Deadlines for Nonprofits and Fundraisers Approaching

Fellows Program Empowers Young Nonprofit Leaders
Independent Sector is calling all young nonprofit leaders looking to magnify their impact through dynamic collaboration with their peers to apply for the American Express NGen Fellows Program. Twelve young professionals under age 40 from Independent Sector member organizations will be selected to the fellows program and receive complimentary registration and lodging for the 2009 Annual Conference held in Detroit Nov. 3 to 6.

At the conference, fellows will collaborate with other talented young leaders, interact with established mentors through tailored online and in-person programming and special networking opportunities, and participate in Independent Sector's work on nonprofit leadership.

In addition to attending the main conference, program fellows also will:
participate in a pre-conference retreat, tailored to their interests and experiences;

• be recognized at the opening plenary;
• have special opportunities for interaction with IS's key leaders and partners before, during and after the conference;
• contribute as key members of conference FutureLab discussions about the trends and issues influencing the future of the nonprofit community; and
• engage in a post-conference strategy session to develop plans for ongoing work in 2010.

The application — which is due by Aug. 14 — requires candidates to submit three references, an uploaded resume and answers to the following three short essay questions:

1. Describe a current project that best speaks to your capacity for leadership and long-term impact in advancing the public good,
2. How does your past and current work in the nonprofit sector connect with your future plans?
3. If selected as an Independent Sector NGen Fellow, what would you hope to get out of the program? What would you hope to uniquely contribute to the program and to a potential Fellows project?

Colleagues also can nominate an emerging leader who they believe should apply for the fellows program here. After the nomination is received, Independent Sector will notify the nominee of the nomination and suggest that he or she apply.

According to the Independent Sector site, American Express NGen Fellows "may work at a range of levels within their organization — from chief executives to program officers or project managers who have managed significant initiatives. They may be new to the nonprofit and philanthropic sector, bringing valuable insights from government or business, or they may have extensive experience through volunteer activities or board service."

Qualities IS is looking for in fellows include:

• demonstrated commitment to advancing the nonprofit community;
• established track record of high-impact contributions to the public good; and
• demonstrated leadership potential for their organizations or the nonprofit community.

Those selected will be notified in early September. Click here to learn more about the program and/or apply.

Grant Offers Different Song and Dance
The application process is now open for the Heart and Soul Grant Award from the Austin-based CTK Foundation Philanthropic Fund, founded by Community TechKnowledge Inc., a provider of software and services to nonprofits. Nonprofits across the nation can enter to win a $10,000 cash award, and a professionally written and produced song by musical group Los Lonely Boys to better publicize their missions.

To be in the running, each nonprofit must submit an original poem (four to eight lines long) written by staff, volunteers or constituents that expresses the heart of its mission, fill out the online grant application, and submit the grant application and poem via the CTK Web site. If selected, the poem will become the basis of a song that Los Lonely Boys will write and produce. A video of the band performing the song will be used for noncommercial, community education and awareness purposes.

The selected organization also will receive a $10,000 cash grant from CTK Foundation that can be used to help foster a greater understanding of the organization's mission in its community. Runners up will receive a full-sized steel string First Act acoustic guitar signed by Los Lonely Boys.

According to a CTK press release, nonprofits should "use the writing process as an opportunity to engage clients, staff and volunteers in a meaningful activity (writing the poem) that reminds everyone in each service organization about the 'heart' of their mission."

To be eligible, an organization must:

• be a registered 501(c)3 for at least one year prior to submission date;
• have an operating board of non-related directors that meets on a regular basis and documents the proceedings of its meetings;
• provide health or human services, cultural arts education/support, or animal or environmental protection service; and
• be able to provide financial statements for the last year of operations upon request.

Click here for further information about guidelines.

To apply, download a PDF of the grant instructions and fill out the grant application online.

E-mail any questions to ctkfoundationpf@communitytech.net. The grant application period closes online on Aug. 15, and the winner will be announced no later than Sept. 30.