Groundwork Buffalo will be a local affiliate of the Groundwork USA Network – independent, not-for-profit, environmental businesses called Groundwork Trusts working with communities in conjunction with the National Parks Service and the Environmental Protection Agency to improve their environment, economy and quality of life through local action by getting local people, business, government and other organizations involved in practical projects.
Groundwork Buffalo is seeking to hire the organization’s first Executive Director to establish baseline fund-raising, programming, board development, budgets, financial systems, and staffing. A key part of these organizational development activities, will be the successful launch of a vacant lot reclamation and management strategy within the city of Buffalo, with a primary focus in the Mid-City (Near East Side) and MLK Neighborhoods.
The Groundwork Buffalo steering committee was established in December 2006 as a partnership between multiple greening organizations in the city of Buffalo, and will be launching operations in the beginning of 2010. The Executive Director will report directly to the Groundwork Buffalo Board of Directors and will be able to draw from the expertise of the Board of Directors as well as a national network of Groundwork Trusts that have been bringing positive changes to their communities for many years.
The Groundwork Buffalo Steering Committee has completed a feasibility study for the organization that outlines a variety of vacant property reclamation programs and policies that will facilitate neighborhood stabilization and land acquisition, disposition and reclamation. It will be the Executive Director’s charge to attract or create the resources, programs and systems to implement that plan. The Director will be responsible for implementing the task agreement with the National Parks Service to launch Groundwork Buffalo and will work very closely with key stakeholders: the City of Buffalo, the local community, affiliated greening organizations, local nonprofits, funders, and financial institutions to ensure successful execution of the mission.
The Executive Director will be responsible for managing the operations of Groundwork Buffalo, including managing an office, fundraising and development, overseeing financial and program management, making regular progress reports and complying with grant reporting requirements, hiring and managing staff, and setting the strategic direction of the organization.
Prior Work Experience
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience, including work in nonprofit management, local government, and/ or community development.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in related field, master’s degree preferred
• Demonstrated success in grant seeking, proposal writing, fund raising, and development
• Comfortable working with a board of directors and familiarity with non-profit setting
• Demonstrated management experience, including staff supervision and financial management/reporting
• Proven capacity to work with senior level corporate, philanthropic and public sector officials
• Leadership skills and ability to develop program vision
• Proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• Project management experience
• Volunteer management experience
• Comfortable speaking in community forums and facilitating relationships among various sectors
• Ability to manage multiple agendas and operate effectively
• Strong interest in urban regeneration
• Exceptional interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Good organizational abilities; ability to work independently
• Proficiency with word processing, spreadsheets, PowerPoint, and internet communications
• Preference will be giving to candidates with familiarity City of Buffalo local government and civic institutions
Location
The position will be located in Buffalo, New York.
Background
Groundwork organizations’ purpose is to build sustainable communities through joint environmental action thereby empowering people, creating better places, and helping to bring about prosperity. The Groundwork USA network is built on partnership and linked together by the Groundwork USA national office, with support from the Environmental Protection Agency Brownfields Program and the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program. Projects and activities are organized into six program areas as part of our integrated approach to community rejuvenation: land, brownfields, education, business, youth, and communities.
As both convener and implementer, a Groundwork Buffalo (GWB), with representation from existing greening and environmental organizations, has the prospect of adding much value to the process of reclaiming underutilized and neglected open space throughout the city. The reality of resource limitations, however, should be neither overlooked nor understated. It will be crucial for GWB, and its partner agencies to tailor their efforts to communities where their work can have a substantial and sustainable impact. By leveraging and connecting existing assets, greening efforts can serve as more than active and passive recreation spaces, but can serve as catalysts for community involvement and anchors for future investment.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to e-mail listed above or to:
Groundwork Buffalo
c/o LISC
700 Main St, 3rd Floor
Buffalo, NY 14202
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Monday, December 28, 2009
New York Legislature leaves taxpayers seeking solutions to inaction
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported about New Yorkers frustration with the Legislature's failure to craft a long-term state financial plan this past year.
Caps on property taxes and state spending, reforms to campaign finance and ethics laws never came to be, but new taxes and fees did.
"We have sold our soul to people who can strictly bring home the bacon and run up the debt," said Mark Vahey, 68, of Canandaigua. "We're pawns in their game. That does make me angry."
The ways of Albany have long been a source of frustration for New Yorkers, who, along with New Jerseyans, pay the highest property taxes in the country, according to the Tax Foundation.
The level of discontent seems to have increased, however, as state finances have crumbled and a leadership crisis has left lawmakers' important work, from dealing with a projected three-year $28 billion budget deficit to policing themselves, unfinished.
A Quinnipiac University poll earlier this month found that just 17 percent of New York voters approve of state lawmakers' performance.
