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MLK Day of Service still seeking projects

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January 14, 2008

Nonprofit Opportunities

UWSEPA Investing in Results

STOP Hunger Scholarships

Ronald McDonald House

Fiskars Community Gardens

Nonprofit Internships

Ellis Trust

Meet the Funders Workshop

UWSEPA January Funding Alert

Public Policy Alerts

Family Care & Head Start

State EITC Bill

MA won't cover transportation

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Nonprofit

Opportunities

STOP Hunger Scholarships
The Sodexho Foundation is seeking nominations to recognize students in the fight against hunger in America. The STOP Hunger Scholarship recognizes and rewards students who have made a significant impact in the fight against hunger and its root causes in the United States.
Students will be selected from among nominees according to the following criteria: they must be enrolled in an education institution (kindergarten through college) in the United States; be

citizens or permanent residents of the United States; have demonstrated ongoing commitment to their community by performing volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States within at least the last twelve months; and be helping non-family members through their volunteer activities.
   Up to five national scholarship recipients will each receive a $3,000 scholarship as well as a $3,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their local community. Up to twenty regional recipients, designated as STOP Hunger Honorees, will each receive a $1,000 grant made in their name to the hunger-related charity of their choice in their local community.
   Applicants must obtain a nomination statement as part of the application process. The nomination statement must be completed by an adult (age 21 or older). Visit here for complete program information and application procedures.
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McDonald House aids children’s services
   Ronald McDonald House Charities and its global network of local RMHC Chapters provide grants and program services designed to make an immediate, positive impact on children in need around the world.
   RMHC provides grants to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations whose national or global programs help improve the health and well-being of children. Programs that focus on a specific

community or area should submit grant requests to a local RMHC Chapter for consideration.
   Organizations seeking funding should have a specific program that directly improves the health and well-being of children; addresses a significant funding gap or critical opportunity; has long-term impact in terms of replication or reach; and produces measurable results. Organizations seeking funding should have a broad base of funding support, management capacity to effectively execute the project, and a clear, concise plan for project evaluation with outcome measurement.
   Visit here for complete application procedures.
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Fiskars funds community gardens
   Fiskars Brand, Inc. provides awards of $2,300 each through its Project Orange Thumb, which focuses on inspiring and encouraging creative expression through gardening.
   The program aims to promote

