Minnesota Council Of Nonprofits Inc

Programs: Education: mcn provides timely and relevant educational events, networking opportunities and publications to strengthen individual organizations and thus the sector's effectiveness, productivity and accountability. In 2017, mcn sponsored 208 public events with over 9,000 total attendees. This included 119 educational trainings (in-person across minnesota and e-learning opportunities). Educational learning, including seven conferences, focused on a wide range of topics including financial management, diversity and equity, human resources, governance, accountability, fundraising, communications, leadership and more. Over 7,000 individuals attended these training events including 977 registrants for the annual conference. Mcn also hosted twelve free year-long networking lunch series, 89 total meetings with over 2,000 attendees, on management, human resources, fundraising and communications in the twin cities and northeast, northwest, west central, central, southeast and southwest minnesota. In 2017, mcn continued its role as a publisher, releasing the 2018 minnesota grants directory, the handbook for starting a successful nonprofit, and nonprofit news, a newsletter providing information on sector trends and resources. Also in 2017, mcn launched its e-learning program with two multi-part virtual trainings (on supervision and evaluation) with a total of 70 participants. Through all of its educational programming, mcn worked with nearly 500 volunteers from other nonprofits, capacity building groups and government agencies to offer high-quality expertise, current information and interactive learning for minnesota's nonprofit sector.

public policy and civic engagement: mcn builds the capacity of nonprofit leaders to be confident and competent voices on issues impacting their constituents and communities by providing them with workshops, briefings and other informational resources. In 2017, mcn offered a substantial public policy training and information series attended by several hundred participants that included topics like basic and advanced nonprofit advocacy, lobbying laws, state and federal budget processes, advocacy communications, fundraising for advocacy, how to develop a policy agenda, working in coalitions, and working with congress. Mcn's minnesota budget project educates nonprofits, decision-makers, the media, and the public on budget, tax, and economic policy issues through a range of communications vehicles.

member services: in 2017, 2,152 charitable organizations and 237 businesses contributed dues to support mcn's work. Nonprofit members receive discounts on publications, workshops and conferences, space rental and can post job openings on mcn's highly trafficked job board at no cost. In 2017, mcn members posted 15,482 free staff, board, volunteer and intern openings on mcn's job board. Through the use of free member publication vouchers, mcn nonprofit members requested and received 804 free copies of regularly updated publications like the minnesota grants directory, minnesota nonprofit salary & benefits survey, handbook for starting a successful nonprofit, and principles and practices for nonprofit excellence. Mcn also capitalizes on the buying power of its members to negotiate lower prices and better service on many products and services that nonprofits need, including banking, insurance, employee benefits, office supplies, payroll processing and more. Mcn celebrated members at special networking events in fergus falls, mankato, rochester, st. Cloud, and willmar.

americorps vista: in 2017, mcn was awarded a grant from the corporation for national and community service to sponsor 20 vista members at 19 different nonprofit organizations. Mcn's vista program builds the capacity of nonprofits serving or led by immigrant and refugee communities and communities of color to overcome poverty. Mcn places americorps vista members in minnesota nonprofits to provide the resources, capacity and connections for community based organizations to ensure operational sustainability and grow their community impact. Research: with the support of charitable contributions from foundations and corporations, mcn studies nonprofit sector trends and shares this research with members, other nonprofits, decision-makers and the media. In 2017, mcn continued to disseminate information on minnesota's nonprofit sector, demonstrating the economic impact of nonprofits on the state's economy. Mcn also conducts extensive nonpartisan research and analysis on tax, budget, and economic issues through the minnesota budget project. The minnesota budget project's analysis particularly focuses on how policy choices and economic trends impact low- and moderate-income minnesotans and communities of color, expansion of economic opportunity in minnesota, and progress toward a fair and sustainable tax system. Advocacy: mcn engages in advocacy efforts affecting the nonprofit sector and its ability to serve communities throughout minnesota. Mcn quickly moved on federal policy in 2017, developing tools for nonprofits to engage on the federal level, providing explainers on how bills become law at the federal level (quite different than the state level), and participated in lobbying around issues such as the johnson amendment and universal deduction. Mcn's major state-level advocacy efforts in 2017 were introducing a proposal to expand the sales tax exemption to more nonprofits; bringing the nonprofit employer perspective to the policy debate about workforce issues, including the minimum wage ordinance development in minneapolis; and opposing the expansion of city fees levied on charitable nonprofits exempt from property tax. Mcn's minnesota budget project focused its advocacy efforts in 2017 on increasing access to affordable child care and protecting health care for lower-income minnesotans; and promoting a more sustainable and equitable tax system, particularly by leading efforts to expand the state's tax credits for workers and their families.