November 3, 2023

Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters,

We wish all our Native American and Indigenous colleagues a happy Native American Heritage Month, which honors the diverse cultures and histories of Indigenous peoples in the U.S. This month, and every month, let’s recognize and thank all the Indigenous Nations in North America for their rich cultural heritage, resiliency, and significant contributions to our society.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to attend the first-ever Oregon Wildfire Recovery Summit in Eugene, co-convened by the University of Oregon and Lane County government. Throughout the two days of discussions and presentations, I was struck again and again by the essential role that nonprofit organizations have played and continue to play in the response and recovery to the 2020 wildfires and disasters that have taken place since then. Organizations like the Jackson County Community LTRG have been the leaders in recovering their community through initiatives like the Rogue Reimagined Plan, the first-ever multi-jurisdictional recovery plan in the country. The Santiam Canyon Service Integration Team and the work of the Santiam Canyon LTRG and Santiam Recover have been essential to the recovery of multiple communities across the areas devastated by the Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires. And the work of the United Way Columbia and Willamette’s Disaster Resilience Learning Collaborative responding to the increasing threat of climate-related disasters in our region. Their cross-sector partnership brings together community leaders of color to advance equitable disaster resilience through healing-centered, culturally grounded collaborations and actions.

An important aspect of the summit discussions was how governments across all levels were willing to listen to and learn from these community-based nonprofits. The experiences they shared and the knowledge they have garnered over decades have been invaluable and should be studied for improving systems and processes in government to better support communities across Oregon. 

Thanks to them and the many organizations that have led and continue to lead on these and other issues and challenges that are buffeting our communities. I remain convinced that were it not for so many great nonprofits in Oregon, we would all be in a much worse situation. 

Jim White

NAO Executive Director

At the State Level

Task Force on Modernizing Grant Funding and Contracting

The DAS-run task force will hold its second meeting on November 14 from 9 a.m. to Noon. To watch the previous meetings, you can visit the task force’s website for more information. The task force’s charge is to examine how the state’s granting and public procurement practices limit the wages of employees of nonprofit organizations and make recommendations to the Oregon Department of Administrative Services by September 2024. We will regularly be making updates on this work, so be sure to regularly check NAO’s Modernizing Grant Funding and Contract Project webpage for updates and background information.  

At the Federal Level

Proposed grantmaking changes include raising indirect rates from ten to fifteen percent 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is proposing significant changes to the rules governing federal grantmaking that would correct longstanding challenges that have limited nonprofit effectiveness, discouraged qualified organizations from seeking and performing under federal grants, and wasted billions of dollars and countless hours in needlessly complex reporting requirements. The comprehensive reform proposal seeks to amend the OMB Uniform Guidance that provides common rules that govern most federal grantmaking to charitable nonprofits, state, local, and tribal governments, and others. You can review a summary analysis of the proposed changes by the National Council of Nonprofits. NAO is working with the other State Associations and the National Council of Nonprofits to hold a national webinar on November 20 on the topic and create suggested talking points for feedback on the proposed guidelines (details forthcoming). NAO encourages Oregon nonprofits to submit written comments on the proposed rule changes by December 4, 2023. Written comments can be submitted through this link.

Proposed Changes to Exempt Employee and Overtime rules 

The U.S. Department of Labor (DoL) released new proposed regulations on the salary threshold under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The proposed rules would increase the salary threshold for overtime pay by nearly 55% over the current level to $55,068 per year. The salary threshold in the final regulations may be even higher than the level in the proposed regulations – possibly as high as $60,209 per year. Were this proposal to take effect, most employees earning less than the new salary threshold would be entitled to overtime compensation when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek, regardless of whether they are classified as executive, administrative, or professional (white-collar) workers.

NAO believes that this change would affect thousands of nonprofits in Oregon. The National Council of Nonprofits has a good analysis of the proposed rules and the impacts they may have on our sector posted here. As in the past, it is anticipated that the proposed changes will be challenged in court by business chambers and other groups. Public comments can be submitted to the DoL until November 7th.

NAO Workshops (In-person or Virtual)

Board Management Workshop (Lincoln City)

November 6, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Facilitators: Jim White and Sarah Spangler, NAO

Join NAO for a full-day workshop on nonprofit board management! This workshop consists of three sessions: Effective Board Management for Meaningful Engagement, Bolstering Board Recruitment & Retention, and Engaging Your Board in Fundraising. This workshop is free, but registration is required. Don’t let this opportunity pass! More details and registration information here.

