The Metro Arts Commission and the United Way of Metropolitan Nashville also terminated their contracts with Mercatus on Monday. The arts commission contract had a one-year cap of $45,000.

The United Way had employed Mercatus co-founder Phil Martin for 20 years. United Way chairman Gerard Geraghty said the nonprofit planned to continue working with Martin separately from Mercatus.

Delta Dental celebrates 45 years with 45 grants

As Delta Dental of Tennessee celebrates 45 years of success in 2010, we are privileged to give back to the community that has supported us — especially in this tough economic environment. To commemorate our milestone anniversary, Delta Dental will be contributing $45,000 through 45 years. 45 grants. This grant program is open to all charities in Tennessee supporting oral health and/or children’s education. Grant awards will be $500-$1,500 and applications are now available for download. Applications and inquiries can be emailed to 45grants@deltadentaltn.com. All applications must be submitted by June 1, 2010, and award notifications will be distributed by August 1.

To apply for a grant or learn more, go to www.DeltaDentalTn.com/45grants.

Project for Neighborhood Aftercare is seeking to sublease its furnished office space in Berry Hill. The prime location is at 2807 Bransford Avenue (Suite C), just blocks away from the school board. The space includes three offices (400 SF, 285 SF, and 65 SF) and one bathroom. Total square footage including hallway and reception area is approximately 1,000. Included along with the space are three desks and chairs, a conference table with chairs, two storage cabinets, a small refrigerator and microwave. $795/month including water. (Tenant is responsible for electric costs.) Deposit of $800 is required, and a 6 or 12 month lease is desired. Call Sandy at 385.7067 x 2 or 238.4121 for more details.

To continue expanding the number of jobs in Nashville — and to solve challenges related to public education, poverty, regional transportation, workforce development and others — we must continue to be diligent and disciplined in our strategic approach.

Currently, we are in the early research phase of the process, specifically looking at our strengths and weaknesses as compared with highly competitive peer cities — Austin, Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, Indianapolis and Atlanta.

Where do you think the Middle Tennessee nonprofit community will be in 10 years? How are we a part of Nashville’s growth?

There’ll be a new brew at some local bars soon, and it’s a beer that aims to make a difference.

 Jubilee Beer, an English-style nut-brown ale making its debut March 12, will contribute 50 percent of profits to Oasis Center, a Nashville nonprofit that assists teens in difficult home situations, according to Jubilee founder Mark Dunkerley.

Dunkerley, a returned Nashvillian, describes the brew as medium bodied, not overly bitter, smooth and flavorful.

The beer will be contract brewed by the award-winning Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville, maker of the Bourbon Barrel Stout that first caught Dunkerley’s eye.

The roster of establishments signed up to offer Jubilee so far include many Bites favorites: Whiskey Kitchen, Patterson House, Melrose, Corner Pub Green Hills, Corner Pub in the Woods, Lime, Paradise Park, Virago and, for the thirsty in Williamson County, Wolfgang Puck in Cool Springs. You’re likely to roll up in one or other of those watering holes at some point: supporting a worthy cause will be as easy as ordering a beer.

Volunteer Tennessee seeks service-minded individuals to serve as AmeriCorps Formula Grant Application Review Team members. Independent community reviewers will read and score applications for the 2010-2011 program year, ensuring a fair process for selecting new AmeriCorps programs. Training for reviewers will take place March 3-12, 2010, with submission of final reviews by Friday, April 12, 2010. All processes will take place electronically.

Currently, 325 AmeriCorps members are serving in 13 AmeriCorps programs across Tennessee. We seek both youth reviewers (18-25 – high school graduates) and professionals (or people with experience) in the fields of children and youth services, environment, senior citizen services, veterans, public safety, education, service-learning, literacy and health care. We also welcome community members with other expertise and interests to apply as grant reviewers.

Volunteer Tennessee has received 3 new applications this year that AmeriCorps programs designed to address compelling, local community need. We will conduct phone training for grant reviewers during the week of March 3-12, 2010. Each reviewer will be expected to read, score and provide useful comments for each application. Reviewers will sign a conflict of interest form and should not have close ties to existing AmeriCorps programs or agencies submitting new applications. All grant review work will be completed by Friday, April 12, 2010.

Community participation is vital to the integrity and success of our annual funding process. This is the first year of funding under the Serve America Act and is an excellent opportunity and exciting time to be involved in National Service and addressing critical need in the state of Tennessee. Community members interested in serving on the review team or to receive more information, contact Jamie S. Dent at 615-532-9415 or Jamie.S.Dent@tn.gov by Friday, February 26, 2010. Please forward this Call for Reviewers.

