In This Newsletter:

• NPW Events and Affinity Group Meetings
• Event Recaps
• Advocacy Spotlights 
• Sign On with NPW for Fair Wages and Fair Contracting
• Regeneron Data For Good Program
• Con Edison Open Call for Proposals on Climate Justice 
• Member and Community Events & Resources
• Funding

April 25, 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM, WLS: Artificial Intelligence and the AI “Do-Fest”

May 2, 9:00 - 10:15 AM, Virtual: Techniques for Tailoring AI Input Prompts

April 16, 8:30 - 10:30 AM, Sam's: NPW Human Resources Professionals Affinity Group - Launch Event

April 26, 9:00 - 10:30 AM, Sam's: NPW Chief Financial Officers Affinity Group - Relationships with Government Funders: Pain Points & Opportunities

NPW is appreciative of all our program sponsors - learn about them HERE.

On Tuesday, April 2nd, nonprofit leaders joined us for an engaging meeting of NPW's Executive Director & CEO Affinity Group to discuss ways to integrate strategic thinking into daily operations.

Thank you to our outstanding speakers below for sharing your insights and experiences on effective strategic planning:

• Anne Brandner, CEO, Port Chester Carver Center
• Cheryl Brannan, Founder & CEO, Sister to Sister International 
• Samuel Wallis, Executive Director, Yonkers Partners in Education

Thank you to our affinity group sponsors: Mutual of America Financial Group, Hudson Valley Credit Union, Maier Markey & Justic, Thompson & Bender, Sam's of Gedney Way, and Altium Wealth.

NPW launched its Learning Lab Series with Financial Management for Program Directors on April 4th which offered important information for non-finance staff to better understand their budgets and opportunities to partner with finance staff to achieve program and organization goals, objectives and outcomes. Participants immersed themselves in a full day of learning, delving into the intricacies of nonprofit financial management from a program perspective.

We were happy to welcome back our expert facilitators from BDO USA: Gretchen Upholt and Katrina Venturina. Thank you to our series sponsors: Westchester County, Board of Legislators, Westchester Library System. Don’t forget to sign up for the next Learning Lab on May 9: Grant Prospecting.

Our Emerging Leaders had a fantastic session at The LOFT LGBTQ+ Center on the afternoon of Thursday, April 4th. 

Rickey Richards, Chief of Staff at The LOFT, led an insightful presentation on nonprofit marketing with small group breakout sessions. Everyone shared their own marketing challenges and successes leaving with practical new ideas to implement at their organizations.

A super fun networking hour followed the presentation with gourmet pizza and salad. The class was honored to be joined by Executive Director and NPW Board Member Judy Troilo, as well as Danté R.H. Reda, Chief Operating Officer and ELP Advisory Board Chair, and Ryan Hontz, Director of Marketing and Creative Communications. We can't thank the team at the LOFT enough for putting together such a special session. Thanks also to our ELP program sponsor - M & T Bank.

On Friday, April 5th, the Peer to Peer Affinity Group welcomed guest facilitator Maria Dautruche, CVO of the dopwell group LLC, alongside group facilitator Michelle A. Nicholas, NPW Board Member and Founder & CEO of The NICO Consulting Inc. Maria led the group in an energized and authentic discussion of the false hierarchy value system in our society and how we all contribute to it. Thank you for such a great meeting!

Thank you to our affinity group sponsors: PCSB Community Foundation, United Way of Westchester and Putnam, Pace University, and Westchester Library System.

From WDOM: The CDPAP is still under attack in NYS Budget

The Governor has made it clear her intention to cut $1.2 billion from the consumer-directed program earlier this year and she is still determined to do so. CDPAP (Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program) allows People with Disabilities to hire their own home care worker and not rely solely on a home care agency. Please call the Governor, encourage family and friends to do so, and tell her these cuts jeopardize the lives of seniors and people with disabilities.

