PREVIOUS TOPICS AND INFORMATION

MCN announces opposition to marriage amendment
The board of directors of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits approved the following resolution:

“We oppose any amendment to the Minnesota Constitution that prohibits marriage, civil unions and/or legal protections for same-sex couples.”

Learn more about MCN's opposition to the marriage amendment

Couldn't make the INEQUALITY MATTERS Public Forum? 
Tune into KFAI Fresh Air Radio and TPT Minnesota Channel
This January 25 public forum, hosted by MCN and Demos led a dialogue about how to push the issue of inequality in American and Minnesota onto the front burner. The forum was be taped for broadcast on KFAI Fresh Air Radio (90.3 FM in Minneapolis and 106.7 FM in St. Paul ) on February 6 and 7, 2006 on TPT’s Minnesota Channel in April 2006.
KFAI Fresh Air Radio
TPT Minnesota Channel
Download a Minnesota Budget Project report on inequality

Charitable Giving Guide released
Nonprofits play a vital role in strengthening their communities, yet people often don’t know what nonprofits do, how they work, and how they can get involved. Now in its second year, this special section of the Thanksgiving Day Pioneer Press provides basic information to help the general public make better understand and get involved with the issues, organizations, and communities that they care about.
View the Charitable Giving Guide  

MCN releases the 2005 Minnesota Nonprofit Economy Report
This annual study describes the role and input of nonprofit organizations in Minnesota's economy, including statewide and regional analysis.
Download a copy of the 2005 Nonprofit Economy Report  

MCN members select 2005 Nonprofit Mission Award recipients
The recipients of the 2005 Nonprofit Mission Awards are: Minnesota American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Women’s Foundation of Minnesota’s Hmong Women’s Giving Circle, Admission Possible, and the YWCA of Minneapolis. The Awards Ceremony will be broadcast December 17th at 8:30 pm on tpt-17.
Learn more about the award recipients  
   

Minnesotans donate to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts
Thousands have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Back in Minnesota, foundations, corporations, and individuals are providing food, shelter, and other aid to victims. You can help by giving to a local or national fund.
Learn more about Hurricane relief efforts 

National Panel on the Nonprofit Sector gets input from Minnesota nonprofits and foundations
Leaders of Minnesota's nonprofit and philanthropy community joined together in Minneapolis on April 8 and in Duluth on April to discuss what could be the most significant changes to federal laws governing 501(c)(3) organizations in decades.



View a Video Clip of the Briefing (Part 1) (Part 2)  (requires RealPlayer)
Download a copy of the Panel on the Nonprofit Sector's Interim Report to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee

Coalition of Over 100 Minnesota Organizations Urge Senators Dayton and Coleman to Protect State's Families, Children, and Vulnerable Populations
A Senate-House budget conference committee will soon be making key decisions that would impact Minnesota . In a letter coordinated by the Minnesota Budget Project, over 100 Minnesota organizations call on Senators Mark Dayton and Norm Coleman to protect Medicaid, Food Stamps, the Earned Income Tax Credit, and other federal programs serving low- and moderate-income Minnesotans, seniors, children, and persons with disabilities as the U.S. Congress works to craft a Budget Resolution. This effort was coordinated by the Minnesota Budget Project. 
Download the Letter Calling on Minnesota Senators to Protect Federal Programs 
Download the News release 
Find more information from the Minnesota Budget Project about what Low-Income Minnesotans Could Lose Big in Federal Budget
  

Rip Rapson presented "The State We're In" at MCN's Philanthropy Leaders Breakfast Series Event
Rip Rapson, President and CEO of The McKnight Foundation, was the featured guest at MCN's March 9 Philanthropy Leaders Breakfast Series Event. In his speech, Rapson called on nonprofits leaders to "drive this community's future...with boldness and focus" in a social and political environment where we are we are facing "the dismantling of the fundamental building blocks of a civil society based in mutual caring and respect."
Download the Full Text of Rip Rapson's Speech
View a Video Clip of the Speech  (requires RealPlayer)
   

Compensation of nonprofit employees discussed at the Capitol
Two bills have been introduced to limit the salaries of nonprofit employees and require reporting of salaries higher than that of the Governor. MCN opposes this and any legislation that would take nonprofit employers out of the marketplace for talent. 
Go to the Proposal to impose a salary cap on nonprofits
Go to the Proposal to require reporting of salaries higher than that of the Governor
View MCN's position in a Testimony to the MN House of Representatives

New report discusses charitable gambling in Minnesota
The Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor recently released a new report on gambling regulations and oversight, including charitable gambling. 
Go to the Office of the Legislative Auditor Report

Charitable Organizations Respond to Tsunami Crisis
A wide variety of charitable organizations in the U.S. and around the world are responding to the  Tsunami Crisis in South Asia, and contributions are needed to support immediate and long term relief. 
Learn more about Nonprofits aiding the relief efforts and how to make a donation

Remembering Governor Elmer L. Andersen
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits pays tribute to former Minnesota Governor Elmer L. Andersen, who died Monday, November 15. Anderson served as governor from 1961-1963, but his impact on the state, its citizens and nonprofits has spanned decades. As a state senator, corporate leader, philanthropist, newspaper publisher, author, Governor Andersen was honored with the 2003 Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Public Allies Award for outstanding leadership in shaping the public dialogue and advocating for policies that ensure a long term commitment to quality of life for all Minnesotans.
MCN's Interview on August 26, 2003       MCN's Interview on August 26, 2003
Accepting Public Allies Award

Getting Ready for 2005 Public Policy Conference
On Thursday, November 18, over 150 nonprofit representatives turned out to get updated on the post-election political and economic landscape and to network with other nonprofit policy leaders. Participants also learned advocacy basics or took a more advanced session on internet advocacy or mobilizing supporters; and heard from city, county, and state officials on current issues and challenges.
Handouts and more information from the Public Policy Conference

The Minnesota Participation Project
This is an exciting new effort to support and expand the capacity of Minnesota nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations to effectively engage in permissible nonpartisan voter engagement efforts - registration, voter education, and get-out-the-vote (GOTV) activities in 2004 and beyond.
More about the Minnesota Participation Project

Sound, Professional Communications on the Estate Tax
On Friday, October 1, MCN, the Minnesota Planned Giving Council, and Alexandria Technical College co-hosted a panel discussion on the need for a more accurate public understanding of the estate tax, its costs and benefits, and its implications for charitable giving. Panelists discussed the future of the estate tax, information on estate tax legislation in Congress, deficient information directed to the public on the estate tax, and responsible communications around the “death” tax myth. Panelists included Craig Wruck, Financial Planner for Kaspick & Company; Lee Farris, Senior Tax Organizer for United for a Fair Economy, and MCN Executive Director Jon Pratt.
Learn more about the Estate Tax

September 9 launch of 
"November 2 - Nonprofits Get Out The Vote!"
On September 9, nearly 200 nonprofit representatives turned out to celebrate their work around voter mobilization and to help us kick off the next phase of this work – Get Out The Vote (GOTV)!
Participants enjoyed cake, live music, and got free t-shirts, buttons, and materials on how nonprofits can Get Out The Vote on Election Day.

View  Update on Proposed Rules and MCN's Comments

Continue ...