TOP NEWS
With no heroes in sight, the Big Apple Circus will fold its tent: The Big Apple Circus, a beloved, bohemian, New York City institution for more than 35 years, announced it was ending its public performances, the New York Times reports. Last month, Big Apple started an emergency fundraising drive, saying its finances were in so much trouble it would have to shut down if it did not raise $2 million fairly quickly.
Covered-up memo reveals de Blasio officials weighed pros and cons of selling Rivington House for condos: The Department of Investigation released evidence Tuesday that the de Blasio administration deliberately covered up crucial information regarding the city's handling of a deed restriction on a Lower East Side nonprofit nursing home, the Daily News writes. Behind the scenes DOI notified Corporation Counsel Zachary Carter by letter it would sue him to gain access to the mayor’s computer and thousands of pages of documents it had requested that Carter censored.
Early childhood investment has huge financial returns: Large amounts of philanthropic capital directed at early-childhood investments have the potential to produce returns of 5 to 11 dollars for every dollar invested, according to the NonProfit Times. An investment of $1 billion focused on children ages five and under could result in the upward trajectory of hundreds of thousands of low-income Americans.
Would more philanthropic giving actually make the world a better place?: Inside Philanthropy asks if the current endowment model of husbanding resources for a rainy day is downright criminal given that it’s pouring down right now. Or is it wise stewardship, since opening the spigots probably wouldn’t make much of a difference?
Too many nonprofits? Or too many silly questions?:Nonprofit Quarterly writes that the question of too many concentrated nonprofits isn’t new or unique, but it is persistent. In the context of the new lower threshold afforded by the 1023-EZ, which expedites applications for federal tax-exempt recognition, however, the question may sometime soon have additional relevance.
Podcast - When nonprofit size matters in fundraising careers: The Chronicle of Philanthropy interviews Roger Craver, chief editor of fundraising blog The Agitator, who identifies the pros and cons of working for a big or a small nonprofit, drawing on his decades of experience building campaigns for Common Cause, the National Organization for Women, and many more nonprofits of all sizes.
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Programs Designed Specifically For You
Columbia Business School Executive Education offers non-degree programs in a variety of categories – including programs specifically designed for nonprofit leaders.
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NYN BUZZ
Hearst Foundation awards $75,000 to Salvadori Center:
The Hearst Foundation has awarded $75,000 to the Salvadori Center to support its Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math programs throughout New York City. Salvadori provides collaborative, hands-on, project-based learning experiences for underserved, low income students in all five boroughs. The grant allows Salvadori to serve schools and communities with the tightest budgets and the students with the highest need.
Governor Cuomo names The Jewish Board’s Government Relations Director Cara Berkowitz to NYS Task Force on Life and the Law:
Governor Andrew Cuomo named Cara Berkowitz, senior director of government relations at the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services and an attorney with more than 15 years’ experience in government and nonprofit affairs, to the New York State Task Force on Life and the Law. Chaired by New York State Department of Health commissioner Howard Zucker, the Task Force assists the state in developing public policy on issues arising from the intersection of medicine, law, and ethics. Since arriving at The Jewish Board in 2015, Ms. Berkowitz has raised more than $3 million dollars for the nonprofit’s diverse array of programs in the areas of mental and physical health, domestic violence and supportive housing.
Olympic legend visits future Bronx youth track stars:
On July 15, children at PS 294 in the Bronx got a surprise visit from sports legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Made possible by Brandon Steiner of Steiner Sports and filmed for an upcoming segment of “The Hook-up,” the day was a memorable one for the future track stars. Beginning last November, Abbott House - a nonprofit organization serving vulnerable children and families - partnered with the New York City Department of Education to provide a variety of resource activities to three public schools in the Mount Eden community of the Bronx. Named “The Community Schools Resource Program,” the collaborative encourages student success through components such as after-school and summer programming, family engagement, social services, and physical and mental health care.
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PAYING MORE THAN YOU NEED TO FOR TELECOM SERVICES?
AMS can help nonprofits save money: Review for Billing Errors - Audit invoices against your billing records for discrepancies; Optimizing Existing Plans - Assessing existing plans to optimize utilization without switching carriers; Efficient Services - Explore more robust options available for the same cost; Savings for Organizations - Focus on what really matters, with additional available resources to support your mission. To receive a preliminary complimentary assessment click here.
