Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, | |
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Seems like we’re in the “dog days of Spring” with lots of heat for us all. I hope that you’ve had some time to take in the blooming trees and flowers as you go about your important work in our communities.
The State of Oregon's economists released their revenue projection (second round this spring) yesterday morning. Some big takeaways include:
- Oregon is at or near full employment
- Baseline outlook is the soft landing, but recession risks remain real
- Migration is the key reason Oregon’s economy grows faster than the typical state. Our net migration has slowed and likely turned negative during the pandemic.
The forecast is slightly stronger than the March projection on personal income and corporate tax liabilities, meaning the state will have more funding available to spend on programs. The economists are predicting at least $1.9 billion more in tax and other revenues for the state over the next biennium above their March projections. It should also be noted that the economists show the state’s reserves as being “sizable” and that by the end of the current biennium (June 30th), there will be over $9 billion that the state has saved in reserve funds.
So, what does all this mean for nonprofits? Well, let’s first start with the boogeyman of inflation. Inflation is a normal part of the economic cycle, but very high or negative inflation rates are bad for our economy. Over the past 10 years, the U.S. has experienced lower-than-usual inflation with some years having no inflation. That 10-year trend of very low inflation makes the current rate of 4.9% (and the rise last year to nearly 9.0%) feel especially shocking. That higher inflation is due to the pandemic, consumer spending and supply-chain disruptions as well as other impacts on the U.S. and world economies. The Federal Reserve has been steadily working hard to ease inflation, by raising interest rates. In theory, inflation should decrease and return to normal levels in time.
Additionally, some sizable Federal programs are making their way through the systems, including the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act, which cause substantial investments into our communities at the local level.
Taking all of this information together, the State has an incredible opportunity to invest now in critical support for our communities, realign their funding to capture as much of the available federal funding as possible, and realign systems, especially those that work to grant or contract with nonprofits, to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of every dollar. It is not too late for these actions to happen in this legislative session. Please look at the call to action below to contact your representatives to make the necessary changes.
Also, please encourage your Board members to attend the Guiding More Good conference coming up at the end of June (see below). At the conference, they can get a refresher on how to be a great Board member and connect with other Board members serving nonprofits from all across the state.
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Stay healthy and be safe,
Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act- Action Needed!
The Oregon Nonprofit Modernization Act (SB 606) has entered a critical period as to whether or not the bill passes in the 2023 Oregon Legislative Session. With less than a month and a half left in the session, there is great urgency for NAO members to ask legislative leadership to schedule a hearing for Senate Bill 606 in the Joint Ways & Means Committee. Please go to our website for instructions on how to contact these specific legislators.
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The Charitable Act Introduced: The House version of the Charitable Act, S. 566, was introduced yesterday, Wednesday, May 17. The lead sponsors and cosponsors are Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Chris Pappas (D-NH), plus Michelle Steel (R-CA) and – new to the list – Danny Davis (D-IL), a long-time member of the House Ways and Means Committee and supporter of the universal charitable deduction. This legislation will bring back tax deduction extenders and make it easier for average Americas (not just the wealthy) to donate to nonprofits and receive a tax deduction.
Nonprofit “Seat at the Table” Legislation Introduced: Representatives Mace (R-SC) and McCollum (D-MN) have introduced a bill, the ‘Nonprofit Stakeholders Engaging and Advancing Together (SEAT) Act of 2023 (H.R.3245), that is designed to create dialogue between the nonprofit sector and the federal government, while addressing numerous, longstanding challenges like federal grants reform. According to the bill sponsors, “The legislation will improve access to data about the nonprofit sector, and leverage the mission, knowledge, and impact of thousands of nonprofits to work together more effectively in pursuit of shared goals.”
What a Federal Default would Mean for Nonprofits
With just over two weeks before the federal government runs out of money – the reputed X-date for default – little progress has been reported between the White House and congressional Republicans. It is important to be aware of the looming consequences, including the economic impact to individuals, the likely ramifications of a government shutdown, and the many effects on the operations of charitable organizations. Read more from our colleagues at the National Council of Nonprofits.
A federal default would pile even more unfunded burdens on nonprofits already dealing with the termination of public health emergency relief, increasing demand for nonprofit services from both furloughed government workers and individuals who are unable to turn to shuttered government agencies, while likely causing delays in payments to nonprofits with government grants and contracts.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities | |
Please note that the Spring Regional Network season is winding down. Most networks have only one more session before the summer break. | | | |
NAO Conference (In-person) | |
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Guiding More Good Conference (Corvallis)
June 24, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Guiding More Good (GMG) is a one-day conference in Corvallis that brings together nonprofit board members and leaders from organizations around the state to learn together and share their stories and experiences of volunteering and working for nonprofit organizations. Each year, GMG inspires attendees with expert speakers, robust conversations, practical resources, and cross-sector networking opportunities. This jam-packed conference is the perfect opportunity to re-connect with your peers, learn about how to navigate current issues that are top-of-mind today, and create new relationships with other nonprofits. More details and registration information here.
