APRIL 2007 EDITION

WELCOME to the NYAIL newsletter. This monthly e-newsletter is for and about NYAIL and NYAIL members, so please send your comments, suggestions, and items for inclusion to info@ilny.org by

April 16 for distribution the first of May.  Please forward this newsletter to board members and staff and encourage them to sign up for their own copy by emailing info@ilny.org with their email address.

NYAIL FUNDRAISING WORKSHOP A HIT WITH MEMBERS

The Mobilizing Resources for Independent Living training, conducted by Richard Male on March 15, 2007, provided ILCs with some valuable knowledge and practical tips on fundraising. ILC staff and board members were guided through a step-by-step approach to planning, implementing, and succeeding in fundraising.

Training evaluations indicated that 100% of the participants thought this training would help them do a better job with fundraising and rated the training facilitator, Richard Male, “very good” or “excellent”! One respondent said “I know I can get more funds with the information I learned.”

Christina Curry, Executive Director of Harlem Independent Living Center, said “I have already started using some of the advice Richard gave at the workshop…This was by far the best money raising training I have attended in the past 4-5 years.”

Since fundraising is noted in membership surveys as one of the most pressing needs, NYAIL is proud to offer such a high quality program. Please look for information about future NYAIL trainings conducted by Richard Male on fundraising, leadership, and organizational development.

FAITH-BASED FUNDING FOR YOUR ILC

With Passover, Easter and the Sikh celebration of the New Year, Baisakhi, April is the ideal month to reflect on religious giving.

More than 35 percent of all charitable contributions made in America go to support organized religion. That amounts to about $88 billion in giving to religious and faith-based organizations, with millions of those dollars going back into the community in the form of grants and loans to nonprofit organizations. In addition, studies consistently show that religious individuals tend to be more generous in their giving to both religious and secular organizations. 

So, if your Independent Living Center is just beginning to explore the possibilities of raising funds from private sources, don’t overlook your local church, mosque, synagogue or temple. If you belong to a faith community, your own congregation is always a good place to start, but don’t hesitate to reach out to different religions. If you provide valuable education, information or services, people will be happy to have you meet their congregations.

In Faith-Based Funding for Your ILC, available at the members-only section of NYAIL’s website, Richard Male provides an overview of the different religious structures, some practical tips on obtaining funding for your organization, and a selection of useful websites. 

INDEPENDENT LIVING REPRESENTED AT HEALTHCARE BUDGET PRESS CONFERENCE

Chris Hilderbrant, director of advocacy for the Center for Disability Rights and member of the Medicaid Matters steering committee, seen here at a press conference on March 13, 2007 with Governor Eliot Spitzer.

Read a full article dated March 19, 2007 from the Legislative Gazette here! The budget has since been passed by the legislature.

NYAIL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM LAUNCHED!

On March 2, NYAIL launched the first phase of a new program, funded by the New York State Independent Living Council, to provide short-term technical assistance to strengthen Independent Living Centers throughout New York State. NYAIL staff will work closely with Richard Male & Associates (RMA) to implement the program.

The initial phase of the program – the inventory and assessment process – began with the Technical Assistance Program Survey. This will provide RMA with a well-rounded view of each organization. The survey was sent via email to all the ILC executive directors, who were encouraged to ask their board members to also complete the survey.

The results of the survey are now being analyzed by RMA. If you have any questions about this program, did not complete the survey, or would like to talk directly with RMA, please email Mandy Rigg of RMA at mandy@richardmale.com.

All information provided in the survey and other communication between NYAIL, RMA, and individual ILCs is absolutely confidential.

NEW ONLINE RESOURCES

Kaiser Family Foundation Issues New Primers on Medicare and Medicaid Programs

The Kaiser Family Foundation recently issued a new primer on the Medicare program and an updated version of its primer on the Medicaid program. Prepared by Foundation staff, the primers provide an overview of the programs, who they serve, how the programs work, and how they are financed.

Click here to access Medicare: A Primer: http://www.kff.org/medicare/7615.cfm

Click here to access Medicaid: A Primer: http://www.kff.org/medicaid/7334-02.cfm

Planning Worksheets for Nursing Facility Transitions

This series of worksheets, assembled by the Clearinghouse for the Community Living Exchange Collaborative, provides examples of resources the Michigan Nursing Facility Transition grant used in planning the transition from the nursing facility to the community. Worksheets are available on: daily living, employment planning, financial planning, health planning, housing planning, planning template, self-determination, social and transportation planning. Click here to view the worksheets: http://www.hcbs.org/moreInfo.php/nb/doc/1832

RICH TIPS

Getting a Foot in the Funder's Door

We at RMA spend considerable amounts of time helping clients understand the “strategic” aspects of raising grant dollars. Typically, the proposal itself only counts for about 10-20 percent of the overall strategy.The bulk of the grant process involves researching and targeting funding sources; setting up interviews with funders; understanding exactly what the funder is looking for; and studying the “politics” of the funding source. However, the first step in the strategic process is getting your foot in the door.

Your odds of receiving grant money from foundations, corporations, and religious institutions are dramatically improved if you personally meet with the funding source. Remember: one of the first tips in fundraising is that people give to other people. Raising dollars is still a very personal business. No one can sell your organization better than you can. So how do you get your foot in that door?

[Read More Here]