REGISTRATION AFTER JUNE 3 IS AT CONFERENCE ONLY!

The L3C (Low-profit Limited Liability Company) is a hot topic in the nonprofit sector that up until now has only received minimal attention at all the nonprofit conferences and meetings. It may change the way socially beneficial services are delivered. It may represent a whole new paradigm in private public partnerships. And it may finally bring substantial amounts of market rate investment dollars into the social sector. Americans for Community Development and The Levy Entrepreneurship Center of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University have partnered along with Supporting Sponsor Council On Foundations to present the first conference devoted exclusively to the L3C. Do you work in the charitable sector, an economic development agency, a foundation, a government agency, social finance, healthcare? Are you interested in how we can do more with less from government, while rebuilding our infrastructure? Is social enterprise your thing? If any answer is yes, you need to be in Evanston, Illinois June 6th and 7th, 2011.

Highlights
Plenary Session - New Philanthropic Funding Structures
The old system is breaking down and the cost of raising funds for nonprofits is way too expensive. We need to “privatize” while making sure the sole beneficiaries are not big outside investors.This session will explore both the needs and the solutions.

Plenary Session - Storm Cunningham - author of reWealth and The Restoration Economy
Storm is one of the most exciting speakers you will hear. He will explain why we have reached the end of the line with policies that are based on using up, depleting and destroying resources of all kinds. We must begin the “re”newal economy. This is not a cry for government intervention, it is a statement of opportunity for the for profit sector to tap into 2 trillion dollars worth of redevelopment that awaits us. The L3C is the perfect vehicle to get this started.

Plenary Session - L3Cs on Parade
So who are some of the existing L3Cs? Our first event after the opening lunch plenary will be short takes on some existing and under construction L3Cs. Their leaders will have a few minutes to give a quick overview of who they are and what some of their issues are. They will set the stage for the indepth panels that will fill the balance of the conference.

Plenary Session - Pauley the Clown from Circus Mojo L3C

Circus Mojo L3C is a unique L3C which helps children and adults while entertaining. Pauley is Paul Miller the founder and in addition to telling us the story he will make us laugh. A fitting end to the last meal of the conference.

A Few of Over 50 Invited Speakers

Dr. Maximilian Martin - Impact Economy - Geneva and former philanthropic director of UBS

Ambassador John Simon - Visiting Fellow, Center for Global Development & former EVP, OPIC

Robert Lang - Founder Americans for Community Development, Creator of the L3C

Steve Gunderson - Former Congressman and CEO, Council on Foundations

Elizabeth Carrott Minnigh - Attorney with Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney - Author of L3C state laws and proposed federal law

Storm Cunningham - Author of “reWealth” & “The Restoration Economy,” CEO Revitaliz LLC

Michael Zimmer - Co-chair of the ABA Carbon Trading & Energy Finance Committee for the 2010-2011 year

Sander Davies - O’Connor Davies Munns & Dobbins - L3C Accounting Expert

John Tyler - Secretary and General Counsel, Ewing Marion Kaufman Foundation

Heather Steans - Illinois State Senator and successful sponsor of the L3C bill on Illinois

Jim Jacumin - former North Carolina State Senator and successful sponsor of the L3C bill on North Carolina

Arthur Wood - former Social Finance Director of Ashoka and current head of the World Sanitation Finance Facility in Geneva

Robert Wexler - The West Coast L3C expert and a power in the Section of Taxation of the American Bar Association

Antony Page & Erin Albert - The myth that Ben & Jerry had to sell out has been told many times. But Professor Page from IU has disproved this story. Now he and Dr. Erin Albert from IU & Butler take it to the next level

Ben Valore-Caplan, Mike Hurley & John Andrews - three financial experts introduce you to new funding opportunities for L3Cs

Marc Lane - Well known Chicago attorney who has formed numerous L3Cs and will sign his new book on social enterprise published by the American Bar Association.

Conference Program

Breakout Sessions - all sessions are built around the discussion concept. Expert panelists will operate in an interactive manner.

Monday, June 6, 2011:

2:15 - 3:45

    L3C 101: What is an L3C and Why Do We Need It - Robert Lang, Elizabeth Minnigh, John Tyler, Kellogg Moderator - Hinman Auditorium
A must attend for those just getting acquainted with Low Profit Limited Liability Companies, as well as those who want to assure that they fully understand the business model, its limitations and its tremendous potential.

    L3C Accounting Basics - Sander Davies, Jenny Deloy, Kellogg Moderator - Bonbright Room
Albeit with a nonprofit soul, L3C remains a business. Therein lies the issue. Legally accounting standards for the L3C remain the same as the LLC but if they are not tweaked, how will the managers account for the social mission? CPAs, partners in their respective accounting firms, will have solid advice for those considering an L3C and those who want to make sure that all appropriate business policies and procedures are in place.

