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Rich Tips is a free electronic newsletter published by Richard Male & Associates (RMA), a nonprofit consulting firm. Please send any suggestions or comments to editor@richardmale.com. Please give us a hand with our next Rich Tips issue on why grant requests are declined. Send your tips on this topic to editor@richardmale.com. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- This week's tips: Tips on Gift Acceptance Policies During the past 15+ years there has been a subtle but important shift in how corporations distribute their dollars to support nonprofit organizations. It started in Alaska when Exxon spilled millions of gallons of oil into the precious habitat of a vast variety of fish and wildlife and caused a disaster of major proportions. Exxon soon realized how vulnerable they were to the impact of the American consumers who began to boycott their gas stations and products. On the heels of this, two international marketing firms, Cone and Roper, began a study into the buying habits of the American consumer. The Cone and Roper study revealed that 85 to 95 percent of the American population would rather purchase goods from a company they perceived as a good corporate citizen. This is a simplified history of the trends in corporate giving, but essentially corporations are tying their giving not necessarily into charitable donations, but to marketing and advertising dollars. By law, corporations are permitted to grant up to 10 percent of their pre-tax dollars to philanthropy — most corporations give around 1 percent. The growth area by far is in marketing dollars that sometimes total 20 percent of the corporate budget. Corporations are interested in using these dollars as a way to penetrate new markets and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. The nonprofit becomes the credible vehicle between the corporation and the customers, which are the members and constituencies of the nonprofit organization. Are there risks involved? You bet there are! Should you go into these relationships cautiously? You bet you should! During the past three or four years, Richard Male & Associates has helped a number of national associations and larger statewide organizations develop gift acceptance policies. A gift acceptance policy is an “ethical screen" that helps guide the organization in terms of the kinds of money it will accept and under what circumstances. It is a formal policy, passed by the board of directors, which looks strategically and ethically at the issue of corporate sponsorships and strategic partnerships. Here are some tips to help you develop your very own “ethical screen” to corporate giving: 1. The primary reasons for developing a formal gift acceptance policy are: -to have a consistent policy so the individuals negotiating with the corporations know the bottom line; and -so the organization does not get into "hot water" by taking money from companies that are not consistent with its mission or the values of its constituency. 2. Some of the internal reasons for passing a gift acceptance policy are: -it identifies potential conflicts of interest; and -protects the individuals who are handling the fundraising with corporations. 3. There are generally three questions most organizations should ask when developing this policy: 1. What is the impact of this partnership on the mission of the organization; 2. What is the impact on the organization's ability to perform its work; and 3. What is the impact on the stakeholders of the organization (board, volunteers, constituency, funders, community)? One of our organizations decided not to take money from Coors Brewing Company, not because the money was "dirty" or because they sell alcohol products, but because the organization felt that some of their national funders would object. 4. Some of the core mission questions that are relevant to ask include: Will any specific gift alter our organization's core mission? How far from the organization's core mission is our circle of acceptance? Will any specific gift alter the organization's ability to carry out its planned programs? 5. Determine in exactly what way you are supporting the company's need for visibility. Companies are interested in forming relationships/partnerships with nonprofits to gain something. Be clear what that something is. Are they looking to just sponsor one of your events? Do they want access to your membership? (And if so, to what extent?) Do they want a logo on your web site? 6. Involve a board/staff committee to develop the gift acceptance policy. Use the gift acceptance policy as an educational and learning opportunity for your board and staff to clarify your values and to screen dollars coming into the organization. Sometimes the dollars are not worth the trade-off that is required by the corporation. 7. Incorporate a conflict of interest policy where you analyze the business and personal interests of your board members, officers, professional advisors, and others. An organization we've worked with was receiving money from real estate companies; however, one of the board members was a realtor who wanted to buy property at a "discount" for the organization. He was on the board and stood to make thousands of dollars. Be very careful about potential conflicts of interest and incorporate them into the gift acceptance policy. 8. Form a disclosure and oversight committee to make sure that on an annual basis all of the board members, officers, and advisors, sign a disclosure form to protect the organization. 