Social Investors Forum
Application Open: April 1st
Application Deadline: April 26th
We are still accepting applications for the ninth Social Investors Forum (SIF), CFU's pitch day for social good! Finalists will have the opportunity to present to our Investment Committee, who may award loans, grants, or mentorship to organizations with innovative programming that are committed to improving the quality of life for Utahns.
Click here to read the criteria and to learn how to submit an application for your program that is innovative, sustainable, and impactful.
Interested in attending the event to hear other organizations' innovative ideas? The Spring 2019 SIF will be held on June 5th from 8:30 to 11:15 a.m at Kiln, Salt Lake City. RSVP here.
Invest in Success
Application Open: April 15th
Application Deadline: May 10th
Invest in Success, our capacity-building program for nonprofit leaders across rural Utah, is now accepting applications for the 2019 cohort! This immersive and free program brings leaders to Salt Lake City for workshops on board governance, organizational finance, marketing, leading change, and advocacy. Upon completion of the in-person training, the cohort will have the opportunity to apply for funding to implement a project based on the training curriculum.
Check out our website for more information. For any additional questions, email rosemary@utahcf.org.
Utah Ethical Leadership Award
Application Open: May 1st
Application Deadline: June 21st
In honor of Bill Daniels, the Utah Ethical Leadership Award recognizes leadership in Utah businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government entities that embody best practices in ethical behaviors. Nominations will be accepted starting May 1st.
For more information visit our website. Email rosemary@utahcf.org for any additional questions.
Please join the Utah Women's Giving Circle on May 2nd for a panel on reweaving the fabric of gender culture. Panelists will discuss the opportunities ahead for men and women at school, work, and home. Register today!
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Whether you prefer e-books, paperbacks, board books or audiobooks, today is a day to celebrate. For World Book Day, the ExcelinEd team is sharing some of our recent (and recommended!) reads.
Browse your home bookshelf or head down to your local library to explore these and other great reads.
Governor Jeb Bush recommends
Factfulness by Hans Rosling.
"This book challenges the way you look at data and causes you to question your natural instincts about progress being made in the world."
Susan Rehwinkel recommends Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela.
“Despite sacrifices and disappointments in his life’s journey, President Mandela never gave up working to make a difference for good in the world. Although over 600 pages, it is interesting and thoughtfully written--I can hardly put it down!”
Kim Preston recommends The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.
“I read a LOT of historical fiction and seem to gravitate toward books focused on World War II. I think this book is now my all-time favorite (so far).”
Kristin Lock recommends The Serpent by Claire North.
“This fantasy novel is set in Venice, Italy, which I visited last year. I really enjoyed reliving my trip through the narrative. Plus, it's a quick read!”
Ryan Mahoney recommends Tiamat’s Wrath by James S.A. Corey.
“This is book eight in The Expanse series. I’ve been listening to the audiobook (narrated by the fantastic Jefferson Mays) while I drive around my region. I got into the series through the Syfy show, and as with most such things, the books are even better.”
Kassandra Elekes recommends The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg.
“It was fascinating to learn more about habits in general, how some business leaders have reinforced organizational habits, and how personal habits are created and changed.”
Christy Hovanetz recommends
Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille.
"The book is part of the John Corey detective mysteries series that feature historically significant tragedies or realistic threats with fictional accounts of investigating the case. It's clever and suspenseful--a great alternative to television."
Patricia Levesque recommends Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt by Arthur Brooks.
"In his new book, Arthur reminds leaders to look for the bridges and opportunities to mend relationships that will take us out of the 'culture of contempt' so prevalent right now. This is something we can all work toward in our daily lives."
Debbie Stephens recommends Population One: Autism, Adversity and the Will to Succeed by Tyler McNamer.
“This is a first-person account by a young, high-functioning autistic man of what the world looks like from his perspective. It is a compilation of several short chapters, arranged in an order logical only to Tyler. It is thought provoking and eye opening.”
Jennifer Diaz recommends Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn.
"A mentor and former communications colleague recently told me how this book inspired her to do her part to help transform the lives of women and girls in developing nations. I found similar inspiration and hope in the stories of the women profiled. Despite acts of violence and oppression committed against them, with a little help, encouragement and education, these women did great things and serve as an example for us all."
Brandi Brown recommends Shoot for the Moon by James Donovan.
“Donovan’s book is a very readable history lesson on the Apollo missions and those that prepared NASA for the historic endeavor. It’s an interesting read for our current time considering President Trump is challenging our space industry in a way similar to President Kennedy in 1961.”
Jess Langhaim recommends
Where the Sidewalk by Shel Silverstein.
"I am currently reading this book out loud to my daughter. I enjoyed these poems so much as a child, and am excited to be sharing them with her. The whimsical pages are filled with new and interesting words!"
Alice Neira recommends A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway.
“Hemingway is one of my favorite authors. Throughout this autobiographical work, he mentions visiting with F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gertrude Stein and Pablo Picasso. It’s interesting to see how some of the greatest artists of that time influenced one another.”
Joe Follick recommends Florida by Lauren Groff.
“In this collection of short stories, the author does a great job of creating strong, complex female characters to share scenes from the real Florida that most residents recognize. It’s a great example of fiction often being a more accurate way to describe reality than non-fiction.”
Nathan Hoffman recommends the memoir The Education of Eva Moskowitz.
"This memoir blends Eva Moskowitz's life growing up and time on the New York City Council with her pursuit to build and scale Success Academy. Truly a great read for people looking for inspiration and motivation to keep fighting the good fight to empower more families with high-quality schooling options."
Ann O'Dea recommends The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher.
“This was my book club’s pick for the month. I don’t know that I would have selected it myself, but I am enjoying it. The older I get, the more I enjoy historically-based or non-fiction v. my usual legal thriller.”
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Dear Dave,
I’ve started following your plan, and I’ve got a beginner emergency fund of $1,000 saved. Now that I’m ready to start paying off debt in Baby Step 2, do you recommend paying off credit card balances before or after closing the accounts?
Maeve
Dear Maeve,
I’m really proud of you. Congratulations on starting the journey toward getting out of debt and gaining control of your money!
Honestly, either way is fine. The point is to get rid of them, and stop using the stupid things. I like the idea, and the finality, of going ahead and closing the accounts and cutting up the cards. Personal finance is 80 percent behavior. Getting credit cards—and credit card debt—out of your life is a great first step in really learning to behave with your money.
Remember, you don’t build wealth or save money by using credit cards. And you’re naïve if you think you’re going to play around with a multi-billion-dollar industry and beat them at their own game. The only way to win against credit card companies is by refusing to play around with them!
—Dave
(Paying extra)
Word count: 228
Dear Dave,
I’d like to start paying a little extra each month on my car loan, so I can get out of debt faster. Would it be a good idea to write a separate check for this extra amount?
Steve
Dear Steve,
I think that’s a great idea! You can include the extra check in a separate envelope with the regular payment. In addition, write “principal only” in big, bold letters on the extra envelope and on the extra check. Make sure to also include the account number in the notation line at the bottom. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll be much less likely to run into problems as result of someone at the bank not paying attention.
Some companies use payment booklets that have a box specifically for entering any amount you want applied directly to the principal. See if this is available to you, as well. Regardless, make sure you keep an accurate, written record of the monthly and overall amounts you’re designating as “principal only.”
Great question, Steve!
—Dave
* Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 15 million listeners each week on 600 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey
