It’s Friday, January 20. We’re more than halfway through January already. A new President is being sworn in today, and people are marching about that the following day. We’re fairly certain inauguration tickets are sold out (http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/17/politics/donald-trump-inauguration-how-to-watch/), but if you’re interested in the Saturday marches, there’s more information here: https://www.womensmarch.com/

In the meantime, we’ve got five items of interest from the nonprofit world this week:

1) FOR-PROFIT PAPER TO NONPROFIT NECESSITY  
Up in Millinocket, New Hampshire, a very small town (population 5,000) is trying to rebuild its economy. Step one: find something productive to do with the shuttered Great Northern Paper Mill. Enter nonprofit organization Our Katahdin, named for the highest peak in Maine, which is dedicated to supporting “small win” community projects. Our Katahdin thinks it can use the paper mill to revitalize the town. Find out how:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/01/18/mix-one-nonprofit-abandoned-paper-mill/?utm_content=44691948

2) HOW NOT TO FUNDRAISE, GREEN BAY EDITION
Rules for cities and organizations #47: If you ask donors for money for a pool, they’re going to want a pool. And if you veto a proposal for the pool, they’re going to want their money back. The whole story can be found here:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2017/01/12/bad-fundraising-strategies-mayor-works-phones-donors-want-money-back/   

3) ADVOCACY ALLOWED?
Organizations are wondering if advocating for or against Presidential cabinet nominees is acceptable. The answer, according to Don Kramer of Nonprofit Issues: it depends on the type of organization. While 501(c)(3)s are forbidden from endorsing or opposing candidates for office, there’s an IRS notice (88-76) stating that advocating for or against a Presidential nominee during Senate confirmation does not constitute participating in a political campaign. Read the whole Q&A to make sure your organization doesn’t run afoul of the IRS:
http://www.nonprofitissues.com/to-the-point/may-nonprofit-advocacy-group-supportoppose-trump%E2%80%99s-picks#.WHZEaAwAqdM.twitter

4) ADVOCATING FOR A FREE PRESS
When Meryl Streep won her Cecil B. DeMille Golden Globe last week, she urged Americans to donate to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In this 2012 interview Joel Simon, the executive director for the CPJ, talks about the origins of the CPJ, its current focus, and the organization’s biggest challenges. Find out more:
https://nonprofitquarterly.org/2012/05/09/embedded-in-chaos-journalism-in-2012

5) WHAT ARE THE FIVE TRENDS OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE?
Want to know what’s on the horizon for social enterprise this year? The Council on Foundations is hosting a discussion about trends for nonprofits in 2017. Carla Javits, President and CEO of the Roberts Enterprise Development Fund, has identified five flashpoints to keep your eye on. If you’re looking for a sense of the future, check this out:
|http://www.cof.org/blogs/re-philanthropy/2016-12-07/five-trends-social-enterprise

That’s it for the Friday Five. We’re off to go watch the inauguration and/or march.  

In the meantime, you can follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, and send your questions about the nonprofit world to info@b-alaw.com. We’ll be back next week!

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