sustainable agriculture, horticultural education, community involvement and neighborhood beautification
   Up to 10 awards will be granted this year to community organizations, schools, gardening clubs, senior centers and other nonprofits committed to gardening. Awardees will receive up to $1,500 in Fiskars garden tools and $800 for plant materials to cultivate their gardens. For more information, visit here.
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Nonprofit internships offered
   Administered by the National Academy of Social Insurance, the Nathan J. Stark Internship for Nonprofit Development will provide two students with the opportunity to learn about nonprofit organizations, how they work, how they raise funds, and how they make a difference. Interns will be based at the National Academy of Social Insurance or another nonprofit organization, the National Health Policy Forum.
   Each summer two students interested in a career in the nonprofit sector will be awarded the internship based on national recruitment and a competitive selection process. The interns come to Washington, D.C., for twelve weeks during the summer semester. The internship includes a $3,000 honorarium and the opportunity to participate in a series of seminars and programs. International students with valid student visas can be placed with these nongovernmental organizations if placement projects match their skills and interests.
   For application requirements and procedures, visit the Web site of the National Academy of Social Insurance here.
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Ellis Trust offers grants to HS girls
   The Ellis Trust offers flexible grants of up to $6,5000 to girls in grades 9 through 12. Funding is available to support school supplies, tutoring, college visits, sports equipment and fees, lessons in music, dance, art, theater, etc., college courses, after school programs, college testing and application fees, etc. Applications are available here.
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Meet the Funders Workshop
   The LaSalle Nonprofit Center is again presenting its Meet the Funders panel discussion, on January 25th from 8:30-10am at PECO, 2301 Market Street, S14-1 in Philadelphia. This grantmakers panel will be led by the Center’s Laura Otten and will provide nonprofit leaders an opportunity hear from key funders about priorities, trends, and grant-seeking advice.
   Participants will include representatives from PECO, the Lenfest Foundation, the William Penn Foundation, and The Philadelphia Foundation.
   Nonprofit Center members get two free passes to the grantmakers panels, others pay $29. Register online here or by phone at 215-951-1701.
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Feds include family care in Head Start
   The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) at the US Dept. of Health and Human Services has established a “final rule” allowing family child care as an option in Head Start and Early Head Start programs.
   Family child care is care and education provided to children in a private home or other family-like setting. Family child care advantages include greater hours of service, flexibility and smaller group size. Many families believe their children will benefit from a home-like setting and multi-age groupings that can include siblings.
   Head Start is a national program providing comprehensive child development services primarily to low-income children from birth to five years of age, pregnant women, and their families, and historically been limited to center-based programs.
   For more information, contact Camille Loya at 202-401-5964.
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State EITC bill on the move
   Pennsylvania House Bill 377, the state earned income tax credit bill introduced by Philadelphia Rep. Dwight Evans, will be considered by the PA House during the week of January 14th. The original bill has been amended in the Appropriations Committee to phase-in the EITC, 15% in the first year and 30% in the second. The bill enjoyed bipartisan support in both Finance and Appropriations, according to Sharon Ward, director of the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.
   While consideration of the bill has been relatively smooth so far, it still faces several challenges. As many as sixteen amendments are expected to be consideration in the voliting process, most of which would authorize some other tax cut, either business tax cuts or overall cuts in the personal income tax (PIT). A general PIT cut would be much more costly than the EITC and would provide the greatest relief to wealthier families.
   For more information on how you can lend your support to the EITC bill, visit here.
   Meanwhile, on December 26th, President Bush signed the federal government's 2008 budget bill into law and included in that package is money to establish and fund a matching grant program for community tax preparation organizations. The National Community Tax Coalition and its nationwide network of affiliates have been fighting for the passage of this legislation for more than five years.
   The amended bill provides $8,000,000, to be available until September 30, 2009 to establish a matching grant demonstration program for Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) programs, instead of $10,000,000 as proposed by the Senate and no funding as proposed by the House. The program willll provide direct funds to enable VITA programs to extend services to underserved populations and hardest-to-reach areas, both urban and non-urban, as well as to increase the capacity to file returns electronically, heighten quality control,
enhance training of volunteers, and significantly improve the accuracy rate of returns prepared by VITA sites.
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MA won’t cover school transportation
   A new rule set by the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) eliminates the use of the Medicaid funds to reimburse school expenditures and costs related to transportation of school-age children with disabilities between home and school.
   Such reimbursements were previously allowed under Medicaid, but CMS has now decided that these activities “are not necessary for the proper and efficient administration of the Medicaid state plan and are not within the definition of the optional transportation benefit.”
   Based on this determination, under this final rule, federal Medicaid payments will no longer be available for administrative activities performed by school employees or contractors, or anyone under the control of a public or private educational institution, and for transportation from home to school, CMS says.
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Employment

