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FASTEN Newsletter - August 2005

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August, 2005

New Publication: Faith Community and Criminal Justice Collaboration: A Collection of Effective Programs

 

        

FASTEN partner National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) has just released its new report on effective models of faith community and criminal justice collaboration.

 

The report examines collaborations aimed at preventing crime, working with offenders and at-risk populations to break the cycle of crime, and restoring individuals and communities who have been harmed by crime.  Creative partnerships between people of faith and criminal justice agencies are highlighted to provide inspiration for those interested in forging partnerships and developing effective programs.  The report includes coverage of a variety of topics, such as restorative justice and the courts, corrections and rehabilitation, children and youth, probation, parole and reentry, support for victims, and crime prevention and community policing. Click here for more information.

  

Upcoming Training Opportunities

 

Performance Institute’s 2005 “Foundation and Nonprofit Performance” Conference, Washington, DC, September 26-28, 2005.

 

Third Annual Faith and Community-Based Resource Expo sponsored by the Office of Faith Based Initiatives in New Jersey, Atlantic City, September 16, 2005.

 

FASTEN Roundtable on Effective Practices in Multi-Sector Collaboration Held in Washington, DC

 

As a part of the Partners in Transformation Awards Ceremony in Washington, DC on August 3, representatives of two state winners shared their thoughts on launching and sustaining effective cross-sector partnerships. Good Samaritan Ministries of Holland, Michigan and Second Genesis of Little Rock, Arkansas have forged successful relationships with government agencies and secular nonprofits. Here are some highlights of the “lessons learned” they shared:

 

1.  Clients benefit from cross-sector collaborations because such partnerships enable FBOs to offer a broader continuum of care. Donors like collaborations because they see them as avoiding duplication.

 

2.  Government agencies are sometimes interested in partnering with faith-based organizations because they recognize the trust and credibility some FBOs have in distressed communities. Also, government is eager to partner with FBOs when FBOs offer clients a social support system.

 

3.  High turnover among either the secular or faith-based partner poses a challenge to collaboration; it is important to fully orient new staff to the roles, expectations, and history of the partnership.

 

4.  When seeking a potential partner, FBOs should look for a group that has shared goals, complementary strategies (i.e., not doing exactly the same things), compatible values (e.g., respect for client confidentiality), and respect for the faith mission of the FBO.


 

FASTEN
Sharing Knowledge, Strengthening Connections, Improving Outcomes

  • New Topic Coming Soon: Ex-Offender Reentry

    A Review Team of veteran practitioners from three ex-offender reentry programs is meeting this week in Charlottesville to examine materials gathered in our most recent round of research. Look for this new topical department to launch this fall.


  • Baylor Research Insights Shared in New Articles for Website


    Now that its survey of 1000 FBOs is complete, the Baylor research team is culling through its findings and producing new articles for the FASTEN site. Check out their latest one, Pastors: All you need to know to Collaborate with Community Organizations and Government Agencies, here.

      

Fundraising Tip

 

  • New IRS rules may encourage increased donations of used cars to nonprofit groups who sell or give them to low-income individuals in need of transportation.

    The American Jobs Creation Act allows donors to deduct only the actual amount a charity receives when selling a donated car, rather than the market value of the car, unless the charity makes "significant intervening use" of the vehicle, or makes "material improvements" to it. But according to the June 3 clarification, donors may now deduct the fair market value of a donated vehicle if the charity gives or sells it at a greatly reduced price to a needy person requiring transportation.  Click here for more information. 

     

 

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