Start a Nonprofit Workshop Will Precede January IRS Fee Increase INRC Director Richard Koontz will deliver a workshop Starting an Iowa Charitable Nonprofit from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5 in room 265 of the Boyd Law Building. Registration is limited to seven participants and includes one copy of the monograph Starting an Iowa Charitable Nonprofit by Richard Koontz. The cost is $50, payable in advance.

Participants will complete the documents necessary to start a 501(c)(3) organization in Iowa: Articles of Incorporation; IRS Form SS-4 to obtain EIN; bylaws; and IRS Form 1023 Application for Exemption. You are encouraged to enroll early to allow time to gather information about your nonprofit organization that is needed to complete the forms. Paper copies of forms will be provided, but you may bring a PC laptop and complete them electronically if preferred. 

On January 3, 2010 the two-tiered fee for filing the Form 1023 increases from $300 to $400 for smaller organizations while the standard $750 fee will increase to $850.

For information and to download a registration form for the workshop, go to http://inrc.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/updates/ 2009/CharitableNPOform.pdf If you have questions, telephone 866-500-8980 (toll free) or 319-335-9765. For directions and a map showing the location of the Boyd Law Building, go to http://www.uiowa.edu/~maps/b/blb1.htm

The INRC has received a $250,000 federal stimulus grant. The grant will be used to distribute information to organizations more effectively via a redesigned Web site, develop collaborative relationships, and identify grant funding opportunities. To read the full news release, go to http://news-releases.uiowa.edu/2009/october/101209centerstateeconomy.html

The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center Fall 2009 Quarterly e-Newsletter In this issue: Iowa Nonprofit Summit information and agenda; Iowa Ranks Nationally in Volunteerism; Book Review: Working Across Generations; Need Advice on Fundraising?; AmeriCorp Grant Proposals; ICRC Assesses Fair Housing; UI Public Health Group Receives Support; ICVS Holds Public Forums; National Day of Service a Success; Training Opportunities.

The Governing Board for Iowa Charitable Nonprofits, Second Edition, written by Willard Boyd: The first edition of this publication addressed some of the central issues faced by members of a board of governance. The second edition expands the discussion of this material and includes new or expanded material addressing: Legal compliance and good management practices • Board accountability and compliance • Beyond legal obligations • Adopting a code of ethics and creating an ethical culture of compliance • Evaluation of the Executive Director • Ten best web sites for Iowa nonprofits. Price: $15 plus shipping
To order: email our Webmaster or call 319-335-9765.

University of Iowa-Nonprofit Management Certificate Program: For more information, click here.

The Larned A Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center Annual Report, 2008 is now available. Click to download the report.

The Quiet Revolution, issued in February 2008, is a comprehensive report that surveys the accomplishments of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives over the previous seven-year period. You can also view Iowa’s report. The INRC is recognized as the FBCI liaison in Iowa.

More news items and reports are available on the News page.

The enrollment for the Iowa Nonprofit Summit on November 16 is at capacity. Thank you, Iowa, for being so supportive and for coming together to turn challenge into opportunity.

Cedar Rapids Foundation Accepting Grant Requests
The Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation (GCRCF) is accepting grant requests from local nonprofit organizations. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000. To be considered, organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and  must have been in existence for at least two years.

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are considered as they are submitted, as long as funds are available. Grant criteria and the application form may be downloaded at www.gcrcf.org/page30971.cfm 

For information contact Karla Twedt-Ball at 319-366-2862 or karla.twedt-ball@gcrcf.org

ABA Nonprofit Web Site Offers Resources, Information
The American Bar Association (ABA) focuses on the vast array of legal issues faced by the various kinds of nonprofit organizations that exist. Although nonprofit groups vary widely in size and purpose, they share many legal issues. Have a look at the Web site for the ABA’s Nonprofit Organizations Committee at http://www.abanet.org/dch/committee.cfm?com=CL580000

Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships: On February 5, President Obama signed an an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Read the full announcement on the White House Web site.

Recovery.Iowa.Gov is a Web site on what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will mean to Iowans. The site includes a summary of the ARRA, a breakdown of federal assistance to Iowa, links to government agencies related to the economic recovery and more. The Iowa Department of Transportation also has a Web site on the benefit of federal funds to the state’s transportation system at www.iowadot.gov/recovery.

ISU-Nonprofit Management Academy
Click here for session listings by date/location and here for program brochures.

Kirkwood Continuing Education-Certificate in Volunteer Management
Click for course schedule and registration information.

* Iowa State University Cooperative Extension Service has created a special web site on "disaster recovery" which provides excellent information for communities, families, and agriculture, at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/
disasterrecovery

* Community Foundations in Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Northeast Iowa, and Johnson County have opened Flood Relief Funds to help nonprofit organizations assist individuals and families recover from flood losses. The Iowa Council of Foundations has also prepared a list of recovery resources. Americorps and Vista volunteer opportunities may still be available in areas affected by the June 2008 floods. Follow this link for more information and links to related web sites.