Cara Lawrence of Tierney Lawrence in Denver will share her knowledge at 501(c)(3) Do’s and Don’ts , a brown bag lunch at the Community Rec Center in Durango from 12pm to 1:30pm. Lawrence, who represents nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations in all aspects of their operation and management, will be discussing what nonprofits can and cannot do regarding politics, advocacy, grassroots organizing and the law.  All nonprofit board and staff are welcome to attend.

Colorado Nonprofit Association presents a day-long training on Tuesday, April 25. Experts in the field will present best practices around Governance, Advocacy, and Financial Management. The workshop will be held in the Peaks Room at the Community Rec Center in Durango from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Cost: Members $20, Nonmembers $65. Lunch is provided. Register here.

Registration has opened for Financial Literacy, a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals in southwest Colorado.  Financial Literacy is designed to increase the comfort level of nonprofit board and staff in managing finances and will bring dynamic, professional speakers to the Durango Public Library for workshops on topics regarding  financial reports, the value of the 990, nonprofit taxation and the auditing process. The event will be held on Friday, April 28 from 9am to 4pm.

Registration is $60 and includes lunch.  Visit the “Nonprofit Resources” tab on the Community Foundation’s website to learn more information or to register for the workshop.

Financial Literacy has been planned by the Community Foundation and the Southwest Rural Philanthropy Days (SW RPD) Interim Committee, a joint effort of local nonprofit leadership focused on continuing professional development to build a stronger nonprofit community.

Register here.

Schedule

8:30-9:00am – Registration

9:00-10:15am – Reviewing Nonprofit Financial Statements – Julie Lerudis, Grants Program Director, Boettcher Foundation
This session will benefit anyone looking to better understand how to interpret basic nonprofit financial statements or who just needs a refresher.

10:30-11:45am – The Value of the 990 – Julie Lerudis, Grants Program Director, Boettcher Foundation
Come find out why the 990 can be a valuable tool/asset for your organization and why it is worthwhile to spend the extra effort completing/reviewing this required IRS document.

12:00-1:00pm – Lunch

1:15-2:30pm – Choose from one of these workshops below

Nonprofit Taxation: Not an Oxymoron – Michelle Siano, CPA, FredrickZink & Associates 
This is an informative seminar about tax implications for nonprofits and donors. Information and real life examples are provided to help navigate such issues and in-kind contributions.

360 Look at an Audit – Casey Lynch, CPA & Tim Kroes, retired nonprofit Executive Director 
Learn when you need to do an audit, how to prepare for an audit, how to get ready for a site visit, understand the audit and management letter and create a schedule for the next audit.

2:30-3:30pm – Ask the Experts Panel
This is your opportunity to ask clarifying questions about what you have learned today or any other finance questions you may have.

• Teresa Malone, Executive Director, Durango Adult Education Foundation
• Casey Lynch, CPA
• Tim Kroes, retired Nonprofit Executive Director
• Cynthia Aspen, financial manager for nonprofit organizations

Ann Butler’s article in The Durango Herald on Sunday, March 12 truly captures the generous spirit of our community. The Community Foundation is honored to be in the company of organizations such as La Plata Electric Association and Alpine Bank.

https://durangoherald.com/articles/142732-community-foundation-businesses-give-to-nonprofits

Upcoming professional development opportunities, local grant deadlines, and community events.

Despite the economic and social benefits, there are fears that reform will not be a priority for the new administration or congressional leaders. Fortunately, private funders are ramping up their efforts to help tackle not only criminal justice reform but also several other social and environmental challenges facing the U.S., including conservation, immigration, and education reform.

https://hbr.org/2017/01/why-major-philanthropists-are-giving-more-money-to-just-one-cause?referral=00563&cm_mmc=email-_-newsletter-_-daily_alert-_-alert_date&utm_source=newsletter_daily_alert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=alert_date&spMailingID=16371353&spUserID=MTE0OTc0NzI1NzQ3S0&spJobID=941567288&spReportId=OTQxNTY3Mjg4S0&utm_source=January+2017+Newsletter&utm_campaign=Jan+2017+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

The 2013 report Under Developed, based on results of the first-ever national survey of executive directors and development directors, revealed chronic instability in staffing the development director role at many organizations. It also concluded that higher performing fundraising organizations were more likely to have a “culture of philanthropy.”

http://www.rickmoyersblog.com/single-post/2017/01/03/Building-Fundraising-Capacity-Means-Changing-Organizational-Culture?utm_campaign=Jan%2B2017%2BNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_source=January%2B2017%2BNewsletter

National Philanthropic Trust report says contributions jumped 11% last year to $22.26 billion, the seventh-straight year of double-digit growth in contributions.