Thank you to all who responded to our recent survey on the effects of the federal government shutdown. We heard from nonprofit organizations of varying types, budget sizes and locations throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

Here’s what we learned

~ Although just a little over 50% of survey respondents receive federal funding, the shutdown had an impact across the board.

~ It was encouraging to see almost 90% of respondents had operating funds in reserve, although only 40% of those had three months or more.

~ 50% of all respondents saw an increase in service needs during the shutdown, but only 30% had program supplies in reserve. Of those, 60% had to tap into their reserves.

~ Even more significant than the quantifiable stats was the immeasurable impact on nonprofits, families and the community.

“It is clear that a strong nonprofit sector is critical when our residents and communities are in crisis,” observes Glen O’Gilvie, CEO, Center for Nonprofit Advancement. “We are proud of the support our network provided and encourage a replenishment of reserves and greater coordination in preparation for any future challenges.”

Some of the impact stories shared:

“We provided a 5-day supply of groceries to over 400 furloughed government workers and contractors.”

“We saw a 10% increase in call volume to our 24/7 hotline; an increase in anxiety and stress for clients across all of our programs and services, especially those seeking federal assistance for basic needs like food and shelter.”

“Donors became clients. Donors terminated recurring monthly donations.”

“We have been providing additional food support for guests, including bags of full and frozen meals. And with the cold weather and ‘life threatening wind-chills,’ guests are requesting gloves, hand warmers and other essentials. The government shutdown is a reminder that many members of our community could be just a few paychecks from experiencing homelessness.”

“As an environmental organization headquartered in the DC region, we provide a lot of programming and stewardship of public lands. During the shutdown, we were unable to access Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, where we keep freshwater mussels for an education program. We have also responded to calls about trash and illegal dumping at federally-managed sites and worked with the city to remove more than 400 tires that were illegally dumped during the shutdown on National Park Service land.”

“… a sense of demoralization. Our constituency assumed/believed that the government was solid, an institution that could be trusted, relied on. There has been a definite sense of loss, hope and trust.”

These narratives deliver a clear reminder of the valuable and vital support nonprofits provide our communities.

Resources to share with your clients and those in need:

•  Metropolitan Washington Council of Government 
•  United Way National Capital Area
•  Helpline 2-1-1: This free and confidential helpline provides information about social, health and government resources, and connects callers to community resources in their local community. 2-1-1 is available in multiple languages 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and is available to callers in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.

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Every member of a nonprofit’s team has an important role in advocacy, even if it’s not included in their assigned responsibilities. If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit, then you are most likely passionate about its cause and in a prime position to advocate on its behalf. Whether you’re a regular at legislative hearings, or you just want to tell your friends why your nonprofit’s services are so valuable, having the right tools will help you deliver your message successfully.

Five key skills for excellence in advocacy:

Show your passion – How often have you been in a situation where someone is trying to pitch you on a product or idea and it’s obvious they don’t really believe in it themselves? The first thing you do is question their real motive. Next, you tune them out. As an advocate for your organization’s mission you’ll be effective when you let your passion for the cause shine through. This is one time when it’s great to wear your heart on your sleeve!

Know your subject – You need to make a case for your issue or cause, and you need to be able to respond to questions and objections. Know everything about what your nonprofit does, who it serves, how it makes an impact, so you can speak with authority. Not only will you be more effective, you’ll position yourself as an expert that your audience can rely on for the future.

Practice diplomacy – This one can sometimes be the hardest. When you are trying to win someone over, avoid getting angry and steer away from insults. As an advocate you want to build support for your cause. Skilled advocates understand the difference between stating a case and starting an argument. You’ll make more progress by practicing the art of patience and showing respect for differing opinions.

Be persistent – If diplomacy is the art of patience, persistence is the art of stamina. It doesn’t always come naturally – most of us are uncomfortable with confrontation. As an effective advocate, you’ll want to demonstrate an ability to overcome obstacles, avoid showing frustration, don’t be discouraged when success does not come easily and don’t give up.

Communicate well – Advocates often need to make their case around complex issues that may stir up strong reactions. Perhaps the most critical skill for excellence in advocacy is to be an effective communicator. Here is where practice is most important. If you need to speak in public, try stating your case in front of a friendly audience first and ask for constructive feedback. With written communications, get started early, organize your thoughts and make sure a fresh set of eyes reads what you’ve written before it goes out. Typos are not an advocate’s friend!