A September Voice of the Voter poll of Monroe County voters pegged approval of the Senate at 14 percent and the Assembly at 15 percent.
"At a certain level, New Yorkers wanting to tear their hair out of their head is completely understandable," said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group.
The Democrat and Chronicle received 32 responses from voters frustrated with Albany after a request for comments was published. Some of those voters' views are included in this story, as are the views of voters who were sought out for their opinions. Read more here.
Caps on property taxes and state spending, reforms to campaign finance and ethics laws never came to be, but new taxes and fees did.
"We have sold our soul to people who can strictly bring home the bacon and run up the debt," said Mark Vahey, 68, of Canandaigua. "We're pawns in their game. That does make me angry."
The ways of Albany have long been a source of frustration for New Yorkers, who, along with New Jerseyans, pay the highest property taxes in the country, according to the Tax Foundation.
The level of discontent seems to have increased, however, as state finances have crumbled and a leadership crisis has left lawmakers' important work, from dealing with a projected three-year $28 billion budget deficit to policing themselves, unfinished.
A Quinnipiac University poll earlier this month found that just 17 percent of New York voters approve of state lawmakers' performance.
A September Voice of the Voter poll of Monroe County voters pegged approval of the Senate at 14 percent and the Assembly at 15 percent.
"At a certain level, New Yorkers wanting to tear their hair out of their head is completely understandable," said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group.
The Democrat and Chronicle received 32 responses from voters frustrated with Albany after a request for comments was published. Some of those voters' views are included in this story, as are the views of voters who were sought out for their opinions. Read more here.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Help for arts groups will do more than pay bills
The Buffalo News reported that every year when the final Erie County budget comes floating down from the county executive’s office, a nagging concern rears its head in Western New York’s arts and cultural community.
Why, the refrain goes, do the “big five” cultural organizations walk away with the lion’s share of the money? Couldn’t the county spread the love around to smaller and mid-size arts groups instead of forking most of it over to the Buffalo Zoo, Philharmonic, Science Museum, Historical Society and Albright-Knox Art Gallery?
“Not so much,” comes the yearly reply from a county that understandably prefers to build on its proven cultural strengths.
So this year, in recognition of the important role small and mid-sized arts organizations play in the cultural life of Western New York, a group of foundations is making a bold new investment in 17 sub-behemoth arts groups. It’s all under the umbrella organization known as the Fund for the Arts, a group that came together to bolster cultural groups during the nightmarish Erie County budget crisis of 2005.
Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, calls it “bench strength.”
Some might bristle at the application of that particular sports metaphor to the cultural world, but it seems appropriate. Paul Hogan, vice president of the John R. Oishei Foundation, put it this way: “The reason that the big [culturals] are big and strong is because of the myriad of organizations at the bottom, at the middle and lower levels, that feed them.”
The new plan employs a fresh –and untested –approach to arts funding.
Instead of shelling out money to organizations based on specific projects and crossing their fingers in hopes of success –the normal M. O. for foundations –the Fund for the Arts will provide each organization with a consultant. Together, the group and consultant will figure out what the group needs to reach the next level of success—say, a new outreach plan or a way to increase ticket sales. The Fund for the Arts will then pay for whatever they conclude. In all, the initiative will cost approximately $300,000, including a major grant from the Detroit- based Kresge Foundation.
In this way, the foundations are inserting themselves into the process far earlier and staying far longer than is the standard practice. The hope is that this prolonged involvement will create a more self-sufficient organization whose fate is no longer pinned to a single funding source like Erie County or one foundation grant. Read more here.
Why, the refrain goes, do the “big five” cultural organizations walk away with the lion’s share of the money? Couldn’t the county spread the love around to smaller and mid-size arts groups instead of forking most of it over to the Buffalo Zoo, Philharmonic, Science Museum, Historical Society and Albright-Knox Art Gallery?
“Not so much,” comes the yearly reply from a county that understandably prefers to build on its proven cultural strengths.
So this year, in recognition of the important role small and mid-sized arts organizations play in the cultural life of Western New York, a group of foundations is making a bold new investment in 17 sub-behemoth arts groups. It’s all under the umbrella organization known as the Fund for the Arts, a group that came together to bolster cultural groups during the nightmarish Erie County budget crisis of 2005.
Clotilde Perez-Bode Dedecker, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, calls it “bench strength.”
Some might bristle at the application of that particular sports metaphor to the cultural world, but it seems appropriate. Paul Hogan, vice president of the John R. Oishei Foundation, put it this way: “The reason that the big [culturals] are big and strong is because of the myriad of organizations at the bottom, at the middle and lower levels, that feed them.”
The new plan employs a fresh –and untested –approach to arts funding.
