Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters, |
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Summer is feeling especially sweet this year for many of us at NAO – with COVID-19 restrictions lifted across the state, 70% of adult Oregonians who have received at least one vaccination, and a stretch of sunny, but mild weather – we’re taking every chance we get to take advantage of being outdoors, hugging our friends and family, patronizing our favorite small businesses, and volunteering (in person!) with our essential nonprofit organizations in every region.
In late May, the Public Interest Management Group and NAO published a report on survey findings from nonprofit organizations one year into the pandemic. This report reminded us that nonprofit staff and volunteers absolutely need to take a break to rest, recharge, and to reconnect before a busy fall filled with programming, fundraising, year-end budgeting, and 2022 planning. If you’re able to take advantage of the beautiful Oregon summer by taking vacation time – I urge you to do so and to encourage your staff, board members, and volunteers to do the same. Oregon nonprofit organizations provide so much to our communities and I know that the best way we can ensure that we’re taking care of others is by taking the necessary time to take care of ourselves as well. And let’s not forget that there are a whole group of nonprofits in our sector that work year-round to keep our beaches, rivers, mountains, sagelands and forests protected and beautiful.
Try to take some days or weeks off over the coming months and when you do, be sure to really unplug as much as you can. We all need to take complete time away when we are able to do so. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next out-of-office reply, this auto-generator is a nice place to start.
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Stay healthy and be safe,
Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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Nonprofit Jobs Report
Nonprofit jobs grew by 60,000 jobs in June compared to May, but remain nearly 700,000 below pre-pandemic level recorded in February 2020, according to the updated report from the Center for Civil Society Studies at Johns Hopkins University. The precise jobs-lost number is - 684,896. The report finds, “The largest gains were seen in the educational field, which regained 8.5% of its initial losses during the month. Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations rebounded from a weak May to regain 7.4% of their initial losses in June 2021; and the arts, entertainment, and recreation field continued a recent trend of relatively strong growth, reversing 5.5% of its pandemic workforce losses.” Healthcare, however, was losing jobs last month, shedding 5,300 jobs. You can read about it here.
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Fraudulent UI Claims
The Oregon Employment Department (OED) has adopted a permanent administrative rule, OAR 471-031-0310, that will alleviate employers from the payment of and liability for charges to Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits paid to individuals due to identity theft or criminal impersonation.
This rule will protect nonprofit employers, tribes, and state and local governments from additional liability or expense associated to UI benefits paid due to identity theft or criminal impersonation. It is important to note that they also will not charge tax-paying employers for UI benefits paid due to identity theft or criminal impersonation. No rule change was required for this protection.
With UI benefits being more widely available through various state and federal programs since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department heard the public’s growing concern related to the risks of identity theft and criminal impersonation. NAO applauds the OED for implementing this rule that will support employers and help address this public security issue.
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Congress Returns to Tackle Major Priorities
Congress returns after a recess for the July 4th holiday to work through daunting legislative priorities in a short amount of time. For the remainder of July, the House is scheduled to take up and pass as many as possible of the dozen appropriations bills for fiscal year 2022 that begins on October 1. Each measure reflects thousands of decisions on funding levels, congressionally directed spending(“earmarks”), and policy changes. Most of the attention, however, will focus on the Senate where Majority Leader Schumer (D-NY) has announced his goals of enacting the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure package while also moving a budget resolution that would pave the way for a multi-trillion dollar bill (known as a budget reconciliation bill) that could be enacted without Republican support. The infrastructure package, which as yet has only been seen in outline form, primarily addresses so-called “hard” infrastructure items such as roads, bridges, and broadband, and not the expansive social programs proposed by President Biden in his American Families Plan. The 58-member House bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus endorsed the Senate infrastructure outline last week, suggesting support of moderates in the House.
Treasury Interim Final Rule
Public comments are due on Friday (7/16) on the Treasury Department’s Interim Final Rule that seeks to parse the nuances of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. We’re in the process of working through the 151-page set of rules and the 38 questions presented. Submit any comments, concerns, or solutions you think should be proposed in the IFR here.
PPP Update
Loan Necessity Loan Form 3510: The Small Business Administration has quietly begun informing lenders that it is eliminating the loan necessity review for Paycheck Protection Program loans of $2 million or more.” Attached is the letter from SBA to OMB seeking permission to stop using Form 3510, the loan necessity questionnaire. It’s remarkable in its frankness – 1) the form served the purpose of deterring bad actors, 2) SBA reviews so far show applicants were eligible, 3) public comments said the form was needlessly burdensome, and 4) SBA is finding the form needlessly burdensome. Score one for public comment being heard!
