Issue #10 - March/April 2008

Mission: The Volunteer Centers of Michigan strengthens, develops and connects volunteer centers throughout the state.

Vision: The Volunteer Centers of Michigan ensures all volunteer centers have the capacity to positively impact every Michigan community and their citizens through volunteerism.

On April 20-22, millions of youth will participate in Global Youth Service Day (GYSD), the largest service event in the world. This program supports youth on a life-long path of service and civic engagement, and educates the public, media, and elected officials about the role of youth as community leaders. Volunteer centers throughout Michigan can use GYSD to promote and enhance their youth programming, establish new partnerships with community organizations and become part of the Youth Service America network. Youth Service America wants to provide volunteer centers with the best resources possible so you can engage young people in GYSD and service throughout the year. For resources and planning materials on how your center can be involved in GYSD check out the links below:

• Register your GYSD-US Project
• Make it a Semester of Service
• Get materials to help plan your projects
• Order GYSD T-Shirts, Hats, and Buttons
• View Highlights of GYSD-US 2007
• Read the GYSD-US 2007 Final Report 

Michigan Nonprofit Association's Giving and Volunteering Celebration 2008, presented by Comcast
April 16, 2008, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
State Capitol Building, Rooms 402-403, Lansing, Michigan
Register Now!

Michigan has a rich history of giving and volunteering, with a high rate of its residents giving to and volunteering with community nonprofits every year. This annual event celebrates the Michigan spirit of giving and volunteering, honoring outstanding citizens and state leaders who take an active giving and volunteering role in their communities, and highlighting the latest giving and volunteering stats for the state. The Michigan Volunteer Champion Awards will also be presented. Boxed lunches will be provided at the conclusion of the program.

You can register now to attend the MNA Giving & Volunteering Celebration 2008, presented by Comcast! Registration is free; however, pre-registration is required and space is limited. Register early to reserve your spot!

You may also submit a Michigan Volunteer Champion Award nomination! These annual awards, presented this year to four elected officials in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches of state government, honor individual public servants who have been exemplary in their support of and personal involvement with volunteer efforts in their community. Nominations will be accepted until March 19, submit your nomination today!

Over the last few years, Volunteer Centers have begun taking the lead in expanding local EITC Initiatives through the effective utilization of volunteers. Volunteer Centers across the nation are:

Without volunteers, there would be no free tax preparation programs. Fewer working families would get the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and reduce the money that could be spent in local communities. Volunteers are an essential partner in bringing free tax preparation and asset development opportunities to low income communities.

What do Volunteer Centers bring to local EITC initiatives?

• Volunteer management knowledge
• Volunteer sector infrastructure already in place
• Established partnerships/relationships (agencies, communities, volunteers...)
• Media relations
• Previous program management experience

What benefits do Volunteer Centers receive for being involved?

• Increased high-end volunteer opportunities
• Visibility
• Direct service
• Opportunity to show impact (economic)
• Connection to new partners (government, business, nonprofits)
• Opportunity to reach new communities
• Way for Volunteer Centers to demonstrate their core competencies
• Supports Volunteer Centers advocacy efforts
• Sponsorship opportunities
• Connection to existing IRS coalition members
• Different opportunities for Volunteer Centers depending on the Center's availability

Red Wagon Awards
Deadline: March 21, 2008
Michigan's Promise, launched in 1997, works to ensure that all of Michigan's youth will have a caring adult, safe place, healthy start, marketable skills and an opportunity to give back to their community, the state of Michigan and overall society. The Red Wagon Awards are designed to recognize and thank special local programs for their tremendous contributions toward making Michigan communities the best places to raise children.  Ten (10) Red Wagon Awards are given to programs that exemplify one of the five promises.  Winning programs receive state and national recognition and a $500 grant award. 

