New National Guide for Donors Recognizes CCCS of Greater Atlanta as Foreclosure Prevention Leader

/PRNewswire/ -- In a newly-released national guide that identifies nonprofit organizations making the greatest difference helping people suffering in the current economic crisis, Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Greater Atlanta has been cited as a nationally recognized leader in effective housing counseling.

The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at the University of Pennsylvania recently published the guide, called "High Impact Philanthropy in the Downturn." The guide targets nonprofits that are preventing foreclosures, sustaining primary and preventive health programs and ensuring access to food. It provides descriptions of high-impact models for donors to fund, "cost per impact" estimates for each philanthropic opportunity, tips on finding and assessing local agencies and contact information for leading nonprofits.

CCCS of Greater Atlanta was cited as a "Model in Practice" for effective foreclosure prevention counseling in the investment guide. The guide says the nonprofit agency's low "cost per impact" is a major reason it is a model in foreclosure prevention counseling.

"The purpose of the guide was to identify where philanthropic capital could make a meaningful difference addressing the suffering caused by the current economic downturn," explained Katherina Rosqueta, executive director, Center for High Impact Philanthropy. "For donors focused on maximizing the social impact of their gifts, CCCS of Greater Atlanta's work represents great bang for the philanthropic buck."

In recognizing the Atlanta-based nonprofit, the guide says: "We estimate that it costs CCCS of Atlanta approximately $300 to keep one client in his or her home and avoid foreclosure activity for a year. By comparison, industry wide, the cost ranges from $500 to $3,800, based on the complexity of the issue."

The guide attributes several factors to CCCS of Greater Atlanta's strong "cost-per-impact" profile, such as its 45 years of experience working with people in financial distress; its strong commitment to data-driven decisions and investments in data management systems and its strong, professional culture that is reflected in its working relationships with mortgage servicers.

Suzanne Boas, president of CCCS of Greater Atlanta, said the agency is honored to be recognized by The Center for High Impact Philanthropy and hopes more homeowners will contact the agency to receive help to avoid foreclosure.

"We hope homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments will not hesitate to call us to receive professional counseling at no cost," said Boas. "We realize that each and every homeowner is going through a difficult economic period and one of our housing counselors can help them understand all of their options, including how to avoid foreclosure."

In 2008, CCCS of Greater Atlanta answered more than 175,000 telephone calls from homeowners seeking to avoid foreclosure and provided foreclosure prevention counseling to more than 73,000 homeowners. This year, the agency anticipates that it will be provide foreclosure prevention counseling to more than 90,000 homeowners across the nation.

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SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Private Non-Profit Organizations in Georgia

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration announces certain Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low-interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available following a Presidential Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance resulting from damages caused by severe storms and flooding that began on September 18, 2009.

PNPs located in Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Crawford, Dawson, DeKalb, Dooly, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Houston, Newton, Peach, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens, Taylor and Walker counties in the state of Georgia are eligible to apply to SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

PNP organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets. The SBA also offers mitigation funds to disaster victims based on 20 percent of the verified physical damage. These funds are designed to help borrowers pay for protective measures to minimize damages of the same kind in the future.

The SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help meet working capital needs, such as ongoing operating expenses to PNP organizations of all sizes. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Interest rates are as low as 4 percent with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

“PNP organizations are urged to contact their county emergency managers to obtain information about local briefings. At the meeting, PNP representatives will need to provide information about their organization,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

This information will be used to submit a “Request for Public Assistance” which FEMA uses to determine if the PNP provides an essential governmental service and meets the definition of a “critical facility.” Based upon that conclusion, FEMA will either refer the PNP to SBA for disaster loan assistance or possibly provide a “Public Assistance” reimbursement grant for eligible costs.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT. Also, PNPs may obtain information and application forms by sending an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

PNPs may visit SBA’s secure Web site at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/ to apply for disaster loans.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is November 25, 2009. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 28, 2010.

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SBA’s Deadline For Disaster Loans For Private Non-Profit Organizations Is February 23

(BUSINESS WIRE)--The U.S. Small Business Administration reminds certain Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature of the deadline to submit disaster loan applications for economic losses caused by severe storms and flooding on May 11 – 12, 2008. The deadline to file an application for an economic injury disaster loan is February 23, 2009.

