Dear Colleagues and Supporters, | |
February is Black History Month and at NAO we want to recognize and celebrate the diversity of the organizations in our nonprofit sector, including the incredible Black-serving organizations that do so much such as Albina Vision Trust, Y.O.U.TH PDX, and NAACP Eugene-Springfield. We know how important representation is, and we will always recognize and celebrate the diversity in our communities, including Black History Month. Our history is rooted in Black History and is not something we will deny, no matter the circumstances. | |
|
|
The last few weeks have been tumultuous in the actions coming out of Washington, DC. Executive Orders are being signed at all hours, and Executive Actions are being taken that have fundamentally disrupted essential programs to ALL Americans: Black, Brown and White, citizen and immigrant, rural and urban, straight and Queer, Republican and Democrat. As we’ve previously reported, federal funding was frozen to all programs and then that order was blocked (and theoretically rescinded by OMB). Nonprofits have been working overtime to make sense of the impact it may all have on the sector, and they continue to provide services even though some federal funding is still frozen or portals for drawing down payments are unresponsive.
NAO has been tracking all the proposed changes closely and we’ve been working diligently with our national partners to get information out as quickly and accurately as possible. We know that currently many federal portals are still frozen, and several Head Start programs are having issues accessing funding. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is still shuttered and funding is still frozen despite the lawsuit filed by the National Council of Nonprofits and several co-signers being granted by a US District Court Judge in Washington, D.C. We are also aware that several nonprofits that work with the Department of Homeland Security on immigrant support programs have had their funding cut off.
Additionally, late yesterday, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo stating that the Department of Justice will begin investigating the private sector and educational institutions that receive federal funding for “illegal DEI and DEIA preferences, mandates, policies, programs and activities.” We will keep an eye on this memo and the impact it could have on the nonprofit sector.
I know this feels overwhelming, but there are actions you can take to buffer your nonprofit as well as help us challenge several of these orders and actions that are illegal and/or unconstitutional. Keep checking out our constantly updated FAQ sheet that has current information and practical tips on what you can do now. Please also, reach out to us if you are experiencing issues with funding portals being down or are otherwise impacted by the EOs that have been issued. If you can share your stories by emailing news@nonprofitoregon.org, we can continue to work on the issues that are most critical to our sector.
Additionally, if you are an NAO member, you are automatically an affiliate member of the National Council of Nonprofits (NCN). This means that not only do you have access to the benefits of your NAO membership, but you also have access to benefits and advocacy being done on behalf of the nonprofit sector through NCN. We have already been able to connect several organizations with NCN to help have their stories heard and to be included in the lawsuit that NCN has worked on to stop the federal funding freeze. If you are not a member of NAO, I encourage you to become one. We are here to support the sector the best we can, and while we provide a lot of information directly to anyone signed up on our mailing list, there are also member-only benefits that go beyond what we provide to all.
I can commit to you, that NAO will continue to be at the forefront of analyzing, communicating to you, and where appropriate, calling out illegality of the actions being taken by the new administration. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Keep doing the work you do. Our communities need you now more than ever.
| |
|
Jim White
NAO’s Executive Director
| |
TOMORROW: Executive Actions and Their Impact on Charitable Nonprofits | |
|
Join our colleagues at NCN for a one-hour webinar tomorrow, February 7, at 12 p.m. (Pacific Time) to learn more about EOs that directly or indirectly impact charitable nonprofits and the latest legal challenges.
The last couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for many nonprofits, from the more than 100 Executive Orders (EOs) issued by President Trump to the confusion about the funding freeze ordered in a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). While a judge granted an Administrative Stay in the case filed by the National Council of Nonprofits and others, and OMB rescinded the memo, the EOs are still in effect, and charitable nonprofits with federal grants are still feeling the impact of these decisions.
| |
|
In preparation for an overwhelming interest in this webinar, please only click the link to register for the live event if you plan to view it live. If you don't anticipate being able to join live, please register to receive the recording so we can keep as many live lines available as possible. | |
NAO is launching a drive this month to get as many nonprofits and individuals as possible to endorse its letter to state leaders supporting the passage of the Oregon Nonprofit Grant and Contract Modernization Act, Senate Bill 602. Oregon nonprofits and individuals have until February 28 to sign. Senate Bill 602 is currently in the Senate Rules Committee. A hearing has not been scheduled yet. | |
|
In other news, there have been a handful of bills introduced that are not nonprofit friendly. If these bills pass, they will require nonprofits to submit annual reports to the legislature, open their board meetings to the public, and subject themselves to public records requests. One particular bill targeted Oregon Food Bank by requiring the nonprofit to undergo a legislative audit of its political activities. The proposed bill is not in compliance with federal IRS laws governing nonprofit political activities. NAO offered testimony in opposition to this bill. The emergence of these bills is troubling, especially given some of the antagonism towards nonprofits at the national level. NAO will continue to track these bills for you – all nonprofits in Oregon. We will hopefully dissuade our legislature from moving forward with any bills that are detrimental to our sector. | |
|
LAST CHANCE!
Send a Message to the 119th Congress: Nonprofits are not to be ignored.
| |
|
After a slew of presidential executive orders and actions these past two weeks, it is clear that the voice of the nonprofit sector needs to be heard at the federal level. There is much at stake for charitable nonprofits as the 119th Congress gets busy on tax and spending priorities. Lawmakers will decide on momentous policies that can have a profound impact – positive or negative – on the ability of local organizations to improve lives, strengthen communities, and advance the public good. We encourage you to join with NAO in signing the Nonprofit Community Letter to ensure Representatives and Senators understand the importance and impact of charitable organizations to their constituents and communities.