Instead of shelling out money to organizations based on specific projects and crossing their fingers in hopes of success –the normal M. O. for foundations –the Fund for the Arts will provide each organization with a consultant. Together, the group and consultant will figure out what the group needs to reach the next level of success—say, a new outreach plan or a way to increase ticket sales. The Fund for the Arts will then pay for whatever they conclude. In all, the initiative will cost approximately $300,000, including a major grant from the Detroit- based Kresge Foundation.
In this way, the foundations are inserting themselves into the process far earlier and staying far longer than is the standard practice. The hope is that this prolonged involvement will create a more self-sufficient organization whose fate is no longer pinned to a single funding source like Erie County or one foundation grant. Read more here.
Local people, agencies step up despite recession
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle offered the following article on nonprofit trends and the use of social media during this year:
Beverly Colon is used to getting a grab bag of sweaters, cookbooks and kitchenware from her siblings every Christmas.
This year, that won't be happening.
Instead, Colon, 40, will be pulling up her sleeves and assembling food bags for the community at her church, The Father's House in Chili.
At the tail end of one of the worst economic years in recent history, Colon, her siblings, in-laws and other relatives have decided to forgo giving presents to one another and instead give their time to charities across Rochester.
"We'd rather give than receive right now," said Colon, of Stafford, Genesee County. "We see such a need out there for volunteering, whether it be at church, or the Open Door Mission or even ringing bells for the Salvation Army."
Despite suffering myriad financial woes, people and agencies across the Rochester community have stepped up this year, reaching out to help the less fortunate in record numbers at a time when the need is greater than ever.
While the recession is affecting everyone, and fundraising is down for some nonprofits, individual donors are still finding ways to give back, and charities are finding ways to reach them.
"It seems our history is that when the economy is poor, then the middle class and upper class say, 'The poor must really be hurting,' and they tend to give more," said Maj. John Hodgson, area coordinator of The Salvation Army, which has seen fundraising lag slightly this year.
Volunteerism has increased significantly for many agencies, including the United Way of Greater Rochester, which met its goal of 280,000 volunteer hours for its annual campaign four months ahead of schedule.
The Jewish Community Federation also had a record number of volunteers — about 200 — at its annual phonathon earlier this month.
Local charities also have expanded their efforts to reach people, using social networking sites and other new approaches.
The result has been that many agencies have been able to maintain their level of help to the community, and some have even seen increased success this year.
Colon is used to getting a grab bag of sweaters, cookbooks and kitchenware from her siblings every Christmas.
This year, that won't be happening.
Instead, Colon, 40, will be pulling up her sleeves and assembling food bags for the community at her church, The Father's House in Chili.
At the tail end of one of the worst economic years in recent history, Colon, her siblings, in-laws and other relatives have decided to forgo giving presents to one another and instead give their time to charities across Rochester.
"We'd rather give than receive right now," said Colon, of Stafford, Genesee County. "We see such a need out there for volunteering, whether it be at church, or the Open Door Mission or even ringing bells for the Salvation Army."
Despite suffering myriad financial woes, people and agencies across the Rochester community have stepped up this year, reaching out to help the less fortunate in record numbers at a time when the need is greater than ever.
While the recession is affecting everyone, and fundraising is down for some nonprofits, individual donors are still finding ways to give back, and charities are finding ways to reach them.
"It seems our history is that when the economy is poor, then the middle class and upper class say, 'The poor must really be hurting,' and they tend to give more," said Maj. John Hodgson, area coordinator of The Salvation Army, which has seen fundraising lag slightly this year.
Volunteerism has increased significantly for many agencies, including the United Way of Greater Rochester, which met its goal of 280,000 volunteer hours for its annual campaign four months ahead of schedule.
The Jewish Community Federation also had a record number of volunteers — about 200 — at its annual phonathon earlier this month.
Local charities also have expanded their efforts to reach people, using social networking sites and other new approaches.
The result has been that many agencies have been able to maintain their level of help to the community, and some have even seen increased success this year.
"I think all in all, we're very blessed," said Gary Smith, executive director of the Pirate Toy Fund, which has mostly been able to keep up with demands this year despite seeing an increased number of agencies asking for assistance.
For the past 15 years, Colon, a medical records technician, and the other adults in her family have exchanged presents after pulling each other's names out of a "gift bag."
Her sister, Daisy Rivera Algarin, a senior marketing specialist with the city of Rochester, said that volunteering this year will more than make up for the lack of presents.
"We're going to get a lot more out of it than just our time," said Rivera, of Rochester, "just people's appreciation and seeing what happens."
The need for help this year has been "through the roof," said Smith, the Pirate Toy Fund executive director.
The fund gave away about 24,000 toys to agencies last year and Smith said that number is likely to increase by about 25 percent in 2009.
Other nonprofits in the Rochester area have also seen an increased call for services this year. Agencies supplied by Foodlink served about 21 percent more meals during the first 10 months of 2009 compared to the first 10 months of 2008, said Maria Oberst, Foodlink's community relations manager.
