A  jam-packed summer -- both work and play!
Letter from: Jim White, NAO Executive Director

Like the lightning and thunderstorms blowing through Oregon in recent days, politically it has been an intense, blustery, and sometimes damaging June as the Oregon legislative session draws to a close and important battles are fought in Washington D.C. At both the national and local level nonprofits played a big role and had much to gain or lose for the missions and communities they serve.

 

NAO joins nonprofits across Oregon and the U.S. celebrating the U.S. Supreme Court's decision that effectively keeps the untested and unnecessary citizenship question off the 2020 census questionnaire. The SCOTUS decision on June 28 leaves open the possibility that the question may still make it on to the census form; however, the amount of time available to resolve the issues at a lower court level and bring it back makes it highly unlikely. Many nonprofits, including NAO, who are working to ensure everyone is counted in 2020, view the SCOTUS decision as an important victory. The decennial census is mandated by the constitution and census data are used to allocate federal funds and political power between the states. Oregon is expected to gain at least one congressional seat as a result of the 2020 census. Additionally, the census data is used by many businesses, government entities, and nonprofits when making decisions in programming and resource allocations over the next decade. Anything less than a fair, accurate, and complete count would hurt everyone throughout the United States.

 

What NAO Business Affiliate Members Are Saying
Feedback from our Business Affiliate Members!
NAO's Business affiliate survey results

NAO recently conducted an online survey of NAO Business Affiliate members (companies, consultants, and other service providers) who provide products and services to Oregon's nonprofit sector. A big thank you to everyone who participated! Your feedback and thoughts provide NAO with valuable data and insights that influence and shape our work as we move forward. We are happy to share the results. 

$$$avings Opportunities
(New!) Announcing ImpactRetireNPO
NAO's newest member benefit, designed specifically for 501(c)(3) organizations and their employees.

NAO and Impact Benefits & Retirement are excited to offer NAO 501(c)(3) members a new retirement plan program -- ImpactRetireNPO! The plan is turnkey, transparent, affordable, easy-to-understand - and with awesome investment options! This retirement solution is designed specifically for Oregon's nonprofits. Each nonprofit has the ability to customize the savings plan for its own employees. While some nonprofits currently offer employee retirement plans, many more haven't had to opportunity to do so because of limited time and resources. People are living longer and healthier lives, and NAO encourages nonprofits to support employees to start planning for a financially secure future now!


Join NAO for an informational webinar focused on ImpactRetireNPO happening Tuesday, July 9 from noon - 1 p.m.  Register here
An alternative to paying state unemployment taxes
NAO member benefit: Unemployment Services Trust (UST)

Unemployment Services Trust is a national nonprofit that provides unemployment and workforce solutions to help 501(c)(3) nonprofits reduce costs so they can focus on their missions. NAO members can save significant time and money on their unemployment premium. UST provides the tools nonprofits need to prepare for claims volatility, streamline unemployment procedures and ensure compliance with state regulations. The average unemployment claim in the U.S. costs employers $5,174. UST program participants only pay an average $2,287 per claim. The savings are like a grant for thousands of dollars annually! Aren't you curious to see how much you could save? To find out, click on the link below! Not an NAO member? Join today! Contact membership@nonprofitoregon.org


2019 HR Toolkit: UST has published its Top 10 Guides for 2019 Nonprofit Human Resource Management. Click here to download the guides now!
Get to Know NAO Nonprofit Members!
Featured NAO member: High Desert Food & Farm Alliance
Mission: Support a healthy and thriving food and farm network throughout Central Oregon through education, collaboration and inclusivity.

The Desert Food & Farm Alliance believes that local food should be accessible to everyone, and that our food connects us to each other. HDFFA aspires to be an organization that is equitable, diverse and inclusive in our services and programs, and as an imperative in their everyday activities and operations. HDFFA honors the variety of cultural perspectives that are present in Central Oregon, seek to overcome food access and health disparities, and embrace diversity. HDFFA is committed to building a sustainable and just food system in Central Oregon recognizing that advancing these values is ever evolving. 

