From mercierb at cdfi.treas.gov Fri Apr 4 17:01:11 2008 From: mercierb at cdfi.treas.gov (Mercier, Bryan) Date: Fri, 4 Apr 2008 17:01:11 -0400 Subject: [CircleUp] FW: Upcoming Strategic Retreat Message-ID: <94089501F1F07B4CA5810B6F97206808023505B8@email.cdfi.treas.gov> FYI... Bryan Mercier direct: 202.622.8704 -----Original Message----- From: Bills, Kay [mailto:kbills at mbda.gov] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 4:52 PM To: Bills, Kay Subject: Upcoming Strategic Retreat--Please send to your tribal contacts Friday afternoon greetings: Here is information about an upcoming event. This notice contains a correction of the dates to May 6-7-8 from a prior notice. Please let tribes with established cultural businesses know about this retreat. Kay Kay Bills 1401 Constitution Ave NW Room 5069 Washington, DC 20230 -note: mail is scanned and delayed by as much as a week P 202-482-5644 C 202-536-7507 kbills at mbda.gov This message and any attachments may contain confidential or privileged information and are only for the use of the intended recipient of this message. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by return email, and delete or destroy this and all copies of this message and all attachments. Any unauthorized disclosure, use, distribution, reproduction or taking action in reliance upon this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited and may be unlawful. -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Cover letter for Invitation-corrected.pdf Type: application/octet-stream Size: 71119 bytes Desc: Cover letter for Invitation-corrected.pdf Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080404/484a296b/attachment-0001.obj From stewart at oweesta.org Mon Apr 7 09:57:41 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 07:57:41 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Summer internship for one or more law students - Sisseton Wahpeton (SD) Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE124B74@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Summer internship at Sisseton Wahpeton in South Dakota. Please see attachment for more information. Please forward it to anybody or any organization that might have an interest in helping a lawyer-in-training. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080407/b65e6700/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 2008 legal internship.pdf Type: application/octet-stream Size: 35998 bytes Desc: 2008 legal internship.pdf Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080407/b65e6700/attachment-0001.obj From stewart at oweesta.org Mon Apr 7 15:39:45 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 13:39:45 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] New rehab guide available from LISC on making projects green and more energy efficient Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE124BF3@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Here is an interesting article regarding a new Rehab guide available from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) on making projects green and more energy efficient...some interesting suggestions... LISC Announces Release Of The Green Rehab Guide For Multifamily Properties; New Publication Provides Guidelines To Help Affordable Housing Developers Make Projects Green And Energy Efficient NEW YORK, PRNewswire-USNewswire -- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the national force behind community revitalization, today announced the release of Green Rehabilitation of Multifamily Rental Properties: A Resource Guide, the first publication of its kind to assist affordable housing developers in greening their existing properties. The Green Guide for Rehab, a joint project of Bay Area LISC and Build it Green, a California based non-profit organization promoting healthy and energy efficient housing, was developed to help affordable housing owners and their consultants integrate green building, Green-Homebuilding and energy efficiency into the upgrades of their multifamily properties. The Green Guide for Rehab explains the technologies and shows the opportunities for existing properties to 'go green.' The guide is designed to be used in tandem with an energy audit, building walkthrough, or site assessment that occurs at the outset of any rehabilitation project. For more information, click here. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080407/444eb07b/attachment.html From staci at oweesta.org Tue Apr 8 11:40:35 2008 From: staci at oweesta.org (Staci Lacroix) Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 09:40:35 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] FED President Andrea Levere Invites You to the Assets Learning Conference Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE124C78@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> ALC Banner IN THIS ISSUE: An Invitation from CFED President Andrea Levere A Closer Look at the Practice Track Spotlight on Sponsor: Capital One Where's the Button? Registration is Live About the Conference ________________________________ CFED salutes early sponsors for their support of the Assets Learning Conference brochure brochure WHERE'S THE BUTTON? button New to the Assets Learning Conference e-mail updates, this feature will show one of our Conference buttons at various locations throughout DC to highlight interesting facts or points of interest that will enhance your visit to Washington. Be on the lookout, you never know where the button will pop up next! In this issue, the button is hanging out in one of DC's Metro train stations. Conference attendees can use the Metro as a convenient way to see DC, whether it's taking in the monuments down at The Mall, or checking out other hot spots like Chinatown or Arlington National Cemetery. For maps and other details, visit the Metro website . AN INVITATION FROM CFED PRESIDENT ANDREA LEVERE CFED President Andrea Levere has videotaped a special invitation to the 2008 Assets Learning Conference. Go here to view the video! A CLOSER LOOK AT THE PRACTICE TRACK Concurrent sessions at the 2008 Assets Learning Conference will be organized into four tracks: Policy, Practice, Research and Innovation. The Practice track will examine asset- building practices from across the United States. Perhaps you've heard of IDAs (Individual Development Accounts), but are you familiar with CSAs (Children's Savings Accounts) or CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions)? Maybe you want to learn about asset building