While the need for help has gone up, the availability of funding has dwindled for charities across the country.
Katherina Rosqueta, executive director of The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania, said nonprofits have had to make difficult decisions, including cutting programs and reducing staff.
They've also had to prioritize their services, she said, with basic necessities like food taking precedence.
"The pain is pretty widespread..." Rosqueta said. "It's kind of that perfect storm of a recession."
In order to contend with their loss of revenue, some nonprofits are trying new methods to reach contributors, including using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The Salvation Army uses both in order to reach younger donors, said Hodgson.
In 2010, the United Way is planning on posting volunteer opportunities on Twitter so followers can see what jobs are available, said Carly Layton, the agency's director of marketing and communications.
Social networking is a necessity for nonprofits as they adjust to changing donor resources, said Kn Moy, senior vice president of Insight and Innovation for Masterworks, a Poulsbo, Washington-based marketing firm that assists Christian nonprofits, including the Rochester Salvation Army.
"It's really going where people are at," said Moy, "going where people who are passionate are at."
Volunteers of America of Western New York also is using Facebook to help boost donations to its Caring Gifts appeal, which is behind schedule this year. Only about $36,000 has been raised so far toward the goal of $85,000. The appeal ends on Dec. 31.
"We're hoping that as we get a little closer to the holidays, people will really dig deep and say, 'I'll make a sacrifice,'" said Shaunta Collier-Santos, the agency's communications and special events manager.
A few charities in Rochester have done well in the recession.
At ABVI-Goodwill, profits went up about 13 percent in fiscal year 2009, which ended on March 31, said Tim Gleason, director of marketing and communications for ABVI-Goodwill.
The agency benefits from the fact that more people shop at Goodwill stores during difficult economic times, Gleason said.
The Catholic Ministries Appeal has raised about $4.3 million so far in 2009, about $250,000 ahead of last year's pace, said Dave Kelly, coordinator of the program.
Kelly attributed the increase to the efforts of individual churches.
With money scarce, some have gotten creative in their attempts to help.
Susie Kopitzki, a senior buyer at the University of Rochester, decided to put her network of friends to good use when she raised money for Lollypop Farm at a fundraising race in September.
In 2008, Kopitzki, of Rochester, was able to raise more than $650 for the race from friends and neighbors.
This year, she posted constant updates on her Facebook wall, asking people to help her raise more.
She also got a friend who owns a clothing store in Rochester to offer a 20 percent discount on all purchases to anyone who donated $20.
With these methods, Kopitzki increased her fundraising to about $2,200 this year, finishing as the top individual fundraiser.
With Facebook, she said, "you can just reach a mass amount of people."
"I think I've got like 330 friends on my friends list. I can't reach them all by e-mail, so it definitely helps a lot."
Kopitzki, 33, was able to give back to her favorite nonprofit by collecting small amounts of money from many people.
In contrast, Earl Lenhard of Brockport planned on giving a lump sum of $100,000 to the United Way, his charity of choice.
Lenhard had money stored up from investments and savings, but, when the stock market took a tumble, he had to revise his plans.
"With the way the economy was going and the way the stock market was going, I didn't expect to have enough there to maintain myself, let alone maintain the United Way," said Lenhard, 60. "I just happened to think of the idea of possibly giving a life insurance policy to them."
Lenhard, an independent contractor, created a policy that will deliver $250,000 to the United Way when he dies, if he dies before he's 102. He pays about $242 into the policy every month.
Lenhard worked for the United Way for almost 13 years, directing a program that distributed products to different nonprofit agencies in Rochester.
"I believe in what they do," he said, "and I think it's the best way to affect the most people in need in the community."
He said he hopes his contribution sets a good example for other people to follow.
This year, younger people are setting their own example.
Hailey Button, 15, and her friends got together recently to ring the bell for The Salvation Army outside The Mall at Greece Ridge.
The ninth-grader and three of her classmates from Greece Athena High School dressed in Santa hats and sang Christmas carols as they watched shoppers drop money into their red kettle.
"It's good to be able to do something to help others," said Hailey, who hopes to turn the event into an annual tradition with her friends.
"There are people who aren't as fortunate as me."
Beverly Colon is used to getting a grab bag of sweaters, cookbooks and kitchenware from her siblings every Christmas.
This year, that won't be happening.
Instead, Colon, 40, will be pulling up her sleeves and assembling food bags for the community at her church, The Father's House in Chili.
At the tail end of one of the worst economic years in recent history, Colon, her siblings, in-laws and other relatives have decided to forgo giving presents to one another and instead give their time to charities across Rochester.
"We'd rather give than receive right now," said Colon, of Stafford, Genesee County. "We see such a need out there for volunteering, whether it be at church, or the Open Door Mission or even ringing bells for the Salvation Army."
