Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, |
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Well into the summer now I am heartened to see more and more out-of-office replies when I write to a number of you. That means you’re taking much needed breaks and keeping your own wellness in mind. I encourage all of you to be sure to take some time to rejuvenate and encourage your teams – both staff and volunteers – to do so. We can all only serve the public good if we have the stamina and the energy to do so!
Earlier this week, the Independent Sector released their latest 2021 Trust in Civil Society Report. Every year for the past three years, Independent Sector and Edelman Data & Intelligence have conducted this important research to take a deep dive into what Americans believe about civil society's trustworthiness, what kinds of demographic factors influence those beliefs, and what the broad deterioration of trust across the United States means for our sector’s ability to serve our communities.
There are some great findings in here that are important for nonprofit leaders to understand. Here are the top three highlights:
1. Institutional trust is declining – and nonprofits and philanthropy are not immune to this trend
Trust in all institutions is returning to pre-pandemic levels – including a small drop in trust in nonprofits and a much more significant decline for philanthropy.
2. Trust disparities deepen and align with broader social trends
Americans with lower incomes, lower levels of education, and residents of rural areas have less trust in the sector than their wealthier, more educated peers. The age gap also widened: Gen Z reported a significant trust decrease, while the oldest respondents increased.
3. Public confidence in the sector as a force for good remains
Americans’ expectations for the sector remain high – 84% of respondents said they were confident in the ability of nonprofits to strengthen American society, and 65% said the same of philanthropy.
As we rebuild from the pandemic and work to create a racially just and healthy society where every person can thrive, the data identify early opportunities and raise questions about obstacles we all need to navigate – no matter what our individual nonprofit’s mission might be.
Kudos to Dan Cardinali and the Team at Independent Sector for investing in this important research for all of us! I highly recommend you download, read and share this report with your Board, staff and volunteers.
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Stay healthy and be safe,
Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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On Tuesday, Governor Kate Brown briefed the public on the planned response to Oregon’s fire season. To watch this press conference, please see here.
Oregon OSHA has announced new outdoor labor rules following the deaths of workers in extreme heat in late June. They require employers to provide workers with water and shade as close to their worksite as possible, either in the open air or in a ventilated indoor space when temperatures hit 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They must also offer 10-minute breaks every two hours when temperatures hit 90 degrees. In addition, drinking water must be no warmer than 77 degrees and contain no caffeine. By August 1, Oregon OSHA will also require employers to train supervisors and workers in the aforementioned topics and recognizing symptoms of heat-related illnesses on the job. Employers must also develop plans to adapt workers to the heat.
These new rules are already in effect, please be aware that organizations doing any outdoor event have to follow them – this includes fundraisers, concerts, arts, farmers markets, and more.
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Senate Debate on Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
The Senate blocked an effort by Majority Leader Schumer to begin the debate on the bipartisan infrastructure bill. The vote, which needed support of 60 Senators, was 49 to 51 (with Schumer voting nay to preserve his procedural options). The Republican Senators negotiating the bipartisan legislation voted not to proceed, but emphasized that a deal is close and that they may support taking up the bill as early as next Monday. Senator Schumer may have lost the vote, but his move has been successful in speeding up the negotiations so that the Senate can act next week, which is his ultimate goal. It is unclear how the bipartisan bill will be paid for, or whether the ARPA state and local funds are safe from proposals to repurpose (clawback) those monies.
Nonprofit Policy Priorities
Yesterday afternoon our colleagues at the National Council of Nonprofits and Independent Sector sent the new Charitable Nonprofit Policy Priorities Letter to a few contacts in the White House, key staff for each of the congressional leaders, and via an e-blast to 1,657 staffers in House and Senate offices. The letter states: “Given our unique role of providing pandemic relief and economic recovery, we ask that Congress and the Administration enact a package of relief solutions tailored to the actual needs and realities of these organizations that, like you, are devoted to serving the public good.” Those solutions include:
- Nonprofit Jobs: Enactment of the WORK NOW Act, improvements to the Employee Retention Tax Credit, needed collection and reporting of nonprofit employment data; and
- Nonprofit Resources: Extend and expand the Universal Charitable Deduction, protecting the itemized charitable donation deduction, appropriation of emergency grant funds, and preservation of the ARPA state/local funds, and significant broadband investment.
For those of you that will want to sign on to this letter, they will be opening the letter up to all nonprofits soon. NAO will not only be signing, but also encourage all of you. Stay tuned for that next week.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities
NAO offers practical, affordable learning and convening programs in a variety of formats, including conferences, resource round-ups, informational sessions and mini-workshops through webinars, and deeper-dive learning through virtual learning cohorts. Please scroll through and sign-up today!
Convening
Reopening Roundtable: Corvallis
Tuesday, July 27, 1 – 3 p.m. | Hosted by: Jenn Clemo and Allison Adcox, NAO
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our organizations. There is much to consider and plan for as we bring staff back to the office, open our doors once again to the public, meet in-person with donors and funders, and deliver in-person programming. In this two-hour convening hosted by NAO, participants will discuss factors for an effective return to in-person work across three key areas: People & Facilities, Programs & Events, and Outreach & Communications. More details and registration information here.
Webinar
The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint Course
August 16 – October 18, 2021 | Presenter: Maryn Boess, GrantsMagic U
In this comprehensive, on-your-own-schedule video-based, course from GrantsMagic U, Maryn Boess pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to be successful in the grants world. With a new video released each week, you’ll learn hundreds of tried-and-tested tools, strategies, how-to's and "insider's tips" to take you to your next level of grants success no matter where you're starting out. NAO members receive $100 off registration! More details and registration information here.
Save the Date for These Fall Conferences!
High Desert Conference
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center
Redmond, OR
Eastern Oregon Nonprofit Conference
Thursday, October 14, 2021
Four Rivers Cultural Center
Ontario, OR
Planning for these day-long, in-person events is in full swing! NAO is working with local advisory groups on themes and content. More details will be available soon. In the meantime, save the date in your calendars so you don’t miss these amazing opportunities for skill-building and networking.
If you have any questions or difficulties registering, contact NAO's Training Program Coordinator at [email protected].
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Thank you to the following SUPPORTERS 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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FRIEND PLUS PARTNER SPONSORS |
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FOLLOW NAO ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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