May 26, 2022
Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters,
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It is with a heavy heart that we confront (again) two senseless killing sprees in America. We at NAO are saddened and holding in our hearts the families and friends of the victims in Buffalo, NY and Uvalde, TX and the members of those communities that are all impacted by these tragic events. The vast majority of Americans know what the right answers are for curtailing these killings: sensible gun laws; better and more substantial mental health treatments; and deeper connections across communities to intervene in cases where a young person is going down the wrong path in life. Let’s make our politicians actually do something this time.
Anyone that has ever read my previous letters knows that I believe nonprofits are the backbone of a safe, vibrant and productive civil society. The benefit you all provide our communities is without parallel and recognized as vital by our residents and visitors. In times of need, grief and doubt, it is the nonprofit sector that works to help communities heal, recover and build resiliency. With that in mind, I am glad to share the latest Trust in Civil Society report from our friends at Independent Sector.
The public’s belief that nonprofits will “do the right thing” is one of the central reasons that our sector exists. Communities rely upon nonprofits to provide trusted sources of information, life-sustaining services, environmental stewardship, and places of refuge. Nonprofits also work with our nation’s diverse communities to build a healthy, equitable society so that everyone can thrive. In today’s highly polarized environment, understanding and managing trust has never been more important for organizations to own their license to operate, lead, and succeed. Given the outsized importance of trust, it is imperative to assess the status of that trust and how the sector can strengthen our most valuable asset. I highly encourage you to read the report. In a future update, we will take a deep-dive into the data and look at how Oregon’s nonprofits are using their trust in communities to build a better future for all.
Have a safe and restful Memorial Day Weekend.
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Stay healthy and be safe, |
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Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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New! NAO’s Board Management Workbook (Digital Copy)
A self-pace learning workbook that will sharpen the tools of your board team and build greater capacity for success in the future!
Your board of directors is an integral part of the success of any charitable nonprofit organization and is one of the only organizational structures in a nonprofit that has specific requirements under federal and state law. The team at NAO designed this Board Management workbook to develop, enhance, and refine the management of your nonprofit organization’s board of directors. You’ll find ten exercises and two icebreakers that provide practical tools and assessments that your board can use to, not only strengthen the important work you do, but also strengthen relationships as you work through the workbook as a team.
This workbook is a companion to NAO’s quarterly Board Bright webinar series. Be on the lookout for the next Board Bright: Board Management session this summer (free to NAO members).
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Where does your nonprofit rank? Get valuable feedback from your employees!
Join our effort to support a strong workplace culture and celebrate successful employers by participating in Oregon Business’ 100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon survey. This survey is used to find out how satisfied your employees are and what their concerns might be – taking time to listen to your employees will set you up to be an even stronger organization. Participating organizations must have a minimum of 10 Oregon-based employees and/or volunteers who work at least 20 hours per month. The survey must be completed by July 20, 2022. As always, participation is at no cost to you. For survey information, click here; to register for the survey, click here.
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The quarterly State Economic Forecast was released last week. The labor force is growing slowly. Job vacancies are near record highs. Income disparities did not widen among race, gender, age, and geography. They did grow based on individual education and personal wealth. High inflation is fueling consumer pessimism despite rising incomes, foreshadowing a future recession. On the state budget, revenues are high with a record personal kicker of $3 billion projected for the 2023-25 biennium. The Legislature will have higher amounts of one-time funds to continue new programs created in response to the pandemic. Despite this, the state budget will still have the ongoing challenge of maintaining the current level of services due to rising costs and structural limits. In the meantime, state agencies are currently preparing their 2023-25 budget requests. The incoming governor will have an opportunity to develop recommendations after the November election.
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Next month, nonprofit leaders from across the country will be in Washington, DC to lobby for reinstating the employee retention tax credit, restoring expired charitable giving incentives, eliminating the taxable reimbursements for volunteer mileage and creating a White House Office of Nonprofits. We’re excited to send a few of our team members to represent Oregon with our congressional delegation. |
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities |
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NAO Networks
The team at NAO is excited to also welcome back in-person sessions! The welfare and safety of our staff, volunteers and guests, remains a top priority. Masks are optional, but not required. However, we ask that anyone feeling ill or COVID-like symptoms to please stay at home and contact us to issue a refund. At this time, in-person sessions will not be recorded.
Nonprofit Advocacy: Why Nonprofits and Why Now?
Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO
Communities are going through unprecedented change. Oregon is making important decisions in the coming months about state leadership at all levels. Nonprofits have the right to educate civic leaders on the role our organizations play in our communities to help them make most informed public policy decisions. Join Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO’s new Public Policy Director, for an informative discussion on the importance of nonprofit advocacy during a time of social upheaval and unpredictable political challenges. Stick around after the presentation to network with additional members of the NAO team, along with other nonprofit leaders from the area.
This session will be offered in-person at the following regional locations; click through for more details and registration information:
Opinion Research: It’s a New Day, It’s a New Dawn
June 2, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenters: Adam Davis and Amaury Vogel, Oregon Values and Beliefs Center
In-person session: The Melody Event Center, Portland
In this session with Oregon Values and Beliefs Center, participants will gain an understanding of diversity and inclusion in opinion research – its impact on research design and administration, and the implications for planning, policy, and decision-making. Participants will learn how opinion research has changed, how projects should be designed and administered, and how opinion research can support their work in building stronger communities. More details and registration information here.
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Partner Webinar
QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits 3 Day Webinar Series: Online
May 31 – June 2, 11 – 1:30 p.m. | Presenter: Gregg S. Bossen, QuickBooks Made Easy
QuickBooks Made Easy is partnering with NAO to offer an updated three-part QuickBooks® training webinar for nonprofits. This webinar is for the Online edition of QuickBooks. Gregg will cover the basics of setting up and entering transactions specifically for nonprofits, an overview of the software updates included in the QuickBooks® Online Edition, as well as advanced topics covering a host of specific processes that will help you do more helpful and amazing things! Earn 7.5 hours of CPE credit. More details and registration information here.
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Rural Convenings
Nonprofit Resource Roundups
Come together with NAO, foundation representatives, and local nonprofits for one of our 2022 Nonprofit Resource Roundups! Participants will have the opportunity to learn about NAO resources, local community resources and connect in virtual breakout rooms directly with funders. Resource Roundups are FREE in-person events open to nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers who either live and/or work in the areas they're held. Click through for more details and registration information:
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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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