Join the fun at the 15th Anniversary of “Camp Finance.” Hosted by NYCON on October 6th & 7th at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz NY, this is an incomparable two-day retreat experience for Executive Directors, Financial Staff, Board Members, Fundraisers, Marketing and Development Staff alike. Keynote Speakers include Vu Le, Nonprofit Humorist from nonprofitwithballs.com and Melanie Herman, Executive Director at the Nonprofit Risk Management Center. Information Online Now.
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NYN CAREERS
(Visit www.nyncareers.com to view all jobs.)
Chief Financial Officer, Brooklyn Community Services
The CFO serves on the BCS Executive Staff, and is responsible for financial oversight for more than 30 programs and services across 25 BCS sites in Downtown Brooklyn, Bedford Stuyvesant, Crown Heights, East New York, Brownsville, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Canarsie and Coney Island. The CFO is also responsible for oversight of BCS facilities management, purchasing and information technology systems. As a member of Executive Staff, ensure effective leadership for all BCS programs and services. Inspire a culture of accountability and customer service at all levels of the organization. Implement and lead continuous quality improvement processes throughout BCS, and work to ensure that leadership and staff throughout BCS communicate effectively and collaboratively. Read more.
Senior VP of Family Foster Care, Saint Dominic’s Home
As a key member of the Management Team, the Senior Vice President of the Family Foster Care will assume responsibility for the supervision and coordination of several units in the Family Foster Care Department. These units may include Case Management, Home-finding, Adoption and/or Therapeutic units. He/She will provide overall administrative supervision to supervisors within the units to ensure that the department meets and exceeds the regulatory standards of all pertinent governmental bodies. He/she will work collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President of Family Foster Care to establish casework methods and determine standards and procedures based on sound social work principles, agency mission and all federal, state and city policies. Read more.
Director of Special Medical/Developmental Disabilities Foster Care, New Alternatives for Children
New Alternatives for Children, Inc. (NAC) is an award-winning health and social services agency in NYC with 30+ years of experience serving children with special medical needs and their families. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Director of Special Medical/Developmental Disabilities Foster Care.Key Responsibilities include providing direct supervision to Special Medical/Developmental Disabilities/HIV Foster Care Department Supervisors and Case Associates and prepare timely evaluations of supervisees. Read more.
NYN MEDIA CAREERS: To advertise your employment opportunities with NYN Media email lblake@cityandstateny.com.
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POLITICAL BULLETIN by CITY & STATE:
* State University of New York officials confirmed they received a subpoena related to federal prosecutors’ investigation into de Blasio’s involvement in the sale of Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, the Daily News reports.
* Bill Bratton’s revelation that he won’t be staying on as NYPD commissioner beyond 2017 echoes his announced departure from the Giuliani administration, but this time the politically vulnerable de Blasio is stuck with him, NYPD Confidential’s Len Levitt writes in NY Slant.
* New York City officials announced changes to J’Ouvert, a predawn street festival that precedes the West Indian American Day Parade, which includes using many more floodlights than usual and doubling the number of officers around, the Times reports.
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NYN SOCIAL BUZZ
Recent galas and events: (view photos):
CN Guidance & Counseling Services; IICF’s 17th Annual Charitable Softball Tournament; Brooklyn Bar Association
Upcoming galas and events:
Aug. 17 -- ACC's Pit Bowl
Aug. 21 - Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation's 8th Annual Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium
Sept. 7 -- Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS will host its fifth annual summer soiree and fundraiser, Picnic By Design.
Sept. 9 -- Tuesday’s Children hosts “Rise Up” Downtown”
Sept. 16 -- Montgomery – RECAP will hold it’s Annual Golf Outing at Stony Ford Golf Course in Montgomery, N.Y.
* To have your event featured here send your top 1-2 photos, along with a one sentence caption and photo credit, to info@nynmedia.comwith the subject line “Recent Galas and Events.” To see more events, check our events/community calendar here.
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Give More to Your Organization
Because behind every great leader is a great cause, Columbia Business School Executive Education’s programs in social enterprise focus on developing strategic leadership and superior management skills so that you can give your organization more – more impact, more cross-functional planning, more reach.