“Breaking the Mold: How Lawyers can Embrace Social Entrepreneurship to Make Change in the World”

a lecture by Scott Morgan, founder & CEO of Education Pioneers

Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010

Vanderbilt University Law School

Renaissance Room

3:30p.m., reception to follow

Free and open to the public

Scott Morgan is the founder and CEO of Education Pioneers, a national nonprofit that recruits and trains a new generation of education leaders dedicated to transforming education. Scott began his career teaching social studies and leadership at St. Jude High School in Montgomery, Alabama, where he won an Excellence in Teaching award. Upon graduation from Stanford Law School, Scott put his legal skills and training to use in the education sector as the legal counsel for Aspire Public Schools, a California nonprofit that builds and operates high quality public charter schools to prepare urban students for college. After seeing the power of professionals with diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives working together to improve urban education, Scott founded Education Pioneers in 2003 to develop a national network of leaders and entrepreneurs focused on devising and implementing creative solutions to our nation’s most pressing educational problems.

For more information, visit www.abcnashville.org

Last year, Hands On Nashville set an agency record by connecting 34,000 volunteers with community service agencies. In a year when more people were struggling to make ends meet, it would have been understandable to see a decline in volunteerism. Instead, Hands On Nashville saw just the opposite.

This says something profound about our community. In a year when the need was at its peak and people were struggling with the economic meltdown, Nashvillians reached out to help each other.

With the creation of new opportunities for citizens’ involvement, this year is shaping up to build on that record-breaking trend. In January, Nashville was awarded a “Cities of Service Leadership Grant” from the Rockefeller Foundation; the Mayor’s Office announced a program that allows city employees to trade work hours for service in public schools; and the Attorney General’s Office released a new “Guidebook for Tennessee Nonprofits” for board members.

Hands On Nashville and the Center for Nonprofit Management are keeping the volunteerism trend rolling by launching OnBoard, an initiative that connects prospective board members with nonprofits in need of their skills.

OnBoard gives individuals the opportunity to learn about the nonprofit sector and key topics and trends within it from the center’s expert trainers. Participants will walk away from the training session understanding the purpose and leadership responsibilities of board members, the financial practices of nonprofits, and their roles in the community as spokesmen and fundraisers. Then, Hands On Nashville will work to place them with agencies in need of their specific skills as board members.

OnBoard keeps alive the spirit of this special year of service, and it meets a community need. Area nonprofits frequently tell us that they are searching for skilled board members of all ages and backgrounds to help guide their organizations in this unique volunteer capacity. OnBoard gets individuals ready for immediate service; it complements and supplements the work of the Young Leaders Council, which prepares young adults for board service through extensive training and internships.

These volunteer programs and initiatives are all coming together because of the Middle Tennessee community’s unique spirit. Hands On Nashville, the Center for Nonprofit Management, and the Mayor’s Office all see what Nashville can become if we harness our energy to increase the community’s vibrancy. Take advantage of the myriad of opportunities to give back, and help us make 2010 the Year of the Volunteer!

“We are pleased to work with Hands On Nashville to introduce this important program,” said Lewis Lavine, president of CNM. “OnBoard offers nonprofits the opportunity to fill their board openings with trained individuals ready and willing to serve. For those who are looking for a governance involvement with a local agency, OnBoard makes the connection.”

The OnBoard program gives individuals the opportunity to learn about the nonprofit sector and key topics and trends within it from CNM’s expert trainers. Participants will walk away from this session understanding the purpose and leadership responsibilities of board members, the financial practices of nonprofits, and their roles in the community as spokespeople and fundraisers.

Following the educational component, OnBoard participants will complete a survey that identifies the issue areas they seek to address through service—from homelessness to environmental protection. Hands On Nashville will then work to match these individuals with organizations seeking qualified board candidates.

“In the last year, Hands On Nashville placed or referred a record 34,000 volunteers to community service agencies. A handful of these volunteers who have interest in deepening their community investment have asked us to refer them to agencies where they can volunteer at the board level. We are honored to partner with CNM to create a formal program that provides this opportunity,” said Brian Williams, Executive Director of Hands On Nashville.

The first OnBoard session will be held April 17, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CNM. The inaugural class will have up to 20 participants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a one-time participation fee of $295, which includes the training, assessment, and placement. Click here to register.

In addition, CNM and Hands On Nashville will take the training and assessment directly to a business at a time convenient to its managers and employees. For more information about this option, contact Sarah Townsend at sarah@cnm.org.

Coverage of the OnBoard announcement ran in the Nashville Post and the Nashville Business Journal.