December eNews

Jim WhiteFrom the Desk of
Jim White 

The last month of this year has been devastating for all of us. The tragedy right here in Clackamas, Oregon, compounded by the horrific event in Newtown, Connecticut, leave us all stunned, appalled and seeking answers. Tasks that seemed so important just a week ago have been put into stark perspective.

Now more than ever, nonprofits are needed to lead new thinking and new strategies to support our communities. Our sector is nothing if not resilient and innovative. We will help our communities in their most trying times of need. We are connectors in our communities, acting to span gaps in public services and needed support in the lives of Oregonians. Our sector will be instrumental to healing, supporting and building a better Oregon.

Read the full letter.

New Data: Oregonians Increased Commitment to Communities in 2011

 
This month, the Corporation for National and Community Service released the Volunteering and Civic Life in America 2012 report. The data reveals good news for the nation and even better news for Oregon. 

While nationwide the volunteering rate increased by 0.5% to 26.8% overall, in Oregon the volunteering rate increased 2% to 35.8%, raising Oregon's rank to #8 in the country. This means that over 1/3 of all Oregonians volunteer - a total of 1,098,939 caring citizens, who share their time and talents in a number of ways.

Read more about the report's findings here.  

Public Policy News 

There's Still Time, and Urgency, to Speak Up and Protect the Charitable Giving Deduction

NAO is taking an active role on both the federal and state levels in advocacy around the critical threat that the fiscal cliff poses for nonprofits. NAO provided leadership in bringing a group of influential nonprofits and The Oregon Community Foundation together to send a joint letter to Oregon's Congressional Delegation urging them to avoid the fiscal cliff and oppose caps on deductions for charitable giving.

We are united with the National Council of Nonprofits and other state support organizations to raise our collective voice in order to let Congress know that going over the fiscal cliff will be devastating to our communities and the nonprofits that provide services.

Here in Oregon, NAO is engaged in mobilizing nonprofit organizations to take action by writing letters to their policymakers and the local media. Advocacy needs to be an important part of every nonprofit's work, and it is your right to speak on behalf of the people you serve. We encourage you to read NAO's fact sheet on public policy advocacy.

There is still time to speak up and let our policymakers know that nonprofits are at risk. Please take action now!

Member Benefits Spotlight 

Get More than 90% Off a GrantStation Membership  

 

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is pleased to offer GrantStation Member Value Program as a member benefit! Now members can purchase a full membership to GrantStation for only $60, a significant discount from their regular rate of $699 and any of their promotional rates.

Their newsletter, The GrantStation Insider, will be delivered to your inbox every week, featuring timely grant opportunities. You will also have access to their premiere suite of online grant research resources. You can search through thousands of private and governmental funding opportunities at the local, state, and federal level or use their articles and tutorials to enhance your grant writing and grant strategies.

GrantStation will be holding a free tour via webinar in late January. To register for the tour, click here or to learn more about GrantStation, visit their website.

Our Holiday Gift to You 

Buy One, Get One Free on NAO Network Sessions

As a special thank you for all the work you do to strengthen the Oregon nonprofit community, NAO is offering you two upcoming network training sessions for the cost of one.

Use the free session as a holiday gift for a colleague, or attend both sessions to expand your own nonprofit knowledge. This offer applies to any network session on the 2012-2013 schedule but to take advantage of it you must register by January 1. Offer is not valid on previous registrations.

Get a complete list of events available and a registration form here.

Already an NAO Member? Thank you!

Not an NAO Member? Join today!

Not sure? View our Nonprofit and Affiliate member lists.

Community Events 

9th Annual Nonprofit Organization Board Training

Next month Financial Stewardship Resources Inc. will put on their ninth-annual program, including a host of popular instructors and more than 25 topical workshops.


It's all happening Saturday, Jan 19 at the OSU LaSells-Stewart Center in Corvallis, Oregon.  


Last year's event was attended by more than 500 board members and their advisers from around the state. Learn more.

