Hello Nonprofit Leaders and Supporters,
Earlier this week, our colleagues at The National Council of Nonprofits and more than 60 national organizations sent a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders urging them to support nonprofit-specific policy that would provide disaster relief, support for nonprofit workforce shortages, and promote volunteerism in our communities. I’d encourage you to read the letter and sign on with your support.
This letter includes many policy decisions that could make a significant impact on the sector as a whole. A couple of the major points are:
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Nonprofits are calling on Congress and the Administration to restore and expand the universal charitable (non-itemizer) deduction, and extend the 100% AGI cap on individual donations and the 25% income tax cap on corporate donations through the end of the year.
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Charitable organizations are also calling for action to help remedy the nonprofit workforce shortage, which continues to impact Oregon nonprofit organizations significantly. Solutions include extending and improving the Employee Retention Tax Credit, investing significantly in high-quality, affordable, and available child care options, enacting the WORK NOW Act nonprofit grants and jobs program, and making essential reforms to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to make it more accessible for nonprofit employees.
You can read the letter in full here. Please show your support by signing onto this letter to encourage lawmakers to enact these important policy initiatives to help the nonprofit sector in Oregon and throughout the country.
Connected to NAO’s advocacy work on behalf of the sector, I am also very excited about a collaboration we are working on with our friends at the Northwest Health Foundation. Please take a look at the details below.
Stay healthy and be safe,
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Jim White
NAO Executive Director
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Exploring A Nonprofit Health Modernization Act
We know that great people leave the nonprofit sector regularly due to a variety of reasons including burnout, higher wages and better benefits elsewhere, and complicated contracting systems from the public sector and philanthropic partners.
This is why we are partnering with the Northwest Health Foundation on exploring a community-based nonprofit modernization act which would be a legislative path to systemically fix underpayment, reduce administrative burden, and raise wages in community-based nonprofits. The Nonprofit Health Modernization Act could do the following:
- Establish wage requirements/standards in public community-based organizations (CBOs) contracting that may apply to multiple jurisdictions, or at least Oregon State grant recipients and sub-recipients.
- Implement the 2014 Federal OMB Uniform Guidance across agencies, which is intended to ensure consistent and fair contracting processes, streamline administration and clarify costs.
- Address other efficiencies as identified by CBOs and government staff.
- Codify definitions of “culturally-responsive services” and “culturally-specific organizations” across government agencies.
As we begin this process, we’re looking to fill two contract roles: a Researcher to help us understand how other states have addressed this problem and what legal options we have within the state of Oregon, and a Project Manager to keep the project on task and partners engaged and accountable. For more information visit here.
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Save On ONLC With Early Bird Pricing!
We’re so excited to see a growing number of registrations for this year’s Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference happening on April 12 – thank you to everyone who has already registered! This year’s conference theme and session topics revolve around using crisis as a catalyst – for change, for good, for growth. We are thrilled to offer nationally respected speakers while uplifting innovative and adaptive stories from southern Oregon nonprofit leaders.
Join your nonprofit colleagues from all over the state in a virtual platform for three breakout sessions ranging anywhere from equity and inclusion, disaster preparedness, fundraising, nonprofit leadership development, and more! Take advantage of the early bird discount until March 15 for the best price possible.
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NAO's Upcoming Learning and Convening Opportunities |
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Virtual Networks
NAO will continue to hold all upcoming programming virtually. NAO is following the Oregon Health Authority guidelines and recommendations closely and will be assessing when to resume some in-person programming after the mask mandate is lifted this spring. While we are hopeful that we can gather together in person soon, we do not yet have a date that in-person programming will resume.
2022 Annual Nonprofit GAAP and Form 990 Update
February 24, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Presenter: Gary McGee, CPA, Gary McGee & Co. LLP
In this session, we will review the many accounting challenges affecting nonprofit organizations in the current environment, and will present information about new and proposed accounting standards and how they will impact nonprofit entities in the future. Topics include Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidance and projects specific to nonprofit organizations, other applicable FASB guidance that will affect nonprofits, and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants accounting and auditing activities. More details and registration information here.
Building Inclusive Teams
April 14, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Gerardo Ochoa, Ed.M., Linfield University
As the demographics of our communities continue to change, organizations are striving to reflect on the communities they serve. This interactive session focuses on the implicit attitudes, behaviors, policies, and practices may influence how we engage with individuals and/or groups and make decisions in the workplace. The session provides an introductory exploration of the intersection of privilege, cognitive and structural bias, and micro and macro aggressions. The session reinforces the importance of having cultural agility and empathy and developing intentional tools and strategies for recruitment and retention. More details and registration information here.
Understanding Financial Statements 101: Reports and Tools You Need to Know
April 19, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Erin Zollenkopf, Susan Matlack Jones & Associates
Join us for an interactive workshop on how to read financial statements. In a lively and welcoming setting, you will become familiar with nonprofit accounting terminology and learn about the major financial statements used by nonprofits. Additionally, you will gain an understanding about what the numbers say about the health of your organization and how to use the information in assessing financial performance and decision-making. More details and registration information here.
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NAO Webinar
Exploring Disability Justice and Increasing Accessibility
February 23, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenters: Kate Williams and Nicole Langpap, Disability Equity Center
Join Kate and Nicole from the Disability Equity Center (DEC) as they explain the basic principles of Disability Justice work and explore ways to increase your understanding of accessibility. This interactive training offers a safe and engaging space to learn in the community about ways to be a Disability affirming and more inclusive organization. Leave with some practical tools to increase universal access and better connect with the disability community. More details and registration information here.
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Nonprofit Learning Cohort
Getting Ready to Hire Your First Employee (Five weekly sessions)
Dates: February 22, March 1, 8, 15, and 22 | Facilitator: Christine Frazer, Christine Frazer HR Strategist
This five-session interactive series will help identify all the options you have when considering hiring your first employee. We’ll discuss the compliance, logistic, and practical decisions that need to be made from the moment you realize you need someone to the day they join your team. We’ll also talk through best practices and potential pitfalls. More details and registration information here.
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Virtual Convening
Oregon Nonprofit Leaders Conference
April 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join us for a day of immersive capacity building, leadership development, and networking! Each year ONLC brings together over 350 nonprofit professionals, funders, and thought leaders to explore the challenges and opportunities of nonprofit management today. We are thrilled to feature nationally respected speakers while uplifting innovative and adaptive stories from Southern Oregon nonprofit leaders. This year’s theme and session topics revolve around using crisis as a catalyst – for change, for good, for growth. Early bird pricing ends March 14, so register early for the best price possible! More details and registration information here.
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Thank you to the following FUNDERS 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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