You're Invited

Grantmaking Members: Donors Forum's Member Issue Groups, Peer Networks, and Constituent Committees are now in the process of planning their programs for the upcoming year, based on discussion and ideas from their summer planning retreats.

Member programs are open only to Donors Forum's grantmaking Members and advisory Associate Members. Click here to find out about joining, and the many additional benefits of belonging to Donors Forum. Watch this space and the Donors Forum calendar (see below) for announcements of the first events in the fall.

Nonprofits, don't miss:

• Grantseeking Primer (September 10)
• Race to the Top: The Future of Education in Illinois (September 13)
• Building Strategic Relationships with Major Donors (September 14)

Good to Know

Floods devastate Pakistan; please share your news and resources on this crisis with us: The United Nations estimates that the recent floods in northwest Pakistan have affected the lives of more than 14 million people, and that billions of dollars will be needed for recovery. Donors Forum has created a webpage with information and resources on this disaster, and will share how Members, Associate Members, and Forum Partners are responding to the crisis. To contribute news, resources, or your organization's response, please email your information to Marilou Jones.

Comprehensive resources on the IRS’ revocation of nonprofits' tax-exempt status: As you may have heard, the IRS will begin revoking the tax-exempt status of nonprofits required to file an annual return (Form 990-N, 990-EZ, 990, or 990-PF) that have failed to do so for three consecutive years. For details on the IRS’ automatic revocation of tax-exempt status and how nonprofits can avoid it, visit this comprehensive web resource from Guidestar. Also, check out this handy round-up of resources on the Giving USA 2010 report (including a free on-demand webinar), and this new report about the importance of nonprofit advocacy and the importance of foundations and others providing grants for advocacy, which resulted from a meeting convened by Donors Forum.

Policy Alert

Do you contract with the State of Illinois? Donors Forum wants to hear from you! As nonprofits continue to struggle with a bad economy, many nonprofits across the state have been reporting another worrisome trend: Illinois is not paying the organizations what they promised, when they promised, or with enough funding to pay the full cost of services. See the five worst government contracting abuses compiled by the National Council of Nonprofits. Do these look familiar? Has your nonprofit experienced delayed payments? Contract terms amended in mid-contract? Imposition of fees? Failure to pay indirect cost or the full cost of services? If so, please share your story with Donors Forum; send an email to Hannah White.

DHS Seeks Input on Streamlined Auditing Bill: In July, Governor Quinn signed the Streamlined Auditing Bill into law. The bill is designed to promote efficiency and accountability in reporting and monitoring of state contracts with nonprofits. Now, the Department of Human Services wants to hear from providers and is holding a series of statewide hearings that will give stakeholders a chance to shape implementation of the law. A hearing will be held at 1 pm on Thursday, September 16, 2010 at the U of I Extension Office, 100 S. Highway 45, Grayslake, IL. Read meeting guidelines here. The meeting is open to the public; no registration is necessary.