MLTN Infoline – November 21, 2024
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Beware of New Scam Targeting Nonprofits
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One of the awesome things about having a Maine Land Trust Network that is in close contact with other land trust service centers across the country is that we can all learn from each other. We recently heard from our colleagues in Massachusetts about a new scam that is targeting nonprofits. We hadn’t heard of this one before, and we’re most grateful to them for alerting us, so we can in turn alert you. The scam involves a new donor making a substantial contribution, and then urgently asking for a portion of it to be refunded. They often target smaller nonprofits that may be less equipped to verify the legitimacy of the funds. The donor sends a check and after the check is deposited, the scammer contacts the nonprofit again, claiming that they accidentally overpaid or need a portion of the funds back for some reason. They request that the nonprofit wire the excess funds back or send a separate check, but then the original check bounces. Read more about the scam and how to protect your organization.
It’s sad that these types of unlawful activities happen at all, but especially that they seem to increase during the holidays, a time when fundraising is in full swing and we may be tempted to ask fewer questions to reach our lofty goals. The good news is that by implementing strong financial controls and educating your team, you can protect yourselves from falling prey to these increasingly common scams.
Stay vigilant,
Angela, Jeff, Donna, and Katia
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Richard G Rockefeller Conservation Internship Host Applications Due Soon
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Maine Coast Heritage Trust is gearing up for next summer’s internship season, and applications for Host Organizations are due Monday, December 2nd. Unfortunately we had to cancel our Zoom information session, but we’re right here to answer any questions you may have to help you present the best application possible. View the Host Information document here. Internship positions will be listed on our jobs page, likely in early 2025.
You can reach out to internship program director Danielle Arroyo with any questions or concerns. Help shape the next generation of conservation leaders and benefit from their energy and excitement! Apply today.
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MANP Nonprofit Compensation Report Released
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Our good friends over at Maine Association of Nonprofits conduct a compensation survey every two years to equip Maine nonprofits with reliable, local data to inform conversations, shape compensation strategies, and justify compensation levels to the public and the IRS. While the report isn’t specific to land trusts, it does provide valuable information and context for land trusts as we look to attract and retain qualified staff into the future. The 2024 Report on Nonprofit Wages and Benefits in Northern New England: Maine Edition is based on data collected from 788 nonprofits across Northern New England.
MANP provides a free snapshot of key findings, available to all. MANP member nonprofits that participated in the survey get the full report for free, and non-participating MANP members get a discount price of $125. (Most MLTN members are MANP members.) The cost for non-participating non-MANP members is $250. More information on their website.
Alongside the great information we’ll be gathering as part of the 2024 Maine Land Trust Census (deadline this Friday!), these findings are a great resource for Maine land trusts.
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Talent Management with a DEIB Lens
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Tuesday, December 17, 2024 via Zoom
10:00am-12:00pm Cost: $35 for MANP members*, $45 for non-members
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Nonprofit New York
This will be an interactive training session on optimizing talent acquisition strategies. Learn essential techniques to enhance attraction, recruitment, and talent pool expansion. Gain insights into effective practices that will elevate your organization’s ability to attract and retain top talent. Participants will:
Learn more and get link to register on partner website at nonprofitmaine.org.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
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Strategic Planning in Nonprofits
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Three Thursdays, January 16, 23, and 30, 2025 via Zoom
7:00-8:30pm
Cost: $75 for MANP members*, $150 for non-members
This event is possible thanks to a partnership between Maine Association of Nonprofits and Nonprofits Association of Washington Is strategic planning on your radar for 2025? Join this three-part webinar series that will set you on the path to developing a plan that does not sit on a shelf collecting dust! Strategic planning aligns your people and resources around a plan to achieve your mission.
The series will be anchored with Strategic Planning in Nonprofits (SPiN), a toolkit developed by Nonprofit Association of Washington to make strategic planning accessible and manageable for you, your board, and your staff. Over the course of three 90-minute webinars and suggested “homework” in between sessions, we will review the six phases in the planning process and you will leave with the tools and confidence to develop a strategic plan for your organization.
Learn more and get link to register at partner website at nonprofitmaine.org.
*Most MLTN members are MANP members. Contact Donna to check your organization’s MLTN membership status.
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Shore Corps Stewards from Maine Conservation Corps
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Applications due: Monday, January 6, 2025
Maine Conservation Corps (MCC) is excited to announce Shore Corps Stewards, a new individual placement available in 2025! Shore Corps Stewards combat climate change by educating the public and engaging in nature-based solution projects on public lands. Learn how “OUR SHORE” materials make it more accessible for landowners to make long-term impacts on their lands and reduce erosion on Maine water bodies. After receiving training from the DEP Nonpoint Source Training Center, Stewards will:
1. perform outreach to educate community leaders and the general public about nature-based solutions;
2. conduct site assessments for landowners advising them on green infrastructure opportunities, native plantings, stream smart principles, and other tactics to increase resilience;
3. connect local communities to the strategies and activities included in Resilient Maine; and
4. host demonstration projects on public properties to provide hands-on training to community members about nature-based solutions. For over 41 years, MCC has been sending individuals into communities to accomplish conservation projects, recruit conservation volunteers, and provide conservation education to the community, while providing workforce training to members. Learn more about all their great programs on their website.
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Jobs in the Conservation Sector
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We are thankful to live in a place with such an abundance of great jobs available in conservation and the environment! Most recent postings are listed below, or view the full list here. MFT Farmland Protection Project Manager/NRCS Easement Specialist – Maine Farmland Trust
Stewardship Director – Northeast Wilderness Trust
Development Director – Friends of Baxter State Park
Accountant – National Estuarine Research Reserve Association
Fish and Wildlife Biologist – US Fish and Wildlife Service
Coordinator – Maine Sea Grant and Wells Reserve
Resilience Training Coordinator – Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
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Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) – Wetland Reserve Easement
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Protect Maine’s Wetlands: Apply for Wetland Reserve Easement assistance by December 6, 2024 The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting applications for one of its signature programs to assist landowners who wish to protect, restore, and enhance wetland habitats on their property. The public is encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible for consideration for FY 2025. More information here. Click here to learn if ACEP is right for you.
Contact your local NRCS-Maine field office to learn more and apply for ACEP-WRE. For program specific questions, call or email Easement Specialist Abby Stepanauskas at (603) 757-3649 or .
Don’t miss this opportunity to protect Maine’s wetlands for future generations! Learn more at usda.nrcs.gov.
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Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) Assistance from NRCS
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Protect Maine’s Farmland: Apply for Agricultural Land Easement (ALE) assistance by December 6, 2024 The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is currently accepting applications for one of its signature programs to assist landowners who wish to protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible land. The program helps farmers and ranchers keep their land in agriculture.
Entities are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible for consideration for FY 2025. Read the outreach handout and contact your local NRCS-Maine field office to learn more and apply for ACEP-ALE. For program specific questions call or email Easement Specialist Bill Jones at . Don’t miss this opportunity to protect Maine’s Agriculture for future generations! More information here.
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