Updates from the Volunteer Center

I always enjoy hearing from the Volunteer Center. Fay Mauro does such an incredible job of keeping everyone up to date on volunteer events and opportunities here in Anne Arundel County. Speaking of which, here is the current news from Fay. Maybe you will find something of value for YOUR nonprofit group!

1.         Foundation Center's Cooperating Collection Training in Annapolis Oct. 6^th

Anne Arundel County Public Library is now part of the Foundation Center’s network. A D.C.-based service, this partnership will provide a valuable collection of free resources for nonprofit organizations in Anne Arundel County that are seeking funding. On October 6, 2010, at 2 pm, the library staff will hold its first training session on how to effectively use these resources and identify potential funders. For more information about the Cooperating Collection at the Annapolis Area Library, call 410-222-1750, or visit the Annapolis Area Library for a first-hand look at all the new materials.

The Cooperating Collection includes Foundation Grants Online, which offers detailed descriptions of more than 8,300 foundation programs that fund students, artists, researchers and other individual grant seekers - and The Foundation Directory Online, which lists nearly 100,000 U.S. foundations and corporate donors, in addition to more than two million recent grants, and 500,000+ key decision makers. Also included are print directories, proposal-writing guides and other materials relevant to building and managing nonprofit organizations.

2.         AmeriCorps Funding in MD - Webinar  Oct 13^th or Info Session in Crofton Oct. 14^th

The webinar from 10 – 11 am on Oct. 13^th will include an overview of the Governors Office on Service & Volunteerism (GOSV)  and AmeriCorps in Maryland. It will help you understand, in broad strokes, what AmeriCorps is, if it is a good fit for your organization, and how to access AmeriCorps members and/or funding. The session is targeted to employees of government and nonprofit organizations.

The Public Information Session on Oct. 14^th from 3 – 5 pm at the Crofton Library, 1681 Riedel Rd. is targeted for new applicants interested in applying for the 2011 AmeriCorps*State Competitive Grant Cycle coming in December. Registration for both the webinar and the Info Session is required. Details available at http://www.gosv.state.md.us/

3.         MCDVS Elements Training, Oct. 15th

Are you a new volunteer coordinator looking for direction or are you a experienced volunteer administrator who could benefit from a refresher course? The Maryland Council of Directors of Volunteer Services  (MCDVS) is hosting its annual Elements Training to offer strategies on everything from creating your volunteer program to evaluating the final outcome. Join facilitators Karen McDonald, Volunteer Coordinator from Anne Arundel Department of Detention Facilities, and Consultant Georgianna Maszczenski. On Friday, Oct. 15^th from 8:30am-4pm at Oak Crest Retirement Community, 8800 Walther Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland $50 MCDVS members; $60 non-members. See www.mcdvs.org to register. For any questions, please contact Barb Wilt, bwilt@baltimorecountymd.gov

4.         Nominations Deadline is Oct 15^th for Volunteer Project Hall of Fame Awards

The 2010 Volunteer Project Hall of Fame Awards, sponsored by the Volunteer Center For Anne Arundel County and the Coordinators of Volunteers of Anne Arundel County, will honor volunteer projects that have had the most impact in Anne Arundel County and the City of Annapolis.  Nominations are invited for volunteer projects sponsored by local nonprofit or faith-based organizations, local businesses, governmental agencies and other groups.

Nominations must be completed and received by the Volunteer Center no later than October 15, 2010. Award winners will be announced at the Luncheon Celebration to be held at Yellow Fin Steak & Fish House in Edgewater, MD on Friday, November 5^th from 11:30 – 2 pm.  Erwin Abrams, past President of Hospice of the Chesapeake, consultant and long-time volunteer will be the keynote speaker. You can download nomination forms at www.VolunteerAnneArundel.org or contact Bill Crabbs at 410-897-9207 ot bill@volunteerannearundel.org

5.         AACC – Oct 15^th: Boards that Work in Challenging Times

The fall 2010 series of continuing education Nonprofit Leadership trainings offered by Anne Arundel Community College will hold a special half day program Friday October 15, 7:30am-12:45pm at the Arnold campus.  Boards that Work in Challenging Times ( CMD 396- 901) will address the necessity for boards and their directors/presidents to work together on developing goals and implement change to address a new economic reality.

The main program from 9am-12:45pm will feature Stacey Heckel, Director of AACC’s Community Foundation Office, speaking on critical operating issues facing nonprofits and building high performing boards using a strategic approach.  A pre-session 7:45am breakfast program will feature Director Molly Knipe Executive Director of The YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County. The breakfast program is hosted by Anne Arundel Women Giving Together, a local philanthropic organization support by The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County. The breakfast sponsor is the AACC Foundation office.

 Registration is $50.00 and open thru October 8^th. . For further information or assistance in registering contact the College at 410 777 2325. A limited number of scholarships are available through the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County for persons interested in attending the program. Scholarship information is available by visiting www.cfaac.org .  

6.         Office Depot Foundation Grants (Deadline: November 15)
The Foundation's funding focus includes: Making a Difference in Children's Lives - to support activities that serve, teach and inspire children, youth and families; Building Communities - to support civic organizations and activities that serve the needs of our community; and Disaster Relief - to support disaster relief efforts of recognized national, regional and local agencies, and to provide disaster relief to Office Depot associates who have experienced catastrophic loss. An online eligibility survey and grant application can be found on the Grant Making Guidelines page. Applications are retrieved on a monthly basis and are reviewed by a committee. Please allow at least 12 weeks after you submit your completed application before you receive a response. Grant amounts will be a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $3,000 (very limited). The majority of grants issued are in the vicinity of $1,000 and are supported by in-kind donations when inventory allows. The Office Depot Foundation will accept applications for the current funding cycle through November 15, 2010. Learn more at: http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?llr=otshzucab&et=1103733188683&s=6555&e=001977EQh-Qsb7Qvww1xems8q2EG0mbs1-12NibCEkJz7o7Omz4dVJuN2xl3k-KgabQ3QyJvc2OggoTg-vMIPlJq3vHrkiS0qBVAO6HikyiHyRqph5svUc4eigd1pc0hI5DK8QGNIeGhq2P0TugO8VRgA==

7.         Do You Know a Small Organization at Risk of Losing Its Exempt Status

You can help to prevent tax-exempt organizations in your community from losing their tax exemption.  Tax-exempt organizations, except churches and church-related groups, that fail to file for three consecutive years automatically lose their tax-exempt status. The IRS is providing one-time relief to allow small tax-exempt organizations to come back into compliance by October 15, 2010, and retain their tax-exempt status even though they failed to file for three consecutive years. If an organization loses its exemption, it will have to reapply to regain its tax-exempt status. Any income received between the revocation date and renewed exemption may be taxable.

The IRS has published a list of over 300,000 organizations at risk of losing their exemption because the IRS has no record of their filing for 2007, 2008 or 2009.  

If you are a volunteer, member or just a friend of an organization at risk of losing its exemption, please alert the organization and encourage it to go to www.irs.gov/charities/article/0  and find out how the organization can come back into compliance today.