in native communities or getting youth involved in savings? Practice track sessions will provide the opportunity to hear from practitioners about on-the-ground activities. Go here to learn more about these sessions. SPOTLIGHT ON SPONSOR: SMALL BUSINESS SPONSOR CAPITAL ONE Business equity is second only to homeownership as a share of total household wealth nationally. Small business creation has often been a route into America's middle class, particularly for minorities, immigrants and the economically disadvantaged. The 2008 Assets Learning Conference will throw a spotlight on business ownership as part of the asset picture, and is happy to announce that Capital One(r) is the Small Business Sponsor of the 2008 Assets Learning Conference. Capital One Financial Corporation is a financial holding company headquartered in McLean, VA with 742 locations in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Texas and Louisiana. It is a diversified financial services company that offers a spectrum of financial products and services to consumers, small business and commercial clients. As the Conference's Small Business Sponsor, Capital One will support a number of sessions, including "Building Microbusiness Assets through the Tax Code," "Involving Teens in Banking and Investing" and "Asset Development in Microenterprise Organizations." Capital One is one a number of organizations that are providing essential support to the Conference experience as Sponsors . Look for Capital One's name and representatives at the Conference! REGISTRATION IS LIVE Online registration has begun for the 2008 Assets Learning Conference. Go to www.assetsconference.org for more information on the Conference and a link to the registration form. The Conference website will be continually updated with additional details about Conference speakers, sessions, roundtables, plenaries and events. So visit early and often! Early Bird Registration ends June 11. ABOUT THE CONFERENCE Join a diverse group of leaders from the asset building field at the 2008 Assets Learning Conference. Advancing America's Assets Agenda will not only be our largest conference ever, it also will bring the growing chorus of voices for asset building to Washington, DC mere weeks before one of the most pivotal elections in our generation. Representing nonprofits, foundations, governments, policy advocacy organizations, private sector companies and academic institutions, as well as assets program participants and accountholders, conference participants will focus on furthering a single purpose: to encourage action and advance America's assets agenda. Be on the lookout for future Assets Learning Conference e-mails, where you'll get updates on the conference, fun features and more! Forward email Safe Unsubscribe This email was sent to larce at cfed.org, by assetsconference at cfed.org Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe (tm) | Privacy Policy . Email Marketing by CFED | 1200 G Street NW Suite 400 | Washington | DC | 20005 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080408/f7bac746/attachment-0001.html From stewart at oweesta.org Tue Apr 8 13:29:57 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 11:29:57 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Open to Native Communities: CFED/I'M HOME 2008 RFP: Less than 2 weeks left to apply! Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE124CAE@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> I'M HOME RFP This is a reminder that concept papers for CFED's 2008 Request for Proposals (RFP) for Innovations in Manufactured Homes (I'M HOME) are due on April 18, 2008 by 5 p.m. PDT. The RFP solicits proposals from organizations that are seeking to address barriers to asset building in the manufactured housing sector. Successful applicants will be awarded predevelopment grants of up to $50,000, policy grants of up to $75,000, or development grants of up to $150,000. Additional information, the RFP itself, and the online form for submitting a concept paper can all be found at www.cfed.org/go/imhome/rfp . Please excuse cross-postings. If you feel that you have received this message in error and would like to be removed from this mailing list, please contact imhome at cfed.org Sincerely, Kathryn Gwatkin Goulding Director, I'M HOME -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080408/4f4ce2ee/attachment.html From adrianne at Oweesta.org Thu Apr 10 10:50:47 2008 From: adrianne at Oweesta.org (Adrianne Brave Heart) Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:50:47 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Financial Education Instructor Training in Catoosa, OK - June 17-19, 2008 Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE124F02@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Oweesta and the Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund are pleased to offer Expanding Native Opportunity: Native Financial Skills Initiative, a comprehensive financial education training and technical assistance program for Native communities. This initiative offers a three-day instructor training and certification program to help Native CDFIs, tribes and other Native organizations establish and sustain financial education programs in their communities. Participants will also have access to free, customized follow-up technical assistance to assist with program implementation and delivery. The next training is June 17-19, 2008 in Catoosa, OK at the Cherokee Nation Casino. Applications will be accepted until all slots are filled. Each session will be open to Native CDFIs, tribes and other Native organizations and will address: * An introduction to the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum; * Effective training techniques and resources; and * Financial education program development planning. Upon completion of the training, participants will be prepared to successfully pass the Building Native Communities certification exam to become certified financial education trainers. The cost for the trainings is only $25.00 per person, but participants are responsible for their own travel costs. Applicants must agree to send at least two and up to four participants. For more information, contact Adrianne Brave Heart Oweesta's Specialist for Financial Education and Asset Building at 605-342-3770 or adrianne at oweesta.org. To download an application, please visit www.oweesta.org/nfsi or contact: OWEESTA 1010 Ninth Street, Suite 3 Rapid City, SD 57701 (605) 342-3770, FAX (605) 342-3771 adrianne at oweesta.