Last Day for Discount Conference Rate!

"Early bird" discount registration to the 2010 LANO Annual Conference (NONPROFITS: The Transforming Landscape) ends at midnight tonight, May 28!

It's not too late to save $75 on this already fantastic value.  Don't miss your opportunity to register early and join hundreds of nonprofit leaders, funders, policy makers and dedicated volunteers at Louisiana's largest and most valuable nonprofit event.

NEW VALUES! For those wishing to extend their stay in New Orleans, the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel has now extended its special room rates to include up to three days before and three days after the LANO Annual Conference.  Additionally, discounted parking will be available in a Premium Parking garage right around the corner from the hotel, for only $15 per day, and you will be allowed to go in-and-out as much as you like.  See our conference registration site for details.

Learn about Translating Research into Action: From Recovery to Renaissance, the featured conference track from the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute in partnership with LANO and the Allstate Foundation.

Don't miss out!  REGISTER NOW!

3 Days Left to Save $75 on Conference Registration

"Knowledge to not only survive, but to thrive."
"The sessions were excellent and informative, and the luncheon speakers were outstanding!"
"As a newcomer to nonprofits, the LANO conference has been an invaluable experience."

These glowing reviews from particpants at the 2009 LANO Conference highlight why you need to be in New Orleans August 25-27 for this year's event.

Registration is now open!
Register by Friday, May 28th and save $75. 

At the 2010 conference, hundreds of nonprofit leaders, funders, staff and volunteers will gather for Louisiana's largest and most valuable nonprofit event.  Dynamic speakers, innovative session formats, and exceptional networking opportunities will draw on collective expertise from across the nonprofit community.

Stay tuned for continuing communication highlighting our:

• Over 50 valuable breakout sessions presented by sector leaders and experts.
• Exceptional professional networking opportunities, including a reception and multiple networking breaks.
• Eight informative tracks covering a wide array of nonprofit-specific topics, including: fund development, communications, leadership, public policy, trends and innovations, and more.

Learn more about the 2010 conference and register at www.LANO.org/Conference

FEATURED TRACK
Translating Research into Action: From Recovery to Renaissance
On the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, how do we move forward in the recovery?
RAND Gulf States Policy Institute in partnership with LANO and the Allstate Foundation invites nonprofit, community, and governmental leaders to discuss the crucial role of nonprofits in rebuilding after the storm. We invite you to participate, let your perspective be heard, and learn from colleagues and experts in disaster preparedness, housing, healthcare and more. Learn how your participation in this conference can inform the policy agenda in the region and in Washington, DC.

ACCOMMODATIONS
Convenient lodging is available at the conference hotel, the Astor Crowne Plaza, and discounted rates for conference attendees start at $95 a night.  UPDATE: For those wishing to extend their stay in New Orleans, the Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel has now extended its special room rates for attendees to include up to three days before and three days after the LANO Annual Conference! Space is limited, and reservations must be made by July 24, 2010.  Visit the hotel's conference page to take advantage of this great rate!

Global Green Panel on the Gulf Oil Spill Response

Global Green USA, the American Institute of Architects, New Orleans Chapter and the United States Green Building Council-Louisiana Chapter host a monthly panel series on issues of sustainability in the built environment. This month’s discussion is devoted to the collective response to the Deepwater Oil Spill in the Gulf of Mexico - to discuss strategies as we mobilize, organize and promote training opportunities for volunteers and paid workers who wish to join the efforts to save our coastal communities, wetlands, and way of life. 

Representatives from organizations including the Gulf Restoration Network, the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, Louisiana Bucket Brigade and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation are scheduled to discuss action plans in response to this man-made and avoidable disaster - how we'll clean up the catastrophic mess in the coming weeks, assist the people of the communities most directly affected - and how we can restore and protect our coastlines, our environment, and our future.

Wednesday, May 26th, 5:30pm to 7:30 pm
Green Building Resource Center
841 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA

The event is free and open to the public. Light organic refreshment served at 5:30pm, meeting begins at 6pm.

