Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters,
Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19 that the Union soldiers landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free. This was
two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation was ordered by President Lincoln. On this “Juneteenth” day when many in our communities are commemorating the day that finally ended slavery in the United States, and at a time when protests against the murders of black men and women continue to be held across Oregon and the country, we want to give a platform for black voices serving in nonprofits across the state. With permission from Kendall Clawson, my colleague at
Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington, we are providing links to a series of essays by black male leaders. I hope that you’ll read each one and reflect on their comments and wisdom. Thanks to Kendall, Antonio, Djimet, Donell, Marcus, Mark and Mike for their courage and leadership in sharing their thoughts.
We hope that through heeding their words we can all listen, learn and take action to build a better future.
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COVID-19 Updates in Oregon
Governor Brown
issued a video statement
on Wednesday regarding new face covering requirements and an update on counties eligible to enter into Phases 1 and 2.
Starting June 24, individuals will be required to wear face coverings in all indoor public spaces in the seven counties with the highest number of COVID-19 infection: Multnomah, Washington, Clackamas, Hood River, Marion, Polk and Lincoln counties.
On Friday, June 19, Multnomah County will be approved to enter into Phase 1 of reopening. Marion, Polk and Hood River counties will be approved to move into Phase 2. Washington, Clackamas and Lincoln counties have not applied for Phase 2. Multnomah County’s reopening is the 36th and final county to be authorized to move to Phase I. No counties that have already reached Phase 1 or Phase 2 are being required to step back. This at a time when the state has seen a spike in new positive cases of COVID-19, and an uptick in hospitalizations. She cited as her rationale that most new cases in Oregon are associated with particular settings: agricultural facilities and other workplaces; senior care centers, jails and prisons and other group living situations; and some large social gatherings, including at the Union County church linked to 236 confirmed cases.
The Governor also stated that she is prepared to reinstate “Stay-at-Home” orders if hospitalizations spike too rapidly or if the capacity of the healthcare system is threatened.
A complete list of business (including nonprofit) requirements for face covering procedures can be
found on the OHA website
.
Special Session of the Oregon Legislature called
Governor Brown is calling the Legislature back into special session on June 24 to address some of the issues raised by the coronavirus pandemic and to pass police reform and accountability laws. The governor said she does not plan to focus on budget issues next week, but plans to have legislators back later this summer to address financial issues.
The governor’s office sent out a list of 27 legislative measures she would like lawmakers to consider in an upcoming legislative session.
There are six measures on the list addressing police accountability and reform issues. The governor also wants lawmakers to codify into law several of her executive orders she made in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including extending the temporary eviction moratorium.
Initially, lawmakers expected the governor would call them back to Salem to address the budget. But Gov. Brown said she is expecting the U.S. Congress to pass another relief package and she plans to wait to see what kind of financial help the states will receive from the federal government before addressing the significant gap in the 2019-2020 biennial budget. In May, finance staffers presented a budget projection that indicated $2.7 billion in lost tax revenue and lottery earnings due to the economic impacts of the pandemic and ensuing business closures.
The governor said she also expects lawmakers will be taking some budget action to reduce general funds by $150 million.
It remains unclear how lawmakers will meet in Salem while maintaining social distancing, but they are in the midst of hammering out the logistics. The legislature has a team of infectious disease experts to walk the Capitol hallways to determine the best ways to ensure lawmakers and their staff aren’t exposed to COVID-19.
The governor does have the power under the state constitution to call lawmakers into session and allow them to vote remotely. However, she can only invoke those powers one time during a declared emergency. The governor’s spokesperson said she plans to keep it in reserve in the case that it becomes necessary to invoke in the future.
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At the Federal level
DACA Upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the program protecting undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. This marks a significant reprieve for nearly 650,000 recipients known as “dreamers.” The 5-to-4 decision, written by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. stating a ruling was technical — the administration had not provided proper legal justification, he said, for ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program implemented by President Obama eight years ago. It allows qualified enrollees to work, study and remain in the United States on a renewable permit.
Senator Ron Wyden Introduces Legislation to Help Nonprofits
Bipartisan Bill Would Ensure that Nonprofits Receive Federal Help for Unemployment Payments Up Front, Rather than Being Reimbursed Later
Senator Ron Wyden today introduced legislation that would help nonprofits, state and local governments and federally recognized Tribes remain financially viable during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Nonprofit groups like food banks have been critical in helping their communities in Oregon and nationwide through the pandemic and economic crisis,”
Wyden said.
“Many are struggling to maintain services as they have been forced to furlough their own employees.
“Our proposal is a commonsense fix that will help nonprofits maintain the cashflow needed to survive this crisis and continue serving others in need,”
he said
.
