Marian Wright Edelman, Founder and President of the Children's Defense Fund, will be speaking at Battell Chapel (New Haven) this coming Sunday, April 2, at 11am. Posted by lcruz@cfgnh.org.

Charter meeting of Greater New Haven Development Roundtable!

Development staff of regional nonprofit organizations are invited to stop by on Wednesday morning, April 19, for coffee and discussion with your peers. The Greater New Haven Development Roundtable is a new forum to discuss issues, challenges, problems, triumphs—WHATEVER—in an informal monthly session. Participants will determine direction & uses of this forum. $2 coffee donation. Please register at 946-7431.
Where: New Haven Public Library, 133 Elm St. (use Temple St. entrance)
When: Wed., April 19, 9-10am

Christian Community Action is participating in Anti-Hunger Challenge

Christian Community Action is seeking donations of nonperishable food items and cash during April as part of the Ninth Annual Alan Shawn Feinstein Foundation Anti-Hunger Challenge. All donated food items will be valued at $1 apiece for the match from the Foundation, with the final amount being determined using a formula that compares what CCA raises with what is raised by other similar agencies nationwide. Pickup can be scheduled for large donations. Details: CCA Development Office, 777-7848 x 112.

Mayor's Annual Community Arts Grant Program changes funding schedule

City of New Haven Office of Cultural Affairs announces that guidelines and applications for the 2007 Mayor's Community Arts Grants Program will be available in August, with workshops to be scheduled for September. The new program funding cycle will run January 1-December 31, 2007. Details: Kim Futrell 946-7172 or kfutrell@newhavenct.net.

Washington state requires electronics & computer companies to recycle old equipment

WA's landmark environmental legislation calls for statewide electronics recycling program by June 2009. California, Maine and Maryland also require some form of electronics recycling (CA imposes a recycling fee on new computer/TV purchases), and 19 states are considering legislation.

Last year, businesses and individuals in the United States replaced 65
million personal computers and discarded 130 million cellphones. Some 20-24 million televisions and computers are stored in homes and offices because
their owners do not know how to dispose of them properly... Discarded TVs and PCs can contain as much as 8 pounds of lead, as well as mercury, cadmium and other substances that are harmless when part of a piece of equipment but a health risk when they reach a landfill. (source: NYTimes 3/26/06 )

Obviously no small problem. For CT recycling information, visit CT Dept. of Environmental Protection at http://dep.state.ct.us/wst/recycle/elecrecy.htm.

Food Stamp Outreach Coalition offers outreach best practices at www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/coalition.

PeaceJam=Nobel Peace Prize winners+youth

PeaceJam is an international education program that brings young people together with Nobel Peace Prize winners who share their spirit, skills and wisdom. Through interacting with these master-peacemakers, youth become committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world. Since its launch in 1996, over 200,000 youth worldwide have participated in PeaceJam’s programs for high school, middle school and elementary school-aged youth. In the process, they have created over 300,000 community service projects. And now, PeaceJam is coming to the Northeast.

Interested teens from grades 9-12 and adults who are interested in setting up PeaceJam programs are invited to the PeaceJam Northeast Kickoff on April 29. Learn how to

• Meet with 12 Nobel Peace Prize winners at PeaceJam's 10th Anniversary Conference September 15-17, 2006.
• Bring PeaceJam to your school, community or religious organization.

When: April 29, 10:30 – 4:30
Where: New Haven Friends Meetinghouse, 225 E. Grand Ave., New Haven
For more information and to download a registration form, visit www.NextGenLeaders.org or call 687-4340.

Risk Management Conference co-sponsored by Connecticut Association of Nonprofits

WHAT: Financial, HR and Contract Risks , plus Litigation Survival
WHEN: Tuesday, May 9, 8-4 pm
WHERE: Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center, Sturbridge MA
WHO: Nonprofit CEOs, HR managers, CFOs and finance staff, boardmembers
Register at http://nonprofitrisk.org/training/2006/region/ma/ma_reg1.htm

Grantwriting Software Now Available at Library

Research Associates' CD-Rom walks you through 11 steps in the grant writing process. Available for check-out!

