UPMIFA Law Will Provide More Flexibility for Charity Endowments
Legislation to provide relief to charities whose endowment funds have eroded in value due to the recession was signed into law by Governor Corzine on June 10, 2009. S-2583 (Codey/Ruiz)/A-3871 (Deignan/McKeon), the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA), provides additional discretion to charities to spend their endowments as long as certain conditions are met. more information

2009 New Jersey Non-Profits: Trends and Outlook - Read the results of the Center for Non-Profits' 2009 Issues and Trends Survey, describing the effects of the economic downturn on New Jersey's non-profit community and non-profits' outlook for the coming year. Full report available at www.njnonprofits.org/2009AnnualSurveyRpt.pdf .

Resource Guide for New Jersey Funding Opportunities from the Economic Recovery Act - Senator Frank Lautenberg's office has put together a resource guide outlining availability of federal Economic Stimulus Funds for New Jersey. More information, including a downloadable PDF booklet, is available through the Senator's Web site at http://lautenberg.senate.gov/special_projects/recovery.intro.cfm

New Jersey 2009 Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan - www.recovery.nj.gov/ Information and Web portal maintained by the State of New Jersey. This site also links to federal stimulus grants information at www.nj.gov/recovery/grant/ .

In tough economic times, people turn to their local non-profits for help in meeting basic human needs. But the increased demands for help hit non-profits at the same time that their own revenues decline because of the economy. The National Council of Nonprofits developed this ever-evolving resource to help non-profits and our allies better understand the situation and have ready access to strategies to help you navigate the economy so nonprofits can serve their communities more efficiently. Accessible at www.councilofnonprofits.org/economy , highlights include:

• Focus Area: Basic Facts & Analysis This section provides links to materials designed to help the public, policymakers, journalists, and nonprofits understand the mounting economic challenges.
• Focus Area: Impact on Nonprofits This section identifies ways the economy is hurting nonprofits - and thereby the communities we serve.
• Focus Area: Proactive Positioning - Action Steps for Nonprofits This section shares resources to help nonprofits not only weather this economic storm, but also emerge even stronger.

Special Reports on Economic Stimulus and Recovery -- The National Council of Nonprofits has created this evolving series of Special Reports about our nation's economic recovery, including analysis of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009 (commonly referred to as the economic stimulus bill) that President Obama signed into law on February 17, 2009. Visit www.councilofnonprofits.org/stimulus to access the following reports:

NEW! Strategies Being Used by Nonprofit Leaders To Cope with the Nation’s Economic Crisis Special Report #9 - (August 10, 2009)
This report synthesizes the data from four national and nine state surveys illustrating how nonprofits are coping with the impact of the economy and offers suggestions for cost-cutting measures and strategic steps nonprofits can take to address the allocation of scarce resources as they weather the downtown in the economy.

NEW! A Respectful Warning Call to Our Partners in Government: Special Report #8 - (August 10, 2009)
This report synthesizes updated survey data illustrating how the combination of increased demand, increased costs and reduction in contributions has impacted nonprofits, and offers a warning that nonprofits may not be able to keep up with the increase in the demand for their services even as the economy recovers.

American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009: White House Briefing for Nonprofits: Special Report #7 - (April 14, 2009)
On April 9, the White House held a special “briefing for outside organizations about the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)” to provide an opportunity “to learn about how the ARRA funds are being distributed in the various departments and how you as organizations can participate.” The National Council of Nonprofits attended the briefing and is publishing this Special Report so nonprofits across the country can have equal access to this important information.

Forward Together: An Action Agenda for America's Economic Recovery: Special Report #6 - (March 11, 2009)
The National Council is inviting you to join the growing number of leaders from across America who are signing their names to this special declaration for Americans to "come together in this time of national crisis to renew our commitment to serve as partners in public service in addressing the challenges our nation faces."

Information about the Proposed Changes in Charitable Deductions: Special Report #5 - (March 9, 2009, updated March 17, 2009)
This report examines the proposed changes for charitable deducations in President Obama's proposed budget for 2010.

Sources of Information Regarding Stimulus Funds: Special Report #4 - (March 3, 2009)
This report identifies national and state sources of information about the federal stimulus funds, including official recovery websites that states have established.

Whether and How States Are Accepting & Distributing Federal Stimulus Funds: Special Report #3 - (February 25, 2009; updated March 2, 2009)
This report reviews how various Governors have indicated they will handle the federal funds.

Stimulus Grant Tips and Thoughts: Special Report #2 - (February 24, 2009)
This report offers grant information, tips, and considerations - including that the stimulus package offers some grant opportunities, but is not a universal remedy for everyone.

Nonprofit Grant Opportunities: Special Report #1 - (February 23, 2009)
This core report analyzes the $787 billion economic stimulus legislation, summarizing the major spending and tax cut provisions and identifying potential grant opportunities for nonprofits.

The Nonprofit Quarterly, "Improving Nonprofit Decisionmaking Amid Economic Crisis" -- http://www.nonprofitquarterly.org/improving-nonprofit-decision-making-amid-economic-crisis.html

Nonprofits Assistance Fund - Tools and Templates -- Includes cash flow templates, financial management self-assessment and more.
http://www.nonprofitsassistancefund.org/%20pages/toolstemplates

Fieldstone Alliance, Web page: "Opportunities in Lean Times" - http://www.fieldstonealliance.org/client/focus-opportunities_in_lean_times.cfm
(Reminder: Center member organizations are eligible for discounts on Fieldstone Alliance publications. Contact us to find out how to access these and many other savings.)