CHARITY PROVISIONS EXCLUDED FROM FEDERAL TAX RECONCILIATION

According to the American Association of Museums (AAM), an agreement negotiated on tax reconciliation bill H.R. 4297 by members of a House and Senate conference committee failed to include new charitable tax incentives and reforms endorsed by AAM and approved in the Senate version of the measure. Leaders of the Senate Finance and the House Ways and Means Committees have agreed in principle to discuss including charitable giving incentives and reforms in a separate "trailer" that would extend certain tax provisions not included in H.R. 4297, which would be attached to a larger pension reform bill, H.R. 2830.

AAM, along with the Association of Art Museum Directors, Americans for the Arts and a representative of the appraisal profession, have been meeting with congressional staff to advocate for the inclusion of a narrow package of provisions related to museums. The package includes the Artist Fair Market Deduction proposal and reform provisions passed by the Senate mandating reforms of tax-related appraisals, tightened requirements for donations of exempt-use property and a taxidermy donation reform proposal. The Artist Fair Market Deduction proposal would authorize artists, writers, composers and scholars to take a tax deduction equal to the fair market value of their own works when donated to a qualified charity for use related to its mission. For additional information, visit Independent Sector at www.independentsector.org. (Excerpted from AAM's Aviso Online, June 2006.)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE 2007 CAM CONFERENCE

CAM will be hosting its next conference in Long Beach, California, February 21-23, 2007. Like 2006, this conference will bring together a diverse group of museum professionals from across California for a stimulating and enjoyable exchange of ideas, perspectives, and resources. Long Beach's waterfront will be the backdrop for a notable conference with the newly expanded Museum of Latin American Art, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the Long Beach Museum of Art hosting evening events.

The conference will take place at the Coast Long Beach Hotel, 700 Queensway Drive in Long Beach. CAM has reserved a block of rooms for Wednesday, February 21-Friday, February 24, 2007 at a discounted rate of $115.00 plus tax. For a room with a bay view, the group rate is $135.00 plus tax. Additional information will be posted to CAM's web site in the future.

For more information, contact the CAM Office at (831) 471-9970 or email cam@calmuseums.org.We hope to see you in Long Beach!

OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS

REQUEST FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT POLICIES
The Integrated Pest Management Working Group is a group of collection managers, conservators and other professionals interested in issues surrounding the implementation of integrated pest management in museum and other collection-holding institutions. One of their major objectives is to provide an on-line resource to help museums and other institutions develop standards and best practices for an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy. They are asking all interested museums to send a copy of their IPM policy to share with the field. If you have an IPM policy you would like to share with us, it can be sent electronically to linda.klise@yale.edu or by mail to Linda Klise, Peabody Museum of Natural History, Paleobotany Division, Yale University, 170 Whitney Ave., P.O. Box 208118, New Haven, CT 06520-8118. For additional information, see http://www.museumpests.net.

DECREASED FUNDING FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
According to a fact sheet from Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy, funding to Asians and Pacific Islanders totaled only 0.4 percent of all foundation giving in 2004, steadily decreasing over the past two years from 0.5 percent in 2004 and 0.6 percent in 2003. But, according to Census 2000, the number of Asian Pacific Americans increased by 75 percent between 1990 and 2000. The fact sheet, Giving to Asian Pacific American (APA) Communities, provides an overview of foundation giving based on recent Foundation Center research. To download the fact sheet (PDF) click on http://www.aapip.org/pdfs/Fact%20Sheet%20-%20Giving%20to%20APAs.pdf.

EARTHQUAKE PLANNING COLLECTIONS WORKSHOP IN SAN DIEGO ON JUNE 17TH
The Congress of History of San Diego and Imperial Counties is sponsoring How to Protect Your Collections, Before the Earthquake: Identifying Risks and Protecting Your Collections from Natural and Man-Made Disasters, led by Louis Goldich, on June 17, 2006. For information, contact goldich@earthlink.net or call 619/469-7283

GUIDELINES ANNOUNCED FOR CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTARY PROJECT
A program of the California Council for the Humanities (CCH), the California Documentary Project supports the work of experienced radio producers and filmmakers that bring to light compelling stories and explore issues related to California's past, present, and future. Projects must be suitable for national broadcast and must have attracted demonstrated interest from a national broadcaster or distributor. The council is particularly interested in projects that can be used to spark community discussion. Projects may request up to $80,000. Application forms will be available on the CCH Web site on September 1, 2006. The application window for this grant is from September 1 to October 2, 2006. Visit the CCH Web site for complete program guidelines and application requirements at http://www.calhum.org/.

PASADENA IN NATIONAL ARTS AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY STUDY
The City of Pasadena's Cultural Affairs Division will participate in the Americans for the Arts' (AFTA) second National Arts and Economic Prosperity Study. These studies continue to be among the most frequently cited statistics used to demonstrate the impact of the nation's nonprofit arts industry on the local, state and national economy. Pasadena participated in the first study in 2002, which concluded that the arts and culture sector in Pasadena is 4 to 5 times the national average per capita and comparable to substantially larger communities. The report also showed that the arts and culture sector generates just short of $100 million in economic activity annually in Pasadena. For more information, go to http://www.cityofpasadena.net/publicaffairs/news/nat_arts.asp. (Excerpted from CAC Update, June 1, 2006.)

CPB AND IMLS HOST SECOND COMMUNITY COLLABORATION VIDEOCONFERENCE
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Institute for Museum and Library Services will sponsor a second national/local Community Collaboration Videoconference on Monday, June 19, 2006 1:00 to 3:00 PM, EST. Nearly 2,000 people in 72 sites across the country participated in the first videoconference. Professionals from museums, libraries, public radio stations, and other community organizations across the country are invited to participate. To participate, go to http://www.partnershipforlearners.org/news.php?nid=21. Museum, library and public radio participants should register through their public television host sites.