Are you a member of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce?

Did you think the GNHCC is just about business? The current membership list includes about 250 community organizations from the region, and attendance at the monthly Not-For-Profit Resource Council Meetings at Chamber headquarters is averaging 45. If you are a member, you will meet representatives from an incredibly wide range of regional nonprofits. You will also find yourself getting to know business leaders and professionals through frequent informal, popular gatherings. I don't know of any other regional organization that provides so many opportunities for networking across sectors!

The annual GNHCC membership drive is currently underway, and until April 1 new members will enjoy special rates. The GNHCC provides so much support and energy to our region's economic and social health--can you afford not to be part of it? For membership details please call Janet Testa at 782-4323 or 787-6735.

Caution Urged for Executives Seeking Spots on Nonprofit Boards

The Council for Nonprofit Innovation reports a recent trend in which many private and government executives serve on the boards of nonprofits. The Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel recently advised government employees to be mindful of the appearance or fact of ethical violations if an employee serves at an organization that is related to their government employment. Full article at: http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=33234&dcn=todaysnews .

Empower New Haven Receives Energy and Environmental Award

Executive Director Althea Richardson will be honored for her efforts in partnering with United Illuminating and the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce to focus on energy conservation in the New Haven Empowerment Zones. Empower New Haven's initiative saved over 200,000 kilowatt-hours in the Empowerment Zones while emphasizing how customers can help themselves. This and several other awards will be presented to United Illuminating small business customers on March 17 at 9:30 am, at the Community Crusade for Children, 36 River St., New Haven. Details: Dennis O'Connor (203) 499-3715 or Dennis.O'Connor@uinet.com.

Consider Tech Soup for Steep Nonprofit Discounts on New Technology Purchases

Tech Soup offers hundreds of leading technology products to nonprofit organizations for small administrative fees, thanks to generous donations and discounts from corporate partners such as Cisco, Microsoft, & Symantec. There is no membership fee. www.techsoup.org.

Get Your Event Listed in the Greater New Haven Summer Calendar

All events in New Haven that will take place between June 1- Oct. 31 are eligible for publication in Summer Calendar of Events which is delivered throughout the region by The Greater New Haven Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Town Green Special Services District and Market New Haven. Send your information to daisy@downtownnewhaven or fax to 401-4249 at the Town Green Special Services District by Monday, April 3.
Format as follows:
Event Date. Event Name. Brief description (30 words or less). Event location & address. Hours for each day of event. Cost of admission or free. Public phone number with area code (required). Organization’s web address.

Independent Sector, a Washington, D.C.-based coalition of philanthropic organizations dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector, has announced that the value of a volunteer hour was $18.04 in 2005, up 49 cents from a year earlier. Full report: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/news/story.jhtml?id=134800043 (forwarded by consultant Bob Hilliard)

Research Associates Grantwriting Software on sale through March 31

A 50% discount is available on grantwriting software, available for $29.50 from www.grantexperts.com until March 31. Or you can check it out for the cost of a library card (FREE) --we have two copies at the library ready for special circulation.

4000 New Haven residents can obtain discounted heating oil, thanks to a city-brokered partnership with nonprofit Citizens Energy Corporation of Boston and CITGO Petroleum Corporation. Eligible households will be notified by Community Action Agency. More information is available at (877) 291-1-OIL. CITGO will also donate 54,000 gallons of heating oil to CT homeless shelters during March and April; info at (617) 338-6300.

