January 2007

Join Us at the 2007 Collaborating for Success National Conference in San Francisco, May 16-18, 2007!

Registration opens February 15, for the 2007 Collaborating for Success National Conference.  Join your colleagues for two and a half days of workshops, site visits and networking all designed to help you create and operate a successful Multi-tenant Nonprofit Center.  This year's Conference will focus on Innovative Leadership.  Experts in the field will share their insights on strategies and tools for leading these complex multi-sector projects.  Members receive a 50% discount on registration!  Watch your mailbox for the registration brochure, or visit our website for updates.

The NonprofitCenters Network in Los Angeles

On January 30, NCN Executive Director China Brotsky will present a short briefing on Strategic Considerations in Creating and Operating Multi-tenant Nonprofit Centers at The California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities in Los Angeles.  With over 125 participants already registered, the event is sure to be a lively forum for nonprofit organizations and their partners who are looking for effective strategies to navigate the tight Los Angeles real estate market.  The event is presented by Community Partners and co-sponsored by The California Endowment's Center for Healthy Communities, Southern California Center for Nonprofit Management and The Planning Report.  For more information, view the event invitation. 

Past

Denver Community Gathering SuccessThe NonprofitCenters Network wrapped up '06 with its last regional workshop in Denver, Colorado. Interest in multi-tenant nonprofit centers is steadily growing in the Rocky Mountain Region. So NCN shared its expertise in strategic considerations for creating nonprofit centers, developing shared services programs, and "greening" building operations. Unique to this workshop was a funders' briefing and dynamic pre-conference networking dinner the day before. Several major funders in Colorado attended the pre-workshop briefing while the workshop itself drew nonprofit practitioners and partners from New Mexico, Wyoming, Montana and Missouri, in addition to cities all over Colorado! In addition to NCN staff, presenters included Molly Fager, of The Dairy Center for the Arts in Boulder, and local real estate developer David Zucker, of Zocalo Community Development. Particular credit for the event's success goes to our incredible Denver partners, Alliance for Sustainable Colorado, and the City of Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships.  Generous support from the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado the City of Denver Office of Economic Development, made it all possible.

IRS Ruling on Exempt Status

Whether you are an existing nonprofit broadening your mission to include a Multi-tenant Nonprofit Center or a totally new entity forming for the express purpose of establishing such a facility, you must be prepared to make your case to the IRS regarding the charitable nature of your work.  NCN member organization Loudoun Cares spent more than a year and a lot of staff time, energy and angst before they convinced the IRS that their MTNC project to provide below market rent to nonprofit partners was a charitable activity worthy of exempt status.  Finally, they were able to locate an IRS Revenue Ruling through the free online database Tax Links, that made their case.  Find a full copy of Revenue Ruling 69-572 and more about Loudon Cares and their process in our Online Resource Center.

Facility Expansion & Renovation: Planning for Capital Projects & Campaigns

The Gates Family Foundation, which focuses on grants for capital projects in Colorado, developed this extensive guide to encourage nonprofits to plan capital projects earlier and better and thus avoid costly and all too common mistakes.  The guide begins with an assessment of the organization's readiness and ends with construction and long-term maintenance. It includes a step-by-step process, helpful tools and a roadmap for capital projects.  A full copy of the guide is available in our Online Resource Center.

Congratulations to Alliance for Sustainable Colorado (ASC) and Third Sector New England (TSNE) for earning Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council.  ASC's Alliance Center building has received LEED - Existing Building Gold certification and LEED - Commercial Interiors Silver certification.  TSNE's NonProfit Center has received the LEED-Commercial Interiors certification.  For more information on LEED certification, contact the U.S. Green Building Council. NCN members can find An Introduction to LEED in the Online Resource Center.

Many thanks to all NCN members who renewed their membership for 2007.  Welcome to New NCN Members 18^th Street Arts Center, Douglas Education Service District, Henry Posko, Montgomery County Community Foundation, Ninth Street Media Consortium, Sustainability Center of the Rockies, and Taos Youth Collaborative.  Join NCN today to take advantage of members-only resources and special discounts on our upcoming national conference!

Third Sector New England's NonProfit Center (NPC) in Boston is pleased to offer new Shared Space for organizations interested in joining the NPC community. Shared Space is designed with workstations and offices that are co-located to encourage more efficient use of the facilities. Tenants are able to rent an individual workstation or several depending on their needs. Tenants in our Shared Space also have access to shared equipment, meeting space, and information technology services. In addition to fostering a collaborative environment, Shared Space offers smaller nonprofit organizations an affordable alternative to a traditional office. For more information about the NonProfit Center and its Shared Space please contact Jackie Cefola.

Do you have an exciting development or interesting experience that you would like to share with the Network?  Send us your news, and we will add it to the next Blueprint for Success.

In the world of commercial real estate, it can be hard to find the right broker who understands the needs of nonprofit organizations.  Concrete Stories, a commercial real estate advisory firm, works to level the playing field for middle market tenants by offering high-quality services traditionally available only to institutional clients.  With a team of seasoned industry professionals, Concrete Stories provides personalized assistance with strategic advice, marketing, brokerage, effective negotiations, and creative real estate development support. Clients of Concrete Stories include Children's Hope International, Hispanic Federation, Sponsors for Educational Opportunity and Tides Shared Spaces.  Learn more on the Concrete Stories Partner Profile.

Found a great partner that you would like to recognize for their support of your Nonprofit Center?  Add them to the Online Partner Directory and share your recommendation with other members of NCN.  Only NCN members can add Partner profiles, so help us recognize and build the community of companies who support Nonprofit Centers.

Have you conducted a multi-organization capital campaign?  Are you willing to share your experience with the Network?  We are looking for organizations who have carried out a collaborative capital campaign for their Nonprofit Center to share their experiences at the National Conference in May.  Please contact Andra Lichtenstein for more information.

Do you offer shared administrative services?  The Children & Family Services Center in Charlotte NC is looking for information from other MTNCs who have successfully accomplished shared administrative (back office) services among tenant nonprofits.  They are looking to create a Management Support Organization (MSO) starting with Human Resources and Finance.  Anyone with this experience willing to share information would be greatly appreciated.  Email Executive Director Peggy Eagan.

Dear friends of The NonprofitCenters Network,

As you may already know, last month I left The NonprofitCenters Network to pursue my interest in journalism more fully. It was much harder than anticipated to leave, and over the last month I've had an opportunity to reflect upon why. Of course, there is always a strong attachment to an organization you were part of in its early stages. But the hardest part about leaving has been two key things. One, no longer having the pleasure of working with an incredible team under the strong leadership of China Brotsky and a dedicated board. And two, no longer interacting regularly with you, NCN's inspiring constituency of nonprofit center practitioners and partners, working tirelessly to ensure nonprofits have the stable, mission-enhancing workspaces they need to create vibrant communities. What comforts me is I plan to stay involved and supportive of your efforts from outside of NCN. And also the knowledge that I've left NCN in very good hands. Roxanne Hanson has the depth of skills and experience coupled with the passion and dedication to the nonprofit sector that will enable her to significantly grow and improve this one-of-a kind organization. I know she will enjoy working with you as much as I have. Best of luck reaching your goals in this new year!

Sincerely,

Mina Kim, former NCN manager

Register Now for Innovative Strategies for Nonprofit Workspace, March 12th in Boston