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/5ac2e0f5/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 5308 bytes Desc: image002.jpg Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/5ac2e0f5/attachment-0002.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 10699 bytes Desc: image001.jpg Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/5ac2e0f5/attachment-0003.jpe From kgoulding at cfed.org Thu Apr 10 13:23:06 2008 From: kgoulding at cfed.org (Kathryn Gwatkin Goulding) Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 13:23:06 -0400 Subject: [CircleUp] CFED job opening Message-ID: Dear colleagues: CFED is pleased to be hiring for the position of Program Associate for Economic Analysis. Please scroll down for a full job description. Kathryn Gwatkin Goulding Senior Program Manager CFED - Expanding Economic Opportunity 353 Folsom St San Francisco, CA 94105 415-495-6953 415.495.7025 (fax) kgoulding at cfed.org www.cfed.org CFED Invites You to the 2008 Assets Learning Conference Join us for the 2008 Assets Learning Conference - Advancing America's Assets Agenda September 11-13, 2008, in Washington, DC Register now, early bird rate ends June 11! * Please consider the environment before printing this e-mail Job Description/Position Announcement Program Associate for Economic Analysis CFED CFED is recruiting a Program Associate to provide intensive research assistance on projects that support asset building, economic development, entrepreneurship, and development finance. This individual will conduct and support economic, quantitative, and policy analyses for CFED's Applied Research and Innovation Team. The individual will be based in CFED's Washington, DC office. Established in 1979 as the Corporation for Enterprise Development, CFED is a nonprofit organization that expands economic opportunity. We work to ensure that every person can participate in, contribute to, and benefit from the economy by bringing together community practice, public policy, and private markets. We identify promising ideas; test and refine them in communities to find out what works; craft policies and products to help good ideas reach scale; and foster new markets to achieve greater economic impact. Responsibilities: Assist production of CFED's Assets and Opportunity Scorecard and associated research products Provide research support in CFED's core program areas (state economic development, asset development, asset protection, development finance, enterprise development, and entrepreneurship): collect and analyze data, construct data files, prepare tables, write reports, review literature, investigate issues, and conduct studies, interviews, and field visits as necessary Perform a variety of program support activities, as may be required. Examples of such activities might include: website content development or management, program-related communications, tracking program outputs, review and summary of reports, and other duties as assigned Support senior staff on the team and complete other team activities as required. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Economics or related field. Strong academic record. Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data collection, management and manipulation. Experience with data visualization strategies is desirable. Demonstrated ability to conduct original research and statistical analysis working with secondary data sources or/and panel data sources (e.g., Census, SIPP, BLS, and BEA datasets). Familiarity with one or more of CFED's core program areas. At a minimum, the candidate should demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge of social and economic justice issues. Strong writing and analytical skills. Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access. Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail. Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to work independently as well as a member of a broader team. Positive attitude and a desire to contribute to a collegial and friendly work environment. Familiarity with GIS or other spatial data mapping tools (e.g., Google Maps) is a plus. Ability to undertake (limited) travel as may be required. Salary: Commensurate with experience and education, plus excellent benefits. Deadline for applications: April 30, 2008, or until position filled. To apply: Send a resume and one-page letter summarizing your interest and qualifications. Please reference the Economic Analysis position in your cover letter. Please mail, fax (202-408-9793), or e-mail (dmanley at cfed.org) your application to: Debby Manley, Human Resource Manager, CFED, 1200 G Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20005. CFED believes that diversity of background and perspective are strengths and seeks to continue to grow a diverse, highly committed, skilled, and collaborative staff. Please see www.cfed.org for further information. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/3796095d/attachment.html From stewart at oweesta.org Thu Apr 10 18:28:00 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 16:28:00 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Native American Bank Doubles Profits-Indian Country Today article Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE124FFC@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Native American Bank doubles profits by: Mark Fogarty / Today correspondent (c) Indian Country Today April 08, 2008. All Rights Reserved DENVER - Last year turned out to be a good one for Native American Bank, as the financial institution more than doubled 2006 profits and increased assets by about 20 percent. In addition, NAB has little exposure to the subprime mortgage crisis, according to president and chief executive J.D. Colbert, Chickasaw/Creek. The bank's 2006 annual report showed just 16 percent of NAB's lending in residential real estate. The national association earned $1.4 million for 2007, a 154 percent increase from $551,000 in 2006, according to its fourth quarter 2007 report. (The bank posted a net loss of $154,000 for 2005.) Assets grew from $82 million to $97 million, and loans increased by $19 million, up 28 percent from 2006. They were $61 million at the end of 2005. $418,000 of the earnings came from an income tax benefit, but even without that, NAB's earnings were well up in 2007 from the year before at $982,000. In addition, according to Colbert, the bank's return on average assets was 1.54 percent for the fourth quarter, well above