Dear Members, The New York Council of Nonprofits (formerly the Council of Community Services of NYS, Inc.) is bringing you this information in partnership with the National Council of Nonprofits.

The NYCON "Policy Alerts" will be brought to you by the New York Council of Nonprofits (formerly the Council of Community Services of NYS, Inc.) when timely information is available or if action is needed by our members and NYS Nonprofits.     Special Reports on Economic Stimulus & Recovery...   Nonprofit Grant Opportunities     Stimulus Grant Tips and Thoughts   Whether and How States Are Accepting & Distributing Federal Stimulus Funds   Sources of Information Regarding Stimulus Funds   Information about the Proposed Changes in Charitable Deductions   Forward Together: An Action Agenda for America's Economic Recovery

Special FREE Webinars about aspects of the Federal StimulusPackage   This communication shares information about the following webinars in a special series being offered this week and next by the United Way of America and the National Community Tax Coalition. Participation is free, BUT you must register in advance. Here is the relevant information for each session. Taxes and Benefits [changes to TANF, food stamps, and the tax code] - Today, Wednesday April 15 Workforce Investment Act [funding allocations and program implementation of the workforce development provisions of the ARRA] - Tuesday, April 21 Affordable Housing [funding allocations and program implementation of affordable housing provisions in the ARRA] - Wednesday, April 23 Taxes and Benefits Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 Time: 1 PM (Pacific), 2 PM (Mountain), 3 PM (Central), 4 PM (Eastern) Length: 60 minutes Format: Web Seminar/Audio Conference Cost: FREE Capacity: Unlimited This web seminar will focus on the changes to TANF, food stamps, and the tax code and how these changes will affect our organizations and the communities we serve. Jacque Minow, Manager of Public Policy at the United Way of America, and Michael Evangelist, Policy Analyst at the National Community Tax Coalition, will lead the web seminar. Register for ARRA: Taxes and Benefits   Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Cost: FREE Capacity: Unlimited This web seminar will focus on the funding allocations and program implementation of the workforce development provisions of P.L.111-5, including the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Title I-B Grants to States, Job Corps, YouthBuild, and others. Rachel Gragg, Federal Policy Director for The Workforce Alliance will present. Register for ARRA: Workforce Investment Act Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2009 Time: 10 AM (Pacific), 11 AM (Mountain), 12 PM (Central), 1PM (Eastern) Length: 60 minutes Format: Web Seminar/Audio Conference   Affordable Housing Cost: FREE Capacity: Unlimited The final web seminar in the series will focus on the funding allocations and program implementation of the affordable housing provisions of P.L.111-5. Danna Fischer, Legislative Director and Counsel for the National Low Income Housing Coalition, and one of the nation's foremost affordable housing advocates will present. Register for ARRA: Affordable Housing Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2009 Time: 1 PM (Pacific), 2 PM (Mountain), 3 PM (Central), 4 PM (Eastern) Length: 60 minutes Format: Web Seminar/Audio Conference   We hope this timely information is helpful to you and your organization. Sincerely, Doug Sauer, CEO New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. www.nycon.org