The Chronicle of Philanthropy reports that the nonprofit sector in the US is growing (http://www.philanthropyjournal.org). Highlights of recent report from National Council of Nonprofit Associations:

• More than 2/3 of US nonprofits have assets of less than $25,000 and so are not required to file reporting documents with the IRS.
• Combined assets of those that do report were $1.76 trillion in 2003, up from $866 billion in 1993
• 2003 nonprofit expenditures totaled almost $945 billion in 2003, or about 9% of US GDP
• 1/3 of all nonprofit groups are in human services
• 5% held more than $10 million in assets each, but 2/3 of total had assets under $1 million.
• CA and NY had the most reporting nonprofits
• Nonprofit hospitals account for less than 2% of nonprofits, but hold combined assets representing almost 30% of sector's assets.
• There are about 66,000 reporting private foundations in the US, which doubled since 1993
• Combined assets reached $476 billion in 2003, up 150% over previous decade
• Total giving almost tripled to more than $30 billion.
• The largest 10 US foundations held a total of $93 billion in assets (1/5 of all foundation assets) and distributed more than $4 billion, almost 15% of all foundation giving.
• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation topped the list in 2003, with assets of $26.8 billion and giving of almost $1.2 billion.
• The Lilly Endowment had more than $10.8 billion in assets and $462 million in giving, followed by the Ford Foundation, with about $10 billion in assets and $432 million in giving.
• Average donation for people itemizing their tax deductions in 2003 was $3,283, with WY claiming the highest average, $6,273 per person, and VT posting the lowest, $2,149.
• UT residents who itemize donated 7.5% of their income to charity in 2003, more than any other state, while those from VT, NH and RI gave 2.5%, lower than all other states.

Full 9-page report at http://www.ncna.org/_uploads/documents/live/us_sector_report_2003.pdf

Success By 6 priority goals are to improve the quality of early care and education experiences for all children in the region and to educate and support parents and primary caregivers in their role as their child's first teacher. Target population is children birth to six and their parents and primary caregivers (including custodial siblings, grandparents and foster parents). All applications must be filled out on "eCFund," United Way's online application tool, and are due April 19, 2006. More details under Regional Opportunities, below, or visit http://www.uwgnh.org/.

National funding opportunities

Learn.com offers a $50million software grant program to improve e-learning programs at elementary schools, universities and vocational schools.Apply by May 31: www.learn.com.

A wide variety of educational and community groups and government agencies are eligible for $5000 Nat'l Dairy Council's 3-A-Day Dairy Nutrition Grants targeting children ages 9-18. Apply by March 31: www.nationaldairycouncil.org. Also apply by March 31 for Kraft Community Nutrition Program, which encourages capacity building in food banks, food-rescue and -gleaningorganizations. http://164.109.46.215/responsibility/cc_rfp_calendar2006.aspx.

Letter of intent due by April 1 to Weyerhaeuser Family Foundation Children's Initiative, funding local programs that serve young children. www.wfmilyfoundation.org.

The CVS/Pharmacy Charitable Trust focuses on culturally diverse populations in communities where stores are located. Children's health programs is a particular interest. Applications accepted between May 1-June 15. www.cvs.com/corpInfo/community_charitable_mission.html. Another CVS program supports schools and nonprofits that serve children under 18 with disabilities. Apply for CVS Community Grants between Jan. and Oct. www.cvs.com/corpInfo/community/community_grants.html.

Milagro Foundation seeks applications from grass-roots community organizations working to bring arts, education and health resources to at-risk children. www.milagrofoundation.org.

History Channel's Save Our History Nat'l Grant Program encourages educators and historical organizations to teach students about the history of their local community. Grants range from $1000-$10,000. Deadline is June 2. www.saveourhistory.com.

Home Garden Program of the Nat'l Gardening Assn. will offer assistance to schools and community groups about using gardens to teach nutrition and address issues of hunger. www.garden.org.

Alzheimer's Foundation of America's Brodsky Grant offers $25,000 to recognize innovative, replicable program that improves the lives of individuals with Alzheimers and their families. Apply by May 15. www.alzfdn.org.

Eastman Kodak's Greenway Awards provides grants of $500-$2500 for planning and design of community greenways. www.conservationfund.org?article=2372. Appy by June 1.