Bipartisan National Service Legislation Introduced
Members of the Congressional National Service Caucus have introduced the bipartisan Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act, legislation (H.R. 4100/S.1165) to expand national service positions to provide meaningful service opportunities for individuals while supporting the needs of local communities and economies. Specifically, the bill would provide funding for more service positions through the Corporation for National and Community Service through 2024, increase stipends, provide flexibility in programs, and prioritize funding for communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and using culturally competent and multilingual strategies, among other things.
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GO Kids – Apply by August 19
Our friends at the Oregon Community Foundation are now accepting applications for their GO Kids grant program. GO Kids aim to overcome Oregon’s opportunity gap – disparities experienced by children because of where they live, their race or family circumstance – by working with volunteers throughout Oregon. Grants range from $5,000 - $100,000 with the opportunity to renew in 2022 to receive additional funding. More information and how to apply can be found here.
COVID-19 Emergency SHARP Grants – Apply by August 27
Oregon Humanities is one of the fifty-four state and jurisdictional humanities councils which received a portion of $51.6 million in emergency relief funding to support local cultural groups and public and educational humanities programming adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Oregon Humanities will award $675,000 in SHARP grants for general operating and project or program support for Oregon nonprofit organizations, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, accredited public and 501(c)(3) institutions of higher education, and state and local government agencies. This grant opportunity is available to humanities-focused organizations; eligible applicants may submit grant applications for up to a $20,000. More information on how to apply can be found here.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities
NAO offers practical, affordable learning and convening programs in a variety of formats, including conferences, resource round-ups, informational sessions and mini-workshops through webinars, and deeper-dive learning through virtual learning cohorts. Please scroll through and sign-up today!
Convenings
Reopening Roundtable Sessions
Hosted by: Jenn Clemo and Allison Adcox, NAO
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on our organizations. There is much to consider and plan for as we bring staff back to the office, open our doors once again to the public, meet in-person with donors and funders, and deliver in-person programming. In this two-hour convening hosted by NAO, participants will discuss factors for an effective return to in-person work across three key areas: People & Facilities, Programs & Events, and Outreach & Communications.
Each session will be held in-person from 1 – 3 p.m. For more details and registration information, choose the city closest to you:
Webinars
Board Bright: NAO’s Quarterly Board Fundamentals Training
Tuesday, July 20, 3 – 4:30 p.m. PT | 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 quarterly learning opportunity is designed for emerging and seasoned board members alike, and anyone else looking for a governance refresh! More details and registration information here.
The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint Course
August 16 – October 18, 2021 | Presenter: Maryn Boess, GrantsMagic U
In this comprehensive, on-your-own-schedule video-based, course from GrantsMagic U, Maryn Boess pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to be successful in the grants world. With a new video released each week, you’ll learn hundreds of tried-and-tested tools, strategies, how-to's and "insider's tips" to take you to your next level of grants success no matter where you're starting out. NAO members receive $100 off registration! More details and registration information here.
Get Ready for NAO’s In-person Events!
NAO staff has been working tirelessly to get ready for our fall learning sessions that will begin in September throughout Oregon. We’re thrilled to bring these in-person sessions back this year and will be sharing all of the details about the sessions over the coming weeks and months. We will also be testing some in-person learning events through the summer to help you navigate the ever-changing rules and issues our sector is challenged by.
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Community Events & Opportunities
Federal Reserve Seminar
The Federal Reserve Community Development Research Seminar Series focuses on a recovery that is inclusive. The COVID-19 pandemic caused financial hardship on millions of people. As people return to work and our economy begins to expand, the community development field — including the financial, government, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors — is thinking about what that recovery looks like and how to include as many people as possible.
Each seminar in the series will present research illuminating an issue critical to our economy, and presenters will discuss how the community development field can use these findings to support a recovery that benefits everyone. Their first research seminar is on August 3 focused on issues related to the employment experiences of low-income workers during the pandemic and how to improve the financial security of these workers. You can find more information and sign-up here.
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Thank you to the following SUPPORTERS 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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FRIEND PLUS PARTNER SPONSORS |
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FOLLOW NAO ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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