Despite suffering myriad financial woes, people and agencies across the Rochester community have stepped up this year, reaching out to help the less fortunate in record numbers at a time when the need is greater than ever.
While the recession is affecting everyone, and fundraising is down for some nonprofits, individual donors are still finding ways to give back, and charities are finding ways to reach them.
"It seems our history is that when the economy is poor, then the middle class and upper class say, 'The poor must really be hurting,' and they tend to give more," said Maj. John Hodgson, area coordinator of The Salvation Army, which has seen fundraising lag slightly this year.
Volunteerism has increased significantly for many agencies, including the United Way of Greater Rochester, which met its goal of 280,000 volunteer hours for its annual campaign four months ahead of schedule.
The Jewish Community Federation also had a record number of volunteers — about 200 — at its annual phonathon earlier this month.
Local charities also have expanded their efforts to reach people, using social networking sites and other new approaches.
The result has been that many agencies have been able to maintain their level of help to the community, and some have even seen increased success this year.
Colon is used to getting a grab bag of sweaters, cookbooks and kitchenware from her siblings every Christmas.
This year, that won't be happening.
Instead, Colon, 40, will be pulling up her sleeves and assembling food bags for the community at her church, The Father's House in Chili.
At the tail end of one of the worst economic years in recent history, Colon, her siblings, in-laws and other relatives have decided to forgo giving presents to one another and instead give their time to charities across Rochester.
"We'd rather give than receive right now," said Colon, of Stafford, Genesee County. "We see such a need out there for volunteering, whether it be at church, or the Open Door Mission or even ringing bells for the Salvation Army."
Despite suffering myriad financial woes, people and agencies across the Rochester community have stepped up this year, reaching out to help the less fortunate in record numbers at a time when the need is greater than ever.
While the recession is affecting everyone, and fundraising is down for some nonprofits, individual donors are still finding ways to give back, and charities are finding ways to reach them.
"It seems our history is that when the economy is poor, then the middle class and upper class say, 'The poor must really be hurting,' and they tend to give more," said Maj. John Hodgson, area coordinator of The Salvation Army, which has seen fundraising lag slightly this year.
Volunteerism has increased significantly for many agencies, including the United Way of Greater Rochester, which met its goal of 280,000 volunteer hours for its annual campaign four months ahead of schedule.
The Jewish Community Federation also had a record number of volunteers — about 200 — at its annual phonathon earlier this month.
Local charities also have expanded their efforts to reach people, using social networking sites and other new approaches.
The result has been that many agencies have been able to maintain their level of help to the community, and some have even seen increased success this year.
"I think all in all, we're very blessed," said Gary Smith, executive director of the Pirate Toy Fund, which has mostly been able to keep up with demands this year despite seeing an increased number of agencies asking for assistance.
For the past 15 years, Colon, a medical records technician, and the other adults in her family have exchanged presents after pulling each other's names out of a "gift bag."
Her sister, Daisy Rivera Algarin, a senior marketing specialist with the city of Rochester, said that volunteering this year will more than make up for the lack of presents.
"We're going to get a lot more out of it than just our time," said Rivera, of Rochester, "just people's appreciation and seeing what happens."
The need for help this year has been "through the roof," said Smith, the Pirate Toy Fund executive director.
The fund gave away about 24,000 toys to agencies last year and Smith said that number is likely to increase by about 25 percent in 2009.
Other nonprofits in the Rochester area have also seen an increased call for services this year. Agencies supplied by Foodlink served about 21 percent more meals during the first 10 months of 2009 compared to the first 10 months of 2008, said Maria Oberst, Foodlink's community relations manager.
While the need for help has gone up, the availability of funding has dwindled for charities across the country.
Katherina Rosqueta, executive director of The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania, said nonprofits have had to make difficult decisions, including cutting programs and reducing staff.
They've also had to prioritize their services, she said, with basic necessities like food taking precedence.
"The pain is pretty widespread..." Rosqueta said. "It's kind of that perfect storm of a recession."
In order to contend with their loss of revenue, some nonprofits are trying new methods to reach contributors, including using social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The Salvation Army uses both in order to reach younger donors, said Hodgson.
In 2010, the United Way is planning on posting volunteer opportunities on Twitter so followers can see what jobs are available, said Carly Layton, the agency's director of marketing and communications.
Social networking is a necessity for nonprofits as they adjust to changing donor resources, said Kn Moy, senior vice president of Insight and Innovation for Masterworks, a Poulsbo, Washington-based marketing firm that assists Christian nonprofits, including the Rochester Salvation Army.
"It's really going where people are at," said Moy, "going where people who are passionate are at."
Volunteers of America of Western New York also is using Facebook to help boost donations to its Caring Gifts appeal, which is behind schedule this year. Only about $36,000 has been raised so far toward the goal of $85,000. The appeal ends on Dec. 31.
