February 2, 2023

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, 

Happy February and Black History Month! I hope that you are all enjoying the cold, clear weather. 

Since 1976, Black History Month has celebrated the contributions of Black Americans to our communities throughout the country. I’d encourage all nonprofit employees to learn more about the Black Oregonians who have done so much to shape the advancement of our state across all sectors of work. There is so much to celebrate and commend year-round and this is a great time to start or continue celebrating and supporting Black communities throughout the state. Please check out the events and celebrations in your communities this month – additionally, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History is hosting a virtual festival with author talks, panel discussions, and more. Most events are free. For more information visit Black History Month Virtual Festival Schedule – ASALH – The Founders of Black History Month. Please take time to learn more about the significant contributions of Black Oregonians. 

Last week, NAO conducted our annual meeting of our membership and followed that with a Day of Learning. Thank you for all who attended! We also launched the legislative coalition to support SB606, the “Nonprofit Modernization Act.” It was great to see so much enthusiasm for the work that we are partnered on with the Northwest Health Foundation to move forward this session. For those of you that missed the launch, you can view the recording here.

This piece of legislation is going to be critical to make substantive changes in the way that the public sector in Oregon partners with the nonprofit sector. The three key provisions in the bill are: 

1. Creation of a $40 million “Nonprofit Employee Retention Fund” to be available to nonprofits that receive contracts or grants from the State as a means to keep their staff during this employment crisis.
2. Create a Task Force of government agencies and nonprofits to study the challenges and suggest solutions to the current procurement and granting mechanisms and processes used by the State. 
3. Make immediate, urgent fixes to several critical areas such as administrative rates and ensuring that the State pays its bills on time.   

This work is essential to make happen this session. We already are tracking bills in the Oregon legislative session that will actually layer more burdensome requirements on top of nonprofits so the time is now to set a new standard of how the Government and Nonprofits partner to do the important work of our communities. Please sign your nonprofit on to SB606. You simply need to click this form and sign the letter. You can also join us for monthly updates throughout the session by registering here.

Stay healthy and be safe,

Jim White

NAO Executive Director

Nonprofit News

Project Impact Southern Oregon – Starts March 13

NAO is partnering with Dialogues in Action on an Impact Evaluation cohort for nonprofits in Southern Oregon. 

Project Impact is Dialogues in Action’s signature evaluation project designed to build the capacity of social sector leaders to design and implement meaningful, useful, and credible evaluations of their impact. It brings together teams of leaders from a variety of organizations to learn with and from each other over the course of 6-8 months.

Project Impact Southern Oregon is designed not only to produce credible findings about impact, but to build durable habits of evaluation within organizations. We believe that capacity is developed over time and through iteration. It requires both instruction and practice – training in some of the leading techniques of research accompanied by ongoing applications and practice. The best evaluation strategies are iterative, and so we will design and test strategies, and then return to design further. We recognize the power of partnership, the enrichment of cross-pollination of ideas among like-minded organizations, the durable impact of a learning community, and the potential inspiration for a sector when exemplars are developed and elevated. These are the ingredients that make Project Impact effect lasting change in your nonprofit. 

NAO is proud to partner with DIA to bring this amazing learning cohort to Southern Oregon! Registration is open now – to register or learn more visit here Upcoming Cohorts — Dialogues In Action.If you have additional questions, please email Jessamyn Luiz at [email protected]

At the Federal Level

USG Asking for Comment on Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards

The federal government is asking for feedback on whether a Middle Eastern and North African category should be added to U.S. federal surveys and censuses, as well as changes to how Hispanic individuals are able to self-identify. Public comments are due on April 12. The Initial Proposals For Updating OMB's Race and Ethnicity Statistical Standards can be found at the Office of Management and Budget, published in the Federal Register on Jan. 27, 2023. This article is also useful to gain background on the importance of these new distinctions; New US race, ethnicity standards proposed; first since ’97, Mike Schneider, AP, Jan. 26, 2023.

NAO Conference

NAO Webinars

Board Bright: Governance Roles & Responsibilities

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

In this 90-minute webinar, participants will learn about the fundamentals of nonprofit governance and gain an understanding of the board’s role in the management of the organization. This webinar is part of NAO’s Board Bright Series – a quarterly board training designed for emerging and seasoned board members alike, and anyone else looking for a governance refresh. Free to NAO members! More details and registration information here.

2023 Annual Nonprofit GAAP and Form 990 Update

February 15, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Presenter: Gary McGee, CPA, Gary McGee & Co. LLP

This session will review the many accounting challenges affecting nonprofit organizations in the current environment; Gary McGee will walk through the new and proposed accounting standards and how they will impact nonprofit entities in the future. Topics include Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance and projects specific to nonprofit organizations, other applicable FASB guidance that will affect nonprofits, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) accounting and auditing activities. More details and registration information here.

Guidance for Leadership: Creating an Equitable Workplace

February 16, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Aaron Spriggs, Construct The Present

At the peak of the racial justice uprising following George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s murders, many nonprofit leaders were called to rethink what racial justice means for their organizations. At the same time, public discourse was critical of leaders who implemented changes through trial-and-error, causing harm to staff and the health of their organization. What does impactful racial equity look like in practice? To understand racial equity and work towards true social change, we will start this session by creating a shared understanding of what this means. Then, we will move on to cover how to implement inclusive strategies in all aspects of your work, from hiring processes, to accountability and equity for an inclusive workplace, and finally to opportunities for upward mobility. More details and registration information here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 until Spring 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)