Professional Development Opportunities

Portland State University Now Offering Master of Social Work Program in Bend and Eugene

 

Portland State University's School of Social Work offers a three-year distance program designed to prepare graduates for entry into advanced professional practice in social work. The distance programs in Bend and Eugene are now accepting applications until February 1, 2013 for cohorts scheduled to begin Fall of 2013. To learn more, contact Distance Program Coordinator Dana Fuller at 503-725-5299 or click here.

Funding Opportunities 

The Vibrant Village Foundation Sounds an Open Call for Proposals in Portland


The Vibrant Village Foundation is currently accepting proposals for projects between $10,000 and $150,000 for up to three years. Of particular consideration are projects that provide youth with opportunities, focus on communities with the greatest disparities in academic achievement, and those that align with existing infrastructure and strategies. To be considered, you must deliver programs in the Portland Metro region. Learn more here.

Other Announcements

Successful Grants Stewardship Webinar Series Continues!


If you haven't already, check out these three short video excerpts for quick tips and a sneak preview of the series:

Learn more about the series and find links to register here.

Save the Date - Alliance for Justice presents "Worry Free Advocacy" January 23, 2013

Meyer Memorial Trust is sponsoring Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington and the Nonprofit Association of Oregon to bring the Alliance for Justice to Portland on January 23 to present two half-day workshops, one for foundation and one for nonprofit staff and volunteers. Mark your calendar now and plan to join us! More information will be posted to our training calendar soon.

In This Issue 

From the Desk of Jim White
Volunteering & Civic Life Report
Public Policy News
Member Benefits Spotlight
Buy One, Get One Free
Community Events
Professional Development Opportunities
Funding Opportunities
Other Announcements

Member of the Month: Paws Assisting Veterans (PAVE)


NAO is pleased to welcome Paws Assisting Veterans as a new member. PAVE is dedicated to training service dogs for veterans with mental and/or physical disabilities and to advancing public knowledge of service dogs and the essential roles they play.

Founded in 2010 by Michelle Nelson, Paws Assisting Veterans has been training primarily Labradors, retrievers, and mixed breeds. Learn more
here.


Know of a nonprofit organization doing good work in your community? 

Let us know about them!

This space is reserved for our Nonprofit Members. View the member listing here.

Check Out an Upcoming NAO Training  

The CFO's Role in Planning for New Fundraising & Enterprise Ideas
Dec 20 in Portland

 

Partnership Pays: Building a Collaborative Grant Proposal
Jan 4 Online

 

Building Unity & Resolving Conflict
Jan 8 in Portland

 

Meeting Challenges with Executive Coaching: How Does It Work?
Jan 9 in Portland

 

Investing Time Wisely: Calculating ROI of Individual Donor Fundraising
Jan 15 in Eugene

 

Uncover the Hidden Treasures in Your Donor Database
Jan 16 in Medford

 

Emerging Trends in Fundraising: Leveraging Online Communications
Jan 17 in Salem

 

Transform Your Organization by Transforming Yourself
Jan 18 in Portland

The Handbook Makes the Perfect Holiday Gift

The Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook

Do you already have your copy of the Oregon nonprofit Corporation Handbook? 

If not, it'd make the perfect holiday gift to your colleagues or organization! Plus, NAO Nonprofit Members receive $15 off.

 
Already an NAO Member? To receive the member discount code, send us an email or call 503-239-4001, ext. 127.

Not an NAO Member yet?
Join today!  

Learn more or purchase The Handbook here.  

Welcome New & Renewing Members

We'd like to extend a warm welcome to new members just joining us, and big thanks to existing members who renewed during the month of November. Together, our voices are stronger!

New Members 

Renewing Members 

Member Story Bank 

We like to feature the good works of our members, and offer several avenues for visibility: our website, social media platforms, presentations, and print materials (just to name a few). Interested in having your organization featured? Submit success stories and high-resolution photos that demonstrate your mission in action.

Looking for a Job?

Bookmark NAO's Nonprofit Job Board to keep an eye on the latest nonprofit job openings.

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The mission of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon is to strengthen the collective voice, leadership, and capacity of nonprofits to enrich the lives of all Oregonians.

To be a strong and effective voice for the nonprofit sector, we need your voice as a member!

Learn about membership