International Festival of Arts and Ideas Call For Artists

Applications are currently being accepted from local and regional artists for a variety of performance opportunities on stage or in activity tents. Deadline is March 15.
Submissions are invited from all disciplines including music, theater, dance, and storytelling, especially from artists performing original work, for performance slots on weekend afternoons during the Festival (June 16, 17, 23, 24, 30). See Festival website for details.

Closer to Free Ride to benefit Smilow Cancer Hospital

This second annual bike fundraiser is planned for Sept. 8. Three safe and scenic routes of 25, 62.5 and 100 miles will travel through Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, East Haven, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, New Haven, North Branford, Old Saybrook, Wallingford and Westbrook.
Each participating cyclist must raise a minimum of $500 to ride. The goal is to raise $1 million to help expand cancer research and clinical programs at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New-Haven.  Rider and volunteer registrations open March 1. Click here for more information.

Entries in this year's Library Poetry Contest due March 1

Cash prizes -- publishing opportunity -- reception for finalists and winners -- Get creative! Entry guidelines here.

Ms. Foundation Fellowship Opportunity

The Ms. Foundation for Women has launched a new fellowship program that provides the opportunity for one dynamic leader to leverage their resources and support to develop strategies to shift the cultural conditions that enable inequality to thrive. Special interest in projects with potential for large-scale structural change in the areas of child care, reproductive health or child sexual abuse. Read more.

Changes Coming to Sales of Sealed Tickets

Sealed ticket games are a popular and effective fundraising item for nonprofit organizations across the state. Any Connecticut charitable, civic, educational, fraternal, veterans’ or religious organization, volunteer fire department or grange, can apply to the Dept. of Consumer Protection’s Gaming Division for a permit, allowing the organization to sell Connecticut sealed ticket games as fundraising items.
A new law authorizes the Gaming Division to permit privately owned sealed ticket distributors, beginning this spring. For information on purchasing sealed tickets, email the Gaming Division  or call 860-713-6140.

Shoreline Arts Alliance Call for Entries for 31st Annual Juried Photography Competition & Exhibition

IMAGES is the oldest annual, statewide, juried competition and exhibition open to all Connecticut photographers. The Shoreline Arts Alliance will  accept submissions for the 31^st annual IMAGES photography competition and exhibition at the Mill Gallery of the Guilford Art Center on Friday, March 23, 5-8pm; Saturday and Sunday, March 24 & 25, 10am - 4pm.  203-453-3890 or donita@shorelinearts.org.

Free yoga class at Fresh Feb. 26

1:30-3 PM at Erector Square, 319 Peck St., New Haven. All levels welcome. No need to pre-register - just show up 10 minutes early. There will be mats available.

Click here for latest RFPs listed by the Foundation Center

New Haven Animal Shelter FUNdraiser Sunday, Feb. 19

Last year more than 900 abandoned, often injured and/or malnourished, animals found temporary shelter at the Robin I. Kroogman Animal Shelter in New Haven. Animal lovers are invited to come together to help replenish the medical fund at the shelter at the annual Makin' Woofie fundraiser on Feb. 19, at noon at the New Haven Lawn Club. 

This year's special guest is Larry Levin, author of the bestselling book, OOGIE, THE DOG ONLY A FAMILY COULD LOVE--and, of course, Oogie himself. 

Tickets ($60) must be purchased by Feb. 14 for the Feb. 19 event. For details, call 203-387-7651.

Donations may be sent to The Friends of the New Haven Animal Shelter, PO Box 9056, Brewery St. Station, New Haven 06532.

Upcoming Probono Partnership Workshops

Starting a Nonprofit:  Myths & Realities
March 6 | noon-2 | free  | Teleconference

Determine if becoming a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charity is the best choice for your organization.  The speaker will discuss the pros and cons of forming a nonprofit organization, the benefits and responsibilities of being incorporated and tax exempt, the alternatives to filing for tax exemption, and the responsibilities of a nonprofit board.       Presented by Christine Michelle Duffy, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, Pro Bono Partnership
Click here to register. 
              
Legal Issues in Reviewing Nonprofit Websites
March 20 | noon-1:30 | $20 | Teleconference

Addresses key legal issues surrounding use of websites, i.e., what tools can you use to manage website-related risks in an increasingly complex online environment? Why is having appropriate documentation in place with vendors and suppliers of website-related services important? Why is it important for every nonprofit website to have terms and conditions and a privacy policy? Presented by Geoffrey G. Gussis, Esq. and Tracey M. Child, Esq., Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland and Perrett

Click here to register.