TAKE ACTION >>

From Student Assistance Services: Advocate for 3.2% COLA  for Expenses Including Other than Salary Expenses

The current language in the Assembly and Senate One House Budgets only provides a 3.2% COLA for salaries for Direct Service Staff, Non-Executive Clinical Staff, and Direct Care Staff and there is no increase for the cost of health benefits, rents, salaries for supervisors, administrative assistants/secretaries, account clerks, and other staff not specifically named. The Governor's proposed budget language allowed for a 1.5% increase on total state aid. Limiting the use of the COLA is also a huge issue for the large OASAS, OMH, and OPWDD, (and possibly other state) funded agencies that use the COLA to help fund employee health insurance premiums, other insurance, rent, IT expenses, etc.

TAKE ACTION >> 

Sign On for Fair Wages and Fair Contracting with New York State

Join Nonprofit Westchester as we advocate for a fair contracting process and take steps that work toward ensuring that nonprofit human services workers can live with the dignity and financial security they deserve.

Sign On »

In partnership with the Taproot Foundation, Regeneron is excited to launch the 7th cohort of Using Data for Good, a 12-week, skills-based volunteering program kicking off in late June that helps nonprofits diagnose and improve upon pain points related to their data collection systems and processes. The kickoff and closing events will be conducted in-person on Thursday, June 27th and the week of September 16th in Tarrytown, NY, and the 12 weeks of project work will be conducted virtually. Additional Information piece. 

Applications due by Friday, April 5. PDF Program Overview. Contact Anika Legrand-Wittich for more information.

Con Edison: Open Call for Proposals on Climate Justice for Community Resilience

Con Edison is issuing a request for proposals (RFP) to provide an initial grant of up to $3 million over the next three years to help local organizations combat the effects of extreme heat and other climate-related extreme weather events on disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities across the five boroughs and in Westchester County.

Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community partners are invited to apply for funding under this grant. Proposals must be emailed to powerofgiving@coned.com no later than 5 PM on Friday, May 3. Flyer PDF. Press Release.

NAMI Westchester "College Transition and Your Mental Health Journey: Empower Your Path": April 10

Launch1000 is now Open

Applications for Launch1000 are open now, and only for 3 weeks! If there’s anyone in your community, your membership, your audience that could benefit from some help starting a business, expanding a business, launching a new product more expeditiously, getting more traction than they seem to be generating on their own, this program can help. Link to the application, and success stories. 

11th Annual Autism Resource & Provider Fair: April 13

Tompkins Community Bank First-Time Homebuyers Webinar: April 18

Sister to Sister International’s Annual Day of Action: April 20

Westchester County/WCA Regional Job Fair: Apr. 23 in White Plains

Great Saw Mill River Cleanup: April 27

Westchester County Diverse Abilities Job Fair: April 30

Helpful Tips for Job Seekers PDF; Employer Registration

7th Annual Hudson Valley Affordable Housing Summit: May 2

Annual Countywide Yom HaShoah Commemoration Holocaust Remembrance Day: May 6

2024 City & State New York 40 In Their 40s Nominations

For the first time, City & State is recognizing 40 outstanding individuals in their 40s, who have distinguished themselves in their fields and has amassed a track record of accomplishment and achievement. They have established themselves professionally and are standing out as a leader in their field! Sounds like someone you know? Nominate a friend, client, or colleague for this honor!

NPW Members: Have your upcoming event listed on our widely viewed Nonprofit Community Calendar and use it as a scheduling resource; email newsletter@npwestchester.org with event graphic, registration link and brief description.

Funding for Mental Health Initiatives through Brown & Brown Insurance: Shifting Gears on Brain Health Funding Opportunity

The Shifting Gears on Brain Health Donor Advisory Committee has extended the application deadline to Friday, May 24. Decisions will be made in August and recipients notified by 9/1/2024. 
For more information, please contact Erica Martinson, Marketing Team Leader, Erica.Martinson@bbrown.com; (914) 607-4561. 

Mother Cabrini Health Foundation Grant Portal Opens April 1st

Does your organization support healthcare and related needs for New Yorkers around the state? Apply with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) through MCHF's five Program Areas starting April 1. Click here to watch a webinar with an overview of the application process.

2024 Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award Competition Now Open

The Mutual of America Foundation Community Partnership Award recognizes outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States that have shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships with public, private, or social sector leaders who are working together as equal partners, not as donors and recipients, to build a cohesive community that serves as a model for collaborating with others for the greater good. Application deadline is July 1, 2024.

We are stronger together. 
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