With the November rains come the season of giving, and for nonprofits, the season of asking! With the economic downturn and COVID restrictions that have all but ceased in-person fundraising events, nonprofits are finding innovative ways to keep their donors engaged and meet their year-end fundraising goals. As you plan your year-end funding appeals, remember that the CARES Act passed in late March instituted a provision allowing people to deduct $300 for charitable contributions. Make sure your donors are aware of that! Here are the details:
If a person is married and filing jointly, their deduction is still limited to $300. (There has been some debate on whether the law can be interpreted to say $600 for filing jointly, but this article clarifies why it is capped at $300 for joint filers.) Taxpayers can take this universal deduction no matter whether they itemize or take the standard deduction on their taxes.
Deductions under the CARES Act must be in cash (including checks and credit card payments) and given to a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions to non-operating private foundations, support organizations and donor-advised funds don’t fall under this new deduction. Because the CARES Act deduction is a universal above-the-line deduction, a donor can list their contribution as an adjustment to income on their taxes.
In short, with the CARES Act, if someone donates up to $300 in cash to a qualified organization, their adjusted gross income will be reduced up to $300.
Another benefit of this provision is that they don’t need to include documentation when they file gifts $250 and under — just be sure they keep proof of cash receipts. And remember, all gifts exceeding $250 need to include the receipt or proper documentation when filing.
Have a great fundraising season and #GivingTuesday when it comes on December 1!
|
|
Jim White
NAO Executive Director
|
|
Two-Week Freeze in Effect Tomorrow Across Oregon
Last Friday in an effort to curb Oregon’s growing COVID-19 cases, Governor Brown announced a series of new statewide restrictions that will go into effect tomorrow Nov. 18. The restrictions will run for two weeks through Wednesday, December 2. In a few counties, the new restrictions will be in place for at least four weeks. So far, the only stated county that will be closed for four weeks is Multnomah County.
The hope is to limit the social gatherings that have fueled the recent COVID-19 surge. By reducing spread of the infection, it is hoped that pressure on Oregon’s hospitals will be lowered and mortalities will decline.
The Two-Week Freeze measures include:
- Limiting social get-togethers (indoors and outdoors) to no more than six people, total, from no more than two households.
- Limiting faith-based organizations to a maximum of 25 people indoors or 50 people outdoors.
- Limiting eating and drinking establishments to take-out and delivery only.
- Closing gyms and fitness organizations.
- Closing indoor recreational facilities, museums, indoor entertainment activities, and indoor pools and sports courts.
- Closing zoos, gardens, aquariums, outdoor entertainment activities, and outdoor pools.
- Limiting grocery stores and pharmacies to a maximum of 75% capacity and encouraging curbside pickup.
- Limiting retail stores and retail malls (indoor and outdoor) to a maximum of 75% capacity and encouraging curbside pickup.
- Closing venues (that host or facilitate indoor or outdoor events).
- Requiring all businesses to mandate work-from-home to the greatest extent possible and closing offices to the public.
- Prohibiting indoor visiting in long-term care facilities (outdoor visitation permitted for supporting quality of life).
The Two-Week Freeze does not apply to or change current health and safety protocols for personal services (such as barber shops, hair salons, and non-medical massage therapy), congregate homeless sheltering, outdoor recreation and sports, youth programs, childcare, K-12 schools, K-12 sports currently allowed, current Division 1 and professional athletics exemptions, and higher education — all of which can continue operating under previous guidance issued by the Oregon Health Authority.
Violations of the new order amount to misdemeanors. Those who fail to comply with the restrictions could reportedly be fined $1,250 or placed behind bars for up to a month. Oregonians faced similar penalties for violating the governor's stay-at-home order back in March, but fines were extremely rare.
A spokesperson for the governor stated that Oregon State Police "will be working with local law enforcement to enforce the Governor's orders, in the same way local law enforcement officers respond to noise complaints for loud parties, for example, and issue citations."
|
|
Wildfires Relief Application Extended
The deadline for survivors of Oregon wildfires to apply for FEMA individual disaster assistance and low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is extended to Monday, Nov. 30. The extension agreed upon by the state and FEMA is for survivors living in counties designated for individual assistance including Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion. Federal disaster assistance for individuals and families can include money for rental assistance, essential home repairs, personal property losses, and other serious disaster-related needs not covered by insurance.
Apply for disaster assistance with FEMA online at www.disasterassistance.gov/ by using the FEMA app or calling the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 (TTY 800-462-7585) between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. Pacific Standard Time daily. Those who use a Relay service such as a videophone, InnoCaption, or CapTel should update FEMA with their assigned number for that service. It is important that FEMA make contact in order to move an application forward. Phone calls from FEMA may come from an unidentified number.
No-Cost Wildfire Ash and Debris Cleanup
The State of Oregon will provide no-cost wildfire ash and debris cleanup for all homes and businesses in the eight counties affected by the disastrous September wildfires, the Oregon Debris Management Task Force announced today. This cleanup includes mobile home parks, second homes, businesses, and other structures.