These key skills are ones we can all develop with a bit of practice. The more tools in your toolbox and the more you use them, the better you’ll be at doing a great job. Keep at it and you can help change the world!

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Two new positions are now open!

As we head into our 40th year, the Center plans to deepen our commitment and support of nonprofits in our region. To expand our outreach and advance our member services to the next level, the Center is adding two new staff members to our internal team.

Membership Associate
Communications Associate*

 

To apply: Send cover letter (REQUIRED) and resume to Taylor Strange.
*Communications Associate application also REQUIRES three (3) writing samples.

Application DEADLINE: 5:00pm on Monday, February 11, 2019.

Please help us spread the word. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply!

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We are happy to announce his recent promotion to Education and Special Programs Director.

In his new role, Sean will serve as Program Director of the Center’s AIM, EXCEL and Board Leadership Award competitions, as well as continue to develop goals for and manage the Center’s Training Hub. He will also work with the COO on special programs providing best practices and capacity building to nonprofits.

Sean joined the Center in August 2014 as an Education Associate and then advanced to Education and Programs Manager. He has been integral in coordinating, implementing and expanding the multiple training options available through the Center. He is considered by all to be a valuable asset to our team and to our members. Please join us in congratulating Sean on his promotion.

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In December 2018, the Center hosted a panel discussion in Prince William County entitled An Insider’s Perspective: Advocacy Efforts That Work!” The panelists included three individuals with extensive experience as staff to legislators. They shared some of their insider tips about how to make the most effective use of your time meeting with legislators to advocate for your mission and issues important to your organization.

The panelists were:

  • Philip Scranage, current Legislative Aide to Virginia State Senator Scott Surovell
  • Devon Cabot, current Vice President at Two Capitols Consulting, former Legislative Aide to Virginia State Senator Jeremy McPike and former Chief of Staff to Woodbridge District Supervisor Frank Principi (Prince William County Board of Supervisors)
  • Ross Snare, current Director of Government Affairs, Prince William Chamber of Commerce and former Legislative Aide to Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart, former Legislative Aide to Fairfax County Supervisor Pat Herrity and former Session Aide to Majority Caucus Chairman Delegate Tim Hugo.

Strategically timed to take place in advance of the Virginia legislative session convening in January, the event drew nonprofits from the Prince William County area. However, the information shared is relevant for all nonprofits looking to advocate with elected officials. So we wanted to share some of these key tips and advice from legislative “insiders”.

8 tips to strengthen your impact when meeting with elected officials:

  1. Most important – Come Informed! Before meeting with your legislator know where he/she stands on the issue you want to discuss. If it’s a specific bill, know the status of that bill and whether your legislator agrees or disagrees with your position. Know what committees the legislator sits on and whether or not the committee has already voted on that bill. (Don’t waste the legislator’s time or yours by advocating for a bill that has already died in committee!)
  2. Be a constituent of that legislator or have a constituent with you. Legislators want most of all to hear from constituents in their own district.
  3. Build coalitions: If your organization does not have constituents in a particular legislator’s district, consider partnering with another organization that does. Note: the panelists agreed this is an effective tactic that nonprofits often fail to utilize.
  4. Quantify the impact. Effective advocates will be able to combine personal stories with quantifiable evidence of how the issue they are discussing will impact lives.
  5. Bring a “one-pager” about your organization—what you do, who you serve and why it matters. Be sure the legislator’s staff knows how to follow up with you with any questions. Offer to provide testimony if relevant.
  6. Bring an appropriate number of people. Among topics discussed was whether or not it is effective to bring large groups of people served to an advocacy meeting. Since time is so limited (and offices are so small), large groups were seen as less effective in educating a legislator about the specifics of an issue. The panelists viewed this tactic as most effective in a) relationship building with the legislator and b) engaging the people you serve. They suggested that town halls are a great opportunity to bring a large group. Panelists also felt that calls and emails stating your position on an issue are more effective than petitions.
  7. Make sure you get the Legislative Aide’s business card before you leave!
  8. Build a relationship. Most of all, our insiders emphasized the importance of building a relationship with your legislator over time. Invite them to visit your organization. Show up at their town halls, follow them on social media and send them your announcements. As one panelist put it, “If the first time you’re talking to your legislator is in Richmond, you’re doing it wrong”.

