Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Seminar Series to Aid Nonprofits and Ensure Success

September 27, 2010

SHEFFIELD, MA—Nonprofit leaders throughout the region are encouraged to participate in Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s “2010 Fall Seminars in Nonprofit Excellence,” an upcoming series of seminars designed to provide essential guidance to nonprofits as funding dollars remain scarce and compliance with federal regulations becomes more complex.

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence at Berkshire Taconic has engaged some of the country’s foremost experts to educate area nonprofits on a variety of timely subjects over the course of four seminars: “Don’t Panic! Understanding The New IRS Filing Requirements For Small Nonprofits”, “Get Organized & Boost Your Odds of Landing Grants”, “Prove Your Worth: Learn How Measurable Results Assert Your Mission”, and “Compliance is not an Option: Learn the Tough New Standards of the Massachusetts Data Protection Law.” The seminars (see schedule below) are structured for nonprofit leaders, both senior level staff and board members, and attendance by more than one member of each organization is encouraged to maximize the benefit of the information.

Berkshire Taconic recognizes that providing leaders with the tools to guide their organizations in this new economy is vital to their long term survival to maximize assistance for area nonprofits. Said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic, “We are cognizant that the tough economy is lingering and continues to test even the most efficient and well-run organizations. These seminars offer strategies to help our nonprofit community find new ways to move forward.”

Berkshire Taconic’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence serves as a resource for the hundreds of nonprofit organizations in the tri-state region. It provides training, administrative support and networking opportunities to help nonprofits think strategically, govern effectively and operate efficiently.

Participants must pre-register; the fee is $40 per participant ($60 for “Prove Your Worth”) and discounts are available. You can register online and get more information or call 413.229.0370.

2010 Fall Seminars Schedule

Don’t Panic! Understanding the new IRS Filing Requirements for Small Nonprofits
Instructor: Eve Borenstein, Esq., Borentstein and McVeigh Law Office (BAM!)
Tuesday, October 5, 1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Webinar

Get Organized and Boost Your Odds of Landing Grants
Instructor: Cynthia M. Adams, CEO, GrantStation
Wednesday, October 6, 2 p.m.- 5 p.m
Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Sheffield, MA

Prove Your Worth: Learn How Measurable Results Assert Your Mission
Instructor: Douglas Tanner, M.ED, LSW, New England Network
Thursday, October 21, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Foundation for Community Health, Sharon, CT

Wednesday, October 27, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Pittsfield, MA

Compliance is Not An Option: Learn the Tough New Standards of the Massachusetts Data Protection Law
Instructor: Mark R. Adams, Esq., SPHR, Director of HR Services, Employers Association of the NorthEast
Thursday, November 18, 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Berkshire Community College Intermodal Center, Pittsfield, MA

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Berkshire Taconic connects donors with causes they care about by administering and investing their charitable funds. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2009 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $7 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

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