Home and business owners that opt into this government-led wildfire cleanup program will pay no upfront costs for any cleanup work. Additionally, no government agency – state, federal or contractor - will seek payment from any insurance policy unless it is specifically designated for debris removal or left over after the home or business is completely rebuilt.
The no-cost cleanup is available to home and business owners in Clackamas, Douglas, Jackson, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, and Marion counties.
FEMA will reimburse the state for a portion of eligible costs. The State of Oregon will fund the remaining costs, regardless of FEMA reimbursement. Initial estimates put the debris cleanup tally at over $600 million, including $326 million for ash and debris removal and $295 million to remove damaged trees. This estimate is preliminary and is likely to change.
Wildfire debris cleanup hotline: 503-934-1700
|
|
New DHS Newsletter
The Oregon Department of Human Services now prod newsletter for partners and stakeholders. Check out the latest issue here and be sure to subscribe to get regular updates.
|
|
At the Federal Level
President-Elect Biden called for immediate COVID relief legislation during a major address yesterday on the economy. He said, “Congress should come together and pass a Covid relief package” along the lines of the $3 trillion bill that House Democrats passed earlier this year. He insisted that funding for states and cities needs to be included in such legislation.
Over the weekend, President Trump tweeted, “Congress must now do a Covid Relief Bill. Needs Democrats support. Make it big and focused. Get it done!”
The heat is on for action on a new Coronavirus Relief Fund. These articles are some good examples of why action is imperative before the end of 2020:
Conventional Wisdom, however, has it that the odds are against congressional leaders reaching agreement on COVID relief and an omnibus spending bill before the end of the year.
|
|
NAO News
***For NAO 501 (c)(3) Members!*** NAO has partnered with ReputationUs, a communications and reputation management firm and NAO Business Verified Affiliate member, who will provide one lucky NAO 501(c)(3) member with six months of free reputation management support in 2021! NAO 501(c)(3) members must submit a short application by this Friday, November 20, 2020. The lucky winner will be selected randomly on November 24 – just in time for Thanksgiving! For more information and to apply, click here.
The latest episode of NAO’s The Public Space podcast drops this Thursday, November 19! Anthony Veliz, Founder of the Oregon Latinx Leadership Network discusses the transformational work OLLN is doing in the Latinx community and beyond. Be inspired by strategic ideas and solutions bringing positive change to our communities – subscribe to The Public Space today!
Check out NAO’s latest NAO nonprofit member spotlight – Lane County’s Greenhill Humane Society featuring Executive Director Cary Lieberman! NAO is shining a light on the great work our NAO nonprofit members are doing in their communities with our “We Are Oregon’s Nonprofits” series. If you’ve missed past spotlights, check them out here.
|
|
NAO thanks all of you who are responding to so many crises and disasters in our communities. We have curated a set of resources and links with our COVID-19 resources and Oregon Wildfire Response Resources pages that we’ve created to help you and your organizations navigate these difficult times.
If your nonprofit is responding to communities impacted by the fires, please be sure to connect with your FEMA coordinators (called VALs), Regional Solutions, local Office of Emergency Management, United Ways and County/Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COADs). A coordinated disaster and recovery response is imperative! Please be part of the solution by sharing what you’re doing.
You can connect to the Oregon Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (ORVOAD) by clicking this link and connecting to these other groups.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Online Sessions
NEW DATE! Effective Supervision Practices for Advancing Equity and Inclusion (two sessions), Wednesdays, November 18 (2:30 – 4 p.m. PT) and Thursday, December 3 (3:30 – 5 p.m. PT): A two-part series with Cliff Jones, Consultant Partner at Capacity Building Partnerships. In this two-part series, we will explore the most essential elements of a supervisor’s role with a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. Details and registration information here.
How to Communicate Your Impact: Four ways to Measure and Communicate Your Impact, Thursday, November 19, Noon – 1 p.m. PT: Steve Patty, Founder of Dialogues in Action, will explore four ways to evaluate your impact and four ways to communicate your impact. Details and registration information here.
How to Read Financial Statements, Wednesday, December 2, 3 – 4:30 p.m. PT: Erin Zollenkopf, CEO at Susan Matlack Jones & Associates presents this session on how to read financial statements. More details and registration information here.
Revenue Recognition: Topic ASC 606, Wednesday, December 9, 10 – 11 a.m. PT: Join Jessica Yoder, Shareholder and Jeffrey Lester, Senior Assurance Manager, both at McDonald Jacobs for a webinar on reviewing examples and best practices for implementing new revenue recognition standards on topic ASC 606. More details and registration information here.
|
|
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.
|
|
FRIEND PLUS PARTNER SPONSORS
|
|
FOLLOW NAO ON SOCIAL MEDIA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|