its peer group average of .94 percent. ''Things at NAB have never been better,'' according to Colbert's president's message in the quarterly report. Colbert, who founded the North American National Bankers Association, said the bank has been ''unrelenting'' in its efforts to make loans ''to new and existing enterprises in Indian country, as well as a host of tribes and individual Indians.'' The chief executive commented, ''A Native-owned and managed bank is best positioned to provide the highest level of banking services to Indian country.'' Colbert noted that NAB opened an office in Anchorage, Alaska, last year. The bank also provided a loan for a $4.5 million power generator in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The financing went to Tanadgusix Power, a unit of Tanadgusix Corp., for a generator for its 10MW diesel and natural gas plant on the North Slope of Alaska. The company supplies power to north Alaska and the Prudhoe Bay oil fields. TDX has been in energy supply since 1997 when it started a wind/diesel power plant on St. Paul Island. Deposits grew from $71.2 million at the end of 2006 to $87 million at the end of last year. Net loans grew from $68.1 million at the end of 2006 to $87.4 million at the end of 2007. Real estate owned increased to $359,000 from $24,000 but remained a small percentage of NAB's assets. Provision for loan losses decreased, from $160,000 to $108,000. Shareholders' equity, also called net worth, increased by $1.5 million, from $10.2 million Dec. 31, 2006, to $11.7 million at the end of 2007. NAB's 2006 annual report (the 2007 report is forthcoming) shows that 56 percent of its loans at the end of that year were commercial. Commercial real estate or construction loans were the next largest, at 19 percent, followed by mortgages at 16 percent. Consumer loans (5 percent) and agricultural loans (4 percent) made up the rest. Other highlights in 2006 for the bank (which was started in 2001) include buying a bank charter in Colorado and obtaining HUDZone status from the Small Business Administration - the first bank ever to get that status. It also closed a loan of $2.8 million, with two other banks, to the Chippewa Cree Tribe for contract health care shortfalls. In 2006, two more Alaska Native corporations joined its other 24 shareholders. They were Akhiok-Kaguyuk Inc. and the Association of Village Council Presidents. Please visit the Indian Country Today website for more articles related to this topic. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/8ff195bc/attachment-0001.html From stewart at oweesta.org Thu Apr 10 19:14:49 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:14:49 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] If you hate Refund Anticipantion Loans (RALS), please read this -- deadline Monday, April 7 Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE125013@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Please read this - comments to proposed IRS rules on RALS - get involved with the stopping damaging loans that hurt everyday tax payers, including many Native people. Especially those of you involved with VITA tax sites, EITC, financial education, etc. ________________________________ From: Bonnie Esposito [mailto:besposito at accountabilitymn.org] Sent: Friday, April 04, 2008 7:59 PM To: 'Bonnie Esposito' Subject: Comments to proposed IRS rules Friends, You may have heard that the IRS is proposing rules to limit predatory RALS by paid preparers. I learned today on a conference call with the National Tax Coalition that thousands of low-income taxpayers have submitted comments to the IRS all supporting RALs. It seems odd that so many "regular" taxpayers would know about this obscure process to submit comments to the IRS - and have the means to do so on the Internet. We think that some paid preparers must have computers at their businesses and are asking customers to submit comments. I went on the IRS site this afternoon and there are more than 4,300 comments and every comment I opened seemed to be from a person that uses RALs urging the IRS to keep them. The NCTC has asked the VITA sites and our volunteers and supporters to tell the IRS our experience with RALs - real stories that we have heard from customers, family members, and friends and how predatory they are and costly. It wouldn't have to be long - even just a couple sentences to have another point of view in the comments. AAM along with Legal Aid is drafting comments to submit that would of course be longer with documentation of national research and the drain of financial resources RALs are to low-income taxpayers. We will also share our experience with our alternative fund loan and savings program and the opportunity to have people save some of their tax refund. We would love for RALs to end and would give up our Express Refund program in a heartbeat if ALL RALS were ended - but what we know is the predatory lenders will find away around it and then the "good" refund loans that encourage savings would be banned and the predatory loans would continue. We are asking the IRS to make an exception for VITA sites that offer non-predatory loans for free or low cost. If you agree with that concept please also include it in your comments - especially if you have the experience that the AAM Express Refund Loan and Savings program helps people. (So far this year we have opened over 700 savings accounts and last year of the 370 opened 80% were still open at the end of October.) In any case please submit your comments before the end of the day Monday April 7th. In fact - do it right now. Just click on this link and then in the search box in the middle of the page type in "refund anticipation loans" and you will see comments and how to submit comments yourself. http://www.regulations.gov/search/index.jsp Again it can even just be a couple sentences - look at others, they are very simple. Thanks so much for taking the time to have our voice heard. Bonnie Esposito, Executive Director AccountAbility Minnesota 2300 Myrtle Ave W. Suite 180 St. Paul, MN 55114 651-287-0187 ex. 105 Fax: 651-287-0190 www.accountabilitymn.org AccountAbility Minnesota Volunteers have already returned over $11.1 million in tax refunds to low-income taxpayers in the Twin Cities area this tax season. Help us do even more - donate today. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/a9e202ff/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- An embedded and charset-unspecified text was scrubbed... Name: ATT47627.txt Url: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080410/a9e202ff/attachment.txt From stewart at oweesta.org Fri Apr 11 16:47:36 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:47:36 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] FW: Don't miss out on your stimulus payment Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE1250EB@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> (important information, please forward and apologies for cross postings) Don't let your community members miss out on their economic stimulus rebate. Just imagine what a difference $600 - $1200 can make for families. These rebates can be utilized in a number of ways: 1) Create a Future Goals Savings Account 2) Catch up on heating or utility payments 3) Pay off debt 4) Pay off credit cards 5) Individual Development Accounts There's a great overview in the recent edition of the NW Indian Housing Association newsletter which can be found at: http://www.nwiha.org/08spr.pdf Please forward this email on to your staff, employees, and community members and ensure that the Rebates don't go unclaimed in tribal communities. For more details about the economic stimulus rebate, who qualifies, and how to claim it check out: www.irs.gov From: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) [mailto:irs at service.govdelivery.com] Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 8:42 AM To: Friday, Iris Subject: IRS TAX TIP 2008-Special Edition: Don't miss out on your stimulus payment IRS.gov Banner IRS Tax Tips February 29, 2008 Useful Links: IRS.gov Home 1040 Central ________________________________ News Essentials What's Hot News Releases IRS - The Basics IRS Guidance Media Contacts Facts & Figures Problem Alerts Around The Nation e-News Subscriptions ________________________________ The Newsroom Topics Electronic IRS Press Kit Tax Tips 2008 Radio PSAs Fact Sheets Armed Forces Disaster Relief Scams / Consumer Alerts Tax Shelters More Topics.. ________________________________ IRS Resources Compliance & Enforcement Contact My Local Office e-file Forms & Pubs Frequently Asked Questions News Taxpayer Advocacy Where to File ________________________________ Issue Number: IRS TAX TIP 2008-Special Edition Inside This Issue ________________________________ Don't miss out on your stimulus payment Are you wondering what to do to ensure that you receive your economic stimulus payment which the IRS will begin to send out this May? In most cases you will not have to do anything extra. If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return and the IRS will do the rest. However, recipients of Social Security, certain Veterans' and Railroad Retirement benefits and low-income workers who don't normally need to file may have to take steps to insure receipt of the stimulus payment. If you are in this group and normally would not be required to file a tax return, you need to file a 2007 tax return this year to receive an economic stimulus payment. The return must show at least $3000 in qualifying income. Qualifying income includes Social Security benefits, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, certain veterans' benefits and earned income, such as income from wages, salaries, tips and self-employment. While these people may not be normally required to file a tax return because they do not meet the filing requirement, the IRS emphasizes they must file a 2007 return in order to receive a payment. The IRS has released a sample version of a Form 1040A that highlights the simple, specific sections of the return that can be filled out by people in these categories to qualify for a stimulus payment. For more information see IRS Fact Sheet FS 2008-16 Stimulus Payments: Instructions for Low-Income Workers and Recipients of Social Security and Certain Veterans' Benefits available on www.irs.gov. Be aware that identity thieves are already pushing scams involving the stimulus payments. At least one telephone scam is making the rounds using the proposed rebates as bait. IRS news release IR-2008-11 ,"IRS Warns of New E-Mail and Telephone Scams Using the IRS Name; Advance Payment Scams Starting," has more details. Remember that for the genuine IRS Web site be sure to use .gov. Don't be confused by internet sites that end in .com, .net, .org or other designations instead of .gov. The address of the official IRS governmental Web site is www .irs.gov. Links: * Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center Back to Top ________________________________ Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov . This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list.Please Do Not Reply To This Message. ________________________________ Update your subscriptions, modify your password or e-mail address, or stop subscriptions at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page . You will need to use your e-mail address to log in. If you have questions or problems with the subscription service, please contact support at govdelivery.com. This service is provided to you at no charge by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) . Internal Revenue Service * 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. * Washington DC 20535 * 800-439-1420 ============================================================ To unsubscribe, send an e-mail to econdev at atniedc.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. If you were forwarded this message, you can subscribe by sending a message containing "subscribe econdev" to econdev at atniedc.com. Other ATNI-EDC lists include: o Tourism (tourism at atniedc.com) o Jobs (jobs at atniedc.com) o Funding sources (funding at atniedc.com) ============================================================ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080411/779c94c1/attachment-0001.html From IdellaR at alesek.org Mon Apr 7 12:39:18 2008 From: IdellaR at alesek.org (Idella Rattler) Date: Mon, 7 Apr 2008 09:39:18 -0700 Subject: [CircleUp] FW: The Emerging Force of Native Women in Politics Message-ID: <003301c898cd$ed8b0dd0$c8a12970$@org> From: Native Action Network [mailto:info at nwnativeinfo.com] Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 9:42 PM To: Undisclosed-recipients: Subject: The Emerging Force of Native Women in Politics The Emerging Force of Native Women in Politics On May 8, 2008, the 6th Annual Native Women's Leadership Forum & Enduring Spirit Honoring Luncheon will take place at the Quinault Beach Resort in Ocean Shores, Wa. This year's theme is "The