"We're hoping that as we get a little closer to the holidays, people will really dig deep and say, 'I'll make a sacrifice,'" said Shaunta Collier-Santos, the agency's communications and special events manager.
A few charities in Rochester have done well in the recession.
At ABVI-Goodwill, profits went up about 13 percent in fiscal year 2009, which ended on March 31, said Tim Gleason, director of marketing and communications for ABVI-Goodwill.
The agency benefits from the fact that more people shop at Goodwill stores during difficult economic times, Gleason said.
The Catholic Ministries Appeal has raised about $4.3 million so far in 2009, about $250,000 ahead of last year's pace, said Dave Kelly, coordinator of the program.
Kelly attributed the increase to the efforts of individual churches.
With money scarce, some have gotten creative in their attempts to help.
Susie Kopitzki, a senior buyer at the University of Rochester, decided to put her network of friends to good use when she raised money for Lollypop Farm at a fundraising race in September.
In 2008, Kopitzki, of Rochester, was able to raise more than $650 for the race from friends and neighbors.
This year, she posted constant updates on her Facebook wall, asking people to help her raise more.
She also got a friend who owns a clothing store in Rochester to offer a 20 percent discount on all purchases to anyone who donated $20.
With these methods, Kopitzki increased her fundraising to about $2,200 this year, finishing as the top individual fundraiser.
With Facebook, she said, "you can just reach a mass amount of people."
"I think I've got like 330 friends on my friends list. I can't reach them all by e-mail, so it definitely helps a lot."
Kopitzki, 33, was able to give back to her favorite nonprofit by collecting small amounts of money from many people.
In contrast, Earl Lenhard of Brockport planned on giving a lump sum of $100,000 to the United Way, his charity of choice.
Lenhard had money stored up from investments and savings, but, when the stock market took a tumble, he had to revise his plans.
"With the way the economy was going and the way the stock market was going, I didn't expect to have enough there to maintain myself, let alone maintain the United Way," said Lenhard, 60. "I just happened to think of the idea of possibly giving a life insurance policy to them."
Lenhard, an independent contractor, created a policy that will deliver $250,000 to the United Way when he dies, if he dies before he's 102. He pays about $242 into the policy every month.
Lenhard worked for the United Way for almost 13 years, directing a program that distributed products to different nonprofit agencies in Rochester.
"I believe in what they do," he said, "and I think it's the best way to affect the most people in need in the community."
He said he hopes his contribution sets a good example for other people to follow.
This year, younger people are setting their own example.
Hailey Button, 15, and her friends got together recently to ring the bell for The Salvation Army outside The Mall at Greece Ridge.
The ninth-grader and three of her classmates from Greece Athena High School dressed in Santa hats and sang Christmas carols as they watched shoppers drop money into their red kettle.
"It's good to be able to do something to help others," said Hailey, who hopes to turn the event into an annual tradition with her friends.
"There are people who aren't as fortunate as me."
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Impact of WNY nonprofits climbs to $2B
Buffalo Business First offered the following article about the economic impact of the region's nonprofits:
With combined revenues of more than $1.9 billion, Western New York 233 largest nonprofit entities have a huge impact on the region.
Those with the biggest impact, however, are the top 5 percent, including a dozen organizations with revenues of $25 million or more and thousands of employees, according to this year’s Million Dollar Nonprofits list.
The list, part of an annual research project by Business First, is compiled using federal tax forms from each agency’s 2007 fiscal year to identify the organizations with at least a million dollars in revenues. The list includes human service providers, cultural groups, nursing homes, health-related agencies, economic development organizations and social service groups.
The top four Million Dollar Nonprofits are all providers of services to individuals with disabilities and together have revenues topping $284 million: People Inc. of Amherst, with $102.7 million; The Resource Center of Jamestown, with $82 million; Aspire of WNY Inc. of Amherst, $63 million; and Heritage Centers in Buffalo, $36.4 million.
The top 12 also includes: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, $34.5 million; CUBRC Inc., $33.4 million; Hospice Buffalo Inc. $33.4 million; Catholic Charities of Buffalo, $30.9 million; Chautauqua Institution, $27.8 million; McCauley Seton Home Care, $26 million; Rental Assistance Corp. of Buffalo, $25.6 million; and Community Action Organization of Erie County, $25.4 million.
More than a quarter of the agencies featured, or 27 percent, have revenues over $10 million, while the greatest percentage, 46 percent, fall into the $1 million to $5 million category.
All data on the 233 Million Dollar Nonprofits, as well as a list of the region’s 25 largest private foundations and a listing of 2010 nonprofit charitable events and fundraiser, can be found in the All About Nonprofits special publication in the Nov. 6 edition of Business First.