The Red Wagon Award winners will be honored during a lunch ceremony May 13, 2008 at the 2008 Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference held at the Lansing Center, in Lansing, Michigan. http://www.mipromise.org/red_wagon.asp

Be the Change! Program Grants for Youth-Led Projects
Deadline: March 31
Peace Child International empowers young people to take responsibility for peace, human rights and the environment through education, leadership development, and direct participation in the events that shape our world community. Be the Change! Program provides small scale grants for youth-led projects. To learn more, visit http://www.peacechild.org/www/pci/?id=121

RGK Foundation
Deadline: June 6, 2008
The Foundation focuses its grant making on projects in education, community, and medicine/health. Under the education topic, the Foundation’s interests include programs that focus on formal K-12 education (particularly math, science, and reading), teacher development, literacy, and higher education. Community grants support a broad range of human services, community improvement, abuse prevention, and youth development programs. Medicine/health programs should promote the health and well being of children and access to health services. Support is also given to foundation-initiated programs focusing on ALS. Applicants must complete an electronic letter of inquiry found on the Web site. There is no deadline for submitting letters of inquiry, but the date represents when the grant committee meets. Grant Range: $4,000 To $3,500,000 Contact Info: RGK FOUNDATION , 1301 W. 25th St., Suite 300, Austin , TX, 78705, Ph: 512-474-9298, Fax: 512-474-7281, http://www.rgkfoundation.org/.

VERIZON
Deadline: November 11, 2008
The Foundation seeks to transform the way the private, public, and nonprofit sectors work together in building collaborative partnerships. The Foundation not only provides funds, it has built an online community of volunteers, business advice, Internet training, and Web developers to leverage the work of nonprofits. Funding is focused on three areas: literacy, domestic violence, and technology for healthcare and healthcare accessibility. To be considered for funding, organizations must not duplicate or significantly overlap the work of public agencies on the federal, state, or local levels. They must serve the community without discrimination. They must also keep books available for regular independent outside audits and make the results available to all potential contributors as well as complying with applicable laws regarding registration and reporting. In addition, they must observe the highest standards of business conduct in their relationships with the public. The Foundation reviews unsolicited proposals on a continuous basis from January 1 to November 30 each year. Grant Range: $50 To $100,000 Contact Info: VERIZON, Ph: 866-247-2687, Fax: 908-630-2660 , http://foundation.verizon.com/02008.shtml

Social Justice Grants
Deadline: May, 15 2008
The Fund was established in 1981 as an outgrowth of the 125th anniversary celebration of the religious order. The Fund awards grants to organizations that address the basic causes of injustice and promote self-help and empowerment at local, national, or international levels. Funded programs must be able to show that they address the basic causes of injustice and foster systemic change. Also of interest are those that promote self-help and empowerment of communities and those that respond to the unmet needs of those who are poor and/or marginalized, especially women and children. Applicants must complete a one-page screening form available by emailing the religious order at SocialJusticeGrants@osfphila.org. | Avg. Grant: $5,000 Contact Info: FOUNDATION OF THE SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF PHILADELPHIA, Nora Nash, OSF, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, The Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia, 609 S. Convent Road, Aston , PA, 19014, Ph: 610-558-7661

The Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference
The Michigan Nonprofit SuperConference will be held May 13-14, 2008 at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan.  This year's theme is "Teaming Up for Community Success," and we anticipate more than 900 participants, including nonprofit executives, program staff, fund development professionals, board members, researchers, consultants, advocates, national service members, managers and leaders from the government, corporate and faith communities, will be in attendance, bringing synergy and a board community context to our discussions.  This annual event will feature more than 50 workshops, an exhibit hall and bookstore, interspersed with several opportunities for networking.  To learn more about the Nonprofit SuperConference, please visit www.mnaonline.org/conf2008. 

Register your National and Global Youth Service Day event online
Registering your service project(s), enables Youth Service America to highlight your project through the Global Youth Service Day national media campaign, and share your efforts with other GYSD-US volunteers around the country.
To learn more, visit http://ysa.org/GlobalYouthServiceDay/GYSDUS/RegisteryourGYSDUSproject/tabid/117/Default.aspx

I-CAN!™ E-File
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