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The Mission Memo: April 15, 2020

Board Governance, Community Impact, Nonprofit Leadership, Nonprofit Operations, Program Management, Revenue Development

April 15, 2020

 

Salute to Excellence Update

It is with heavy hearts that we announce our decision to cancel our 2020 Salute to Excellence event. Our nonprofits need our support, immediately. With the mission of Salute in mind – to lift up and support the nonprofit sector – we’re turning our focus toward being of greatest value right here, right now.

 

We are grateful to the support of our Salute Presenting Sponsor, PNC Bank, and the many generous award and event sponsors who are working with us to find valuable ways to serve our members through much needed crisis response programming. CNM will keep you posted on how we’re working together to serve our hard working nonprofits in these uncertain times. 

 

This decision is the product of much deliberation with our board and staff. As a substantial draw on staff time, future event and celebration planning doesn’t feel like the highest and best use of our time. We look forward to the day when we can celebrate with you again at an appropriate time. For now, we’re here to help you in the ways that that you need us now.

 


 

Remote Working Mini-Grants

CNM has partnered with The Frist Foundation to launch Remote Working Mini-Grants, intended to help ease the financial burden of the crises we are facing in Middle TN. Mini-grants will range from $300 – $1500, limited to support the purchase of hardware, software, and the subscriptions to online platforms. They are available only to CNM members, with a budget size of $2 million or less (based on the most recently completed fiscal year), on a first come, first served basis.

 

Apply for Mini-Grant

While our personal and business lives are in a state of uncertainty, figuring out a plan forward is both urgent and overwhelming at times. CNM has designed a Crisis Support Learning Series in response to the needs identified from the nonprofit community itself. The various learning sessions are meant to play a pivotal role in helping organizations not only cope but succeed in these difficult times.

 

Beginning April 20, these hour-long virtual workshops provide a deeper dive into topics focusing on crisis management, including continuing critical services, fundraising during a crisis, keeping virtual teams motivated, crisis communications, and more. This series is offered at no cost to CNM members. We hope that you join us as we continue on a path to resilience.

 


 

Nonprofit Advocacy Opportunity

A bipartisan bill, Save the Organizations that Serve (SOS) America Act (H.R. 6408), has been introduced in Congress to provide a lifeline to nonprofits impacted by COVID-19. The bill improves the CARES Act by providing charitable nonprofits with $60B in emergency funding, removes the 500-employee cap for small business loans, and raises the above-the-line charitable deduction.
Follow this link to quickly ask your representative to co-sponsor this important legislation. 

 


CNM in the News

CNM’s President & CEO, Tari Hughes, sat down for a conversation with the Tennessean’s David Plazas about the current state of nonprofits. Catch up on their conversation on the Tennessee Voices videocast.

 


 

4/15: Town Hall: Leading in Times of Crisis featuring Michael Burcham
SERIES HIGHLIGHT: With our members’ needs changing day to day, the CNM team is continuously evaluating how we can be of service. Per the needs assessment survey, we’re learning that guidance, tips, and relatable stories is what our nonprofit partners are looking for most. Come join expert Michael Burcham on how to lead effectively in intense times of crisis… Read more.
4/20: Business Not As Usual: The Formula for Success
SESSION HIGHLIGHT: Now more than ever, nonprofits have the opportunity to think about business through a different lens, the lens of the intrapreneurial mindset. Join Trish Holliday in this engaging workshop and discover the skills necessary for being a successful intrapreneur and how the intrapreneurial mindset can help your organization face uncertainty and prepare for a new future. Register for 9:00 a.m. session or 1:00 p.m. session.
4/20: Keeping the Trains Running in a Time of Crisis and Uncertainty
SESSION HIGHLIGHT: This session will focus on business and programming continuity.  How you continue to meet the needs of your stakeholders and provide services when normal modes of operation are disrupted. We will review strategies and tools available as well as lessons learned from nonprofits in Los Angeles and Washington state hit by the pandemic over a month ago. Register for 10:00 a.m. session or 2:00 p.m. session.

 

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