Government Grants: 4-Part Readiness Series (Virtual)

November 7, 9, 14 and 16, 9 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Hannah Cortez, The Dotted i

Join us for this 4-part grant writing series that will increase your understanding of government grants and help you prepare to secure funding! In this series, we will offer hands-on learning activities, peer networking, and expert knowledge on preparing to seek local, state, and federal grant funding. In addition to in-class instruction, participants will have weekly homework to deepen their learning and have direct access to course trainers for feedback and support. Through this training, we hope to demystify the government grant process and give participants a better understanding of how this type of funding can be leveraged. More details and registration information here.

Board Management Workshop (Newport)

November 7, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Facilitator: Sarah Spangler, NAO

Join NAO for a full-day workshop on nonprofit board management! This workshop consists of three sessions: Effective Board Management for Meaningful Engagement, Bolstering Board Recruitment & Retention, and Engaging Your Board in Fundraising. This workshop is free, but registration is required. Don’t let this opportunity pass! More details and registration information here.

Linn County Resource Roundup (Sweet Home)

November 30, Noon – 2:30 p.m. | Facilitator: Sarah Spangler, NAO

The Linn County Nonprofit Resource Roundup is a learning and networking opportunity convened by the NAO for nonprofit staff, board, and volunteers to connect, meet funders, and learn about valuable tools and resources designed specifically for nonprofits. Following the funder's panel and discussion, participants will work together through a facilitated discussion and an assessment tool to identify areas where you can improve your work and connect to resources that can help you become more effective in serving your mission. This workshop is free, but registration is required. More details and registration information here.

Grant Writing: Keys to a Successful Foundation Proposal (2-Part Series) (McMinnville)

December 5 and 12, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Facilitator: Sarah Spangler, NAO

Join us for this 2-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 homework to deepen learning and have direct access to course trainers for feedback and support. This series perfectly introduces 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 information here.

Information Session: Master of Nonprofit Leadership at Pacific University (Virtual)

December 6, 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. | Presenters: Stella Premo and Corky McReynolds, Pacific University

Join Stella Premo for a 15-minute discussion on how to tackle a difficult conversation and the skills needed for a successful outcome. Stella Premo is the Executive Director of the Capital Region Family Business Center and is an instructor for the Managing People course for the Master of Nonprofit Leadership at Pacific University. Following Stella’s presentation, Dr. Corky McReynolds, Program Director, and Dr. Jim Moore, Interim Director of the School of Social Sciences, will facilitate a discussion with questions and answers for participants about the program’s unique design and approach to professional development. More details and registration information here. The online Master of Nonprofit Leadership at Pacific University begins its next cohort in January 2024. The program features experts from the nonprofit field with best practices from the profession.



Nonprofit Learning Cohort (Virtual)

DEI Audit and Assessment: Managing the Work in Between Where We Are and Where We Hope to Be

November 7, 14, 21, 28 and December 5, Noon – 1:15 p.m. | Facilitator: Erica Briggs, NAO

Growth in any area requires an honest audit of organizational history and an objective tool to assess success and continued growth areas. Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) audits can help identify existing workplace conditions and help strengthen weak spots to build excellent cultural resiliency. However, as with any test, audits can be met with fear and resistance, pulling people apart and building walls. This cohort will share key considerations on how best to approach a DEI audit and how to use this process to deepen relationships and build bridges that lead to learning and growth. More details and registration information here.



Policy Lab (Virtual)

The Role of Foundations In Gap Funding for Nonprofits

December 6, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Presenter: Phillip Kennedy-Wong, NAO

Is your nonprofit impacted by late payments from your government grants, contracts, or appropriations? Is your foundation interested in supporting nonprofits with low-cost bridge funding? Join a conversation with Oregon nonprofits and foundations to learn about a collaborative effort by New York City foundations to provide no-interest loans, returnable grant funds, and arts capital loans to the nonprofit sector. We will feature guest speakers from the Fund for New York City who will explain how this effort started and what it has meant to the nonprofit sector. We’ll discuss what Oregon can learn from their experience. This session is free and available to NAO members only. To register, log into the Members Only Area. 



NAO's Regional Networks

Want to connect with other nonprofit leaders in your area? Join us at a regional network in Bend, Corvallis, Medford, Portland, or Springfield! 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.

The 2023-24 network series will offer a combination of in-person and virtual sessions between September and June. Click through to see the scheduled event for each network and to buy a Member Pass!

Bend

Nonprofit Network of Central Oregon (NNCO) – Upcoming Nov. 9

Corvallis

Mid-Valley Nonprofit Network (MVNN) – Upcoming Nov. 15

Portland Metro

Equity and Inclusions Leaders Network (EILN) – Upcoming Nov. 15

Nonprofit Fiscal Managers Network (NFMA) – Upcoming Nov. 16

Nonprofit Leaders Network (NLN) – Upcoming Nov. 8

Medford

Rogue Valley Nonprofit Network (RVNN) – Upcoming Nov. 16

Springfield

Lane County Nonprofit Network (LCNN) – Upcoming Nov. 8