Federal Action Alert: FY 2011 Historic Preservation Funding at Stake!

ArtServe Michigan Federal Action Alert and MCACA Income Tax Check Off Federal Action Alert: FY 2011 Historic Preservation Funding is at Stake! Below is a federal action alert sent out through the Michigan Historic Preservation Network. Please read through the information and send an email to your members of Congress. To find your members of Congress please visit http://capwiz.com/artsusa/mi/home/ As we have been reporting, the funding levels for the federal government are currently being provided through a Continuing Resolution (CR) that expires on March 4, 2011. This CR, as result of Congress being unable to agree on a budget, extended funding for FY 2011 at FY 2010 levels. What happens in February and March is anyone's guess. Many believe that there will be a serious attempt to cut funding for the rest of FY 2011 to FY 2008 levels, or much worse. Here is what a rollback to FY 2008 would mean: NPS Budget Line Item FY 2008 FY 2010 Impact State Historic Preservation Officers Historic Preservation Fund $ 39,376,000 $ 46,500,000 -15.3% Tribal Historic Preservation Officers Historic Preservation Fund $ 6,399,000 $ 8,000,000 -20% Save America's Treasures Historic Preservation Fund $25,000,000 $ 25,000,000 0 Preserve America Preservation & Recreation Account $7,500,000 $ 4,600,000 63% Heritage Areas Preservation & Recreation Account $15,500,000 $ 18,000,000 -13.8% With so many disparate voices on the Hill, bills specifically calling for the elimination of Save America's Treasures, Preserve America and Heritage Areas, and a focus on reduced spending and deficit reduction, it is important that we let our legislators know how important historic preservation is - not only for the protection of our American heritage, but for their ability to stimulate economic development and to create jobs. WE NEED YOU TO CONTACT YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES AND ASK THAT HE OR SHE: 1. Provide at least level funding for the rest of FY 2011 (at FY 2010 levels) for our nation's historic preservation programs. 2. If necessary, defend our nation's historic preservation programs from elimination or substantial cuts. 3. Support the heritage preservation and job creation effects of our federal historic preservation programs. For more information, go to: http://www.preservationaction.org/Alerts/SaveFY11Funding.htm MCACA Income Tax Check Off In December of 2008 Governor Granholm signed legislation creating the Michigan Council for the Arts Fund check off box on the Michigan Voluntary Contribution Schedule form. This tax season, Michigan residents have their opportunity to dedicate a portion of their tax return to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Every dollar donated will go directly to supporting local arts and cultural organizations and events throughout the state. Last year, the first year of the check off, individuals contributed nearly $28,000 which helped further the reach of the council by providing additional grant dollars to organizations and schools throughout the state. We need your help to spread the word that Michigan taxpayers can choose to dedicate $5, $10, or more to the state arts council as they prepare their taxes for this April. In anticipation of the upcoming tax season, ArtServe Michigan, in partnership with Tanner Friedman, has developed a social media and email strategy to help spread the word. Below you will find both strategies that you or your organization can easily follow to help spread a unified message across the state. Check 7for11 to contribute to the revitalization of Michigan’s communities through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. What is the Check 7for11 campaign? Check 7for11 represents the positioning of the Michigan Council for the Arts Fund on the Michigan Voluntary Contribution Schedule form – seventh from the top. Social Media Strategy: Check 7for11 will be the focus of the social media campaign as we move to ensure a unified voice across all social media avenues. If you have a twitter account, please make sure to include the hash tag #7for11 after each message so that we can track the conversations that are taking place. Additionally, we encourage you to place the shortened link for the Michigan Voluntary Contribution Schedule form in each tweet or facebook message - http://bit.ly/MI4642. Examples of possible Twitter messages: * What’s #7for11? Your opp to #IgniteArts by donating to Mich Council for the Arts Fund (7th on form) this tax season http://bit.ly/MI4642 * Mich Council for the Arts Fund provides grants to orgs like (ENTER YOUR ORGANIZATION). Help this tax season http://bit.ly/MI4642 #7for11 * Supporting arts across the state is as easy as donating during tax season to Mich Council for the Arts Fund. http://bit.ly/MI4642 #7for11 Examples of possible Facebook messages: * Donations made to the Michigan Council for Arts Fund will help fund “bus grants” so educators around the state can take their students to arts and culture institutions, sparking their students’ understanding of other cultures and fostering creativity for tomorrow. 40% of these students are at poverty level and wouldn’t be able to experience these field trips otherwise. Your donations to #7 on Tax Form 4642 help fund these trips. [attach link to http://bit.ly/MI4642] * In 2008, Michigan saw more than $1.8 billion in tourist spending. Michigan’s arts and culture community are part of what attracts out-of-state tourists to spend here. Let’s support the programs that bring dollars into our state. Select #7 on Tax Form 4642. [attach link to http://bit.ly/MI4642] Email Strategy: Spread the information below to your network regarding the explanation of the check off as well as the PDF version of the Michigan Voluntary Contribution Schedule (form 4642) or the link to it,http://bit.ly/MI4642. Informing your members and supporters will ensure that we are able to maximize the opportunity created by the check off. Background Information: Below you will find the explanation, as it is written in the 1040 Instruction Booklet, of the Michigan Council for the Arts Fund. This description will only be found in the 1040 instruction booklet as only the name of the check off is listed on the form. Michigan Council for the Arts Fund - Local Grant Programs: Help keep your community thriving with quality arts and culture. You may contribute $5 or more to the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs in support of local arts and cultural events. These contributions are returned to local communities and nonprofit organizations in the form of grants. Programs and services funded by these monies include arts education and low-cost performances and exhibits. Attached is Form 4642, the 2010 MICHIGAN Voluntary Contributions Schedule, which is the form tax payers will need to fill out to contribute to the Michigan Council for the Arts Fund. You can print these off for your audience/members/supporters or at least encourage them to ask their tax preparer to complete the 4642 form for them. Thank you for your help in spreading this strategy to encourage individuals to support the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs! As always, if you have any questions or comments please email or call Mike Latvis at 248-379-5897.