February 16, 2023

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, 

I hope that you are all enjoying the final(?) days of winter as we start to get signs around the state of the coming spring. Where I live, the sun is shining on crisp, cold frost but the robins have already arrived and the daffodils have begun to poke out of the ground. While the air outside is chilly, the action is red hot inside our capital building. The Oregon legislative session is in full swing now. I just gave my first testimony of the session on Tuesday and it’s always an exhilarating experience (at least for me). Whether you are new to advocacy or an old hand at it, the experience is like no other. I admit that I always get butterflies when I testify; not so much that I am concerned about speaking to our legislators; rather more about being right there in the midst of the action as the bills are considered and debated.

 

I was testifying in favor of SB159, which would create a preference for charitable nonprofits on competing with for profits when the state is procuring for public use goods or services. Our logic in supporting this bill is to that the funds that the state contracts through nonprofits always stay in the public realm, rather than being distributed in profits to owners and shareholders. This bill was introduced in response to many of the concerns raised by nonprofits for years regarding the difficulties they face in meeting requirements through the ORPIN and now Oregon Buys systems. The scales are specifically tipped in favor of for-profit companies and we’re hoping to rebalance the scales.

 

We also have Phillip Kenndey-Wong, NAO’s Public Policy Director down in Salem pretty much every day now, talking to legislators, tracking their intent behind bills and generally keeping an eye on what’s good and what’s potentially bad for the sector. As expected, he’s already turned up some less-than-desirable ideas that have been written into bills. The ubiquitous “nonprofits need to be required to follow public meetings and public records requirements like a government” bill is back. And there is a new bill this session that would require any nonprofit that receives funding from the government to be audited and that the audit must be implemented by an out-of-state auditor. (Huh?) More on that one as Phillip digs into it.

 

So, just letting you all know that we’re watching out for the sector and trying to move forward systems-changing legislation like SB606 - the Nonprofit Modernization Act - which if you haven’t yet, please sign on. We’re scheduled to hold a Legislative Coalition call today, so tune in. The link to join is here. And if you are an NAO member (what... you’re not? Let’s remedy that here!) Please join us on February 24th for the first State Legislative Briefing where Phillip will go over what we’ve learned about the bills I just mentioned and a whole lot more.

 

Also, if you are a living far from Salem, I want to remind you that you can testify virtually. I testified on Tuesday from my kitchen table! If you are not feeling super confident in how to do any of this and you are a rural nonprofit, we would like help you build the tools and systems to advocate for the mission you are serving. We are recruiting for a cohort to participate in a series of sessions that will build your internal capacity and skills on advocacy. Please reach out to us directly to learn more. Please know that seating is limited for this cohort so let us know if you are interested.

Stay healthy, be safe and get your voices heard, 


Jim White

NAO Executive Director

Nonprofit News

Conversations with Funders 


Our friends at the Oregon Cultural Trust announced that their “Conversations with Funders” series would begin in Portland on February 28 and end in Redmond on March 16! This seven-stop series – with a virtual option scheduled for March 1 – will inform grant seekers about funding programs available with the opportunity to discuss their projects and programming.


Grant seekers will have 20 minutes to visit with funders at their hosted table each throughout the event- it's like speed dating for funders!


Location and dates: Portland (2/28), Virtual (3/1), Astoria (2/3), Eugene (3/6), Coos Bay (3/8), Medford (3/10), Pendleton (3/14), and Redmond (3/16).


Funders include: The Oregon Community Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Collins Foundation, Autzen Foundation, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, Roundhouse Foundation, Lane Arts Council, Wildhorse Foundation, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Bend Cultural Tourism Fund and Portland’s Regional Arts & Culture Council (Portland only); and much more!


Although these sessions are FREE, participants are encouraged, but not required, to register for a location of choice. Registration is required for the virtual option. For location details and schedule, click here.

At the State Level

Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act: Monthly Legislative Coalition Meetings

 

Join NAO every third Thursday of the month until June 15 to get the latest legislative information on Senate Bill 606, ideas on things your nonprofit do to help pass the bill, and an opportunity to learn about how legislative campaigns are organized by being an active participant! Registration is free. Click here to register!

 

State Legislative Briefing

 

On February 24, NAO will host a free virtual State Legislative Briefing for our members. Get the latest inside scoop on the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session from NAO’s Public Policy Director Phillip Kennedy-Wong. Bring your questions about the legislature. No question off limits! Topics covered include the state budget, the most recent revenue forecast, the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act, bills of interest to the nonprofit sector, political rumors, and much more. More details and registration information here.

At the Federal Level

50-State Index


new report from the Philanthropy Roundtable purports to rank the states based on an arbitrary assessment of how reasonable or unreasonable their “charity regulations” appear to be. Collogues at sector-spanning organizations like the National Council of Nonprofits have voiced multiple concerns, not the least of which is that the organization – which is a specific philanthropic lobby groups, is pushing harmful donor secrecy legislation in many states across America. This is being done in an attempt to position themselves as the arbiter of what is in the best interests of charitable nonprofits.


The National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) issued a statement questioning the methodology and assumptions in the Philanthropy Roundtable report. The statement opens: “We are concerned that some of the information contained in the report about current state laws and rules may be incomplete. We at NAO encourage charitable nonprofits to either contact us or contact the Department of Justice Charitable Affairs Section here in Oregon if you have questions about specific laws or regulations in Oregon. You can read the full statement here: The NASCO Board responds to The 50-State Index of Charity Regulations, released by Philanthropy Roundtable.

NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities

NAO Conference

Join us for a two-day conference of immersive capacity building, leadership development, and networking in Ashland!

 

Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference returns in person this spring, and we hope to see you there! Session topics include government grant readiness, nonprofit advocacy, curating institutional memory, board management and more, including two roundtable opportunities for you to meet and connect with foundation representatives who support your work. 

ONLC details and registration here

NAO Webinars


OR Nonprofit Modernization Act: Monthly Legislative Coalition Meetings

February 16, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Join the coalition to pass the most consequential piece of legislation, Senate Bill 606, the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act, to the nonprofit sector in decades. Join us every third Thursday of the month until June 15 to get the latest legislative information on Senate Bill 606, ideas on things your nonprofit do to help pass the bill, and an opportunity to learn about how legislative campaigns are organized by being an active participant! Registration is free. More details and registration information here.


Communications Planning 101: Leveraging Communications to Achieve Organizational Goals

February 21, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Sophie Crumpacker, anat.

Whether your goal is to fundraise, engage participants or potential audiences, advance thought leadership, or advocate for policy change, employing the right communications strategy and tactics are key to your success. But creating a strategic communications plan can seem daunting. Join Sophie Crumpacker, Senior Account Executive with the full-service nonprofit communications firm anat., for a workshop to learn how to create an annual communications plan. More details and registration information here.


What Does Mindfulness Have To Do With Anti-Racism?

February 22, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Facilitators: Katharine Quince, Quince Consulting and Erica Briggs, NAO

Being a champion for justice and equity takes energy, compassion, and resilience. Mindfulness practices offer ways to build the inner strength needed to stay engaged in the work, grounded and connected. Informed by leaders and teachers such as Ruth King and Kristin Neff, this interactive workshop will explore how incorporating mindfulness into your personal and professional life can support you as a leader for equity and inclusion. You will be provided resources and instructions for easily accessible and trauma-informed practices and opportunities to engage in discussion and problem-solving with like-minded peers. More details and registration information here.


State Legislative Briefing (1) 

February 24, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Get the latest inside scoop on the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session from NAO’s Public Policy Director Phillip Kennedy-Wong. Bring your questions about the legislature. No question off limits! Topics covered include the state budget, the most recent revenue forecast, the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act, bills of interest to the nonprofit sector, political rumors and whole much more. This session is available to NAO members only. More details and registration information here.


Grant Writing: Keys to a Successful Foundation Proposal (Virtual Series)

March 2 – 23, 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Facilitator: Hannah Cortez, The Dotted i

Join us for this 4-part grant writing series tailored to foundation grants. This series will offer hands-on learning activities, peer networking, expert knowledge on grant readiness, grant research, proposal writing, and grant management. In addition to in-class instruction, participants will have weekly homework to deepen learning and have direct access to course trainers for feedback and support. More details and registration information here.


Making Meetings Work: Simple tools for better, more productive meetings

March 7, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Anna Young, Anna Young Consulting

Whether we work remotely or in-person, much of our time is spent in meetings. We often hear the complaint, “I couldn’t get any real work done today because I was in meetings the whole time.” Aren’t meetings designed to support the work we are trying to do, not obstruct it? In this webinar, we’ll explore these questions and focus on how to regain control of our meetings, whether we are showing up as organizers or attendees. Participants can expect to learn simple yet powerful tools that will make meetings of all sizes better and more productive. More details and registration information here.


Embedding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Organizational Transformation

March 8, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Jamila Dozier, MA, New Theory Consulting LLC

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies and practices in the workplace and how organizations can implement them to create a more inclusive work environment. Topics that will be covered include: Key elements of effective DEI policies, including anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies, recruitment and retention practices; best practices for developing and implementing DEI policies, from conducting a DEI audit and setting DEI goals to creating an accountability framework; and a range of DEI initiatives such as employee resource groups, unconscious bias training, and diversity and inclusion training programs. More details and registration information here.


Advocacy 201: Effective Strategies & Tools  

March 9, 10 – 11:30 a.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Ready to take your nonprofit’s public policy efforts to next level? This session is for nonprofit leaders already familiar with the IRS’s lobbying limits and want to learn how to strengthen your organization’s public policy program. You’ll learn the most effective structure and efficient processes that empower both staff and board. We’ll discuss the role of staff and board when formulating public policy positions and taking on supporting activities. The end result will be a strong foundation for your public policy program that clearly maximizes your organization’s strengths and stays true to your mission and public identity. This session is available to NAO members only. More details and registration information here.


Board Bright: Finance Fundamentals

March 14, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO

Join us for an overview of basic financial principles including board member responsibilities, understanding restrictions, reviewing your statements for key financial indicators, and internal controls. Please note that this webinar provides fundamentals-level overview that is most appropriate for new board members, emerging nonprofit leaders, or those looking for a refresh of the basics. Free to NAO members! More details and registration information here.


Sustaining Wellness While Doing DEI

March 15, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Erica Briggs, NAO

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work takes a mental and emotional toll on those charged with creating a psychologically safe and equitable organizational culture. Much of the ongoing work crosses departments, challenging both people and organizational policies and practices. As your organization advances its DEI efforts, it’s more important than ever to provide support to staff tasked with doing the labor. Participants will leave this session with insights and actionable takeaways to continue propelling DEI forward. This work is a constant process of strategic planning, implementation, assessment, and improvement, but sharing the opportunities and challenges will allow your organization to lighten the load while making the changes you want to see. More details and registration information here.


Demystifying Fiscal Sponsorship: What Sponsoring Organizations Should Consider

March 15, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Rosalie Westenskow, Nonprofit Law Northwest, LLC

Has your organization been approached to act as a fiscal sponsor? If so, this session will walk you through some important issues to consider before signing a fiscal sponsorship agreement (“FSA”). You will learn what questions to ask a potential sponsoree, different ways to structure an FSA, what fees you can charge as a sponsor, the types of services usually included in an FSA, and how to protect your own organization and tax-exempt status if you decide to become a sponsor. More details and registration information here.


Getting to Know Your Donors: Strategies for Email Personalization 

March 16, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Maura Paxton, Whole Whale

The magic of email is all in the fact that your donors invited you into their inboxes — but in return, they expect you to know who they are. Join us as we dive into ways to understand your donors better and use that information to create more effective campaign strategies. This webinar will cover: how to send effective surveys to your donors; the role of email personalization in your fundraising campaigns; the difference between first, second-, and third-party data and what that means for your email; and the current landscape of data privacy and the user demand for it. More details and registration information here.


OR Nonprofit Modernization Act: Monthly Legislative Coalition Meetings

March 16, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Join the coalition to pass the most consequential piece of legislation, Senate Bill 606, the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act, to the nonprofit sector in decades. Join us every third Thursday of the month until June 15 to get the latest legislative information on Senate Bill 606, ideas on things your nonprofit do to help pass the bill, and an opportunity to learn about how legislative campaigns are organized by being an active participant! Registration is free. More details and registration information here.


Seeking Fiscal Sponsorship: When, Why, and How Does it Help?

March 22, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Rosalie Westenskow, Nonprofit Law Northwest, LLC

Many new organizations consider using a fiscal sponsor to accept donations and grants before, or instead of, applying for their own 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This session describes the ins and outs of fiscal sponsorship agreements (“FSAs”) and will walk you through whether one is suitable for your organization. We will look at the benefits of FSAs and some common pitfalls, different ways to structure this agreement, particular issues that should be addressed, and other avenues to consider. If your organization is considering a fiscal sponsor, this presentation is for you! We'll help you decide whether to move forward and, if you do, give you tools to navigate that relationship better. More details and registration information here.