Featured NAO member: Menucha Retreat & Conference Center
Mission: Enriching lives through hospitality, learning, reflection and renewal.

Menucha Retreat and Conference is a nonprofit that serves only nonprofit groups in our one-of-a-kind historic property in the Columbia River Gorge. Most of Menucha's work (75%) is providing these nonprofit guests with exceptional meals, cozy accommodations, and comfortable meeting space for their important work of planning, training, community-building, board meetings, spiritual enrichment, recovery, etc. Menucha serves about 400 groups annually (averaging  9,000 guests eating 42,000+ meals).

NAO's members statewide! Who are they?

Want to be featured in this section?
Be in the spotlight. Share how your nonprofit is making a difference in your community!

We are excited to offer a spotlight opportunity for NAO's nonprofits members. Share information about your organization, recent accomplishments and how being an NAO member has helped your nonprofit succeed in furthering your mission.

Fill out Q & A  (For NAO nonprofit members only)
Not an NAO member? Join our network today!
Nonprofit News and Resources
M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust awards over $1 billion in grants!
The 44-year-old foundation marks a big milestone, announcing $1 billion in cumulative grants to nonprofits across  the Pacific Northwest

Good friends and supporter of NAO, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, announced that the foundation has awarded over $1 billion in cumulative grants to more than 3,000 organizations since opening its doors in 1975. NAO is grateful for foundations such as the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for providing years of support to nonprofits throughout the Pacific Northwest in furthering our missions - thank you. 

Congratulations on this amazing milestone!

Service Providers for Oregon Nonprofits
Connecting nonprofits with quality resources to meet their needs.

Pro bono Coaching Services for Nonprofit Leaders  (Via International Coach Federation - Oregon Chapter): ICF pairs professionally trained coaches with nonprofit leaders to provide mentoring and coaching. Sponsored by ICF Oregon Charter Chapter. Services are provided at no cost.

Pro bono short term capacity-building projects  (Via Social Purpose Works): Professionally skilled volunteers provide Strategic Planning, Fundraising, HR, Business Development & more! Run by Metropolitan Family Service. Nonprofit pays modest recruitment fee.
Idealware's 2020 Course Topic Survey
Be an active voice in determining which topics Idealware will offer in 2020!

NAO partners with Idealware to offer a variety of affordable technology focused online trainings to organizations across the state. As Idealware plans for its 2020 courses, they are requesting nonprofits to participate in their one-question survey:  "Please choose 8 of the 12 topics for Idealware to offer nonprofits in 2020." 


Survey must be completed by Friday, July 5. There's also a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card as a thank you.
Upcoming Learnings and Convenings
Call for 2019-2020 NAO Learning Events Proposals

NAO is proud to release our Learning Strategy designed to support the learning goals of Oregon's great nonprofits! In addition, we are announcing our request for presenter proposals for our 2019-2020 Learning Season around the state. Oregon's nonprofits trust NAO to provide quality learning content to the nonprofit sector. NAO's learning sessions are an opportunity for content-expert trainers/presenters to share their expertise and connect businesses with nonprofit leaders seeking to build capacity. 

If interested, please click through to get more details about this exciting opportunity! 

The future is ripe with opportunity as we work together to connect, improve and advance excellence for all Oregon nonprofits. We look forward to continued collaboration with our presenters in service to the nonprofit community.
ImpactRetireNPO: A Turnkey Affordable, Easy-To-Understandable Retirement Solution for Nonprofits
Event details: July 9, Online
NAO event: No cost

On June 27, NAO announced its partnership with Impact Benefits & Retirement to offer a new member benefit - ImpactRetireNPO - a retirement plan program for 501(c)(3) members. Come learn more about ImpactRetireNPO. The future will be here before you know it - help your employees start planning for a financially secure one now!

Cyber Security 101: Practical Ways to Protect Your Nonprofit
Event details: July 11 - 25, Online
Partner event: NAO members receive $20 off

Cyber Security is an increasingly important issue to the nonprofit community. Financially motivated cyber-attacks are increasing in frequency and nonprofit organizations are now a specific target due to their lack of policies and security training.

