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Resilience, not compliance
The attacks on communities of color, particularly immigrants, is very real. If you are like me, you are an optimist, as so many social impact leaders are. So when we see the news our first inclination might be to ask, is this real? Can this be happening and unfolding as it seems? Can it really be this bad? And while the news will always sensationalize everything, and even in a digital world where we feel connected to each other hundreds of miles away, there will always be parts of the truth we are missing. But make no mistake, this is very real. Families are being separated, children are losing their parents, people are losing their loved ones. People are being arrested and detained without due process, without fairness or justice. Federal authorities readily admit that in communities where they interpret behavior to be anything less than 100% compliant, they will inflict violence and mass panic as their standard operating procedure.
Federal authorities are cutting back vital resources to feed and care for the most vulnerable community members, while also categorically eliminating immigrants and children of immigrants from eligibility. From housing to Head Start, these federal authorities want to disappear immigrants and first generation Americans from community life. And now, federal authorities are caging what resources are left behind a razor wire fence of compliance demands; and these demands simply do not take into account what is good for communities here at home. Even if the federal government wanted to take local needs into account while reshaping our federal budget, they have certainly not taken the time necessary to do that with any real care.
For many of our local government leaders this has meant a choice between compliance or loss. But this is a false dichotomy, there are far more options in between, we know this because as nonprofit organizations we are experts in problem solving. We have always lived in a world where we are fighting to take care of as many people as possible under systems that were made to say “no” and to filter out whomever the powerful deem undeserving at any given time. Individual community members, not businesses or government (often not even philanthropy) have been the backbone of our work. It is the individuals who donate, volunteer and steward the work. We are from the community and with the community, every step of the way.
Since 2020 a lot has changed, our local, state and federal governments were hit with a crisis they were never going to be able to navigate without us. For many organizations it was the first time (not always for lack of trying) they received any funding from a government body. Many organizations scaled up and expanded their services explicitly to save lives during the COVID crisis. There is no doubt that death and harm would have been much worse had nonprofits not stepped up and jumped in to do in hours or days the things our governments had failed to do over decades. That is who we are, that is what we do. And today is no different.
There are plenty of fear driven narratives that would tell us that things are very different now. We should close up shop, layoff staff quietly, consolidate programs down to pre-pandemic levels and stop asking for money or policy changes. We should sit down and do what we are told. We should make a list of the words the powerful dislike and muzzle ourselves. That isn’t who we are and it is not who we are ever going to be. Nonprofit Social Impact work is not about compliance to the powerful. It's about justice, opportunity, community building, care and ultimately it's about love. Take the time to recenter the history of your organization, you should not be surprised to learn that your organization has seen strife. Pushing to protect, care and support communities who were being demonized or left out has never been an act of compliance. In the words of James Baldwin, “love has never been a popular movement.” It is not easy to accept that once great partners are walking away or worse sprinting into compliance with rules that will not serve us. It’s time to reconnect with our roots, re-build from the foundations of our missions and histories. We must find strength in our resilience, refuse to apologize for demanding better of society and start problem solving. Be open and honest with all of your staff, volunteers and donors. Tell them exactly how it is, and exactly what you are going to need to do. Hiding these realities or trying to solve them with just “senior leadership” in your organization robs you and your community of the opportunity to do what we have always done - step up, get creative and make it work.
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Mercedes Elizalde
NAO Board Member and Public Policy Committee Chair
Director of Advocacy, Latino Network
| | Work for NAO – We’re Seeking a New Program Manager! | | |
We are looking to add a new team member with significant experience in nonprofit program management, event planning, and community engagement. If you fit this description, we'd be excited to welcome you as NAO’s new Nonprofit Education Program Manager. We're seeking a committed team member who is strategic, highly organized, detail-focused, and possesses strong management skills. The Program Manager will support NAO in planning, executing, and overseeing programs that enable us to collaborate across the state to strengthen and connect nonprofit leaders, organizations, and the sector.
Status: Exempt and Full-Time
Location: Hybrid (with some travel)
Compensation: $60,600.00 - $65,100.00 annually
NAO will review applications on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply early. The position is open until filled.