Subscribers will find the publication included with their weekly paper, while others can purchase copies on newsstands for $5.95 or by calling Karen Schiffmacher at 716-541-1631.
With combined revenues of more than $1.9 billion, Western New York 233 largest nonprofit entities have a huge impact on the region.
Those with the biggest impact, however, are the top 5 percent, including a dozen organizations with revenues of $25 million or more and thousands of employees, according to this year’s Million Dollar Nonprofits list.
The list, part of an annual research project by Business First, is compiled using federal tax forms from each agency’s 2007 fiscal year to identify the organizations with at least a million dollars in revenues. The list includes human service providers, cultural groups, nursing homes, health-related agencies, economic development organizations and social service groups.
The top four Million Dollar Nonprofits are all providers of services to individuals with disabilities and together have revenues topping $284 million: People Inc. of Amherst, with $102.7 million; The Resource Center of Jamestown, with $82 million; Aspire of WNY Inc. of Amherst, $63 million; and Heritage Centers in Buffalo, $36.4 million.
The top 12 also includes: Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, $34.5 million; CUBRC Inc., $33.4 million; Hospice Buffalo Inc. $33.4 million; Catholic Charities of Buffalo, $30.9 million; Chautauqua Institution, $27.8 million; McCauley Seton Home Care, $26 million; Rental Assistance Corp. of Buffalo, $25.6 million; and Community Action Organization of Erie County, $25.4 million.
More than a quarter of the agencies featured, or 27 percent, have revenues over $10 million, while the greatest percentage, 46 percent, fall into the $1 million to $5 million category.
All data on the 233 Million Dollar Nonprofits, as well as a list of the region’s 25 largest private foundations and a listing of 2010 nonprofit charitable events and fundraiser, can be found in the All About Nonprofits special publication in the Nov. 6 edition of Business First.
Subscribers will find the publication included with their weekly paper, while others can purchase copies on newsstands for $5.95 or by calling Karen Schiffmacher at 716-541-1631.
Nonprofits rethinking business model
The Buffalo Business First featured an article about how the region's nonprofits are responding to the difficult economic challenges. As the article relates, they are developing entrepreneurial ventures to generate new dollars for operating:
Small agencies are dealing with it. So are the largest.
Even the millionaire agencies – those with at least a million dollars in revenues that have made it onto the Business First Million Dollar Nonprofits list – say the situation doesn’t appear to be getting easier. They had collective revenues of $1.92 billion in fiscal 2007, but individually many are struggling and seeking ways to stay solvent. Many are exploring new funding options from foundations and contract opportunities as well as earned income through for-profit social enterprises.
Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute will start one such venture Jan. 1 when it begins a management contract with the Industrial Macromolecular Crystallography Association (IMCA), a consortium of nine of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies. The five-year contract calls for Hauptman-Woodward to manage IMCA’s Advanced Photon Source near Chicago, where X-rays used for X-ray crystallography are produced.
In addition to the $1 million management fee over a five-year period, the real value of the venture comes in the form of future possibilities, says Eaton “Ed” Lattman, CEO and executive director at HWI, a $7 million organization.
“We earn some money out of it, but we also get on the radar screens of these nine companies,” he says. “It’s at least equally important that we might get them, for example, to be customers of the high output crystallography lab here at the institute, or we might develop intellectual property with one of these firms.”
The agency is not alone. Nonprofits are increasingly investing in social enterprises despite the economic downturn, according to a survey by Community Wealth Ventures Inc. and the Social Enterprise Alliance of Washington, D.C. More than half of the 848 social sector organizations surveyed already operate a social enterprise, while 60 percent indicated they plan to launch another in the next few years.
Those considering their first enterprise cite a motivation to increase revenues and to extend the mission of their organization.
Mark Foley, president and CEO of Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, says he’s been focusing on better business practices to avoid cutting programs or making layoffs at the $21 million agency. Now he’s beginning to explore the possibility of social enterprise.
“I don’t know that I’ve come up with anything that’s rocket science here,” he says. “Nonprofits have to be more business-like when funding support from donors and government start shrinking.”
The sale of reproduced rare prints and artwork is the newest venture for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, which already earns dollars through Fables Cafe in the central library. Bridget Quinn-Carey, executive director, says the library is exploring a variety of opportunities for new revenues.
“We’re rethinking what we’re doing in our retail store too, thinking how can we better take advantage of this great real estate in there,” she says.
A cafe is also bringing in new revenue at the Buffalo Museum of Science. First opened this summer during the run of the popular Body Worlds exhibit, the museum is continuing the venture along with an increased emphasis on facilities rentals such as weddings and events in the main hall as well as the auditorium.
CEO Mark Mortenson says the nearly $3.3 million organization is looking at expanding those opportunities, as well as overnight programming for families.