9. Most organizations design gift acceptance policies geared toward large corporations; however, organizations also (and more commonly) ask neighborhood businesses, small retail stores, and restaurants for in-kind contributions for special events. Generally, these smaller businesses don't create issues that the larger corporations create, but even if you're only requesting funds or in-kind donations from small and local businesses, it's a good idea to have a gift acceptance policy in place. 10. Remember that in most cases businesses will be highly ethical and won't overstep their boundaries; however, it's very important to have a policy that protects the leadership from getting into situations that can cause political issues down the line. ------------------------------------------------------------- New Grant Opportunities Community College Transfer Scholarship Program (National) The Community College Transfer Scholarship Program is designed to assist community college students of Hispanic heritage obtain a bachelor's degree. It is available to community college students with concrete plans to transfer to a four-year institution the following academic year. Award amounts generally range from $1,000 to $2,500. For detailed information go to: http://www.hsf.net/scholarship/programs/cctransfer.php Coral Reef Conservation Projects The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is accepting proposals for projects that build public-private partnerships to reduce and prevent degradation of coral reefs and associated reef habitats (e.g. seagrass beds, mangroves etc.). Projects may address causes of coral reef degradation wherever they occur, from coastal watersheds to the reefs and surrounding marine environment. Proposals should support partnerships that provide solutions to specific problems to help prevent coral reef degradation through one or more of the following activities: Reducing impacts from pollution and sedimentation; Reducing impacts from over-harvesting and other fishing activities; Reducing impacts of recreational uses, tourism, and boating; Restoring damaged reefs or associated reef habitats; Increasing community awareness through education and stewardship activities. For detailed information go to: http://www.nfwf.org/programs/coralreef.htm Environmental Research and Education Foundation The Foundation awards several grants each year for research or education in topics pertaining with any aspect of solid waste management. Project topics could deal with any aspect of the following: Waste generation rates and composition; Waste minimization; Collection and transport; Sorting, recycling, and remanufacture; Disposal options (e.g. landfilling or incineration); Waste or energy recovery (e.g., composting, landfill gas to energy); Innovations in collection and transportation equipment development; Employee health and safety; Sustainability or resources; Life-cycle assessment of waste management; Educating corporate customers in purchasing environmentally preferable waste services; and Development of high school and college educational programs. For detailed information go to: http://www.erefdn.org/guide.html HSF/Coca-Cola Advancing to Universities Scholarship Program This program, offered in partnership with the Coca-Cola Foundation, is available to students attending specific community colleges in the U.S. Awards generally range from $1,000 to $2,000. For detailed information go to: http://www.hsf.net/scholarship/programs/cocalcola.php The Dyson Foundation The Dyson Foundation awards grants in several different program areas that each have specific guidelines. For example, unsolicited proposals or inquiries are not considered in certain program areas. Mid-Hudson Valley: Grants made in this program area seek to improve and enhance the quality of life in the Mid-Hudson Valley of New York State. This includes Management Assistance Program mini-grants for consultants and training, cash flow loans, and technology planning. This is the only program area for which proposals are accepted. Anne E. Dyson Community Pediatrics Training Initiative: A national initiative aimed at developing pediatric professionals who are dedicated to community-based medicine and child health advocacy. Legacy & Family Interest: Grants made in this program area are awarded to organizations or toward issues that are of particular interest to members of the family of the Foundation's president, Robert R. Dyson. Directors' Discretionary Program: Members of the Board of Directors and Officers have the opportunity to direct a certain amount of grant funding to eligible nonprofit organizations of their choosing. For detailed information go to: http://www.dysonfoundation.org/programareas/programareas.htm Harry Chapin Media Awards The Harry Chapin Media Awards, formerly the World Hunger Media Awards, were created in 1982 to encourage the media to tell the stories of hunger and poverty. The HCMAs honor print and electronic media for outstanding coverage of hunger and poverty and the underlying root causes of these problems. This includes work on economic inequality and insecurity, unemployment, homelessness, domestic empowerment, sustainable development, food production, agriculture, nutrition and the struggle for land. The awards honor print and electronic media for outstanding coverage of hunger and poverty issues, thereby offering distinction and prestige to independent and mainstream journalists alike. Former Winners Include The Associated Press, Business Week, St. Petersburg Times, The New York Times, CNN, Glamour, The Los Angeles Times, and The Sacramento Bee. For detailed information go to: http://www.worldhungeryear.org/media_center/hcma_criteria.asp Charles W. Finley Visiting Scholar Education Grants Grants are awarded to accredited U.S. periodontal programs to offset honoraria, travel, promotion, and seminars by speakers in periodontology. The grants must be matched