For more information, contact Heidi Jensen at the Green Building Resource Center: 504-525-2121 hjensen@globalgreen.org. 

LBP Releases New Budget Report

Report Reveals Size and Growth of Tax Expenditures amid Shrinking State Revenues

BATON ROUGE — The Louisiana Budget Project (LBP) reports that Louisiana will spend more than $7 billion on tax breaks next year, almost as much as it will spend in state revenues.

In a report released today titled Louisiana’s Hidden State Budget, LBP explains that more than 440 separate pieces of legislation currently exempt a wide range of corporations and products from tax liability, reducing state revenues during an historic economic downturn and immediate budget shortfall.

Characterized as “tax-side spending,” LBP notes that the revenue lost to tax exemptions is on the rise, projecting the growth in cost at 28% between 2006 and 2011. State revenues, meanwhile, are expected to fall by 3%.

Authors contrast the appropriations process, which receives annual review and wide public scrutiny, with the hidden budget of tax expenditures that often persist for years without further evaluation or sunset provisions.

“To more efficiently manage its finances and build a stronger future,” say LBP analysts, “Louisiana needs to shed more light on its hidden, tax-side spending.”

In one example cited by authors, Louisiana has allowed since 1994 a two-year moratorium on severance taxes for the drilling of horizontal oil and natural gas wells. This tax break was implemented when horizontal drilling was in its infancy and the industry needed incentives for new exploration.

Today, the Haynesville Shale in north Louisiana draws intense competition as one of the largest natural gas reserves in the country. Yet existing tax breaks continue to exempt oil companies from paying needed state revenues. “In fiscal year 2011,” say authors, “tax exemptions on severance taxes will cost Louisiana $189 million,” a cost that may grow considerably as the Haynesville gas field is fully developed.

“When our university system is publicly announcing it may have to close numerous campuses and raise student tuition,” said LBP Director Edward Ashworth, “I think about all that lost tax revenue being sucked into oil company tankers.”

For a copy of the complete report and to learn more about the Louisiana Budget Project, visit www.labudget.org or contact Edward Ashworth at 225.929.5266.

NOAA Coordinating Oil Spill Volunteer Opportunities

As the Deepwater Horizon oil spill continues to unfold, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is attempting to coordinate volunteer efforts across the agency and other federal departments to facilitate effective volunteer support. 

They are collecting information from nonprofit organizations that need volunteer assistance for Gulf cleanup in light of the oil spill. If your organization is leading clean up efforts and needs volunteer support, please complete this questionnaire as soon as possible and return to: Caren Madsen, Caren.Madsen@noaa.gov

Successful Political Strategy Taught at Upcoming Seminar

The Louisiana Campaign Institute will hold a two day seminar on May 16 and 17 called "Conquering Campaign Challenges". 

Nationally recognized campaign experts will present vital strategies and skills necessary to win local, state, and national elections.  Nonprofit leaders and advocates may benefit from improved knowledge in this important arena.

The Louisiana Center for Women and Government at Nicholls State University will host the seminar, which will be held at the Old State Capitol in Baton Rouge. Reception and lunch are included.

View two day agenda and register here.

LBP and LFT Address Fiscal Threats to Higher Education

Louisiana Budget Project Advises Balanced Approach to Address Budget Shortfall, Save Campuses

BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Board of Regents officials warned the Senate Finance Committee this week that eight higher education campuses may close as a result of planned cuts to the state budget.

LSU System President John Lombardi included in joint testimony the loss of entire campuses, along with reduced freshman and sophomore classes at 4-year colleges as necessary to replace $300 million that will not be available to higher education in FY2011. According to Lombardi, as much as one-third of the higher education system could be lost.

Even with efficiencies and tuition increases, warned Regents officials, deep and substantial cuts are inevitable with the budget reduction. They predicted a 15-year setback in state higher education.

"Sadly, this is not the first wake-up call we've had about a crisis in higher education," said Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Steve Monaghan. "But it begs the question: When will we listen? Losing an entire generation of students is simply not an option."

The nonpartisan Louisiana Budget Project, attending today’s hearings, says a balanced approach to the current fiscal crisis could preserve Louisiana’s educational system.

“Louisiana’s current situation is due in significant part to tax cuts our state can no longer afford,” said Edward Ashworth, LBP Director. “As a result, the state no longer has sufficient funds to pay for needed programs.” Tax cuts reduce vital state revenues that even severe reductions in state spending cannot recapture.

Ashworth noted that current modeling indicates “Louisiana will have fewer higher education options for our children because of these revenue decisions.”

Louisiana is not alone. Thirty-three other states are facing similar declines, but have responded with revenue increases in combination with spending cuts. Louisiana is distinctive in its decision to respond to the crisis solely with spending cuts. LBP research indicates that Louisiana, like other states, must recover revenues lost to tax breaks and the Stelly rollbacks.

“Today’s news is continuing evidence of the dire consequences of a cuts-only approach to our fiscal crisis,” said Ashworth. “Citizens and decision-makers should understand that we have a choice. We need to choose a balanced approach that includes increases in revenue along with prudent cuts in spending.”

Deadline Near: Tax Exempt Status for Many Louisiana Nonprofits at Risk

Thousands of Louisiana nonprofit organizations may lose their tax exempt status if they don't submit required IRS information by May 17.

Is your nonprofit at risk?

If an organization's tax exempt status is revoked, they may no longer receive tax-deductible contributions.  Re-application with the IRS and a fee of as much as $850 will be required.

LANO strongly encourages all Louisiana nonprofits to check their filing status today and to take appropriate action.

The following important information is provided by LANO’s member-supported association with the National Council of Nonprofits.

Under the federal Pension Protection Act of 2006, tax exempt organizations that fail to file required Form 990 annual information returns (or for some, a Form 990-N e-postcard) for three consecutive years will have their tax exempt status automatically revoked by the IRS this year. The first round of revocations will begin May 17, 2010.

To learn if your organization needs to file:

1. Go to this resource provided by The Urban Institute’s National Center for Charitable Statistics.

2. Select "Louisiana" and enter your nonprofit's name. If the alert "FILE NOW" appears beside your nonprofit's name, then:

3. File a 990 or 990-N (e-postcard) by May 17 in order to avoid having your nonprofit's tax-exempt status revoked. (NOTE: The "FILE NOW" link will take you directly to the E-postcard electronic filing site. Your filing requirements may differ. Click here for more details.)

Important issues that may affect filing:

• Certain chapter or regional organizations receive tax status through a “group exemption.” If your chapter or regional office is listed in the above resource as in need of filing, check with your headquarters or corporate office to confirm your filing status.

• Religious organizations are still exempt from Form 990 and related IRS annual filings. Click here for a basic description of the filing exceptions.

• The Form 990-N e-postcard is not for everyone. If your organization's gross receipts exceed $25,000, you must file a Form 990 and not the e-postcard. Click here for clarification from IRS.

LANO 2010 Annual Conference Early Registration Open

LANO 2010 Annual Conference

August 25 - 27, 2010

Astor Crowne Plaza Hotel

New Orleans, Louisiana

www.LANO.org/conference

Early registration for LANO's 2010 Annual Conference has begun! Register online by May 28 and save $75!

Don't miss Louisiana's largest gathering of nonprofit professionals, volunteers, funders and experts.

At the LANO 2010 Annual Conference you'll discover:

• Diverse educational tracks
• Dynamic keynote speakers and presenters

• Leading-edge exhibitors

• Exceptional networking opportunities at popular New Orleans attractions

As Louisiana commemorates the 5th anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, join fellow nonprofits, foundations and other sector supporters as we plot a course through our transforming nonprofit landscape.

For more information and to register, visit: www.LANO.org/Conference.