“We always want to make sure it’s a unique experience every time an individual comes here,” he says. “We have a three-year approved strategic plan now aimed at identifying funding opportunities to change experiences throughout the museum.”
Habitat for Humanity Buffalo, with overall revenues of $1.5 million, has found better than expected success through its Restore, a retail shop that sells donated goods including building supplies, appliances, furniture and housewares. Over the four years since it opened in North Buffalo, the store has generated $500,000 in income, enough funds to build 12 houses.
David Zablotny, executive director, says the venture is working.
“It’s been much better than anyone has expected,” he says, adding that the agency is looking at whether it would make sense to add a second outlet, as other Habitat chapters have done. “That money we brought in through the Restore last year Is about 12 percent of our revenues, so we’re looking to find ways to increase that number.”
The YWCA of Niagara began a social enterprise last year with the creation of The Catering Crew, a catering company/culinary training program for the women living at its Carolyn’s House shelter in Niagara Falls. In this case, the venture serves a dual purpose: providing women with both training and a paycheck, and with additional revenues funneled back into the program. Read more here.
Small agencies are dealing with it. So are the largest.
Even the millionaire agencies – those with at least a million dollars in revenues that have made it onto the Business First Million Dollar Nonprofits list – say the situation doesn’t appear to be getting easier. They had collective revenues of $1.92 billion in fiscal 2007, but individually many are struggling and seeking ways to stay solvent. Many are exploring new funding options from foundations and contract opportunities as well as earned income through for-profit social enterprises.
Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute will start one such venture Jan. 1 when it begins a management contract with the Industrial Macromolecular Crystallography Association (IMCA), a consortium of nine of the nation’s largest pharmaceutical companies. The five-year contract calls for Hauptman-Woodward to manage IMCA’s Advanced Photon Source near Chicago, where X-rays used for X-ray crystallography are produced.
In addition to the $1 million management fee over a five-year period, the real value of the venture comes in the form of future possibilities, says Eaton “Ed” Lattman, CEO and executive director at HWI, a $7 million organization.
“We earn some money out of it, but we also get on the radar screens of these nine companies,” he says. “It’s at least equally important that we might get them, for example, to be customers of the high output crystallography lab here at the institute, or we might develop intellectual property with one of these firms.”
The agency is not alone. Nonprofits are increasingly investing in social enterprises despite the economic downturn, according to a survey by Community Wealth Ventures Inc. and the Social Enterprise Alliance of Washington, D.C. More than half of the 848 social sector organizations surveyed already operate a social enterprise, while 60 percent indicated they plan to launch another in the next few years.
Those considering their first enterprise cite a motivation to increase revenues and to extend the mission of their organization.
Mark Foley, president and CEO of Community Services for the Developmentally Disabled, says he’s been focusing on better business practices to avoid cutting programs or making layoffs at the $21 million agency. Now he’s beginning to explore the possibility of social enterprise.
“I don’t know that I’ve come up with anything that’s rocket science here,” he says. “Nonprofits have to be more business-like when funding support from donors and government start shrinking.”
The sale of reproduced rare prints and artwork is the newest venture for the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, which already earns dollars through Fables Cafe in the central library. Bridget Quinn-Carey, executive director, says the library is exploring a variety of opportunities for new revenues.
“We’re rethinking what we’re doing in our retail store too, thinking how can we better take advantage of this great real estate in there,” she says.
A cafe is also bringing in new revenue at the Buffalo Museum of Science. First opened this summer during the run of the popular Body Worlds exhibit, the museum is continuing the venture along with an increased emphasis on facilities rentals such as weddings and events in the main hall as well as the auditorium.
CEO Mark Mortenson says the nearly $3.3 million organization is looking at expanding those opportunities, as well as overnight programming for families.
“We always want to make sure it’s a unique experience every time an individual comes here,” he says. “We have a three-year approved strategic plan now aimed at identifying funding opportunities to change experiences throughout the museum.”
Habitat for Humanity Buffalo, with overall revenues of $1.5 million, has found better than expected success through its Restore, a retail shop that sells donated goods including building supplies, appliances, furniture and housewares. Over the four years since it opened in North Buffalo, the store has generated $500,000 in income, enough funds to build 12 houses.
David Zablotny, executive director, says the venture is working.
“It’s been much better than anyone has expected,” he says, adding that the agency is looking at whether it would make sense to add a second outlet, as other Habitat chapters have done. “That money we brought in through the Restore last year Is about 12 percent of our revenues, so we’re looking to find ways to increase that number.”
The YWCA of Niagara began a social enterprise last year with the creation of The Catering Crew, a catering company/culinary training program for the women living at its Carolyn’s House shelter in Niagara Falls. In this case, the venture serves a dual purpose: providing women with both training and a paycheck, and with additional revenues funneled back into the program. Read more here.
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