Causes: Nonprofit Management, Philanthropy

Mission: The minnesota council of nonprofits informs, promotes, connects and strengthens individual nonprofits and the nonprofit sector.

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 2014, mcn sponsored 57 educational workshops and six conferences on a wide range of topics, including financial management, human resources, governance, fundraising, communications and leadership. Over 5,800 individuals attended these training events in 2014 including 1,230 registrants for the annual conference. Mcn also hosted ten free year-long networking lunch series, 86 total meetings, on management, human resources and communications in the twin cities and northeast, central and southern minnesota. In 2014, mcn also continued its role as a publisher, releasing the 2015 minnesota grants directory, the 2014 minnesota nonprofit salary & benefits survey and nonprofit news, a quarterly print newsletter providing information on sector trends and new resources.

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 2014, 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, media advocacy, evaluating advocacy and building strategic relationships with public officials. In 2014, in an effort to reduce barriers to participation, we offered a combination of free webinars, paid workshops and an intensive six month advocacy institute for 8 organizations serving a specific geographic area.

member services: in 2014, 2,025 charitable organizations and 223 businesses contributed dues to support mcn's work. Members receive discounts on publications, workshops and conferences and can participate in special cost-saving programs, including new partnerships that provide members with discounted volunteer background screenings and an employee assistance program. Mcn hosted its fourth annual member appreciation month in august 2014 and celebrated members at special networking events in st. Paul, mankato, st. Cloud and duluth. Mcn staff and board participated in a "thank you" call-a-thon, reaching out to members to thank them for their work. Mcn also introduced a new member benefit of free members-only workshops and webinars, partnering with industry experts.

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 2014, 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 state tax and budget issues through the minnesota budget project. Nonprofits, decision-makers and media use this information to better understand the implications of tax and budget decisions for the communities they serve. In 2014, the minnesota budget project produced numerous analyses of legislative and administrative budget and tax proposals, focusing on services that impact low- and moderate-income minnesotans and communities of color, and looked at whether budget proposals were sustainable and demonstrated sound budgeting principles. Advocacy: mcn engages in advocacy efforts affecting the nonprofit sector and its ability to serve constituents. Mcn's major state-level advocacy efforts in 2014 were defeating a proposal to interfere with the self-governance authority of nonprofits; participating in efforts to increase minnesota's minimum wage; and opposing the expansion of city fees levied on nonprofits. During 2014, mcn's minnesota budget project secured an expansion of minnesota's working family credit, and sought to protect the progressive revenue gains made in 2013. Nonprofit insurance advisors: mcn started the taxable subsidiary to serve the insurance needs of nonprofit organizations by identifying and brokering appropriate and cost-effective coverage. Nonprofit insurance advisors is wholly owned by mcn. Mcn's equity in nonprofit insurance advisors is reflected in other program service revenue. Nonprofit insurance advisors incurred a loss in 2014 of $21,023.