Many nonprofits operate as ‘reimbursing employers,’ which means they pay their share of unemployment taxes by reimbursing states for 100 percent of the unemployment benefits collected by their former employees. Recognizing that reimbursing employers would be unable to cover all of their unemployment costs, the
CARES Act
allows nonprofits to reimburse only 50 percent to the states while the federal government covered the other 50.
Guidance issued by the Department of Labor in April, however, requires states to collect 100 percent of unemployment costs from nonprofits up front and reimburse them later, putting a further strain on organizations hit hard by COVID-19. The
Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act
would clarify that nonprofits are only required to provide 50 percent in payments up front. The net cost to the employer and the federal government would remain the same, but would free up much needed money to help nonprofits stay afloat.
For many nonprofit employers, the requirement to pay 100 percent of the UI bill before securing relief exacerbates the financial impact of historically high claims triggered by the pandemic, increasing the risk of further layoffs, closures, or substantial reductions in services. This legislation would enable states to provide the CARES Act’s 50 percent emergency relief to reimbursing employers without requiring these nonprofits or other entities to pay their full bill first.
Joining Senator Wyden in introducing the bipartisan
Protecting Nonprofits from Catastrophic Cash Flow Strain Act
are U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Tim Scott (R-SC) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA).
NAO endorses this bill and appreciates Senator Wyden’s work on behalf of Oregon’s nonprofits.
PPP Updates
Yesterday, a national coalition of nonprofit organizations sent to SBA, Treasury, and the White House an
Urgent Request from the Nonprofit Community for Guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program
. In the letter, they explain that since the application phase of the program is expiring and many organizations are ready to seek forgiveness, nonprofits
urgently need answers
so we can properly manage our loans and operations. The ask is that SBA and Treasury “provide the guidance, answers, and actions that will enable nonprofits to continue helping the millions of people, as well as state and local governments, who rely on us daily.” The letter includes a series of eight question areas that reflect concerns and uncertainty raised by nonprofits in various subsectors.
OMB Uniform Guidance Update
The Office of Management and Budget yesterday issued a new Memo,
M-20-26
that provides administrative relief for federal grantees directly impacted by COVID-19. It replaces previous pandemic-related Memos. The new Memo extends flexibility on
salaries and other project activities
through September 30 and extends flexibility on
Single Audit submissions
through December 31. For nonprofits that receive federal grants or grants from the state or counties that have pass-through federal language for compliance, be sure to direct your questions regarding the above administrative relief provisions directly to the Office of Federal Financial Management at
GrantsTeam@omb.eop.gov
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Upcoming Online Sessions for Nonprofits
QuickBooks Online Edition Made Easy for Nonprofits, June 23, 24 & 25, 11 a.m. – 1 pm. PT:
Gregg S. Bossen, CPA of 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® 2018 Online Edition, as well as advanced topics covering a host of specific processes that will help you do more helpful and amazing things! Register for the three-part webinar
here
.
Essential Unemployment Insights for Nonprofits, Thursday, June 25, 10
–
11 a.m. PT:
Nonstop Wellness, an NAO partner, is hosting this session. Laura Achee, Enrollment Manager at UST and Elizabeth Hodges, Benefits Advisor at Nonstop will discuss the COVID-19 impact on unemployment benefits for nonprofits, share resources for employers, and will help answer your questions. Register for the session
here
.
Ask the Experts: Characteristics of Resilient Leadership
, Tuesday, June 30, Noon – 1 p.m. PT:
Vanessa Becker, Senior Principal Consultant with V Consulting & Associates Inc. will focus on how resilient leaders turn disruptive changes, conflicts or crises from disaster into a growth opportunity, both personally and organizationally. Participants will gain insight into how they can assess their own leadership styles, identify primary change stressors in their organizations, and leave with areas of focus to become more resilient and adaptable to change. Register for the session
here
.
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Other Updates
Oregon Business’
100 Best Nonprofits to Work for in Oregon survey: Oregon Business has launched its 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey for 2020. The coronavirus pandemic has created a lot of uncertainties for organizations across all sectors of the economy, including Oregon’s nonprofits. It is more important than ever to keep communication flowing with employees as many are working remotely. Register for Oregon Business’ 2020 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey to find out how satisfied your employees are and what their concerns are in these uncertain times. Taking time to listen to your employees will set you up to be an even stronger organization. Join our effort to support strong workplace culture and celebrate successful employers by participating in the 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey. The survey must be completed by mid-July. Click here for
survey information; to register for the survey, click
here.
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Stay safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
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Jim White
Executive Director
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Thank you to the following SUPPORTERS and SPONSORS who are supporting NAO’s online COVID-19 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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