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If you haven't bought your tickets yet, don't miss NAO’s Nonprofit Impact Conference this October in Portland. Join over 300 nonprofit professionals from across the state and Pacific Northwest for this two-day event, hosted by NAO.
The conference offers opportunities to learn, share, and reconnect with nonprofit colleagues. NIC features sessions with experts eager to discuss current challenges and solutions for nonprofits. For example, NIC offers:
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M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust Listening Session – Let your voices be heard. In this session, attendees have the opportunity to share their experiences, perspectives, challenges, and hopes for the nonprofit sector, as well as what they need from philanthropy. Your nonprofit doesn't need to be a current Trust grantee. Your voice is essential in helping the Trust expand its current connections to partner with and support a wider range of organizations. The Trust is also sponsoring first day evening reception (thank you). Come join us and help celebrate their 50th year anniversary!
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Ask an Expert: Stories from NAO’s Help Desk – In this session, a panel of experts will discuss various nonprofit management challenges and FAQs we receive through the NAO Help Desk. If your nonprofit is facing governance issues, financial management, fundraising strategies, or the impact of Executive Orders, this is one session you won't want to miss.
Registration for NIC closes on Monday, October 13th. Register early before sessions sell out!
| | NAO Launches 2025-26 Regional Network Season | | |
The wait is finally over. We are excited to share that our 2025-26 Regional Network series is now live and open for session registrations. We have carefully chosen and invited subject matter experts to share insights on key topics affecting nonprofits today and to help prepare your nonprofit for future success.
For those unfamiliar with NAO’s Regional Networks: We facilitate six Regional Networks across Oregon in Portland, Corvallis, Eugene-Springfield, Medford, and Bend. Out of 50+ training events, over 20 are virtual and accessible statewide. These networks bring together nonprofit leaders to share best practices, connect, and learn from thought leaders, focusing on management, accountability, equity, and more. For a list of upcoming in-person and virtual network sessions, see events below.
| | | Member Exclusive Offer: Network Passes Are Back!
Back by popular demand, NAO’s Network Passes provide the most flexible and affordable way to explore NAO’s training opportunities. For a limited time, NAO members can save up to $200 on ten sessions across any of our six network series and selected webinars (new addition). Use, share, or invite a friend to join an in-person or virtual session with your pass! Learn more about Network Passes. | | | |
Finding Unity and Standing Together on Common Ground
NAO recently connected with Charlie Conrad, former State Legislator and co-founder of Common Ground - United We Stand, a non-partisan, policy-agnostic nonprofit focused on voter education, civic engagement, and system reforms, mainly at the state and local levels. Their mission is to provide voters with information and motivation so they understand their vote matters, and to show that party affiliation isn’t always the best guide when voting. Common Ground has identified three essential factors for depolarizing politics: recognizing that we are all born with the same rights; Accepting who we are as humans; and Agreement on the basic purpose of government.
We invite you to join Common Ground for a free online discussion on Thursday, September 4th at 2:30 p.m. where Charlie and guest speakers will lead a conversation on deciding what we want our government to do. Space is limited, if you are interested, register here. For additional questions, contact Charlie at charlie@commonground-uws.org
| | NAO has updated our Federal Activities page to help you stay informed on federal public policy news and key issues currently affecting the nonprofit sector locally and across the country. This page will be regularly updated with timely updates, resources, and opportunities to take action. | | Upcoming Learning Opportunities | | |
We invite you to participate in an upcoming event that will be offered both in person and online. Please share these opportunities with your nonprofit colleagues, who may also benefit from the sessions we have planned.
* Network Pass eligible events
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September 10 (Portland)* – The Situation Room: What Holds in a Time of Collapse?: Change is now our foundation. Frontline leaders must navigate uncertainty while holding on to what matters. In this session, peers will discuss the realities: the cracks in our systems, the stable foundations, and new structures we can build. In this session, a panel explores what keeps us steady, promising practices, and collective strategies for enduring or thriving in an unstable terrain.
September 10 (Virtual) – NAO Member Orientation: New to NAO? Just want to get the hang of all you have at your fingertips? Join us for a membership orientation to help acquaint you with our website and all your member benefits. We will cover how to access benefits, an overview of what NAO offers and helpful resources available to you. Come with your questions and meet the friendly faces at NAO!