Emerging Force of Native Women in Politics" to celebrate recent accomplishments and highlight Native women who are forging new paths in politics. The morning session will begin with a welcome from Quinault President, Fawn Sharp followed by a panel discussion on "Native Women - 2008 & Beyond" featuring Lona Wilbur (Swinomish), Julie Johnson (Lummi), Senator Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce), and Pearl Baller (Quinault). The Native Women's Leadership Forum is targeted to women of all ages and youth (grades 6-12). This year participants can select workshops from three tracks: 1) Leadership 2) Empowerment 3) Youth Workshop Presenters include: * Dr. Veronica Tiller, "Tiller's Guide to Economic Development in Indian Country" * Monica Simeon, Sister Sky * Leilani Walkush, Merrill Lyn ch * Tracy Rector, Longhouse Media * Jackie Blackbird, Nike * Kristina Logsdon, Progressive Majority * Jim Browder, Northwest Indian New s * And, much more! We have an exciting line up of presenters who are offering workshops on: career development, small business, running for elected office, dealing with the media, filmmaking, preserving and documenting your family history, and more. You won't want to miss out on the Enduring Spirit Honoring luncheon where four Native women will be honored for their lifetime commitment to building strong, healthy Native communities. This is a great opportunity to visit and network with other attendees over a memorable luncheon. For those of you staying at the Resort on the 7th plan on joining us for storytelling around a beach bonfire. It promises to be a fun evening and a great kick-off to the leadership forum. We hope to see you there! Conference information: Don't miss out on the early bird registration fee. Conference registration information can be found at: www.nwnativeinfo.com Hotel information: Quinault Beach Resort hotel registration deadline - April 7, 2008 View Room - $89; Non-view $79 Call 1-888-461-2213 for reservations. To register & pay online visit: https://www.acteva.com/go/NativeActionNetwork We look forward to seeing you in Quinault on May 8th! ~~Native Action Network (www.nwnativeinfo.com) Photos: Mary Kim Titla (4th Annual); Lona Wilbur (Swinomish-6th Annual); Chairwoman Charles & Senator Kauffman (5th Annual). -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080407/74f3fd98/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... 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Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 28219 bytes Desc: not available Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080407/74f3fd98/attachment-0012.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 2783 bytes Desc: not available Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080407/74f3fd98/attachment-0013.jpe From stewart at oweesta.org Fri Apr 11 14:38:10 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:38:10 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] CDFI Coalition E-news: Institute Recap, Housing Foreclosure Legislation, Appropriations Update... Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE1250BE@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> CDFI Coalition search ? In This Issue: ? 2008 CDFI Institute ? CDFI Fund Launches new E-Mail Subscription ? Housing Foreclosure Legislation ? Appropriation Update ? CDFIs in the News ? Community Needs Workshop ? Job opening at PCG ? Join Our Mailing List E-Newsletter April 11, 2008 ________________________________ 2008 CDFI Institute - Thank You for Joining Us On March 12-14 over 130 individuals joined us in Washington DC this year for the 2008 CDFI Institute, Assessing the Future: New Challenges and Emerging Opportunities. Attendees heard from special speakers including, Congressman Barney Frank, Senator Jack Reed, the office of Senator Richard Durbin, Donna Gambrell, and Ken Wade. Experts in community development finance discussed important topics such as the subprime foreclosure crisis, appropriations and legislation, making CDFIs a national priority, the triple bottom line and other emerging issues. In additions, participants met with over 70 congressional leaders to share success stories and discuss concerns. Institute presentations and materials can be access here . Thank you to all of you who joined us. We have already begun plans for the 2009 CDFI Institute, please be on the lookout for a "Save the Date" and we hope you will be able to join us next year. We would also appreciate your comments on the Institute, please take 5 minutes and fill out the following survey . ________________________________ CDFI Fund Launches new E-Mail Subscription Service The CDFI Fund recently announced the launch of "CDFI Updates" - a new, free email subscription management service designed to keep the community development finance industry, the media and the public informed of news and important updates from the CDFI Fund. CDFI Updates was designed to keep you informed of the news you are most interested in at the CDFI Fund by letting you customize your updates. To subscribe to CDFI updates, please click on the following link . ________________________________ Housing Foreclosure Legislation Updates The Senate recently passed a foreclosure prevention bill that includes $10 billion in revenue bonds for refinancing subprime mortgages, a FHA modernization bill, additional funding for foreclosure counseling, and tax provisions. The bill, which was put together by Senators Dodd and Shelby, includes $4 billion in Community Development Block Grant funds for cities to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed properties, a $7,000 tax credit for homebuyers who purchase a foreclosed property, and a loan limit hike on veterans' loans. White House official have indicated that they will not support the bill. The bill now moves to the House of Representatives where it is likely to be expanded. Congressman Frank is likely to include his Housing Foreclosure Legislation , which he spoke about at the CDFI Institute. A bankruptcy provision is also likely to be considered. Stay tuned for more updates. ________________________________ Status of the CDFI Fund's FY 2009 Appropriation Both the House and Senate passed budget resolutions in March that would allot more discretionary spending for the 12 annual appropriations bills than the $991.6 billion proposed by Bush. The House plan calls for $25.4 billion more than the president's request, while the Senate version would provide $21.8 billion more. Although