    L3C Health Initiatives -  Jack Horak, Chris Larson, Michael Zimmer, Kellogg Moderator     - James Room
This century will see significant change in both the healthcare industry and the pharmaceutical industry  We cannot sustain the current models.  Although significantly different venues, both are about our health and require innovation and “out of the box” thinking as never before.  These panelists are doing the kind of thinking that looks at innovative strategies such as the L3C not only to grow the industry but provide sustainability.

4:00 - 5:30

    The L3C, the B Corp, The Benefit Corp, The Flexible Purpose Corp, CIC, SELLP - Understand the Difference - Dana Brakman Reiser, Robert Wexler, Arthur Wood, Kellogg Moderator - Hinman Auditorium
The L3C is just one of many terms we hear these days. Not only is there a lot of misinformation and misunderstanding there is a common belief that they are interchangeable and that the investors and operators only need to choose which one to use. This panel will provide the definitive answers. Most of what you think you know is probably wrong.   

    The L3C as an Engine of Economic & Alternative Energy Development - Chuck Hegberg, John Heiss, Martha Paschal, Michael Zimmer, Kellogg Moderator - Bonbright Room
World economic crisis has underscored that nonprofit development strategies may have to change in order to assure sustainability.  Economic crisis in the U.S specifically, is driving state and local entrepreneurial thinking about economic development and solutions in a whole new way. Panelists with economic development experience will discuss Alternative Energy Development as a viable new resource for economic development.

    Starting the L3C and Need for a Business Plan- Sara Brenner, Sander Davies, Scott Whitaker, Kellogg Moderator - James Room
Your passion for a social mission is great.  But your L3C has a “business bottom line.” How do you make sure that your planning will support your passion? How will you be sustainable? Let some superb business plan experience show you how.

Tuesday June 7, 2011:

9:45 - 11:15
    The L3C: From Hypothetical to Reality - Dr. Erin Albert, Dr. Antony Page, Roxanne Phen - Hinman Auditorium
Erin will present the story of a couple of  L3Cs, real and hypothetical, particularly in health care. Prof. Page is going to talk about Ben & Jerry's, their supposed need to sell out and what WOULD have happened if it was a L3C. Roxanne will present her paper entitled, The Future of Philanthropy - Hybrid Social Venture, which will be available to all attendees of the conference. She will specifically speak about the L3Cs included in her paper.

    L3C Legal Structure - Cass Brewer, Marc Lane, Michael Martin, Elizabeth Minnigh, John Tyler - Bonbright Room
The L3C is a business structure requiring legal organization.  How is the  L3C structure different from other structures?  Why are the differences and the required elements so important?  A panel of attorneys with exceptional  L3C knowledge and professional experience.  If you are an attorney intending to add  L3C organization to your practice offerings, you may want to consider this session.

    L3Cs Operating or Under Construction - Dave Bright, Rob Bryan, Philip Fisher, Chris Miller, Michael Moreland, John Plunkett, Kellogg Moderator- James Room
They will tell the story of their L3Cs which are already in business and one just getting underway. Anyone wanting to know the issues, challenges, opportunities, frustrations, and celebrations of implementing an L3C business format may want to include this panel in your schedule. Great people. Great stories. Great wisdom.

11:30 - 1:00
    Donor Advised Funds. New Market Tax Credits, Etc. - Ed Briscoe, Mike Hurley, Ben Valore Caplan, Ira Weinstein, Kellogg Moderator - Hinman Auditorium
Innovative business strategies can be additionally intriguing when linked with new potential finance options. Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are considered yet another innovative finance strategy for L3Cs. The panel includes a team of experts at creating and using DAFs. Learn how this relatively unknown vehicle can replace the foundation for the PRI piece of an L3C. New Market Tax Credits (NMTC) were created in the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 to encourage development and revitalization of low-income areas in the U. S. and its Territories. NMTCs and L3C s were designed with the same desire to empower social benefit in our most impoverished communities. Panelists are financial investment professionals who bring significant experience in financing community development projects.

    An L3C Project in Depth: A Deep Look at Endless Sky L3C - Peggy Grimes, Robert Lang, Elizabeth Minnigh, Rob Wexler, Kellogg Moderator - Bonbright Room
Endless Sky is a work in progress which when completed will provide much of the food distributed by the Montana Food Bank Network at little or no cost to the Montana Food Bank Network. Learn all the details of how this is going to fit together including funding and operations.

2:30 - 4:00   
      Implementing Cost-Effective and Profitable PR, Web & Social Media Strategies - Malcolm Arnold, Robin Cohn, Sally Duros - Hinman Auditorium 
How to tactically and strategically evaluate, implement and integrate technologies with socially good endeavors ranging from individuals and guerrilla startups to enterprises. What images will your L3C project to your market?  How will you communicate that image and build a network for both your business and your social benefit at the viral level that the 21st century demands? The panelists are a wealth of great information and experience.

