Current News

District Conference & Annual Conference Briefing – Sunday, May 4, Northwest Hills UMC
4:00 pm – Mission Board (Senior Pastor and Elected Mission Board Representative from each charge)
5:00 pm – District Conference (All Clergy and Lay Delegates to Annual Conference)
6:00 pm – Reception for retiring District Treasurer, Ed Chew
Postcards have been sent to all Lay Delegates and Mission Board Representatives. Please remind them about this meeting.

Opportunities
Crestview UMC has a risograph available for donation. It's an older model, #6300, but it works. Email Reverend Sue Wells at cumcpastor@austin.rr.com or call the church 451-1741.

Organist/Pianist needed at Wesley UMC – see attached.

MHM Funding Alert
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Grant Opportunities

May 29 and 30 in New Orleans: White House Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Conference on Disaster Relief and Preparedness
Deadline: May 15
On May 29 and 30, 2008, the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives will host a conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, designed to highlight and strengthen the role of faith-based and community organizations in disaster relief and preparedness with a special focus on the Gulf Coast region. The White House Conference on Disaster Relief and Preparedness will discuss ways President Bush's Faith-Based and Community Initiative vision is engaged across the Gulf Coast region and will offer tools and training for social service organizations as they work to rebuild and sustain their communities. The conference is free, but pre-registration is required. Registration is granted on a first-come, first-served basis. To register online, go to www.fbci.gov by Thursday, May 15. While online registration is strongly encouraged, those who are unable to register online are encouraged to call 202-456-6708 to have a form faxed to you.

United Methodist Women: A Brighter Future for Children and Youth
Deadline: July 1
The United Methodist Women's Division is accepting applications for grants to support a brighter future for children and youth (ages 5-18 years). Projects should use, but are not limited to, one or more of the following strategies: promoting tolerance and diversity; enabling youth to recognize and deal constructively with violent or abusive situations; empowering youth to develop alternatives to gang violence; teaching conflict resolution and affirm differences; delivering programs for school-age children on bullying; creating safe zones in neighborhoods; forging partnerships between schools and churches to educate young people about the dangers of drugs and guns; including parents or significant adults in children's development; and providing multicultural education and promote interfaith understanding. Average grant size is $4,000, and eligible applicants are small-scale, community and church organizations. For more information, go to the website: http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umw/money/grants/a-brighter-future-for-children-and-youth-2005-2008/

Mattel Children’s Foundation – in support of youth programs
Deadline: July 15
The Mattel Children’s Foundation is accepting applications to support programs directly and effectively increasing access to education for children, supporting the health and well being of children, and promoting self-esteem in young girls through girl empowerment programs. Award amounts are $5,000-$25,000. For more information: http://www.mattel.com/About_Us/Philanthropy/ci_mcf_philanthropy_grantmaking.asp

Have It Your Way Foundation – in support of youth programs
Deadline: ongoing
The Have It Your Way Foundation, supported by the Burger King Corporation, is accepting applications for its grants for nonprofits to support youth programs alleviating hunger and preventing disease. For more information, go to the website: http://www.bk.com/companyinfo/community/hiywfoundation.aspx

Nonprofit Tips and News

The New E-Postcard from the IRS
Deadline: May 15 for nonprofits with annual gross receipts of $25,000 or less
Most tax-exempt organizations that normally have annual gross receipts of $25,000 or less and do not have to file Form 990 or 990-EZ must file a new electronic form—Form 990-N, more commonly known as the e-Postcard. Previously, these organizations were not required to file with the IRS. For organizations whose tax year ended on December 31, 2007 the first filing for the 2007 tax year is due on May 15. The e-Postcard is due by the 15th day of the fifth month after the close of the organization's tax year. The e-postcard must be filed electronically on an annual basis. E-Postcards can be filed electronically at the following website: http://epostcard.form990.org/

Cover the Uninsured Week 2008
April 27-May 3
Having high rates of uninsured people affects us all. People who don’t have health insurance don’t have access to non-emergency care. Uninsured children miss more school, uninsured adults miss more work, our emergency rooms become overburdened, and all of us pay in the end. There are many solutions that can help more people have access to insurance and improve our community’s situation. Activities planned in the San Antonio area during this week, as well as a resource guide listing San Antonio Resources for Uninsured Families, can be found at www.safoodbank.org

Integrating Fundraising Activities Key to Success, Survey Finds
Using a variety of well-rounded and diverse programs and activities to develop strong connections with donors is the most effective way to raise funds, according to a new series of studies developed by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP). Initial results from AHP’s Performance Benchmarking Service have found that the most successful fundraising programs have a sustained emphasis on building relationships and cultivating and maintaining major-gift donors. A wide assortment of fundraising programs, such as annual giving, special events, public support, major gifts and planned giving, yields higher charitable revenue. Conversely, when foundations emphasize only one or two programs, revenues are comparably lower. For the full article, go to http://www.afpnet.org/ka/ka-3.cfm?content_item_
id=24443&folder_id=2345

Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
Grants & Research Division
4507 Medical Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229
Anne Connor, CFRE: (210) 949-1823; aconnor@mhm.org
Mary Louise Lopez: (210) 253-3253; mary.lopez@mhm.org
Toll-Free: 800-959-6673