November 2011

ACE VISION & MISSION:

ACE is committed to

strengthening Arkansas

nonprofits. Working to-

gether with nonprofits,

businesses, individuals,

and government

agencies, we believe in

the vision of a strong, vi-

brant, and effective non-

profit sector that is well

positioned to meet the di-

verse needs of all

Arkansans.

IN THIS EDITION

3 Greetings from ACE

4-5 Upcoming

Trainings & Events

6 ACE Member

Spotlight: Food

Bank of NE

Arkansas

7 New & Renewing

Members and

Benefit Spotlight

8-9 Important Federal

Policy Issues

10 Resources & Other

Links

11 Contact Us

2

The ACE offices will be

closed November

24th & 25th for

Thanksgiving.

3

Dear ACE Members, Partners, and Friends,

Thank you for all you do within your nonprofit organizations to strengthen Arkansas and

its communities. It has been my privilege and honor to serve as Executive Director of

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence (ACE) since January 2006. Together with our mem-

bers and partners, we have built a vibrant association of nonprofits from across the

state committed to strengthening Arkansas’ nonprofit sector.

As noted in my recent electronic letter, I will leave my current position as Executive Di-

rector of ACE to pursue my doctoral degree at the University of Central Arkansas in Janu-

ary of 2012. In the fall of this year, I joined the inaugural class of the PhD program in

Leadership Studies. I am excited about the opportunity to continue my studies through this important new program in

Arkansas.

ACE is in a great place for this transition. ACE has wonderful leadership in the Chairperson of the Board, Diane LaFol-

lette, and fellow board members who focus upon the organization’s governance, fund development, and strategic vision-

ing. ACE also maintains five regional advisory councils in Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, and Central Arkan-

sas that help ensure ACE is providing resources and services that are meeting the needs of nonprofits locally and region-

ally. ACE’s nonprofit government advisory council, comprised of state agency leaders and legislators, helps connect the

dots of resources for nonprofits on the state level.

The foundation for much of our future work has been laid through the federal DHS Administration for Children and Fami-

lies Strengthening Communities Fund grant which enabled us to offer free training to 100 nonprofits and a year of free

technical assistance to 30 nonprofit organizations in all five regions of Arkansas. Future nonprofit professional develop-

ment, organizational training, and resources can build upon these established statewide relationships.

In 2011, the ACE Board and staff developed a business plan that envisions ACE’s continued growth, sustainability, and

strategic focus. As part of the business plan, the board revised the mission, vision, and core values of ACE to reflect ACE’s

focus.

Mission: Strengthen Arkansas Nonprofits

Vision: A strong, vibrant, united and effective nonprofit sector that is well positioned to meet the diverse needs of all Ar-

kansans.

Our Core Values: Best Practices; Inclusive; Unity in Diversity; Connecting & Equipping; Statewide Vision & Regional Ap-

proach

Arkansas Coalition for Excellence: Helping Nonprofits Help Arkansas

The ACE Executive Director Search Committee needs your help to ensure we have the best candidate who will continue to

build ACE as a strong and supportive association for all charitable nonprofits in Arkansas. The job description and applica-

tion information are available online at www.acenonprofit.org. All applicants should apply online through the employment

center on the ACE website.

I am excited for ACE’s future. ACE has steadfastly grown since its founding in 2003, but there is much work yet to be com-

pleted. We need your continued support and help to strengthen the nonprofit sector in Arkansas. Together we can be at

the table to develop critical public policy issues, strengthen our individual nonprofits through training and resources, and

connect region by region to meet local needs!

Many thanks to those who have partnered to accomplish ACE’s vision, especially to the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation,

Charles A. Frueauff Foundation, Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, Foundation for the Mid South, Delores F. and

Thomas A. Bruce Endowment, Walton Family Foundation (through support of the Arkansas Latino and Marshallese Acad-

emy), Arkansas Community Foundation, Northwest Arkansas Community Foundation, Munro Foundation, Morris Founda-

tion, Windgate Charitable Foundation, Senator David Johnson, DHS Division of Nonprofit and Community Support, Arkan-

sas Economic Development Commission, and Ross Foundation. And of course we would not be an association of non-

profits without our members - you are ACE! Thank YOU for your involvement and investment.

Feel free to contact me at hpgoodman@acenonprofit.org or by phone at (501) 375-1223 or (501) 804-0679. I look for-

ward to continuing my work with ACE into January. Thank you for your membership, leadership, and support everyday!

Executive Director

In Service,

Hunter P. Goodman

Executive Director

GREETINGS FROM ACE

UPCOMING TRAININGS, EVENTS & PROGRAMS

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ACE Webinar

Super Committee, Federal Deficit, and Nonprofits: What does it all mean?

Thursday, December 1, 2011

10:00a.m.-11:00a.m.