Tomorrow is the deadline to sign this letter.
| |
|
Just a reminder – NAO continues to update our website to keep you informed on the latest developments coming out of Washington, D.C. These updates include the Executive Orders (EOs) and Executive Actions (EAs), along with a page dedicated to frequently asked questions about these different orders and actions. Make sure to bookmark this page so you can keep track of the changes as NAO adds updates. | |
|
We look forward to having you at a NAO-hosted event this month. If you aren’t a member yet, consider joining today to enjoy the lowest prices and exclusive member-only events happening!
Note sessions marked with an asterisk (*) are Network Pass eligible!
| |
|
Are you a nonprofit professional seeking to improve fundraising strategies for future campaigns? If you or a colleague would benefit from learning, join us for the second annual Nonprofit Fundraising Summit in Eugene on Thursday, February 27.
We’re excited to kick off the Summit with a plenary featuring Anne Murphy, Founder & CEO of Empowered Fundraiser; Tristan Penn, Equity and Accountability Director at NTEN; and Samhir Vasdev, Founder of Dev Design! They will discuss ethical AI tool usage to improve donor engagement, streamline fundraising processes, enhance grant writing effectiveness, and more.
NAO’s Nonprofit Fundraising Summit features three tracks for fundraisers of various development programs, budgets, and experience levels: foundational (for small/rural nonprofits), intermediate (for midsize nonprofits), and specialized (for large nonprofits).
Registrations submitted after Monday, February 17, will incur a $50 late fee. Registration will close on Friday, February 21, at 5 p.m.
| | | |
|
February 11 (Virtual)* – 2025 Annual Nonprofit GAAP & Form 990 Update: This session reviews several accounting challenges affecting nonprofits and auditors. We’ll walk through new and proposed accounting standards, lessons learned from standards that have already been implemented, and common mistakes when filing Form 990. This training qualifies for 2.4 CPE credits.
The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
February 12 (Portland)* – It’s All in the Roots: Cultivating a Healthy Organizational Ecosystem: This session explores cultivating a supportive environment to prevent burnout and foster growth and well-being like a flourishing garden. We will examine servant leadership as an effective model for leaders to act as stewards of their organizations. By adopting this, leaders ensure their teams are supported, inspired, and able to continue impactful work.
February 12 (Bend)* – COPEing Your Communications: Create Once, Publish Everywhere to Save Time and Maximize Impact: Scaling your communication efforts can be daunting. This session introduces the COPE method, a highly effective strategy for nonprofits to create content once and repurpose it for targeted distribution across various channels.
February 13 (Virtual) – Affinity Group for Executive Directors of Color Leading Small, Emerging Nonprofits: As nonprofit leaders, we understand the importance of healthy communities for various needs. Building connections with like-minded individuals is essential for sustainable wellness in personal and professional lives. NAO simplifies investing in your care by offering opportunities to connect with a small group (8-12) of inspiring leaders. Join us for a free series of virtual gatherings.
February 18 (Virtual)* – Getting to What Matters: How to Evaluate and Communicate Your Impact: Those who work with people need ways to prove and enhance their impact. We need data to demonstrate our effectiveness and improve it. Often, we rely on anecdotes and superficial metrics that overlook meaningful aspects of progress. We require better evaluation methods and communication strategies to convey our impact. This presentation will help us prove and improve our impact.
February 19 (Springfield)* – Collaborative Governance: Strengthening the Board Chair-Executive Director Partnership: The relationship between a Board Chair and Executive Director can drive an organization’s success or create challenges. This session offers a rubric to understand their partnership, emphasizing best practices, communication strategies, team-building ideas, and ways to manage difficulties within it.
February 19 (Portland)* – Grounded in our Values: Navigating Conflict to Build Belonging: Our approach to conflict impacts staff well-being and workplace culture. In this interactive training, participants will understand the thoughts and emotions that influence conflict navigation. Participants will also gain skills to effectively work through conflict and foster a culture of belonging.
February 20 (Corvallis)* – Treasurer Training: Understanding Nonprofit Accounting: Join us for training designed specifically for nonprofit treasurers to enhance financial oversight skills. This session covers nonprofit accounting fundamentals. Participants will learn to read financial statements, ask insightful questions, collaborate with bookkeepers, and present effectively to boards. Whether new or experienced, you’ll gain tools and knowledge to manage your organization’s finances confidently.
February 20 (Portland) – Affinity Group for BIPOC Women in Nonprofit Leadership: Nonprofit leadership is challenging, especially for BIPOC women, due to unique experiences that increase workload. Investing in wellness is vital for sustainable service to our communities. This affinity group helps build capacity by connecting women in a safe space to share experiences and collaborate on personal and professional growth strategies. Each session fosters community, offering opportunities to re-energize and inspire one another.
| |
Jobs in Oregon's Nonprofit Sector | |
|
On-site Jobs:
Hybrid Jobs:
Remote Job:
| |
Is your organization hiring? Post to NAO's job board, and you'll have your listing seen by many mission-driven individuals ready to make a difference. Our members receive $50 off a 30-day listing! | |
Thank You Sponsors and Funders! | |
We couldn't do our work without our sponsors! We are so grateful for their support of NAO and Oregon's nonprofit sector. | | | | |