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The Center is pleased to announce the creation of South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street.

 

Funded through a grant awarded by the District Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD), this new Main Street organization will utilize public-private partnerships and community volunteers to build on neighborhood assets and implement strategies to support and improve the business corridors in this area.

Targeted Riggs Park and Manor Park neighborhoods include:

  • South Dakota Avenue NE between Galloway Street and Riggs Road NE
  • Riggs Road NE between Chillum Place NE and the Metro tracks
  • 5600 Block 3rd Street NE and 5700 Block 2nd Street NE between Riggs Road and New Hampshire Avenue NE
  • 3rd Street NW between Rittenhouse Street and Sheridan Street NW

The founding Main Street Board of Directors includes leadership from the Lamond-Riggs and Manor Park communities:

Board Chair: Barbara Rogers, 2nd Vice President, Lamond-Riggs Citizens Association
Treasurer: Alison Brooks, Acting President, South Manor Neighborhood Association
Secretary: Rhonda Henderson, President, Manor Park Citizens Association

The Center will provide fiscal and organizational management, leadership and technical assistance for South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street.

The DC Main Streets Program is administered by DSLBD and the South Dakota Avenue/Riggs Road Main Street is proud to be located in Wards 4 and 5. The Main Street Leaders, Board of Directors and all at the Center are especially grateful to District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Ward 5 Council member Kenyan McDuffie and DSLBD Director Kristi Whitfield for the opportunity.

For more information, please email Glen O’Gilvie, CEO, Center for Nonprofit Advancement or call 202.457.0540

 

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A citywide campaign to promote volunteerism and mentoring among men of color

 

The Center for Nonprofit Advancement and Serve DC will partner again to implement Volunteer Generation Fund 2019 and build on the success of last year's VGF 2018. The program supports the initiative My Brother's Keeper DC—Strengthening Our Community, with the goal of increasing the number of volunteer men of color working with nonprofit organizations in the District.

Through a transparent and competitive process, five (5) Washington, DC nonprofit organizations that work with boys and young men of color will be selected to participate in the Volunteer Generation Fund. Selected organizations will receive three forms of assistance:

  • One-on-one technical assistance to improve the organization's volunteer management capacity, ultimately resulting in the creation of a project plan
  • Volunteer management training for staff and their lead volunteers
  • One-time grants of $10,000 to each selected organization for planning, building and launching unique volunteer recruitment campaigns for individuals that meet their predetermined organization short and long-term needs

The application is open to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization­—regardless of budget size or scope of programming—based in Washington, DC. (See eligibility details below.)

Participation in the VGF program is an eight (8) month commitment (see Program Session Dates below). Selected organizations will participate in ongoing consulting, training sessions and evaluations. By the end of the fiscal year, they will be responsible for • development of volunteer descriptions • assessment of the number of volunteers hours needed • tracking how many volunteers they are able to recruit and retain • tracking the number of hours of the volunteers and • evaluating the effectiveness of their recruitment campaign.

**Application Deadline has been EXTENDED to
5pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2019**

Apply online or download the Application and submit in person or by mail.

Notifications of awards will be January 31, 2019.

For more information, see below. Or download the Full Application Packet.

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With budget constraints tighter than ever, you may be thinking how can your nonprofit possibly afford to offer paid (or even unpaid) sabbaticals? But in today’s climate, the real question is how can you afford not to?

It’s common knowledge—those who work in the nonprofit sector are at high risk of burnout, especially at the leadership level. These dedicated individuals face impossible budgets, unrealistic expectations, staffing challenges, endless client needs, changing government regulations and a multitude of stressors that eat up each day. Even working incredibly long hours, there is little time left to reflect, innovate, gain fresh perspectives, monitor new trends, prepare for shifting politics and lead proactively into the future.

The sabbatical offers an effective and surprisingly feasible solution. Not only successful in relieving burnout and lowering turnover, sabbaticals can also strengthen capacity, sustainability and impact. And there are ways to make it work with budgets of all sizes.