Opportunities

AchieveAbility: Executive Director - AchieveAbility is a non-profit organization working to permanently break the cycle of poverty for single-parent, low-income and formerly-homeless families through gaining Self-Sufficiency. Founded in 1981, AchieveAbility has a 26 year award winning track record of success through comprehensive, intensive, educational and social impact in tandem with quality, affordable housing. The Executive Director position is an extraordinary opportunity for an exceptional leader to be able to have tremendous impact on the lives of families that we serve. In addition, there is strong support from the Board to grow the organizations reach. After a near term focus on strengthening the internal operations and expanding the awareness and support, there is a longer term opportunity to use the program as a model for other communities.   For more information, contact Lori Stocker at 610-430-7403 or by email.
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Philadelphia Youth Network: Business Partnership Specialist - The Business Partnership Specialist (BPS) will work in conjunction with other team members to recruit employers and business partners and organize and manage their involvement in the Philadelphia Youth Network through the WorkReady Philadelphia initiative. The BPS will develop and maintain excellent relationships with the business community in order to create unsubsidized internships as well as engage employers to participate in other WorkReady initiatives. Send cover letter and resume to Philadelphia Youth Network, Attn: Human Resource Dept., 714 Market St. Suite 304, Philadelphia, Pa 19106, by email, or by fax to 267-502-3868.
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Good Schools Pennsylvania: Field Organizers – Good Schools Pennsylvania has openings for two field organizer positions. One will be based in Philadelphia, but will require travel to the Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg. The other field organizer will be based in Lancaster, with a particular focus on working with Pennsylvania's immigrant communities. Both organizers will be responsible for expanding the network of citizens who are informed and engaged around issues of state education policy, including equitable and adequate school funding, quality education principles, and accountability to achieve high-quality public schools for all of Pennsylvania's children. Read the full job descriptions here. To apply, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and salary requirements by email here or write to Good Schools Pennsylvania, 6757 Greene Street, Philadelphia, PA 19119.
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Associated Services for the Blind: Director of Institutional Development - Associated Services for the Blind & Visually Impaired is seeking a flexible and organized person with ability to plan, take initiative, prioritize tasks independently, and manage multiple projects and deadlines. It is looking for an experienced leader that will be responsible for the complete operation and management of the fundraising programs, development, capital campaigns, major events, Public Relations, and working with donors on several giving methods (such as current deferred giving, non-cash gifts, etc.). The best candidate will be a team player with 8-10 years working with individuals of financial resources and decision makers/leadership in control of the finances of corporations. MBA or Master’s degree in directly related field desire. Salary expectations must accompany cover letter and résumé to ASB, 919 Walnut Street, Human Resources Department, Philadelphia, PA 19107, by email here, or by fax to 215-922-0692.
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Housing Association of Delaware Valley: Deputy Managing Director – HADV is a not-for profit, housing advocacy agency. For 99 years, HADV has been fighting for the adoption of policies and programs that increases the quantity and quality of affordable housing for all people-especially the poor, disabled, and elderly. It is also the Managing Partner to the Philadelphia Revitalization and Education Program designed to increase economic opportunities for low and moderate income families. The Association is seeking a Deputy Managing Director who is a well organized person, proactive self-starter, with the ability to think and operate strategically and creatively and has the flexibility to work well as part of a team as well as independently. Interest candidates should forward resume to: Deputy Managing Director Position, Housing Association of Delaware Valley, 1528 Walnut Street, Suite 1000, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or by email here.
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Sen. Vincent Hughes: Director of Constituent Activity – Seventh District Sen. Vincent Hughes is seeking a Director of Constituent Activity to work out of his office at his Philadelphia District Office, 4601 Market Street, in West Philadelphia. The 7th Senatorial District includes Springfield and Whitemarsh Townships in Montgomery County and sections of West Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, University City, Roxborough, Manayunk, and East Falls. This position will field highly complex requests for information and assistance from constituents through phone calls, personal meetings and correspondence. Requests range from basic to non-routine and complex and may require in-depth knowledge of governmental agencies. Position requires considerable discretion and judgment and has accountability for overall delivery of constituent services and identifying legislative opportunities through an understanding of constituents. Send a cover letter or resume to Sen. Vincent Hughes, 4601 Market Street, First Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19139 or call 215-471-0490.
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Prevention Point Philadelphia: Various Positions - PPP is a multi-service public health organization dedicated to protecting the health and welfare of drug users and sex workers. Using a harm reduction approach, PPP offers low-threshold, culturally sensitive, non-judgmental services to address the health and social service needs of drug and hormone users and sex workers in Philadelphia. Available positions include case manager, health educator, and outreach worker, HIV counselor and tester, and early intervention outreach worker. Send resume and cover letter to Robin Bonfield by email or by mail to Prevention Point Philadelphia, 166 W. Lehigh Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19133. No phone calls, please.
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MLK Day of Service still open for new projects