specifics on appropriation levels are not yet available, it is understood that the CDFI Fund recommended appropriation was increased to the FY 2008 level, $94 million. In President's Bush's budget for FY 2009, he had recommended $29 Million for the CDFI Fund. We have begun circulating a Senate "dear colleague letter" sponsored by Senators Menendez (D-NJ) and Dole (R-NC) asking for an appropriation of $150 million for the CDFI Fund. Stay tuned for updates and the opportunity to write to your Senator. ________________________________ CDFIs in the News - Carver Federal Savings Bank CBS Evening News recently featured a news video on Carver Federal Savings Bank, a CDFI in New York. The video details how Carver Bank was able to help an individual who got caught in the subprime mortgage crisis. The video can be viewed here . If you have a news article or success story that you would like featured in this E-Newsletter or the CDFI Coalition's website, please send it our way. ________________________________ Community Needs - Building Resources for Tomorrow III Conference - Community Impact Awards Submissions for the Community Impact Awards are currently being accepted for the third annual event hosted by the Valued Advisor Fund (VAF) and the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA). These awards focus on entities that have been able to bring together multiple stakeholders, resources and/or talent pools to creatively and effectively fund businesses or developments that meet known and substantial needs in their communities. To access a sample submission form please visit www.valuedadvisorfund.com . Submissions are due by April 25, 2008. Registration for the conference is also available at the site. ________________________________ Job Opening at Partners for the Common Good PCG seeks a creative and dynamic candidate for the position of Development and Marketing Associate. The Associate will help PCG strategize, develop and carry out strategies to reach out and cultivate borrowers, lending partners, investors, funders, and other stakeholders. The Development and Marketing Associate will report to the Executive Director. Interested individuals should send a resume, brief writing sample and references to: Partners for the Common Good, 1801 K Street NW, Suite M-100, Washington DC 20006-1301. FAX: 202-689-8938 or pcg at pcgloanfund.org. Additional information on PCG can be found at www.pcgloanfund.org . ________________________________ ________________________________ CDFI Coalition www.cdfi.org email: info at cdfi.org phone: 703-294-6970 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080411/041c7637/attachment-0001.html From stewart at oweesta.org Fri Apr 11 17:29:21 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:29:21 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] SBA Microloan Program Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE1250F7@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Please connect to two websites below for information on the SBA Microloan Program. The first link will take you to a piece that Association for Enterprise Opportunity created and the second one is on the SBA site itself. The SBA piece includes information on what is needed to apply to become a Microloan Intermediary. This may be an option for Native CDFIs and related institutions to broaden their funding and loan products. http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/index.asp?bid=171 http://www.sba.gov/services/financialassistance/basics/sbarole/LOANPROG_ MICRO.html Please also note National Summit on Entrepreneurship below. Visit www.microenterpriseworks.org for more information. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080411/1182ea4a/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 6718 bytes Desc: image001.gif Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080411/1182ea4a/attachment.gif From staci at oweesta.org Fri Apr 18 12:29:29 2008 From: staci at oweesta.org (Staci Lacroix) Date: Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:29:29 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Call for proposals for FNDIs Little Eagle Staff Fund Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE17D302@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> First Nations Development Institute is inviting Letters of Intent (LOIs) for its Little Eagle Staff Fund grant program. Reservation-Based Nonprofit Development Organizations play a key role in creating an "enabling environment" for economic development in Native communities. In 2001, First Nations Development Institute launched its Little Eagle Staff Fund (LESF), which provides financial and economic development organizations with early stage investment and capitalization so that they can increase organizational capacity and enhance their development of new financial products and services. First Nations expects to award approximately 4-6 grants ranging from $15,000 to $45,000 under this initiative in 2008. LOIs are due June 23, 2008. All LOI applicants will be notified by Friday, July 18th, 2008, as to whether they will be invited to submit a full proposal. The full proposal will then be due on August 15th, 2008. Awards will be announced in late August or early September 2008. To submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), please download the application documents at http://www.firstnations.org/gLittleEagle.asp. Through its support of Reservation-Based Nonprofit Development Organizations (RNDOs), First Nations will support the growth and increase the stability of new and emerging organizations that serve as "one-stop shopping" for educating future consumers of financial services and products. Investment in local Native-controlled financial institutions enables them to offer new and innovative asset-building strategies for community members, and allows them to act as an information clearinghouse for asset- and wealth-creating programs. It is First Nations' vision that support for the "enabling environment" on reservations- also known as the business climate or investment climate - will mean creating healthy social entrepreneurial institutions that provide support and capital for local entrepreneurs. ************************ Sarah Dewees Director of Research First Nations Development Institute 10707 Spotsylvania Ave. Suite 201 Fredericksburg, VA 22408 ph: 540-371-5615, ext. 47 fx: 540-371-3505 sdewees at firstnations.org www.firstnations.