PNPs located in Bibb, Carroll, Crawford, Douglas, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, Treutlen, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties in the State of Georgia are eligible to apply to SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

“PNP organizations are urged to contact their county emergency managers to obtain information about local briefings. At the meeting, PNP representatives will provide information about their organization,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

This information will be used to submit a “Request for Public Assistance” which FEMA uses to determine if the PNP provides an essential governmental service and meets the definition of a “critical facility.” Based upon that conclusion, FEMA will either refer the PNP to SBA for disaster loan assistance or possibly provide a “Public Assistance” reimbursement grant for eligible costs.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (for the hearing-impaired 1-800-877-8339) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST or by emailing our customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. Applications can also be downloaded from www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance. Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

The deadline to apply for these loans is February 23, 2009.

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Griffin MarCom Inc. Returning to Atlanta

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Griffin MarCom Inc. www.griffinmarcom.com, a fast growing strategic marketing and communications agency, today announced its return to the Atlanta market, where it was originally founded in 2000. The firm and its founder, well known for business leadership in Atlanta, return after a 5-year hiatus.

In conjunction with its return, Griffin MarCom will provide free, and discounted strategic marketing and communications support to a select group of Atlanta area nonprofits and small businesses. Nonprofits and corporate sponsors needing support should email info@griffinmarcom.com, to submit requests – which will be taken on a case-by-case basis.

“We are very excited about returning to this market,” said company founder and president, Russell Griffin. “The Atlanta market is unlike any other. With the potent mixture of Fortune 500 and established corporate enterprises – and the vibrant small business, technology, and nonprofit arenas, as well as the entertainment industry, and quality of life - we have long felt this market to be the best location for our headquarters,” Griffin said.

Griffin MarCom re-opened its doors for business in January of this year, after Griffin’s 5-year return to the corporate executive ranks, with MetLife. Griffin served as Head of eBusiness for MetLife Auto & Home, and as Head of Diversity for MetLife Individual Business. The company re-launched in Rhode Island - where Griffin has resided since 2003 - and will maintain its New England base of operations.

Griffin MarCom, and its president, came to prominence in Atlanta in the late 90’s. In addition to founding the firm, Griffin was the Executive Director of the successful technology think tank – Minority Technology Entrepreneurs, MiTE. He also supported a number of high profile for profit and nonprofit initiatives. The firm currently partners with a number of Atlanta businesses, to provide support to area organizations.

The firm will announce the area nonprofits selected to receive support in early September.

“We’ve always found that nonprofits have the greatest need, and the least amount of resources, together with significant opportunity for positive impact. We intend to be of service,” says Griffin.

Additionally, Griffin will resume volunteer work with the United Way African American Partnership, and other select programs. Griffin MarCom currently supports a number of corporate, small business and nonprofit clients.

SBA Disaster Assistance Available to Private Non-Profit Organizations in Georgia

PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. Small Business Administration announces that certain Private Non-Profit Organizations (PNPs) that do not provide critical services of a governmental nature may be eligible to apply for low interest rate disaster loans. These loans are available as a result of President Bush's Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance resulting from damages caused by severe storms and flooding on May 11 - 12, 2008.

PNPs located in Bibb, Carroll, Crawford, Douglas, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, Treutlen, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties in the State of Georgia are eligible to apply to SBA. Examples of eligible non-critical PNP organizations include, but are not limited to, food kitchens, homeless shelters, museums, libraries, community centers, schools and colleges.

"PNP organizations are urged to contact their county emergency managers to obtain information about local briefings. At the meeting, PNP representatives will provide information about their organization," said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.

This information will be used to submit a "Request for Public Assistance" which FEMA uses to determine if the PNP provides an essential governmental service and meets the definition of a "critical facility." Based upon that conclusion, FEMA will either refer the PNP to SBA for disaster loan assistance or possibly provide a "Public Assistance" reimbursement grant for eligible costs.

Disaster loan information and application forms may be obtained by calling the SBA's Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center at 1-800-659-2955 (for the hearing-impaired 1-800-877-8339) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (EDT), emailing our customer service center at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or by writing to U.S. Small Business Administration, Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center, 130 South Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202-2463.

The deadline to apply for these loans is July 22, 2008.

For more information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs, visit our website at www.sba.gov.

Source: U.S. Small Business Administration

Volunteering for Nonprofit Boards

Serving as a board member for a not-for-profit organization can be a personally and professionally rewarding experience. But like any other venture, you should have a thorough understanding of what you’re signing on for, or have signed on for, when you agree to join a board.

When you volunteer to be a board member you become part of that organization’s management team. And not-for-profit organizations can open themselves to legal liabilities just as their for-profit counterparts can. Most state statutes specify the standard of care required by directors of not-for-profit corporations. These statutes usually require that directors discharge their duties in good faith and reasonable prudence. This isn’t a reason to shy away from volunteering, but it is reason to fully understand what you’re signing on for and what is expected of you.