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NONPROFITS IN THE NEWS
Revealed - Senior housing at 1880 Boston Road in West Farms, Bronx: The latest affordable housing development to join an industrial slice of the central Bronx sandwiched between the Cross Bronx Expressway and the elevated subway tracks is a 10-story affordable residential building for seniors at 1880 Boston Road, New York YIMBY writes. Mott Haven-based Foxy Management is developing the project with Alembic Community Development and the Hebrew Home For The Aged at Riverdale.
Diversity questions raised about nascent ‘Prince of Egypt’ musical: The issue about a lack of diversity erupted on social media over the weekend, after a nonprofit on Long Island, the Bay Street Theater, announced plans to hold a free concert performance of the developing show next month in a park in Sag Harbor, N.Y, the New York Times writes. Although the show, about the life of Moses as described in Exodus, is set in ancient Egypt, the bulk of the cast is white,
A cafe with a cause: A mother of two teenagers with Autism is running two businesses - a full-service eatery in Northport, N.Y. offering Our Coffee with a Cause brand coffee, organic breakfast foods, sandwiches, salads, juices and smoothies - and a warehouse for processing, packaging and shipping its own coffee products, according to a press release. The Cafe employs individuals with cognitive delays who work alongside their typically developing peers.
The giving garden: A group of Harlem seniors recently received a green-thumbed gift, as a backyard garden behind their supportive housing residence was renovated, the Manhattan Times writes. On July 20, members of Rebuilding Together NYC and the West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing joined forces with volunteers from HSBC Bank to spruce up the backyard space at 29 West 126th Street. Founded in 1999, Rebuilding Together NYC is a nonprofit that helps rehabilitate housing and provide free home and apartment repairs for low-income New Yorkers.
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NYN EVENTS
On Thursday, September 15th, New York Nonprofit Media will host the 2nd annual Nonprofit MarkCon which will bring together marketing and communications executives from nonprofits across New York to discuss how to build a brand. We expect over 200 nonprofit communications, marketing, PR and strategy executives to attend this event. Topics to include: brand transformation, social media, event planning, integrated marketing, data analytics and more. If you are looking to reach nonprofit executives please click here.
Submit your nomination for New York Nonprofit Media’s first Cause Awards 2016: Honoring individuals/agencies/philanthropists who’ve had a major impact on the top human services concerns of the New York nonprofit sector throughout 2016. If a colleague, client or employer has had a major impact on one of this year's top causes though good work or philanthropy, nominate them for this great honor today by clicking here. The opportunity to submit your nominations will officially close Friday, September 16th at 6:00 pm.
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SECTOR FOCUS: Religion News
Churches and political activity - The call to repeal the Johnson Amendment: Although Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump seems to claim that repeal of the Johnson Amendment, which bans political intervention by nonprofits, is essential to protecting churches’ freedom of speech, not all proponents of maintaining the separation of church and state believe the repeal is the proper way to do so, Erin Bradrick is Senior Counsel at NEO Law Group, Attorneys for Nonprofits, writes in Nonprofit Quarterly.
At $153.4M, NY federation campaign grows for fourth consecutive year: At a time when many Jewish federations are reporting flat or declining fundraising, North America’s largest Jewish philanthropy said its annual campaign revenue has increased for the fourth consecutive year, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports. UJA-Federation of New York announced Tuesday it had raised $153.4 million through its 2016 annual campaign, which ended June 30, up by $2.6 million from 2015.
Ultra-Orthodox yeshivas need to meet their educational obligations: Education professor David Bloomfields writes in City Limits that the ethical underpinning of schools' legal obligation –cemented by their willing acceptance of vast public funds – is to educate students in a manner leading to constructive participation, should they so choose, in the larger society, not to be trapped in cult-like restrictions that deny them the necessary academic tools to prosper outside the ultra-Orthodox community.
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TODAY’S GOVERNMENT SKED
11 a.m. - New York City first lady Chirlane McCray participates in a Mayors Against Discrimination forum, Philadelphia Mayor’s City Hall, 1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia.
4:30 p.m. - De Blasio delivers remarks at the Democratic National Convention, Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia.
6 p.m. - The New York City Department of Education Panel for Educational Policy meets, M.S. 131, 100 Hester St., Manhattan.
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