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080418/673d7dfc/attachment-0001.html From stewart at oweesta.org Fri Apr 25 11:19:26 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:19:26 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Presidents Advisory Council on Financial Literacy - 2nd public meeting Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE17D78F@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> (please forward, apologies for cross postings) The President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy will convene its second meeting on Monday, May 5, 2008, via teleconference beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. The telephone meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public interested in listening to the meeting should call 202-622-5770 or e-mail FinancialLiteracyCouncil at do.treas.gov to obtain the conference call number. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080425/0d208af6/attachment.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/gif Size: 1089 bytes Desc: image001.gif Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080425/0d208af6/attachment.gif From stewart at oweesta.org Fri Apr 25 16:33:33 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:33:33 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] RHED NOFA coming out, deadline May 30 Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE17D834@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> (Native CDFIs take note - please forward and apologies for cross postings) This is a fantastic funding source for tribes and Native nonprofits to building their capacity to deliver housing, economic development and financial education services. Check it out. See the notice below from the Housing Assistance Council. The FY 2008 NOFA for HUD's Rural Housing and Economic Development program will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, but is accessible today online at http://www.ruralhome.org/manager/uploads/2008RHEDNOFA.pdf (The Office of the Federal Register very recently started posting documents online one working day before publication, at http://federalregister.gov/page2.aspx Leslie Strauss Communications Director, Housing Assistance Council 202-842-8600 ext. 141 leslie at ruralhome.org ____________________________ HAC National Rural Housing Conference 2008: Working for Change, Building our Future December 3-5, 2008, Washington, DC http://www.ruralhome.org/Conf2008/index.php From stewart at oweesta.org Tue Apr 29 17:18:58 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:18:58 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] Native Financial Education Train-the-Trainer Certification and Technical Assistance Program - Catoosa, OK, 17-19 June 08 Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE17DAA9@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> (apologies for cross postings and please forward) Oweesta and the Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Fund are pleased to offer Expanding Native Opportunity: Native Financial Skills Initiative, a comprehensive financial education training and technical assistance program for Native communities. This initiative offers a three-day instructor training and certification program to help Native CDFIs, tribes and other Native organizations establish and sustain financial education programs in their communities. Participants will also have access to free, customized follow-up technical assistance to assist with program implementation and delivery. The next training is June 17-19, 2008 in Catoosa, OK at the Cherokee Nation Casino. Applications will be accepted until all slots are filled. Each session will be open to Native CDFIs, tribes and other Native organizations and will address: * An introduction to the Building Native Communities: Financial Skills for Families curriculum; * Effective training techniques and resources; and * Financial education program development planning. Upon completion of the training, participants will be prepared to successfully pass the Building Native Communities certification exam to become certified financial education trainers. The cost for the trainings is only $25.00 per person, but participants are responsible for their own travel costs. Applicants must agree to send at least two and up to four participants. For more information, contact Joanna Donohoe, Oweesta's Director for Financial Education and Asset Building at 561-626-9700 or joanna at oweesta.org. To download an application, please visit www.oweesta.org/nfsi or contact: OWEESTA 1010 Ninth Street, Suite 3 Rapid City, SD 57701 (605) 342-3770, FAX (605) 342-3771 adrianne at oweesta.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080429/b38ad591/attachment-0001.html -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 10699 bytes Desc: image001.jpg Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080429/b38ad591/attachment-0002.jpe -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 5308 bytes Desc: image002.jpg Url : /pipermail/circleup_lists.ournativecircle.org/attachments/20080429/b38ad591/attachment-0003.jpe From stewart at oweesta.org Tue Apr 29 17:37:09 2008 From: stewart at oweesta.org (Stewart Sarkozy) Date: Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:37:09 -0600 Subject: [CircleUp] 5th Annual Native CDFI Convening - SAVE THIS DATE - 9-12 December 2008 - Alb, NM Message-ID: <82182B01DBD600448F4C7D2631BA1BFE17DAB4@SERVER1.fnoc.internal> Oweesta and OFN are honored to once again host the premier gathering of Native community development practitioner as part of the OFN annual conference. This year we will be gathering on 9-12 December in Albuquerque, NM with an expanded program that includes the Native CDFI Award Ceremony, Native training track, day-long Native pre-conference convening, Native CDFI and business owner marketplace and more... See attached save the date card and keep checking back at www.oweesta.org and www.opportunityfinance.net for more information. Sponsorships are available and session planning is ongoing, so get in touch with us. Stewart Sarkozy-Banoczy Vice President and COO Oweesta Corporation 1010 Ninth Street, Suite 3 Rapid City, SD 57730 (605) 342-3770 ph (605) 342-3771 fx stewart at oweesta.org www.oweesta.org www.nfec.info www.ournativecircle.org Join us on Our Native Circle (www.ournativecircle.org), the online Native community economic development resource center - register today! -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... 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