GUIDESTAR'S TOP INDICATORS THAT YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A CAPITAL OR ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN
A campaign is a pivotal event in the life of an organization. Over the years many leaders have asked, "How do I know when I should consider a capital or endowment campaign?" GuideStar, an organization that supports nonprofits, recently assembled a list of seven indicators that an organization is ready to launch a capital or endowment campaign. For additional information, see http://www.guidestar.org/news/features/seven_indicators.jsp.

VSA ANNUAL MEETING IN GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN IN JULY
The Visitor Studies Association will hold its annual meeting, Counting Visitors or Making Visitors Count? This year's conference will explore how research and evaluation are used in informal learning environments to enhance the visitor experience. Research for Changing Practice in Grand Rapids, Michigan July 25-29, 2006. For additional information, see http://www.visitorstudies.org/conference_about.htm.

LUDWICK FAMILY FOUNDATION FUNDS VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT, AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
The Ludwick Family Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to assisting a broad array of groups that are working to make a positive difference in the world. They fund new vehicles or equipment, equipment replacement and modernization, improvements to facilities, and educational materials. Initial requests should be submitted between July 1, 2006 and September 1, 2006. An online initial request form will be available online beginning July 1st. Grants range from $5,000 to $50,000. See http://www.ludwick.org/index.html for additional information.

WMA PRELIMINARY PROGRAM AVAILABLE
The preliminary program for Frontier Without Limits: High Desert Rendezvous, the 2006 Western Museums Association (WMA) Annual Meeting in Boise, Idaho, October 11-15, 2006 is now available on the web as a .pdf download. See http://www.westmuse.org/Boise%20preliminary%20Program.pdf to download the program.

TAPROOT FOUNDATION FUNDS CAPACITY-BUILDING EFFORTS
The Taproot Foundation supports a range of organizations and seeks to strengthen the capacity of strong charitable organizations in the six counties of the Bay Area (Alameda, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin and Contra Costa counties). Successful applicants will meet baseline requirements against each of their criteria. The Taproot Foundation has four Service Grant application deadlines: September 15, December 1, March 1, June 1. For additional information, see http://www.taprootfoundation.org/npo/criteria.shtml.

GOVERNOR APPOINTS TWO NEW MEMBERS TO THE CALIFORNIA ARTS COUNCIL
Governor Schwarzenegger has recently appointed two new members to the California Arts Council. Fred Sands of Los Angeles is a founder and Trustee of the Museum of Contemporary Art, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Los Angeles Opera and is an appointee to the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts. Chong-Moon Lee of Portola Valley serves on the Asian Art Museum Board of Trustees in San Francisco, Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Arts and Culture, and is a Trustee of the Asia Foundation and a founding member of the U.S. Asia Pacific Council. (Excerpted from CAC Update, June 1, 2006.)

ADDITIONAL FUNDS ALLOCATED TO IMLS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY
On June 1, 2006, First Lady Laura Bush announced additional aid from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to help libraries and museums in major disaster areas recover. The funds will be used for projects related to the Gulf Coast and other areas that have suffered major disasters. For details on the additional funding see http://www.imls.gov/news/2006/060106_details.shtm.

ALCOA FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS IN NINE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITIES
Alcoa Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations in communities where Alcoa has a presence. Organizations must work through the local Alcoa facility nearest to them. Company locations in California are: Carson, City of Industry, Fullerton, Industry, Irvine, San Diego, Simi Valley, Torrance, and Visalia. Requests must align with one of these company areas of excellence: (1) Safe & Healthy Children and Families; (2) Conservation and Sustainability; (3) Global Education and Workplace Skills; and (4) Business and Community Partnerships. For additional information, see http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/community/info_page/Request_grant_community-based_US_public.asp.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT REFLECTED THROUGH PHILANTHROPY
According to an article published by in New York Times on May 31, 2006, American consumers consider the way companies treat their employees a good indicator of their social conscience more than their philanthropy, according to a survey by the National Consumers League and Fleishman-Hillard, the public relations company. Asked to define "corporate social responsibility" in their own words, 27 percent of the 800 adults interviewed for the survey identified it as a demonstrated commitment to the well-being of employees. Only 3 percent identified charitable donations as the chief determinant of a company's social responsibility. To read the entire article, see http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/31/business/31charity.html?_r=1&oref=slogin.

ENTRIES INVITED FOR PETER F. DRUCKER AWARD FOR NONPROFIT INNOVATION
The Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation is given each November to three U.S. nonprofit organizations in recognition of an innovative, existing program that has made a difference in the lives of the people it serves. Peter Drucker's definition of innovation -- change that creates a new dimension of performance -- is key to consideration for the award. The award is accompanied by a first-place prize of $25,000 and two runners-up prizes of $5,000 and $2,500. The deadline for entries is August 15, 2006. Applications must be submitted by the organization responsible for the program; third-party nominations will not be accepted. Application forms and entry instructions are available at http://www.cgu.edu/pages/2417.asp.

Get the Word Out in CAM e-News!
Please email the CAM office at cam@calmuseums.org to list any announcements pertaining to professional development programs, grant opportunities, or related opportunities in future editions of CAM e-News and on the CAM web site. Since it is not possible to include all the details of an announcement, please include a phone number, web site address, or email address so interested parties can get additional information. Please do not exceed a limit of 150 words per listing. All announcements are subject to editing by CAM personnel.