Montana Nonprofit Association News

Lots of information to pass along to all of you. In the January issue of MNA eNews…

* MNA Launches Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Program: Get a quote today!

* GrantStation Insider: If you’re not receiving it yet, read on to trouble shoot why!

* New member benefit: 20% discount at Wilder Books on all purchases

* MNA hires lobbyist for 2005 Montana legislative session

* MNA and the Montana Community Foundation to conduct community forums regarding federal nonprofit reform

* MNA accepting resumes for Member Services Director (January 26th closing date)

* Mark your calendars for MNA’s 4th Annual Conference, October 3-5th in Missoula at the Holiday Inn Parkside

* Beim Foundation to begin funding in Bozeman and Greater Bozeman area: February 28th deadline approaching

* Free grant writing training with national expert in Billings: January 20-21st

* Website of the Month – Grassroots.org…free legal assistance, web hosting, and internet services for nonprofits

* Welcome new members of MNA!

MNA officially launches Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance Program

MNA’s D&O program through Monitor Liability Managers is now fully operational. The insurance includes coverage for defense, settlements, the organization, staff, volunteers, board members, employment practices, third party liability, and more. Multiple deductible levels are available, all for a very competitive price. To obtain a quote, contact Shaun Peterson or Karen Reinig at Payne Financial Group at 406-442-5360 or [email protected] or [email protected].

Not receiving the GrantStation Insider? Read on…

MNA has launched a new member benefit in partnership with GrantStation, a premier on-line provider of news, information, technical assistance, and research for grantseekers. By now, all members should be receiving the weekly eNews, GrantStation Insider. If you are not receiving the Insider, it is very possible that your email software is blocking its delivery and it’s getting bounced back (in fact we know that over 100 addresses are in such limbo). To correct this problem, try adding [email protected] to your address book list. You may also try checking your junk mail folder to see if the newsletter is showing up there…if it is, you can tell your email package to let it through in the future. If all of these fail, find a super techie to problem solve some additional solutions or contact Sage at [email protected]. In the meantime, we’ll continue to send it your way – bounce or no bounce.

New member benefit: 20% discount at Wilder Books

Members of MNA now have a standing 20% discount at Wilder Books, a premier publisher of many excellent, practical, and award winning resources for nonprofits. We sold many Wilder publications at our 3rd Annual Conference. Check out their selection at http://www.wilderpubs.org and contact MNA for the discount code should you wish to make a purchase.

MNA hires first lobbyist for Montana 2005 legislative session

Aimee Grmoljez from the Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry, & Hoven P.C. law firm in Helena will be MNA’s lobbyist for the 2005 Montana legislative session. Aimee will assist MNA in identifying and tracking bills that may impact nonprofits. The MNA Public Policy Committee will determine if the association will take positions on bills of interest. MNA will also send out legislative alerts to members when and where appropriate. For more information on MNA’s legislative activities, contact the association at 406-449-3717 or [email protected].

MNA, the Montana Community Foundation, and the Montana Society of CPAs to host community forums on proposed federal nonprofit reform

As previously reported, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee is considering proposed reforms that represent the largest set of legislative and regulatory reforms facing the sector in decades. To educate the public and nonprofits, MNA, the Montana Community Foundation, and the Montana Society of CPAs have joined together to host community forums around Montana in mid-February. Details will be forthcoming in a separate email in the very near future. We encourage all of you to attend this important event in your community. To learn more about the proposed Senate Finance Committee reforms, visit the Independent Sector’s website at http://www.independentsector.org.

MNA accepting resumes for Member Services Director (January 26th closing)

MNA is hiring a Member Services Director to lead membership and member service development (full job announcement attached). If you know of someone who might be a great addition to the MNA team, please feel free to forward along the full announcement.

Mark your calendars for MNA’s 4th Annual Conference in Missoula to be held on October 3-5th at the Holiday Inn Parkside

As you’re developing budgets for 2005, keep the MNA conference in mind. Please let us know if you are interested in helping to plan this year’s event…we would welcome the assistance.

Beim Foundation to begin funding in the Bozeman and Greater Bozeman area – February 28th deadline approaching

The Minneapolis based Beim Foundation has recently added Bozeman and the Greater Bozeman area to its list of funding areas. Funding priorities include education and human services (February 28, 2005 deadline) and arts, environment, and capacity building (Fall 2005). Visit http://www.beimfoundation.org.

Free 2-day grant writing workshop led by national expert from HUD – January 20-21st in Billings

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and Harvest Church in Billings have partnered to offer a free two-day intensive grant writing workshop Thursday and Friday, January 20 and 21, starting at 8 a.m. each day. The workshop is designed to provide faith-based and community organizations hands-on grant writing experience and information. Cheryl Appline, Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Center for Faith-Based and Community initiatives in Washington, DC will conduct the workshop. She is a highly sought after speaker and grant writing trainer across the nation and is the creator of “The Art and Science of Grant Writing,” a training program that has been conducted by HUD throughout the nation. For additional information regarding the workshop including how to register, visit the Harvest Church web site at http://www.harvestweb.net, or contact Carrie at Harvest Church at (406) 259-5648.

Website of the Month: Grassroots.org…free legal advice, web hosting and internet services for qualified nonprofits

Grassroots.org (www.grassroots.org) offers a number of free services for nonprofits in exchange for a small posting of their banner on your website. Services include limited legal assistance with incorporation, tax exempt applications, general employment, tax and risk management concerns, and other legal areas as well as free web hosting and internet services. Qualified organizations include non-religious organizations involved in Education, Environmentalism, Humanitarian Relief, Fighting Disease, Homelessness, Crime Control, Political Freedom, Government Reform, Consumer Protection, Youth Issues, and other like-minded, non-legislative causes.

Welcome new members of MNA!

And finally…MNA welcomes the following new members since the last MNA eNews…Manaia, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Park County, Archie Bray Foundation, and Quality Life Concepts. Also, many thanks to those organizations that renewed their membership this year.

Stay safe and warm!

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The MNA eNews is a source of timely information on all things nonprofit in Montana, including training events, funding opportunities, new services available through MNA and our partners, and more. Should you wish to have information included in MNA eNews, please send an email to [email protected] with brief information on your announcement. MNA eNews will go out on or around the 1st of each month; please forward all requests for inclusion by the 20th day of the preceding month for review.

MNA is a membership organization that promotes a stronger nonprofit sector, a supportive public climate, and the ability of nonprofits to accomplish their missions. MNA addresses its mission through advocacy and public policy; access to affordable goods and services; research and education on issues of critical importance; training, professional development, and technical assistance; sector leadership and convening; and strategic communications.

For membership information, contact MNA at 406-449-3717 or [email protected].