This webinar series will explore the mechanisms of cyber-attacks and how to protect against them at the organizational level, steps individual staff members can take to help reduce threats, and how to assess and plan for improvements in your organization. Designed for small to medium-sized organizations, this course will focus on simple, practical solutions.

QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits Seminar
Event details: July 16 in Portland, Oregon
Partner event: NAO members receive $20 off

QuickBooks Made Easy is partnering with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon to offer this in-person QuickBooks Made Easy For Nonprofits Seminar. Gregg S. Bossen will cover everything from basic setting up to advanced materials that will help you do some helpful and amazing things!

This seminar will be presented using QuickBooks Desktop Version for Nonprofits. Some of the presented setup procedures, chart of accounts set-up and financial statement presentations are applicable to the QuickBooks Online version.

QuickBooks Made Easy for Nonprofits Seminar
Event details: July 17 in Eugene, Oregon
Partner event: NAO members receive $20 off

QuickBooks Made Easy is partnering with the Nonprofit Association of Oregon to offer this in-person QuickBooks Made Easy For Nonprofits Seminar. Gregg S. Bossen will cover everything from basic setting up to advanced materials that will help you do some helpful and amazing things!

This seminar will be presented using QuickBooks Desktop Version for Nonprofits. Some of the presented setup procedures, chart of accounts set-up and financial statement presentations are applicable to the QuickBooks Online version.

Small Team, Big Goal: A DIY Approach to Your Next Campaign
Event details: July 17 in Roseburg, Oregon
NAO event: Member discount up to 50% off

A small but hardworking team can make a real impact, even when the goal seems audacious. This holds true for the annual fund as well as capital campaigns. This session is designed especially for participants who won't be working with a consultant on their next big campaign and we hope to bust some myths about the need to spend big bucks in order to be successful. We'll separate out the truth from the urban myths with some practical advice learned firsthand in small and rural communities. Participants will be provided some tools they can adapt for use in their own organizations: a gift table and sample donor questions. While these tools are great for capital campaigns, they can also be adapted for an annual campaign or preparing for major donor visits.
Principles & Techniques of Fundraising Course
Event details: August 19 -22 in Portland, Oregon
Partner event: NAO members receive 10% off

Indiana University's Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is offering an in-depth fundraising course for nonprofit leaders. This three-day Principles & Techniques of Fundraising Course will help maximize your fundraising success. Maximize your fundraising success through this timeless course that teaches the tried-and-true practical skills of effective fundraising. Strengthen your fundraising abilities by learning proven fund development tools, and draft a specific fundraising plan to grow your organization. This course serves as the foundation for the rest of the curriculum.
Nonprofit Board Success 
Event details: September 14 in Prineville, Oregon
NAO event: Member discount up to 50% off

Join NAO for this half-day workshop that will help you strengthen your board and your organization! In this interactive and engaging session you will learn about:
roles, responsibilities and legal duties of a nonprofit board; how the Board Chair, Board and CEO work together most effectively; how to recruit and retain the board members you really need; and Board diversity: Getting started.
2019 High Desert Conference: Advancing Our Communities  Together - Save the date!
Event details: September 25 in Sunriver, Oregon
 
This full-day conference will bring together nonprofit leaders and others who are advancing communities in the High Desert region. Join leading experts, practitioners and your peers for a day of learning, networking and connecting. Together we're building a better Oregon! Luncheon keynote speaker will be Max Williams, CEO and President of the Oregon Community Foundation.

More details to follow soon. Mark your calendar - you won't want to miss this event!

Sponsorship opportunities available! If you are interested in sponsoring this conference, see details here.

Stay Connected!
The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is the statewide nonprofit membership organization representing and supporting charitable nonprofits of all sizes, geographic locations and missions across Oregon. NAO strives to connect,  improve and advance all nonprofits to help build a thriving and vital Oregon.

Questions or comments about Oregon's Nonprofit Digest?
E-mail news@nonprofitoregon.org.