LogisticCare Foundation supports nonprofit programs that improve quality of life of at-risk seniors, disabled and disadvantaged. Current grants support transportation services for this population. www.logisticare.com.

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries Program from Dept. of Education is open to local educational agencies with 20% of students under the poverty line. Focus on providing up-to-date library materials, media center, library media specialists. Apply by April 11. Fed. Reg. p 7381-5. Contact Irene Harwarth (202) 401-3751. www.ed.gov.

Calvert Foundation supports community development organizations with loans amounting to up to 10% of assets. Requests will be considered anytime. www.calvertfoundation.org.

The Count Me In program provides business loans of $5000-$10,000 to women for working capital, purchase of inventory or equipment, or other business-growth expenditures. Interest rates range from 8%-15%. www.count-me-in.org or (212) 245-1245.

American Eagle Outfitters funds teen programs through its FREE Initiative providing grants from $1000-$25,000. Schools and nonprofits may apply. www.ae.com/web/corp/foundation2.htm.

Rosie's for All Kids Foundation supports nonprofits with child care and after-school programs; next funding cycle awards in Oct. 3-page letter of intent for requests between $5000-$10,000. www.forallkids.org.

Garth Brooks' Teammates for Kids Foundation will begin accepting applications for grants in 2007 later this year. Nonprofits serving children in areas of health, education or inner-city services are eligible. Awards will range from $10,000-$50,000. www.teammatesforkids.org or (800) 276-9658.

The Points of Light Awards Program recently reintroduced by Bill Clinton will accept nominations May 1, Aug. 1, & Nov. 1 for individuals engaged in exemplary volunteer work and community service. www.pointsoflight.org or (202) 729.8184.

Looking for Girl Scout Cookies?

Local Girl Scouts are stationed in New Haven and surrounding towns throughout March, selling cookies to the public. Be sure to ask your local Girl Scouts if their troop is participating in the Gift of Caring Program, which provides cookies for service men and women overseas or for a local charity that the girls are supporting. For information on how to purchase Girl Scout cookies call (800) 922-2770 or visit www.girlscoutscttrails.org.

The Small Business Legal Services (SBLS) is a firm of Yale Law School students and supervising attorneys who provide free legal services to small business owners and entrepreneurs in the New Haven area, especially those who would otherwise be unable to afford counsel. The heart of their work is forming business entities, advising on contracts and leases, and drafting employment policies.
Contact:
Small Business Legal Services
Jerome N. Frank Legal Services Organization
Yale Law School
127 Wall Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Phone: 203-432-2195
Fax: 203-432-1426
E-mail: SmallBusiness@yale.edu

Volunteer Opportunities from Festival of Arts & Ideas listed at www.idealist.org:

Festival Outreach Volunteer
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119450-102
Walking Tour Assistant
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119449-99
Festival Headquarters Volunteer
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119451-136
Village of Villages/Activities with Children Volunteer
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119452-169
Information Booth Volunteer
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119453-202
Surveyor
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119454-236
Usher
International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven, Connecticut United States
http://www.idealist.org/en/volunteerOpportunities/103141-228/119455-269

Hispanic Connecticut: A Conversation with the Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates: Mayor John DeStefano (New Haven) and Mayor Dannel Malloy (Stamford) sponsored by the Progreso Latino Fund at The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven.
Latinos are challenged to be heard within the political arena. Build knowledge and the political will to think and act critically by joining an important conversation with the Democratic candidates for Governor to learn of their visions for Connecticut.
Moderator: David Medina, Editorial Writer, Hartford Courant
Location: North Haven Holiday Inn
201 Washington Avenue
North Haven, CT 06473
Date: Wednesday, March 29.
6:30 pm Reception
7:30 pm Program begins
8:00 pm Conversation
Seating is limited. RSVP required by March 24 online at www.cfgnh.org or call 777-2386 x444.