by funds from each department or institution. Though the speakers will spend the majority of their time with the periodontics department, both students and faculty, the grant requires that the speaker present a formal program to the faculty and students of the institution on a subject of interest to the entire dental institution. For detailed information go to: http://www.perio.org/foundation/research.html Lance Armstrong Foundation Spirit of Survivorship Award The Lance Armstrong Foundation annually presents the Carpe Diem awards to honor individuals who have made a significant impact on the world of cancer survivorship. The program invites nominations for the Spirit of Survivorship award, which recognizes a cancer survivor who demonstrates a resilient attitude toward his or her illness and inspires others to live life to the fullest. For detailed information go to: http://www.laf.org/ General Mills Champions The American Dietetic Association Foundation, the President's Challenge, and the General Mills Foundation are partnering to improve youth nutrition and fitness through the General Mills Champions program. The initiative consists of grants to community-based groups as well as three additional components: sponsorship of the President's Active Lifestyle Awards, developing nutrition and fitness mentoring models, and sharing best practices. The goal of the program is to encourage communities in the United States to improve the eating and physical activity patterns of young people, ages 2-20. The General Mills Foundation will award fifty $10,000 grants to not-for-profit organizations with innovative programs that help youth develop good nutrition and fitness habits. Grants will be awarded to 501(c)(3) and 509(a) not-for-profit organizations and agencies working with communities that demonstrate the greatest need and likelihood of sustainable impact on young people's nutrition and activity levels. For detailed information go to: http://www.generalmills.com/corporate/commitment/champions.aspx Reading in America Reading in America is an Endowment initiative to revitalize the role of literature in American popular culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens. Reading in America will include the following components: City Reads. Model City Reads projects in six diverse U.S. cities (two large, two medium, and two small) in 2005. City Reads programs are community-wide reading initiatives. A community selects a book for the entire community to focus upon; prepares study guides and publicity materials; presents a series of public events about the featured book, including book group discussions, readings, and media programs; and collects information about types and numbers of book readers and participants in community book events. Literary Landmarks. New or expanded reading related literary events held at up to four Literary Landmarks (sites that have a connection to great American creative writers), including National Park Service sites. The sites may be privately owned or administered by the National Park Service. Literary Landmarks events will be book festivals featuring authors and scholars providing readings of poetry, fiction, and biographical information about featured authors. There will also be special activities for families. Literary Landmarks events will serve the dual purpose of bringing added national attention to these historic sites and stimulating increased interest in the literary works of the featured authors. For detailed information go to: http://www.arts.gov/grants/apply/RFP/ReadingInAmerica.html Conservation Innovation Grants NRCS will accept applications for single- or multi-year projects, not to exceed three years, submitted to NRCS from eligible entities, including Federally-recognized Indian Tribes, State and local governments, and non-governmental organizations and individuals. The purpose of CIG is to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies while leveraging Federal investment in environmental enhancement and protection, in conjunction with agricultural production. CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) into NRCS technical manuals or guides, or to the private sector. Applications are solicited for the full range of natural resource conservation concerns detailed in the request for proposals. Applications are accepted from all 50 States, the Caribbean Area (Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands), and the Pacific Basin Area ( Guam , American Samoa , and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands ). Proposal submissions to NRCS National Headquarters must be accompanied by a letter of review from the appropriate NRCS State Conservationist(s). Complete applications will be evaluated by a technical peer review panel and scored based on the Criteria for Proposal Evaluation identified in this RFP. Scored applications will be forwarded to a Grant Review Board. The Grant Review Board will make recommendations for project approval to the Chief. Final award selections will be made by the Chief. Grant awards will be made from the NRCS National Office after the grantee agrees to the terms and conditions of the NRCS grant agreement. For detailed information go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cig/
Federal Grant Opportunities (if any of the following grants sound appealing, please contact Mourene Tesler to learn more about the application procedure - mtesler@tcg-systems.com) ------------------------------- None today. ----------------------------------------------------------- Other Announcements So You've Got a Web Site... Now What? -------------------- CANPO Recruiting, Retaining and Motivating Quality Staff
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