   Have you been trying to organize a neighborhood block clean-up, but haven’t been able to find a common time that works for your community? Have you thought about starting a local mentoring program, but are looking for a day to kick-off registration and trainings? Are there some buildings in your community/organizational facility that could use a new coat of paint, but you are having trouble recruiting volunteers? The possibilities are endless!
   Global Citizen and United Way, organizers of the 2008 Martin Luther King Day of Services, are still accepting project registrations for the 13th Annual Martin Luther King Day of Service on January 21, 2008. Over 60,000 volunteers in the region are expected to participate, so try not to limit your projects because of a shortage of volunteers -- the MLK Day of Service Staff will be able to provide volunteers where needed on MLK Dat -- so THINK BIG!
   To register a project visit our website, which contacts links to various materials that could assist you in creating a project and some information on the history of the MLK Day of Service.
   For more information, call 215-665-2475.
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Safety Town Meeting set for MLK Day
   The Institute for the Study of Civic Values is hosting A Phillyblocks Town Meeting: Making Philadelphia Safe, at Philadelphia’s Germantown High School on Martin Luther King Day of Service, January 21st.
   The meeting will bring together neighborhood activists, concerned citizens, block captains and representatives from city departments among others to discuss how neighborhoods can unite to make Philadelphia safe. The event will begin at

9:30am in the GHS Auditorium.
   Throughout the event, there will be a resource fair featuring organizations working to make Philadelphia safer. Many of these organizations have volunteer opportunities available and their representatives will be on hand throughout the day to answer any questions you may have.
   Pre-registration for this event is highly recommended as space is limited. Call Audrey Ann Ross or Kelly Green at 215-238-1434.
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White Dog to hold annual MLK Tribute
   West Philadelphia’s White Dog Café will hold its 22nd Annual Dinner Tribute In Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 20th at 6pm at 3420 Sansom Street. Cost is $28.00.
   This annual sold out occasion features the words of Dr. King

as recited by K. Rose Samuel Evans (of United Way), who also coordinates the program. United Way’s Annette Jeffrey will also participate, and the event will be narrated by Lorina Marshall of Independence Blue Cross.
The menu is a scrumptious southern style dinner along with delightful desserts. For individual and group reservations call 215-386-9224.
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Whole Foods supports WAA
On Tuesday, January 15th, Women Against Abuse will receive 5 percent of the net receipts at Whole Foods at 2001 Pennsylvania Avenue in Philadelphia between 8am and 10pm. The funds will benefit WAA’s work to help victims of domestic

violence.
      WAA staff will be distributing information about domestic violence in the store on that day. The store café will also feature photographs taken by the children at WAA's emergency shelter summer camp.
   The event is part of Whole Foods’ quarterly 5% Giving Days, during which a local non-profit organization receives 5 percent of their net sales.
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Pottstown agencies offers professional development
   The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation and The Nonprofit Center at La Salle University have joined together to create a selection of professional development programs to support the leaders and staff of nonprofit organizations in the Pottstown area.
   These programs are designed to address priority needs and interests identified by Pottstown nonprofit leaders. In addition to support from the Foundation, they are endorsed by the TriCounty Community Network, United Way of Southeastern PA, and TriCounty Chamber of Commerce.
   All sessions will be held at Montgomery County Community College, West Campus, 16 High Street, Room 113, in Pottstown.
   Upcoming professional development opportunities include a workshop on measuring an agency’s impact, how to ask for major gifts and many other topics. Foundation fund recipients get a 50 percent discount on fees. For more information or to register, call 215-951-1701 or visit here.
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City, S. African youth to showcase talent
   The Village of Arts and Humanities will present a talent showcase from the Bokamoso Youth Exchange on Saturday, January 26th, 6-8:30pm, at Temple’s Underground, located at