September 17 (Virtual) – Collaborative Budgeting and Forecasting: Join us for a 90-minute webinar to learn how to develop budgets that reflect IDEA (inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility) values, strategic priorities, and program goals. The session will cover establishing your organization’s budget philosophy, key processes, and engaging the entire organization. By the end, participants will understand how to create equitable budgets that support organizational objectives and serve as tools for financial oversight and health.
September 24 (Portland)* – Financial Diversification & Scenario Planning: In a constantly changing environment, nonprofit leaders must anticipate challenges and capitalize on opportunities to keep their organizations resilient and focused on their mission. In this session, we will examine practical scenario planning and revenue diversification strategies that promote financial sustainability. Through interactive discussions and examples, we will also identify key questions to ask during the scenario planning process. This training qualifies for 1.8 CPE credits in Finance.
The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
September 24, October 1, 8 & 15 (Virtual) – Government Grants: 4-Part Readiness Series: Join us for this 4-part grant writing readiness 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. Participants will have homework for deeper learning and direct access to trainers for feedback and support. Through these sessions, we hope to demystify the government grant process and give participants a better understanding of how this type of funding can be leveraged.
October 8 (Bend)* – Staying Ahead of the Curve: Trends in Fundraising, Marketing, and the Power of Peer Networks: In today’s evolving nonprofit landscape, staying informed and inspired is crucial for fundraising, marketing, and communications professionals. This session features a panel of three experts sharing insights and strategies from their work in giving, events, grants, and nonprofit communications. Participants will gain new ideas, energy, and a sense of community.
October 10 (Virtual)* – The Truth About Culture: HR Sustains, Leadership Defines: Organizational culture is a leadership function, shaped by top actions and behaviors, not HR. HR supports, not creates, culture. In this virtual session, we’ll explore how leadership influences workplace norms, why culture can't be delegated, and HR's role in alignment. Leaders will learn how their decisions affect employee experience, engagement, and retention, gaining clarity on fostering a culture aligned with mission and values.
October 14 (Corvallis)* – Staying Ahead of the Curve: Trends in Fundraising, Marketing, and the Power of Peer Networks: In today’s evolving nonprofit landscape, staying informed and inspired is crucial for fundraising, marketing, and communications professionals. This session features a panel of three experts sharing insights and strategies from their work in giving, events, grants, and nonprofit communications. Participants will gain new ideas, energy, and a sense of community.
October 15 (Springfield)* – Staying Ahead of the Curve: Trends in Fundraising, Marketing, and the Power of Peer Networks: In today’s evolving nonprofit landscape, staying informed and inspired is crucial for fundraising, marketing, and communications professionals. This session features a panel of three experts sharing insights and strategies from their work in giving, events, grants, and nonprofit communications. Participants will gain new ideas, energy, and a sense of community.
October 16 (Medford)* – Strategic Fundraising Strategies: How to Pivot Using the Assets You Have in Your Organization and on Your Team: In a time when nonprofit organizations are asked to do more with less, strategic thinking becomes crucial. This engaging, interactive session provides a practical framework for nonprofit staff, board members, and volunteers to rethink their fundraising strategies by concentrating on the assets they already have—whether that’s people, programs, partnerships, or institutional knowledge.
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Member Spotlight: Hand Up Project | |
This month, we are featuring Hand Up Project in Portland, who has been an NAO member since 2018!
Established in 2016, Hand Up Project (HUP) is the only LGBTQ2SIA+ formed and led food assistance program open to the public in Portland. Their mission is to empower the disenfranchised with the resources needed to improve their lives. They do this by fostering a safe non-judgmental space welcoming everyone to the table.
| | | | Jobs in Oregon's Nonprofit Sector | | |
On-site Jobs:
Hybrid Jobs:
| | Is your organization hiring? Post to NAO's job board, and you'll have your listing seen by many mission-driven individuals ready to make a difference. Our members receive $50 off a 30-day listing! | | Thank You Sponsors and Funders! | | We couldn't do our work without our sponsors! We are so grateful for their support of NAO and Oregon's nonprofit sector. | | | | |