Proven to be effective

The Durfee Foundation in California, one of a growing list of foundations supporting sabbaticals, has operated their program since 1997, financing more than 100 nonprofit leaders to take paid time off. They recently commissioned A 20-Year retrospective on the Durfee Foundation Sabbatical Program, revealing that “Very few capacity building interventions provide as much bang for the buck as the simple act of offering a sabbatical.”

Steve Park, CEO at Little Lights, sees the benefits after his recent experience. “The sabbatical gave me a chance to recharge and feel more refreshed and creative.” He adds, “My time off also gave the staff, especially our senior staff, an opportunity to step up and take on more responsibility for the organization and have more independence. I believe the organization is stronger as a whole because I was willing to let go and truly unplug”

Another study, written by TSNE’s Deborah Linnell and CompassPoint’s Tim Wolfred, also found that a well-planned sabbatical is productive for the entire leadership of an organization. Researchers surveyed 61 leaders at nonprofits with sabbatical programs. The majority claimed the time away allowed them space to generate new ideas and gain greater confidence in themselves as leaders.

Miriam’s Kitchen has had a program in place since 2010. “When I first approached the board about taking a sabbatical, they were not only receptive to the idea, they felt strongly that the opportunity should be extended to other staff as well,” comments Scott Schenkelberg, CEO, Miriam’s Kitchen. “We’ve found this to be very effective in developing and retaining high performing staff.”

7 top reasons to offer sabbaticals

There are several ways your organization can benefit from a sabbatical program, especially when made available to staff at all levels.

1. Lower turnover and reduce recruitment costs

Studies show that providing sabbatical leave actually breeds loyalty and encourages leaders to stay. It is also an attractive and valued employee benefit that can help with recruitment, and an effective retention tool in keeping high performing staff.

2. Stress test and strengthen organization team

Your team should not be so dependent on any one person that productivity grinds to a halt during an extended vacation or absence. When a staff member is on sabbatical and the rest of the team fills the gap, they learn new skills and tackle new responsibilities. It strengthens the team’s knowledge of what each other does, and makes them a more collaborative and productive group.

3. Cultivate stronger, more informed boards

Involving the board in the planning and implementation of a sabbatical program provides a key learning experience about the executive director’s role, leadership team responsibilities, and how the organization operates. It’s also an opportunity to enhance the collaborative relationship between the board and ED.

4. Groom transitional and future leadership

Whether at the executive or management level, sabbaticals can give aspiring leaders a chance to grow and showcase their skills. Organizations benefit by gaining a higher performing staff—studies show that interim leaders were more effective and responsible when the sabbatical takers returned. Sabbaticals also give nonprofits an opportunity to train and observe potential future leaders.

5. Enhance efficiency across the organization

Sabbaticals require a shuffling of responsibilities that inspires a fresh look at delegation. Often the result is a more efficient use of time and resources. “When you’re used to always doing certain things, you can be reluctant to delegate tasks to other staff—even when you should—because you don’t want to add to their plate,” says Schenkelberg. “After my sabbatical, some tasks did not return to my role, and I was able to be more efficient with my time, focusing my attention where needed most.”

6. Create healthier work habits

The purpose of sabbaticals is to refresh on every level—mentally, physically, emotionally, and readjust our view of what matters most in our lives. This renewed focus on a work-life balance can influence and enhance the culture of the entire organization.

7. Convey a positive message to your communities

Offering a sabbatical program shows your donors, funders and clients that your organization cares about and believes in its staff.

Making it work for your nonprofit

Financing sabbaticals does not have to break the budget. Some different approaches you can take include the following.

  • Acquire funding to support your sabbatical program. There are currently a few foundations, including the Meyer Foundation in Washington, DC, already funding sabbaticals, and the list is growing. You can also ask major donors to support the program, and use funding to cover the cost of overtime hours or interim staff.
  • Offer a sabbatical at half salary and hire an interim encore executive at half salary for the same length of time. A national survey of people ages 44 to 70 found that over half are either in or interested in encore careers that put their experience to work for the greater good.
  • Divide responsibilities among current staff. This option may offer the most benefit to your organization and the lowest financial investment. Miriam’s Kitchen uses this approach and gives those employees assigned additional responsibilities a 5% pay increase during the sabbatical time frame.