      MRIs, SRIs, ReThink Impact, Dealing With Foundations - John Andews, Michael Moreland, John Tyler, Ben Valore-Caplan, Kellogg Moderator- Bonbright Room
Want to ask a foundation for an investment in your L3C? In order to finance an L3C one needs to understand just what they are asking for and how to go about it. But even with that knowledge the task can be daunting. ReThink Impact is a new IT platform designed to take some of the pain out of the ask - make a really good pitch once and have it seen by lots of potential investors.

    How to Pass State L3C Legislation/Update on Federal Legislation -  Jason George, Senator Jim Jacumin, Robert Lang, Andrew Schultz, Senator Heather Steans, Kellogg Moderator- James Room
L3Cs are legal in every state. But many would prefer to form the L3C in their own state. How can you get L3C legislation passed in your state. What is the process to move from desire to done? Hear from legislators who have done it. This panel has tremendous experience and some great “war” stories. There is much talk about a federal bill. What is it and when is it coming?

4:15 - 5:45   
          Logistics of the L3C in the Marketplace - John Tyler, Rob Wexler, Kellogg Moderator - Hinman Auditorium
This panel will cover some interesting myths and ideas such as why it is a red herring to worry about L3Cs making "too much money," why hybrids generally should not receive tax favored treatment simply because of their form, why L3Cs operate in and are subject to the market and its forces/disciplines, why there should not be added layers of regulatory oversight that hamper such operations, and why L3Cs can/should be used as a path through "creative destruction" rather than a barrier against it.

          The L3C as a Financial Vehicle - Robert Lang, Martha Paschal, John Van Camp, Kellogg Moderator - Bonbright Room
The L3C has significant potential in the MicroFinance space, particularly as MicroFinance moves into the poorest areas of the US. There have been proposals for an L3C bank. An L3C mortgage company has been formed and partially funded. Share your thoughts on the potential.
International L3C Funding - Michael Moreland, John Simon, Arthur Wood, Kellogg Moderator - James Room
Interestingly, international L3C support and implementation is proceeding with exponential interest. Experience in innovative philanthropic and social impact investing all make this an exceptional panel. Very different L3Cs are being investigated substantively outside the U.S., and the L3C model is considered an innovative new way to sustain business driven by social impact.

The panelists and panels listed are as of May 25, 2011. They are subject to change between now and the conference.

Entertainment

Pauley the Clown - From Circus Mojo L3C will provide us with entertainment on Tuesday while telling us the story of how Circus Mojo helps adults and children or as they say in the circus business children of all ages.

Book Signings

Erin Albert
Storm Cunningham
Marc Lane

Monday Night  Banquet

W are planning a banquet for Monday night the 6th of June. We think you will find it a unique opportunity to meet many of your fellow attendees and panelists.

Conference Goals

The L3C is still in its infancy. It is just becoming a word in our vocabulary and the potential of the concept is just beginning to be explored. Unlike well established conferences where all the participants consider themselves part of the same affinity group we are still defining our group. The attendees will come from many walks of life and we hope it will be a learning experience for all.

The conference will rely heavily on interaction with the audience. We know there are thousands of questions and the only way you will get them answered is to be able to ask them. Many of our panels are structured more as discussion groups rather than lectures. We do not have all the answers and want to learn from you.

Exhibit Space

We have a limited number of exhibit tables available in the common space outside the breakout rooms. We are able to make it available for $100 per table for the length of the conference. If you want a chance to tell your story all day both days this is your opportunity. You may register above for a table.

Hotel

Our conference will be held entirely within the Hilton Orrington in Evanston Illinois a little north of Chicago.

Rate
We have procured a special rate of $134 per night for conference attendees. DEADLINE FOR BOOKING ROOMS - May 25, 2011.

Room Reservation Procedure
Attendees should make their own reservations. Reservations can be made by calling Hilton Central Reservations at 1-800-HILTONS (1-800-445-8667). Please identify yourselves as being with the L3C A to Z Conference to receive the group rate. To confirm a guest reservation, Hilton Orrington/Evanston requires a guarantee of the first night’s room rate and tax, which may be provided by credit card. This also guarantees the reservation for late arrival.

Reservations may be cancelled without penalty provided that the hotel is notified a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the confirmed arrival date, by 3:00PM, CST.

Reservations may also be made online: www.orringtonevanston.hilton.com.

The on-line booking code for the workshop is “L3C.” Please enter it in the area that asks for a “Group/ Convention Code”.

For additional conference information or questions

Karen Woods: (231) 578-0905
Janice Lang: (914) 248-8443

http://www.americansforcommunitydevelopment.org