August 8, 2022

We need extraordinary nonprofit organizations filled with talented leaders to create positive change in our communities. That’s why Pacific University is partnering with us at NAO to create a new online Master of Nonprofit Leadership Program (MNL) that will prepare you to meet that challenge.

NAO is collaboratively creating responsive curriculum with Pacific University that is designed to address the biggest needs in our communities, and will expand on the compassionate qualities you already have, while giving you the additional tools you need to make a real difference in your nonprofit work. The program is also guided by an advisory council comprised of leaders and innovators throughout the nonprofit world, including our very own Executive Director, Jim White.

Join Program Director Corky McReynolds and Katie McCleary— a member of the MNL faculty — for an Instagram Live interview on August 9 at 6 p.m. on the Pacific University account where Katie will be talking about her new book, Bridge the Gap: Breakthrough Communication Tools to Transform Work Relationships from Challenging to Collaborative. And join Pacific University again the following week for a virtual informational session about the MNL program on August 16 at 9 a.m. 

Admission is now open for the first MNL program cohort, beginning in January. Optional concentrations are available in rural nonprofit or environmental nonprofit leadership, and application fees will be waived for Pacific University alumni.

After more than two years, the team at NAO is ready to bring back our regional networks beginning this fall! We have long-awaited for the day we can safely bring back and reconnect with each and every one of you. We know that many nonprofits are eager to come together and share best practices, tangible tools, to connect among peers and to engage in learning with thought leaders.

 

With that said, we are in full swing of planning for our 2022-2023 regional networks which generally take place between September through June. While individual sessions are not yet open for registration, we invite NAO members to begin purchasing NAO Member Passes in your region!

Each network has seven sessions – with a NAO Member Pass, you’ll have access to 10 pre-paid registrations – that’s three additional registrations for you to use throughout the entire season.

NAO Member Passes are $180 and exclusively offered to NAO members only. Not a member? Join today!

Nonprofits and Government Contracting Survey – Closes Friday, August 12

Many nonprofits receive revenue from government contracts, and there are problems with the way these contracts are administered. NAO is working on several initiatives to make changes and modernizations to the way that government works with our sector. We would like to understand your experience with government contracts in Oregon and what policy solutions we can move forward to support you and make nonprofit work easier. We have a short survey that will take less than 10 minutes to complete and will help us to work towards real reform of our government contracting.   

Since launching this survey, we have received a great number of responses with valuable information and feedback – thank you to those who have already taken the survey. We’ll be sure your voices are being heard! Take survey here.

Do you have an idea for a project surrounding the advocacy of your organization? As a nonprofit, this is the perfect opportunity to work with a team that would share their expertise, talents, and skills crafting a project for your business. The Leadership Portland Program is the Portland Business Alliance’s civic leadership program that focuses on building engaged leaders by broadening perspectives through the program's community Impact Projects. To qualify, your organization must be current members of the Portland Business Alliance. Please submit your project proposals by Sunday, August 14.

We are excited to share a new learning opportunity offered by our friends at the Capacity Building Partnerships, the Transformational Leadership Program. This program is designed to support leaders in building and sustaining diversity, equity, inclusion and justice!

This nine-month, multi-faceted engagement is designed to bring organizational and company leaders together to build a supportive learning community and seed the kind of leadership that will foster and sustain DEIJ efforts for the future. The program runs from October 2022 to June 2023. Learn more here.

NAO members receive $500 off registration costs. For questions email Tere Mathern at terem@capacitypartnerships.com

August 9, 16, 23, and 30, 9 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. | Presenter: Hannah Cortez, The Dotted i

In this grant writing series, we’ll offer hands-on learning activities, peer networking, and expert knowledge on grant readiness, grant research, proposal writing, and grant management. In addition to virtual instruction, participants will have weekly homework to deepen their learning and have direct access to course trainers for feedback and support. Register before August 9th – one registration enrolls participants for all four sessions! More details and registration information here.

August 23, 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Presenter: Jenn Clemo, NAO

In this 90-minute webinar, participants will learn the basic financial principles; including board member responsibilities, understanding restrictions, reviewing your statements for key financial indicators, and internal controls. Please note that this webinar provides fundamentals-level overview that is most appropriate for new board members, emerging nonprofit leaders, or those looking for a refresh of the basics. Free to NAO members! More details and registration information here.

This summer NAO is partnering with the Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section (DOJ) to offer a 3-part webinar series focused on nonprofit fundraising events, internal financial controls, and managing donor restrictions. The Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section supervises and regulates the activities of charitable organizations in the state. This webinar series will provide an overview of information to help keep your nonprofit in compliance with the DOJ’s rules and regulations. 

Building Immunity by Building Community – Members Only

September 13, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Presenter: Renee' Menkens, OHSU

August 9, 16, 23 and 30, 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Presenter: Adam Jespersen, Montana Nonprofit Association

Join the Montana Nonprofit Association (MNA), NAO’s counterpart in the state of Montana, for a four-week exploration of Microsoft Excel. If you work with any type of data, from grant reporting to program tracking, improving your skills in Excel is one of the easiest ways to level up your efficiency and productivity at work! This fast-paced course will start at the very beginning in introducing Excel as an essential tool for any nonprofit professional and will build on that foundation to teach participants how to effectively organize, analyze, and visualize data in ways that make work easier, smarter, more productive, and more efficient. More details and registration information here.

September 23, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Quyen Tu, Bolder Advocacy at Alliance For Justice

Private and public foundations can play an important role in advocacy by engaging in advocacy themselves and funding their grantees to advocate on their issues. This workshop is designed for foundation staff and trustees. After this workshop, your foundation will have a clear understanding of the kinds of advocacy activities you can safely engage in and best practices for grantmaking to give your grantees the most flexibility under the law for their advocacy efforts. Not sure how to make the case for funding advocacy? Uncertain whether you can fund grantees that lobby? Wondering whether your public or private foundation can speak out on a particular issue? This training answers these questions and more! More details and registration information here.

 

Nonprofit Advocacy Training – Members Only

September 24, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Presenter: Quyen Tu, Bolder Advocacy at Alliance For Justice

This six-hour intensive in-person training is perfect for nonprofits interested in developing and elevating their advocacy program. The training is two workshops rolled into one that’s designed for both nonprofit board members and staff to participate together! You’ll learn about the lobbying and election year activities that nonprofits can engage in just in time for the 2022 General Election, 2023 state and federal legislative sessions. More details and registration information here.

If you have any questions or difficulties registering, contact NAO's Training team at training@nonprofitoregon.org.