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Friday, August 9, 2013

Thieves Return Stolen Computers To Nonprofit

When something is stolen from your home or place of work, the last thing you would expect is for it to be politely returned by the perpetrators. Yet that is exactly what happened to one nonprofit in California.

Just hours after six computers were stolen from the offices of San Bernardino County Sexual Assault Services on July 31, a local ABC affiliate reported that the burglars apparently had a change of heart: The computers were returned intact along with a handwritten note that said [sic]: "We had no idea what we were takeing. Here your stuff back. We hope that you guys can continue to make a difference in people's lives. God Bless."

"I don't know what to feel," Executive Director Candy Stallings told KABC. "One minute I'm devastated, and the next minute I just thought, 'Wow, this is just incredible.'" Stallings plans to frame the note left by the burglars to "tell each and everyone one of the staff here that do this work that you never know when you're going to touch somebody."

Police said that the thieves were able to bypass the organization's security systems by clipping phone wires and alarm cables. They were then able to enter the office through a crawlspace.

Though Stallings will be able to breathe a sigh of relief with their computers now returned, the nonprofit will still be out $5,000 because of the damages caused by the burglars. Individuals interested in donating should e-mail candyir@aol.com or call 909-855-8884.

You can read the full story on KABC's website.

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Featured Nonprofit Job: Chief Financial Officer

EMQ FamiliesFirst, located in Los Gatos, Calif., is looking to hire a Chief Financial Officer. Do you think you have what it takes to succeed in this demanding position? Read on for further details.

The chosen candidate for this position will be responsible for all financial aspects of the organization. Specifically, he/she will have the following daily tasks:
  • Plans, organizes, directs and controls the financial activities of the agency.
  • Recommends financial policies and actions to be considered by key managers.
  •  Establishes directly or indirectly through management, short-term and long-term strategic financial planning.
  • Directs the organization’s relationship with lending institutions, contracting agencies, and the financial community.
  • Directs, administers, and coordinates the fiscal activities of the organization in support of policies, goals, and objectives established by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and the Board of Directors.
Qualified applicants will have a Bachelor's degree in finance or a related field and at least 10 years of executive management experience. Preferred qualifications include:
  • Master's degree in finance or related field.
  • Previous experience managing diverse geographical operations.
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA).
  • Medicare and MediCal experience or like California MediCal (other similar states)  experience preferred.
Head to the NPT Jobs Career Center for more information, including application instructions.

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Nonprofit To Oversee Broadband Network

The city councils of two Central Illinois towns have approved a measure that would create a private nonprofit to oversee a large broadband network running through both locations.

The Urbana-Champaign Big Broadband network (UC2B) was created by the towns of Urbana and Champaign to boost Internet access in low-income areas, but there were concerns over government control of the network. That's why, according to a report in The News Gazette, both city councils passed the bill to have it run by a nonprofit.

Before it could pass, however, several key changes had to be made to the bill. This includes a requirement that the nonprofit submit an annual report to the cities and that the network's high, self-imposed standards for procuring minority contractors be maintained. Another key provision, which was critical to gain the support of Urbana Alderman Charlie Smyth, was to allow attendees of the organization's board meeting to provide their input.

The board will not have to follow Illinois' Open Meetings Act, which has strict requirements for advance public notification of meetings and the accessibility of meetings. Council members in Urbana and Champaign believed those requirements would hurt the board's efficiency.

The UC2B network, which cost $30 million to create, is currently being funded by a federal grant created in 2010. That grant expires on Sept. 30 and at that time, much of the expenses will fall on the shoulders of local governments. City officials are confident that it will only need support from the cities for the first six months, just to get it off the ground.

The nonprofit overseeing UC2B, which has not yet been given a name, will be governed by a nine-member board, and the cities of Champaign and Urbana and the University of Illinois will each appoint three members to that board.

You can read the full story in The News Gazette.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Featured Nonprofit Job: Major Gifts Officer

Looking for a nonprofit job in beautiful Orlando, Florida? Our latest featured nonprofit job offers job seekers the chance to be a Major Gifts Officer for Wycliffe Bible Translators.

The chosen candidate for this position will be responsible for procuring major gifts in the Southwest region, including Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. This candidate would need to reside in a major city within the region (Atlanta, Charlotte, Raleigh or Knoxville).  This position requires travel 30% - 40% of the time. Other responsibilities include contacting, cultivation, and solicitation of gifts from major donors in these areas.

Qualified applicants should have at least five years of recent and increasingly productive face-to-face fundraising experience, including two years with high net worth donors.

Want to find out more about this position? Head to the NPT Jobs Career Center for application instructions and more.

Monday, August 5, 2013

4 Kinds Of Bequests

The standard definition of a bequest is a planned gift that ranges from the simple (money) to the extravagant (a house) that is made through a will. Yet while all bequests share the same definition, they are not all created equal.

Nonprofits received more than $23.41 billion in bequests according to the most recent edition of Giving USA. All of those gifts came in different forms and, as Elizabeth Ziemba, J.D., M.P.H. wrote in her book "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Giving Back," it’s important for fundraising officers to clearly understand their differences.

Ziemba noted that there are four distinct types of bequests that can be made in a will. All of these can be mixed and matched in the donor’s will, depending on giving goals. The four types are:
  • Pecuniary Bequest: A gift of a fixed or stated sum of money designated in a donor’s will.
  • Specific Bequest: A gift of a designated or specific item in the will. The item will most likely be sold by the organization and the proceeds would benefit that nonprofit.
  • Residuary Bequest: A gift of all or a portion of the remainder of the donor’s assets after all other bequests have been made as well as debts and taxes paid.
  • Contingent Bequest: A gift in a will made on the condition of a certain event that may or may not happen. A contingent bequest is specific and fails if the condition is not made.