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NAO Webinars
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 much more. This session is available to NAO members only. More details and registration information here.
Fundraising Through Charitable Gaming
June 13, 10 – 11 a.m. | Presenters: Susan Bower and Laurie Conforth, Oregon Department of Justice
Raffles, bingo, and Monte Carlo events are popular ways to fundraise for nonprofits. Because they are considered gambling, these events are regulated by the Oregon Department of Justice (“DOJ”). DOJ representatives will outline the rules for holding such events and answer your questions to help ensure your events are successful. More details and registration information here.
Board Bright: Governance Roles & Responsibilities
July 11, 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.
Understanding Membership in Nonprofits
July 18, 10 – 11 a.m. | Presenter: Susan Bower, Oregon Department of Justice
This session will provide an overview of the differences in membership vs. nonmembership nonprofits and discuss the rights and remedies available to members. Understanding the rights and roles of members not only facilitates organizations’ compliance with legal requirements, but also helps organizations avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain community engagement and support. More details and registration information here.
Board Bright: Finance Fundamentals
August 15, 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.
Avoiding Nonprofit Fraud & Embezzlement
August 22, 10 – 11 a.m. | Presenter: Susan Bower and Lottie Zorn, Oregon Department of Justice
Susan and Lottie will provide an overview of DOJ’s oversight of charitable entities and fiduciaries and discuss one of the most common and troubling issues DOJ sees – embezzlement. Discussion points will include: Uncharitable headlines: tales from the trenches and why nonprofits are ripe for fraud; Prevention: how to reduce the risk of embezzlement; Detection: what to look for and how to root out embezzlement; and Recovery: what to do when embezzlement occurs. More details and registration information here.
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Effective Supervision (Portland)
June 27, 9:30 – 2 p.m. | Presenter: Cliff Jones, Capacity Building Partnerships
Employees are your organization’s greatest resource. Effective support and direction for your staff, as well as understanding ways to work across differences will help create an environment where people can fully contribute and advance your organization’s mission and goals. In this workshop, we will explore the most essential elements of a supervisor’s role with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. We will offer insight into the specific challenges of supervision in the nonprofit environment to help you identify concrete goals and changes that you can implement with individual staff and teams. We will examine strategies to address unclear expectations between staff and supervisor, ambivalence about authority, low pay, and heavy workloads. More details and registration information here.
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Learning Opportunities for Rural Nonprofits (In-person)
Benton County Nonprofit Resource Roundup – Monroe
May 23, 12 – 2:30 p.m. | Facilitator: Sarah Spangler, NAO
The Benton County Nonprofit Resource Roundup is a learning and networking opportunity convened by NAO for nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers to connect, meet funders, and learn about valuable tools and resources designed specifically for nonprofits. During this session, we’ll also explore how nonprofits can calculate their ROI and ROM and structure conversations with board and staff about the effectiveness of each event. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required. More details and registration here.
Springboard: Effective Board Management for Meaningful Engagement – Roseburg
June 6, 2 – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Sarah Spangler, NAO
Board service can be challenging to navigate! Meaningful board service requires more than simply knowing what to do; a truly engaged board is one that knows how to lead productively for the greatest positive impact. In this session, we will discuss the finer details of board management including: how to differentiate the role of staff versus board, tips for running effective meetings that move the work forward, and an exploration of how to have productive conversations amongst your various teams - especially when those conversations generate conflict. More details and registration here.
Springboard: Creating an Annual Fundraising Plan – Roseburg
June 13, 2 – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Sarah Spangler, NAO
When it comes to fundraising, it can feel like we’re simultaneously overwhelmed with tasks, and yet, still not doing enough. With a bit of planning, you can streamline your fundraising efforts, ensuring that the most important activities are happening, in the right order, and on schedule! In this interactive virtual workshop, we’ll provide you with the tools to build an efficient, effective, and realistic annual fundraising calendar. Planning quarter by quarter, you’ll be able to plan a year’s worth of fundraising that features effective solicitation, heartfelt donor stewardship, and meaningful relationship development. More details and registration here.
Springboard: Functional Forecasting: Taking Control of Cash Flow – Roseburg
June 20, 2 – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO
Many organizations find themselves at the mercy of their finances, instead of the other way around. The best strategy to combat this trap? Managing your cash flow! In this 2-hour workshop, participants will do a deep dive to explore how cash flows in and out of an organization. Through hands-on activities, templates, and break-out conversations, we’ll build the skills and confidence that nonprofit leaders need to better manage precious financial resources. More details and registration here.
Grant Writing: Keys to a Successful Foundation Proposal – Prineville
June 21 and 28, 12 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Facilitator: Sarah Spangler, NAO
Join us for this two-day grant writing workshop 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. This series is a perfect introduction to foundation proposal writing for small and rural nonprofits and those new to grant writing. Through this course, participants will gain tangible tools and strategies to bring back and implement in their nonprofit organizations. More details and registration here.
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NAO Regional Networks (In-person) | |
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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