Speaker: David Thompson, Vice-President of Public Policy, National Council of Nonprofits

Cost: free to ACE members

Super Committee, Federal Deficit, and Nonprofits: What does it all mean? Are you wondering how

the deficit deduction debates in Washington DC will affect nonprofits in Arkansas? What does it all

mean for you and for your nonprofit organization’s ability to pursue your mission? Join David Thomp-

son, Vice President of Public Policy at the National Council of Nonprofits, for a webinar discussion

about the federal debate over the budget and the deficit, spending cuts and potential tax hikes.

Register here

Idealware Web Trainings

Measuring Your Social Media Strategy

Thursday, December 1, 2011

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern.

$40.00 (ACE Members Receive 15% off)

Perhaps you have a Facebook site, a blog, a Twitter account, or a YouTube channel. Is it working? Is it

worth the time? How do you know? We’ll walk through a framework -- including Views, Followers, En-

gagement, and Conversion -- and the tools that can help you gather the data, to allow you to analyze

your strategy, strengthen what works and change what doesn’t. Read more or register >

FREE—Choosing the Right Communications Mix

Thursday, December 15, 2011

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern.

$0.00

Which communication channels -- like email, direct mail, and websites, social networking sites, blogs,

online communities, and more -- make sense to communicate what kind of messages, or to encour-

age action? We'll provide a decision making structure to help you define what makes sense for you.

Read more or register >

ACE/AFP Monthly Webconference Series

December - No Program Scheduled

From Boomers to Echo Boomers: Giving Across the Generations

Rachel Hutchisson- Director of Corporate Relations & Philanthropy at Blackbaud, Inc.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

ACE Office (located in the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Offices)

200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR 72201

$15 for ACE and AFP Members / $25 for Nonmembers (lunch included)

February 1, 2012 - Secrets to Success in the Small Shop

Disaster Preparedness Series

The American Red Cross and the Arkansas Coalition for Excellence (ACE) have teamed up through the Ready

When the Time Comes program, to provide a way for Arkansas’ nonprofit sector to become prepared should a

disaster strike. This informative Lunch & Learn series is FREE and by the end of the series, you will walk away

with a complete preparedness plan for your organization! Please mark your calendar and plan to join us:

December 14, 2011 – Overview of Continuity of Business Operations Planning

January 18, 2012 -- Overview of the Red Cross Ready Rating Program

Lunch & Learn Preparedness Sessions:

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Cost: FREE (lunch & materials provided)

American Red Cross

401 South Monroe, 2nd Floor Board Room, Little Rock

R.S.V.P. at ACE

ACE-Firespring Tranings

How to Captivate and Engage Your Constituents with Your Website

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

9:30 a.m.-11:00a.m.

5 Trends in Technology that Will Shape a New Reality for Nonprofits

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

9:30a.m.-11:00.a.m,

Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas

Hunger is an unwelcome guest in many Arkansas homes. It is estimated that on any

given day almost 500,000 Arkansans do not have enough to eat. Northeast Arkan-

sas has not escaped this epidemic. Every day families in our communities are mak-

ing hard choices:

Food or gas to drive to work?

Food or medicine?

Food or my child’s doctor visit?

Food or this month’s rent?

The Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas works to eliminate hunger by distributing food

to families in need through a network of non-profit agencies and programs. The

Food Bank's distribution system accepts donated bulk food, which would otherwise

be destroyed, from local and national manufacturers, retailers, and growers. This

food is then stored and efficiently redistributed to charitable agencies that rely upon

the Food Bank to provide nutritious food for their communities. Click here to read

more.

MEMBERSHIP

6

ACE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas

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NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS Thank you to our new and renewing members!

New Members

Families are Special, Inc., Little Rock

Trike Theatre, Bentonville

Priscilla Yabarra

ACE MEMBER BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT

Bravo is a Health Insurance Purchasing Group, an alternative for group health benefits. Bravo

brings ACE members access to a wide array of health benefits plans. Bravo is available to

groups of 2-199 eligible employees with deductibles ranging from $500 up to $10,000.

* Exclusively available through select trade associations

* Multiple plans may be offered to an employer group (example: Plan 1 - $500 deducti-

ble and Plan 2 - $2,000 deductible}

* Employers contributing at least 75% of the employee cost of the least expensive plan

offered with 90% of the eligible employees enrolled are eligible for maximum discounts

* Pre-existing conditions waived with proof and acceptance of prior creditable coverage

* Choice of three prescription drug cards available: Enhanced, Core, and Basic

* Office visit copays of $20 for Primary Care & $35 for Specialist

* No Lifetime Maximum

* Optional maternity for group of 2-14, mandatory for groups 15+

* HSA Compatible plans available

* Extensive provider network

* Smoking Cessation program included

* Wellness benefits included

* Additional QualChoice benefits:

QCARE COBRA administration Disease Management

www.myBRAVObenefits.com

code=bravo

Toll Free: 800-852-5053 E-mail: bravo@stephens.com

Arkansas Agency #301051

PUBLIC POLICY AND ADVOCACY

Supercommittee Fails to Reach Agreement

Late Monday afternoon, the co-chairs of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction announced in

a joint statement that the so-called Supercommittee of Congress was unable to reach agreement on a

package of spending cuts, tax increases, and entitlement reforms to generate $1.2 trillion in deficit re-

duction, as mandated by the Budget Control Act passed last August. This means that the immediate

threat to the charitable giving incentive will fade. However, the overarching challenge to the charitable

deduction will NOT go away because Congress remains very interested in comprehensive tax reform

(lowering rates; abolishing loopholes, deductions, and credits; broadening the base). As we just wit-

nessed, policymakers initially appeared comfortable with lumping all of the deductions together – that

is, until the nonprofit community expressed unified, forceful objections through the Nonprofit Commu-

nity Letter, signed by more than 4,000 nonprofit organizations. All of our collective efforts to inform our

elected officials about the importance of nonprofits and the charitable giving incentive have laid the

groundwork for the upcoming challenges in appropriations and tax reform debates to come.

In this season of thanksgiving, we at Arkansas Coalition for Excellence (ACE) are proud to stand with

you in support of the work of our sector. Thank you for your commitment, encouragement, and zeal.

You may be trying to make sense of the federal deficit reduction debate and how it affects your non-

profit’s work. Join us December for a special webinar.

December 1: Super Committee, Federal Deficit, and Nonprofits: What does it all mean?

10-11 am, webconference

Speaker: David Thompson, Vice-President of Public Policy, National Council of Nonprofits

Cost: free to ACE members

Register here

We understand that the federal deficit reduction debate continues to engage nonprofits who want to

know how proposed cuts will affect their organizations. Take a look at the following websites for addi-

tional information about the budget process:

Center for Budget & Policy Priorities (CBPP)

www.cbpp.org

CLASP

www.clasp.org

Peterson-Pew Commission on Budget Reform

www.budgetreform.org

National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility & Reform

www.fiscalcommission.gov

Also, you may be wondering "what can my nonprofit do in regards to advocacy". Check out the great

resources and information provided by the Alliance for Justice in an October 2011 training for Arkan-

sas nonprofits.

As Arkansas’ association of nonprofits, ACE is committed to working with you to strengthen Arkansas’ non-

profits. Public policy is a key part of our work. The purpose of our advocacy and public policy work is to

serve as the voice for the charitable nonprofit community when and where needed, shape public policy

through individual and collective action, and build the capacity of nonprofits to be strong advocates for

their missions and broader nonprofit issues that impact nonprofit quality of life in Arkansas. We do this

through two primary pathways: (1) federal, state, and local advocacy on public policy issues that impact all

nonprofits, and (2) education and tools to build the nonprofit community’s advocacy and public policy

skills.

RESOURCES AND OTHER LINKS

IDEALWARE TIP OF THE MONTH

Defining your Social Media Goals and Audience

Social media often has two aspects. There’s an important listening aspect that

helps you hear what people are saying about you online, and there’s a second as-

pect that includes hosting conversations. Through tools like Facebook, Twitter or

YouTube, you can post information, encourage comments and get feedback. Read

more at http://www.idealware.org/tips/defining-your-social-media-goals-and-

audience

NONPROFIT RISK MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE MONTH

The discipline of risk management invites a close-up examination of events and

circumstances that threaten the mission and goals of an organization or that offer

the promise of mission-advancing benefit. Nonprofit CEOs, CFOs, senior staff and

even board members are instinctively drawn to taking a closer look at the risks

that cause them to lose sleep or inspire optimism about the future. A close-up

view of risk is beneficial and productive on many levels. Click to read more…

(by. Melanie Lockwood Herman, from Risk Management Essentials)

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ARKANSAS WORK-LIFE BALANCE AWARD

Arkansas Governor’s Work-Life Initiative celebrates 10 years of recognizing Arkansas

employers for establishing policies and providing resources that support employees in

balancing the needs of both work and family.

Balancing family life with a career is never easy, especially when our nation’s economy

is going through tough times. That’s why we are especially appreciative of those Arkan-

sas businesses that are stepping up to help their employees meet that chal-

lenge. The Work-Life Balance Awards let us recognize those businesses that take

steps to improve quality of life for their employees.

- Governor Mike Beebe

Arkansas Business is looking for the GREAT places to work in Arkansas — Where the

leaders know people are their most valuable asset.

Nominations must be received by 12/5

NOMINATE at:

ArkansasBusiness.com/Family

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Thank you for reading this month’s edition of our

newsletter. Questions or Comments? Contact us.

Hunter Goodman, Executive Director

hpgoodman@acenonprofit.org

Emily Ingram, Associate Director

eingram@acenonprofit.org

Rebecca Zimmermann

Membership & Communications

Coordinator, AmeriCorps VISTA

rzimmermann@acenonprofit.org

Chase Hawkins, Communications Intern

chawkins@acenonprofit.org

Located within the Charles A. Frueauff Foundation Offices

200 River Market Avenue, Suite 100

Little Rock, AR 72201

(501) 375-1223

www.acenonprofit.org