Maine Connectivity Authority’s Post

The European Commission has confirmed that the current VCT scheme can continue unchanged. This decision ensures that VCTs can continue offering their current tax reliefs until 5 April 2035. “This is excellent news for investors and businesses as it provides certainty that VCTs can continue to support the UK’s small and ambitious companies. This confirms the continuation of VCTs’ key role in providing funding and support to the UK’s smaller businesses, a key driver of economic growth." says our Chief Executive Richard Stone. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eS6y8Kin Annabel Brodie-Smith Vanessa Booth Nick Britton, CFA, MCSI Nick Gardner Juliet Webber Venture Capital Trust Association (VCTA) #investmenttrusts #investmentcompanies #investing #vcts #vct #venturecapital

As 2025 approaches, it’s time to plan for a record-breaking year—the good news: with the right SPIF strategy in place, you can focus on your goals now and actually enjoy the holidays. To help your team get off to a great start and exceed their goals, Let's talk about BI Worldwide’s self-funded SPIF program that has consistently delivered results 33%–40% above baseline. #salesincentive #behavioraleconomics #SPIF

With 26 states now requiring their #highschool students to take a #personalfinance course to graduate, it’s essential that states carefully and thoughtfully work through the effective implementation of these class requirements. Many school districts and education leaders are considering the best option.   A concerning case of implementation challenges recently arose in Oregon (https://shorturl.at/jJ620), where the state board of education considered embedding #financialeducation into another course versus a stand-alone offering. The vote to offer the stand-alone class in Oregon did pass, but not without initial resistance. https://lnkd.in/g-kXW38K   Embedding the material into another course could lead to rushed instruction, but of more concern, it dilutes the standards and leads to inequitable dissemination of the material. This is a disservice to students who are not provided with the full value of the requirement.   My latest blog for NEFE explores these implementation challenges: Respect Legislative Intent with Youth Financial Education Requirements (nefe.org)

⚡ State-level dual enrollment RFP alert!⚡ The College in High School Alliance is releasing a Request for Proposals to recruit seven states over a two-year period to form the Next Phase of Dual Enrollment Policy Cohort, and receive technical assistance and funding to support those states in setting a statewide vision for dual enrollment, closing access gaps for rural students and one other state-identified student population, and deploying policy to provide students with more intentional dual enrollment experiences. Check this out if you represent a governor’s office, state education agency, higher education governing authority, public system of higher education (two or four year), career and technical education agency, or similar organization! 👉 Check out the RFP: https://lnkd.in/eUMhdTAc

NEW: CCSSO’s latest Road to Recovery report examines how states invested ESSER funds in career and college advising, work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials and other postsecondary and career-readiness opportunities. Read more here: bit.ly/48edQqh #StatesLeading

How can enrollment managers and financial aid professionals navigate FAFSA delays alongside economic and demographic challenges? RNL's new report provides essential metrics and benchmarks to help you manage discount rates, net revenue, student need, and more. 🔍 What's inside? ✔ Impact of FAFSA status on yield ✔ Discount rate and net revenue metrics ✔ FAFSA completion rates, average gift awards, and need met by aid ✔ Yield and melt rates ✔ Detailed breakdowns by institution type, region, and more Download it now: https://bit.ly/4drg6Mi

Inside Higher Ed shares a new report advocating for expanding credit for prior learning (CPL). Read seven actions #highered institutions can take to support this initiative. Check out ACE’s CPL matrix tool for college and university administrators to explore where along a spectrum they are in each of the three key areas that support sustained CPL policy and practice <https://ow.ly/PkeU50RRtrz>. https://ow.ly/O6MV50RRtiv

Only a few weeks left to get your early bird tickets! The IEEPS is the premier estate planning education seminar in the Inland Empire. Now celebrating its 45th year, the IEEPS offers regional and national estate and financial planning professionals the opportunity to engage with top speakers from around the nation while learning about the most current topics in estate planning. Get your ticket today and attend virtually or in-person. https://lnkd.in/dixWC_tX #ieeps #ieestateplanningseminar #estateplanning #estateplanner #estateattorney #estateplanningforfamilies #estateplanninglawyer

What a privilege to speak at CPAC 2024, where Australians from across the country came together to reflect on the idea that values matter. It’s a theme that resonated throughout the event. It’s easy to take values like security, freedom, and prosperity for granted, but at CPAC, these principles were at the heart of every discussion—and they are more crucial now than ever before. I highlighted two pressing issues: the destructive impact of renewable energy policies that are tearing Australian communities apart, and ADVANCE’s campaign to expose the Greens for what they have become—an extreme left-wing group pushing policies that threaten Australia's way of life. One of the highlights of the conference for me was meeting some of the extraordinary supporters of ADVANCE. These people are the lifeblood of ADVANCE, and I want to share a few stories that had a lasting impact on me. First, I spoke with a businessman who shared his journey to success—success that was made possible by the freedoms and opportunities Australia offers. His story was a powerful reminder of what this country can achieve when we safeguard the conditions for personal growth and enterprise. I also had the honour of speaking with a Hungarian Jewish Holocaust survivor. Her story was deeply moving and underscored the importance of standing firm against anti-Semitism in all its forms. Disturbingly, these prejudices are being emboldened by the Greens and their supporters. Her words were a wake-up call for all of us to defend the security, dignity, and respect that should define our nation. Finally, I spoke with mainstream Australians who are struggling under the burden of renewables over their livelihoods, particularly as the cost of living continues to soar. Labor must stop making regional communities bear the financial and environmental costs of renewables. All the stories I heard at CPAC serve as a clear reminder of the need to defend values that benefit all Australians, not just a select few. For me, CPAC 2024 was a stark reminder of why we must not remain silent. Australia is at a crossroads, and now is the time to stand up for our democracy and the values that underpin it—before it’s too late. https://lnkd.in/gt3usTPU

TOMORROW @ 11:30 AM EST: Are you looking to maximize student success and effectively evaluate program ROI? Register for our upcoming webinar where district leaders will share practical examples of evaluating programs purchased through #ESSER funds. https://hubs.ly/Q02wPjWD0