If an organization has not told you what the responsibilities are for their board members, you should ask for a formal set of requirements and guidelines. While this may seem like a formality for a volunteer role, remember that you are agreeing to help guide and manage that organization. It is in everyone’s best interest to have clearly defined expectations.

Get to Know the Organization

Just as you would interview and research a company for employment, you should have a thorough understanding of the not-for-profit with which you align yourself. Talk with current and past board members. Take a tour of the facility and meet the staff and volunteers. Attend fundraisers and events that fulfill the organization’s mission to identify strengths and weaknesses. Talk with the management team about the organization’s vision and their planned path for maintaining or expanding their services.

Know Your Available Resources

Boards can benefit by including professionals with key areas of specialty, such as accountants, attorneys, human resources and marketing professionals, however a profession’s standards of ethics may govern and limit the capacity in which these individuals may serve on the board. For example, while an attorney may rely on his or her general training and education to offer the board meaningful direction, he or she should shy away from giving legal advice to the board. On the other hand, other professionals such as marketing consultants can openly lend their expertise to the board without concern for additional legal exposure as long as they do not have a conflict of interest with one of their clients. To avoid confusion, take the time to clarify each person’s role and their goals as a board member.

Financial and Time Expectations

The same goes for fundraising and time commitments. Some boards require a minimum financial donation from their board members. Others require minimum time commitments and committee participation, but both are good ideas to help keep board members active and involved with the organization. The not-for-profit’s management team, both executive director and board, should be clear in their fundraising and time commitment expectations with new and prospective board members.

Know the By-Laws

Ask for a copy of the organization’s charter and by-laws. These documents should be readily available, kept up-to-date and easily understood by a layperson. When determining how the organization will move forward with programs and evolve with the changing marketplace, it is imperative that the by-laws are referenced so that activities correspond with the organization’s intended purpose and are performed in accordance with the operational rules of the organization. This is especially important when it comes to policies and practices that relate to financial matters and affect the long-term financial stability of the organization.

Insist on Well-kept Financials and Insurance

Wherever you choose to volunteer, insist that the organization is well insured and carries D&O (directors and officers) liability insurance. While some not-for-profits may view these as unnecessary or unneeded expenses, they are inexpensive tools that can help to attract and maintain a talented group of fellow board members.

Actively Participate in Meetings

Board meetings must be meaningful and include a full disclosure of operating results so that you and your fellow board members know how the organization is performing. If there are any deficiencies, you must have the information available so that you can diagnose and make decisions about how that organization is being run so the board can take appropriate action.

This also means that you are obligated to regularly participate in board meetings. It’s no secret that not-for-profit boards frequently struggle with members who seldom attend meetings or offer little-to-no input or assistance. While excuses are easily made, these meetings are critical to the long-term success of the organization. It may sound heavy-handed, but not taking part in these meetings can be construed as mismanagement, because you have agreed to direct a company and not participating is a violation of the principle of good faith.

The same can be said for committee meetings. Most boards require that their members participate in one or more committees, but not all committees are active or provide reports to the full board. Take an active part by volunteering to chair a committee. Set goals for your committee and give regular reports to the full board. Committing yourself to making these reports will help you and your committee stay focused on tasks that help advance the institution.

Evaluate Successes and Failures

Consistently take a step back to evaluate what you, your committee, the full board, and the staff have accomplished. Did the organization fulfill its mission? Where did the organization find its greatest success and challenges? If specific areas need immediate attention, either because they are underutilized or because they could put the organization or people who interact with the organization at risk, address them in a way that advances the institution. Remember that one of a board member’s greatest contributions can be the professional expertise that they take for granted.

We encourage you to support your community by offering your experience and expertise to a not-for-profit organization. Chances are good that there are multiple organizations that you can take an interest in and help. Directors should not fear liability for every potential mishap that can occur in an organization. As long as your actions are responsible and in line with the best interests of the agency, you will be protected from liability. And by being an active part of that organization you’ll find a very rewarding experience for years to come, both personally and professionally.

By: Catherine Banich and Donna Roberts

Catherine Banich and Donna Roberts are attorneys at Stites & Harbison, PLLC, a regional law firm with offices in Atlanta where they concentrate on Labor and Employment and Business Litigation law. They can be reached at cbanich@stites.com and donna.roberts@stites.com, respectively.