Get creative and come up with some other options by forming a team to research and develop a sabbatical policy and ways to fund the program.

Creating a policy

There are no set rules for creating a sabbatical program. Length of time off can vary from a month to six months or longer. Requirements during time off can range from allowing some career-focused pursuits to no work related activity at all. Staff eligibility can also vary. As burnout and stress are not exclusive to executive leaders, many organizations offer sabbatical leave to staff at all levels who meet performance and longevity criteria.

While there are no rules, there are some guidelines available that you can customize to fit your nonprofit. The Durfee Foundation has a Do-It-Yourself Sabbatical Guide with sample policies. Miriam’s Kitchen has also shared their policies in the Center’s Resource Center.

A tool worth implementing

As the stress and challenges of working in the nonprofit sector are unlikely to dissipate, creating a paid sabbatical program is definitely worth serious consideration. Dismissing this benefit on the assumption your nonprofit can’t afford it is a disservice to your organization. There are viable ways to manage the cost, and you’ll find that not only does the value far outweigh the investment, but also the impact can be surprisingly long-term.

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The good news about the 2018 mid-term elections is voter turnout was the highest it’s been for a mid-term in a very long time. In some cases, turnout approached the level of a Presidential election—voter engagement is a wonderful thing! But the campaigns themselves along with other events in the news (the pipe-bomb mailings, the massacre at the synagogue in Pittsburgh) also exposed just how deeply divided we are as a nation.

It is tempting to turn it all off, turn away, and try to just get on with our missions. But now is not the time! In fact, for nonprofits today, advocacy is mission-critical.

In her recent article published in the Nov. 17 issue of Nonprofit Quarterly, Yes, You Can—and Should! Nonprofit Advocacy as a Core Competency Dyana P. Mason wrote, “If any single sector is going to help respond to these critical debates and bring people together, it will be the nonprofit sector.”

For the most part, the nonprofit sector has avoided the erosion of trust that has occurred with many of our institutions, specifically because we are required to be nonpartisan (at least as long as the Johnson Amendment remains in effect). So for now, nonprofit organizations are positioned to remain above the fray.

As Mason states, “In turbulent times such as these, the nonprofit sector can help support and empower the communities they serve, provide backing for common-sense and evidence-based policy solutions, and remind policymakers of the issues facing our communities and country.”

With all our many and varied missions, nonprofits at their core are about making things better. We have played a leading role in many of our society’s most important advancements. And we are uniquely positioned to turn the discussion away from vitriol and toward the process of creating a better future.

So what should we be doing now?

First, stay engaged. Don’t turn away from the important debates of our time. Know the issues and how they relate to your mission. Be able to state your position, in a clear, calm and consistent voice.

Second, be an educator not a proselytizer. Nonprofits are firsthand witnesses to the impacts—good and bad—of public policy. Gather the facts, state them objectively, and share them widely with those you serve, your staff, your supporters, policy-makers and the general public.

Finally, create enthusiasm! Advocacy requires a lot of energy. Especially in the current volatile atmosphere. Build support and excitement by sharing a clear vision of the positive outcomes you are working toward. Help to energize your supporters by reminding them that change can and does happen when we work together.

The midterms are behind us and a new crop of elected officials is preparing to take their seats. They need to be educated and they need to hear from us. The communities we serve look to us for leadership, engagement and information about the issues that matter to them. In the new year to come, the nonprofit community’s opportunity to be a force for positive change in a divided world is in front of us.

As nonprofit advocates in a divided America what is our role? It’s everything.

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Those who attended this year’s sold out event were especially impressed with our featured guest, Soledad O’Brien.

 

Soledad sat down with Glen O’Gilvie, Center CEO, to talk about diversity, equity and inclusion, sharing insights from her professional experiences as a journalist, anchor and producer. She also took questions from the audience and graciously mingled with participants during the break.

Attendees heard from Phyllis Campbell Newsome Award winners, met EXCEL Award winners, caught up with colleagues and made new connections—all while dining on a delicious lunch in a bright, sunny setting with wall-to-wall windows.

Many shared favorable feedback, including one longtime Annual Celebration veteran, who claimed this year’s event to “be the best one yet.”

If you missed the event, check out the highlights and watch the video of Soledad on our Facebook!

 

 

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