Humana is calling on all charity organizations in Cheatham, Davidson, Dickson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, Williamson and Wilson counties to apply for a one-time, $100,000 grant for the first Humana Communities Benefit in Nashville charitable grant program.

The program – designed to give local not-for-profits the opportunity to receive a one-time infusion of funding to create new programs or enhance ongoing activities – is open to 501(c)(3) organizations located in the Nashville area that address the health, education and communities of local residents.

About Humana Communities Benefit

Humana Communities Benefit is designed to give local, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations the opportunity to receive a one-time grant to create new programs or enhance ongoing activities in the areas of:

· Childhood health and education: Projects or initiatives that seek to improve health and academic achievement of children through the educational landscape

· Family wellness and active lifestyles: Projects or initiatives that strengthen the health of family through physical, social, mental, emotional, or environmental support

· Health literacy for diverse populations and seniors: Projects or initiatives dedicated to improving people’s ability to access, understand, and use health information, especially low-income populations, and seniors

Questions regarding the Humana Communities Benefit program in Nashville may be directed to Humana at 615-221-2155, press 1 and then enter extension 1030660 or hcbnashville@humana.com. All organizations based in the 10-county area interested in applying for the grant are encouraged to visit www.humana.com/HCB to download a copy of this year’s application and review program criteria. To be considered, organizations must submit an application by Friday, August 6, 2010.

Continue reading ‘Humana Sponsoring 100k Grant for Middle TN Nonprofit’

2010 is an election year in Tennessee, and with that in mind, local nonprofit attorney Stewart Clifton put together this guide on how 501(c)(3) organizations can advocate for their cause, while staying within the law:

501 (c) 3’s,

Nonprofit lobbying and nonprofit partisan electoral activity

Legislative and administrative advocacy: yes

Partisan electoral advocacy in campaigns as nonprofits: no

Many nonprofit staffers, board members and volunteers have learned over time that involvement in public policy advocacy is not only a permitted activity for nonprofits (within certain limits) but also a necessary activity at times. Sometimes our organizational mission and a concern for our clients almost demand involvement in public policy decision-making. But we need to remember that this policy involvement is totally different from a tax and a legal point of view from active involvement in electoral politics. Here are three important points to remember.

1. Can’t support or oppose candidates using work time and/or equipment. Those of us who work on a paid or even volunteer basis for groups with 501(c)(3) status simply cannot endorse or use work time and/or equipment to support or oppose candidates for public office. What we do on our own time is generally up to us, although some boards may have official or unofficial thoughts on that matter.

2. Can’t work in various nonpartisan ways. However, there is plenty that nonprofits can do in a nonpartisan way. See the website for the Nonpartisan Voter Engagement Network for details. http://www.nonprofitvote.org/501c3-Guidelines.html

3. Can shore up relationships for later policy efforts.The third point that public policy will remain important for the nonprofits we serve. Therefore, relationships will remain key. For members who may have missed it, a key policy advocacy truth is that relationships made prior to the need for a legislator’s vote or for a Governor’s support for your cause is crucial. Policy decisions are probably more reflective of an elected official’s relationship with a person asking for support than ideological commitment to a cause or principle. Continue reading ‘Advocacy Do’s and Dont’s for Nonprofits’

Click here to view this week’s nonprofit “Wish List” compiled by the Community Resource Center, and posted on the Tennessean’s Web site.

On CNBC last week, Bob and Lee Woodruff discussed a partnership with Twitter that allowed them to raise funds this past Memorial Day weekend for their nonprofit, ReMIND:

Yesterday, Sam Davidson of CoolPeopleCare gave a presentation at the Belcourt Theater on how arts organization’s can utilize social media tools. Some of you may have seen Sam at our Lunch and Learn sessions or at CEO Network. Here are the major points and the accompanying video from Sam’s blog:

Social Media for Arts Organizations from adam patrick jones on Vimeo.

Who Generation Y is (3:15)
How Gen Y acts (5:00)
What the old consumer model is (7:00)
What the new consumer model is (8:30)
How arts organizations can have a new conversation (11:15)
Some reminders before embarking on a social media campaign (12:45)

There is an opportunity for area nonprofits to receive translation services for free:

P & L Translations Offers Free Spanish Translations for Nashville Non-Profits

P & L Translations will provide free Spanish translations for non-profits located in the Nashville, TN area beginning April 1st. Donations to many non-profits are down, but the need to communicate with Hispanic clients continues to grow and the company wants to help bridge the gap. The first ten certified 501(c)3 organizations who apply each month will receive free English to Spanish translations of up to 250 words. The offer is limited to one free translation per non-profit so that more organizations can benefit.

The company will begin to accept applications on the first of every month, and continuing to the end of the year. Certified 501(c)3 organizations should contact P & L Translations for more information (info@pandltranslations.com or 615.460.9119).

Hands On Nashville has two offices (#1 – 10×11) (#2 – 10×14) and a shared meeting room (12×16) available for lease. There is also the potential for shared phone and computer systems, copier/fax and administrative support (H.R., Finance, and Secretarial). Please contact Brian Williams, Executive Director if interested or if you have questions.

298-1108 x102
brian@hon.org

The Tennessean publishes a nonprofit “Wish List” weekly for area nonprofits. Qualified nonprofit organizations may submit Wish List and Volunteer List requests by contacting Catherine Mayhew at the Community Resource Center, e-mail catherinecrc@comcast.net. To view today’s list, click here.

Today the Tennessean’s Monday-Friday series will host Eric Dewey of United Way. Learn more, and participate in the discussion by clicking here.

A new Web site has been launched to connect ex-offenders and their family members to the resources available in the community:

Tennessee Offender Re-Entry is a new “one-stop shop” available to offenders to help them get – and stay – on their feet.

The Tennessee Department of Correction, The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office, Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and Project Return, Inc. launched Tennessee Offender Re-Entry this month. The Web site connects visitors to non-profit, faith-based, government and for-profit community service agencies in and around the Middle Tennessee area, each sharing the same mission to serve ex-offenders and their families. The agencies featured on Tennessee Offender Re-Entry specialize in counseling, education, employment, health care, transportation and other key areas that, when neglected, can factor prominently in recidivism.