 21st Century CLC participants who attended the two DOE sponsored grant development workshops earlier this month; it was a pleasure to meet each of you and learn about your challenges, your successes and your ideas for sustaining your programs at the conclusion of federal funding.

As we discussed in the second workshop, prospecting for the right set of funders is equally important to writing good grants. It is also a bit complicated as most of the information you need is not found in one place.

What do you need to identify a good prospect? You need to know that the funder is interested in your mission (seeks to make the change you are creating in the world) but also you need to know where, when and how they make contributions (more accurately, investments) in nonprofits as partners in making that change.

We discussed using the Foundation Center's Foundation Directory Online as a tool. The Associated Grantmakers of Massachusetts also maintains a database which is helpful. Here is a listing, courtesy of www.agmconnect.org which shows where you can access these databases [see below].

When you access them, try searching by putting the name of your town/city into the Keyword box. This enables you to find grantmakers who prefer to give in your specific location and can yield some lesser known family and corporate foundations.


Boston:
Martha Moore
Associated Grant Makers
55 Court Streets, Suite 520
Boston, MA 02108
617-426-2606 x16
www.agmconnect.org

Boston:
Marta Pardee-King
Boston Public Library
Social Sciences Dept.
700 Boylston St
Boston, MA. 02116
617-859-2261
www.bpl.org

Cape Cod:
Jean Marie Frasier
Cape Cod Community College
2240 Iyannough Rd.
West Barnstable, MA 02268
508-362-2131 x4343

New Bedford:
Gabrielle Simmons
Community Foundation of Southeastern Mass.
227 Union St., Suite 609
New Bedford, MA 02742
508-996-8253
www.cfsema.org

Access to AGM Directory Database Only

Lowell:
Peter Bull Lowell Telecommunications Corporation
246 Market Street
PO Box 803
Lowell, MA 01853-0803
978-458-5400 x11
www.ltc.org

Springfield:
Western Mass Funding Resource Center
Alumnae Library, Elms College
291 Chicopee St.Chicopee, MA 01012
413-265-2280
www.diospringfield.org/wmfrc

Access to FC Search Only

Pittsfield:
Berkshire Athenaeum
1 Wendell Ave
Pittsfield, MA 02201
413-499-9480

Worcester:
Jane Peck
Grants Resource Center
Worcester Public Library
160 Freemont Street
Worcester, MA 01608
508-799-1654
www.worcpublib.org

Monday, February 12, 2007

Have a Grantwriting Question?

Reviewing all the materials from the grantwriting training series held on February 2 and February 9? Have a burning question?

Post it here and Liz will respond as the virtual "Dear Abby" of the grantwriting set. We look forward to your questions as well as your own successful grantwriting tips.

AGM Diversity Fellowship - Due April 12, 2007

Know anyone who would be interested in a fellowship? AGM once again is sponsoring a class of Diversity Fellows who are interested in taking 9 months to hone their leadership skills to advance and promote philanthropy. The application deadline is April 12, 2007.

Click here: http://www.agmconnect.org/About/DiversityFellowship.aspx for more information about the eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions. This could be a great opportunity for someone in your 21st CCLC network.

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Grantwriting Trainings Huge Success

Based on the feedback we received from participants, the two-part Grantwriting Training series was a huge success. Many were impressed with not only the quality of the information but also with Liz O'Connor's (President of Strategy Matters) presentation style. She successfully was able to talk about effective grantwriting strategies and used real life examples of what worked or what did not work to chase the ever elusive grant dollar. We hope the grantwriting process seems a little less mysterious and intimidating as a result.

I'll be analyzing the evaluation results this coming week to review with Karyl. Based on this, we'll be proposing other related grantwriting trainings that will help meet your sustainability needs.

Stay tuned for more details.

~ Debra McLaughlin

Thursday, February 8, 2007

Welcome!

Welcome to the Massachusetts 21st CCLC Sustainability Blog! We want to use this forum to provide the tips, tools, resources and strategies that will help you effectively sustain your 21st CCLC efforts.

In addition to providing links of interest, we want to create a place where you can share your questions, concerns, frustrations, and successes. We can all learn from each other about what works to enrich the lives of children and youth across the Commonwealth when they are not in school.

If you have any questions about the blog, please contact Debra McLaughlin, Managing Partner, The Kunnusta Group at dmclaughlin@kunnusta.com or 617.792.3173.

Karyl Resnick, Coordinator
21st CCLC Program
Massachusetts Department of Education