Board Bright: Engaging Your Board in Fundraising

April 11, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO

A well-prepared and passionate board is essential to successful fundraising. This 90-minute addition to the Board Bright series will provide strategies for setting your board up for fundraising success. Learn how to create fundraising expectations from the get-go, increase your board's understanding of the organization's revenue needs, find ways for everyone to play a role, and build board ambassadors for your cause. Free to NAO members! More details and registration here.


The Effective Board Treasurer: Understanding Roles, Responsibilities, and Good Standards

April 12, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Presenter: Erin Zollenkopf, Susan Matlack Jones & Associates

Whether you are a Treasurer, are interested in being a Treasurer, or are staff working with a Treasurer, understanding the responsibilities of this role and how it fits into the structure of an organization is essential for good governance and a sustainable, fiscally responsible nonprofit. Organizations can struggle when a Treasurer is inexperienced, unsupported, or doesn’t understand the unique quirks and challenges in the nonprofit sector. Setting up good systems and standards can help resolve this struggle and create a Treasurer position that is effective and fulfilling for the person serving in that role. More details and registration here.


The New, New Normal – Tools, Strategies, and Innovative Opportunities

April 13, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: David W. Altman, IPR Group

Events in the last three years have eclipsed recent thinking about nonprofit leadership and financial management strategies as most observers envision dramatic, rapid shifts for what might be termed the New, New Normal. In this session with David Altman, President of IPR Group, participants will explore innovative management strategies in response to changing economic conditions. More details and registration here.


Layered Security for Nonprofits

May 10, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Presenter: Ron Rothstein, SMB Technologies

Nonprofit organizations hold a lot of sensitive information – including financial records – that they need to keep safe and secure. Cyberattacks and breaches happen every day and nonprofits need to be prepared to apply the multi-layered security needed in order to prevent these events. In this session, you will learn about layered security, which is a network security approach that deploys multiple security controls to protect the most vulnerable areas of your technology environment where a breach or cyberattack could occur. More details and registration information here.


So Are You Latinx?: The Complexity of Language and How It Impacts Identity

May 17, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Cinthia Manuel, Autentica Consulting LLC

In this session, participants will learn the historical evolution of the terminology surrounding the terms Hispanics, Latin@s, Latinx, Latine, Chican@. In addition, this session will provide an opportunity to reflect on the various terms and how their evolution is related to oppression among individuals who identify as part of this historically underrepresented group. After this session, you will have historical background and vocabulary to help you have deeper conversations with the communities you serve, including your staff. More details and registration here.


State Legislative Briefing (2) 

May 19, 12 – 1 p.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Get the latest inside scoop on the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session from NAO’s Public Policy Director Phillip Kennedy-Wong. Bring your questions about the legislature. No question off limits! Topics covered include the state budget, the most recent revenue forecast, the Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act, bills of interest to the nonprofit sector, political rumors and whole much more. This session is available to NAO members only. More details and registration information here.

NAO Regional Networks (In-person*)

Want to connect with other nonprofit leaders in your area? Join us at a regional network in Bend, Corvallis, Medford, Portland or Eugene! NAO's regional network sessions are designed for nonprofit leaders, staff, board members, and volunteers. They are open to any nonprofit leader who wants to learn more about best practices while advancing their skills in nonprofit management, financial accountability, equity and inclusion.

 

Each network typically offers one session per month between September and June. See what’s coming up in a city nearest you, or sign up to receive region-specific promotions here.

 

Bend

Nonprofit Network of Central Oregon (NNCO)

 

Corvallis

Mid-Valley Nonprofit Network (MVNN)

 

Portland Metro – *NAO’s Portland Metro series will be held virtually via Zoom through May 2023. Anyone from across the state may now virtually participate in sessions from any of our three networks below:

Equity and Inclusions Leaders Network (EILN)

Nonprofit Fiscal Managers Network (NFMA)

Nonprofit Leaders Network (NLN)

 

Medford

Rogue Valley Nonprofit Network (RVNN)

 

Eugene

Lane County Nonprofit Network (LCNN)

If you have any questions or difficulties registering, contact NAO's Training team at [email protected].
Thank you to the following FUNDERS and SPONSORS who are supporting NAO’s online events and communications during these challenging times. Their support is vital in helping NAO to bring much-needed resources and information to Oregon’s nonprofits – thank you.
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