13th and Cecil B. Moore Streets inside the Student Activities Center.
   The event will feature a night of singing, dancing, poetry, music, and more from Philadelphia youth from the Bokamoso Youth Center located in Winterveldt, South Africa and North Philadelphia teens from the Village of Arts and Humanities.
   Admission is free. For more information, call 215-225-7830.
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Bilingual parent group series continues
   The monthly Bilingual Parents Group series of the Parents Involved Network, targeting families with children with mental health problems, is slated for January 17th at Lilliam Marrero Public Library, 601 W. Lehigh Avenue in Philadelphia, at 10am. At this meeting, representatives of the Children's Crisis Treatment Center will discuss short and long-term behavior plans, outcomes-driven practices, progress monitoring and parental involvement in the decision-making process leading up to the planning and revision of effective intervention plans.
   Additionally, Betty Villareal of the Girl Scounts will present on self-esteem for parents of children with disabilities. A representative from Community Behavioral Health will also be present to answer questions on Medicaid-eligible services.
   For more information, call Héctor M. Lugardo at 215-751-1800 Ext. 239.
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Fathers group seeks clothing
   Distante Clothing Store and others are collecting suits, shirts and ties to benefit the Philadelphia Comprehensive Center for Fathers' WORK N' STYLE for MEN project.
   The Center is anon-profit program created by the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition. The mission of the Work N' Style for Men project is to outfit men who are re-entering the workforce or who simply need suits, clothing for court, church, etc.
   Used and new clothing in good condition are being collected at the Distante Clothing Store at 1510 Sansom Street in Philadelphia on Monday, January 14th from 10am to 8pm. A special program starts at 6pm.
   For more information, visit here.
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Social Change Leaders programs seeks applicants
   Greater Philadelphia Cares is looking for more applicants for the 2008 Social Change Leaders Program, which is set to start later in January.
   The Social Change Leaders program provides emerging leaders in the Greater Philadelphia region an in-depth

leadership course which extends quality training, experiential learning opportunities, resources and a network of support which bolsters their community-based social change efforts. The Social Change Leaders program is a catalyst for social entrepreneurs, building leadership for positive social change.
   For more information, email Danielle here.
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CCP sponsors book fair for black children
   The 16th Annual African American Children's Book Fair will be held on Saturday, February 2nd at Community College of Philadelphia, 1-3pm, in the gymnasium. The free event is sponsored by The African American Children's Book Project.
   Volunteers are needed to give out information at the book fair, coordinating guest authors and illustrators and assisting in the reading circle.
   The event is one of the largest dedicated to literacy for African American children, preschool to young adult, in the country.
   To volunteer to help, contact Terry Baxter of Greater Philadelphia Cares at 215-564-4544 or by email.
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Immigrant teens to tell their stories
   The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians, as part of the city’s One Book, One Philadelphia project, will sponsor Lost No More: Immigrant Teenagers Tell Their Stories, on Saturday,January 26th, 2pm, at the South Philadelphia Library, 1700 S. Broad Street (Broad and Morris).
   For more information, contact Isabelle Rambo at 215-557-2845 or by email.
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KidZone offers program evaluation trainings
   KidZone Philadelphia is offering Results Based Accountability Training and Working Sessions on January, 29th, 12-4pm and January 30th, 9am-1pm at the KidZone offices at 7157 Ogontz Ave. in Philadelphia.
   A leading edge evaluation technique, Results Based Accountability (RBA) is used by KidZone to illustrate changes in the quality of life of children, families and individuals living in its target neighborhoods in Northwest Philadelphia. Nationally,

the use RBA in nonprofit and public sectors has grown and locally, the City of Philadelphia as well as many local nonprofits are monitoring and evaluating both broad population-based results as well as program performance measures that contribute to those results.
   Trine Bech, a national expert in RBA with a tremendous amount of experience in RBA implementation for practical use, will lead the training. The workshop will be conducted in two ½ day sessions, the first day of which will cover RBA basics and the second day will be a working session applying the RBA principles to our work both at the community and program levels. Participants are asked to commit to attend both days if possible. Lunch and continental breakfast will be provided.
   Register before January 18th with Glenna Deekle at 215-424-5810 ext. 205 or by emailgdeekle@foundationsinc.org.
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LSH, CNC to merge
   Centro Nueva Creacion/New Creation Community Center (Centro) has announced it will be joining Lutheran Settlement House (LSH) to offer services to Philadelphia families in the near future.
   The boards of both organization approved the merger several months ago. Both organizations expect to benefit from greater reach into our community, a broader array of services and new opportunities to meet our community’s needs while they strive to achieve their common mission.
   As the groups work out the details of the merger, they encourage visits to their respective websites (www.lutheransettlement.org, www.centronueva.org) to learn more about the services they each currently offer and to watch for exciting new joint ventures as the grow together.
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