Nonprofit Association of Oregon
January eNews

Jim WhiteFrom the Desk of
Jim White 

With the new year comes new challenges and opportunities for the nonprofit sector in Oregon. There are many prognostications for nonprofits being made about changes, threats, and opportunities. I have been reflecting on where our sector stands as we start the new year and would like to share a few of my ideas with all of you.
  1. The nonprofit sector in Oregon will experience significant leadership change in 2013.
  2. There is a transfer of knowledge wave that is swelling quickly and must be met in the coming year to ensure that new leaders benefit from the experience of the retiring Baby Boomer generation.
  3. The upcoming generation of leaders looks and acts differently than their predecessors.
  4. Our sector has some fundamental obstacles to overcome in defining who we are, our impact on society, and our relationship to the other two sectors (private and public) of a vibrant civil society.
  5. Finally, all indications are that more people will need the services of nonprofits in 2013.

Read the full letter.

Back to Basics: Resolutions for 2013


Resolutions tend to be the things we know we ought to do but never seem to get around to because we get busy with everyday life. As we start 2013, here are ten resolutions for nonprofit organizations to consider.

Read the resolutions, courtesy of our Capacity Building Team.    

ANonprofits & Advocacy: Mission Advancement & Civic Engagement

A Training for Nonprofit Staff & Volunteers 

Join GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and Southwest Washington, the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, and Alliance for Justice (AFJ), the national leader in providing informative and entertaining trainings on the rules of advocacy for nonprofit organizations, for this half-day workshop on January 23 in Portland. Attorney-trainers will teach you the rules and local nonprofit leaders will share opportunities and ideas for effectively advocating on behalf of your mission.

This training is free for NAO Members, $25 for Nonmembers. Register now.

An AFJ attorney will be available by appointment for 30-minute sessions of free in-person technical assistance to answer your questions about nonprofit rules and regulations on January 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at NAO's office (5100 SW Macadam Avenue, Suite 360; Portland, OR 97239). Please e-mail Daren Garshelis and indicate the time that you would like to reserve and some general information about the questions you have.

Already an NAO Member? Thank you!

Not an NAO Member? Join today!

Not sure? View our Nonprofit and Affiliate Member lists.

National Study Sounds Alarm about Nonprofit Fundraising


Instability in Development Director Role Linked to Deeper Problems

Yesterday, CompassPoint and the Evelyn and Walter Haas, Jr. Fund released a national report, UnderDeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising.

According to the data, high levels of turnover and lengthy vacancies in development director positions plague the sector. More significantly, the study points to deeper issues that contribute to instability in the development director role, including a lack of basic fundraising systems and inadequate attention to fund development among key Board and staff leaders.


Read the press release.

Read the complete report, which includes a set of urgent calls to action for the nonprofit sector.

2013 AFP Philanthropy Trends Survey

Participate & Help Improve Data Quality and Planning for Our Region's Nonprofits

Nonprofit leaders, funders, and policy makers need good information to make good decisions. The Oregon & SW Washington Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is gathering information about our nonprofit region in order to promptly report back to you in time to be relevant for YOUR 2013 plans.

NAO encourages nonprofits in all regions--particularly rural areas--to participate. Doing so will enable AFP to compile break-out results.

PLUS, by participating, you will get advance access to the report and exclusive invitations for your Board and staff to a February pre-release event discussing report findings.

In fundraising, you know confidentiality is important. Your responses are confidential. Survey data will be aggregated and information about individual groups will NOT be revealed or tracked. The survey closes on January 25.

Take the survey now.

Public Policy News 

Fiscal Cliff Not Averted, Simply Postponed!

The Fiscal Cliff has only been temporarily averted with the passage of the "American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA)." There is still much work yet to be completed. Contentious meetings are expected over the next three months as the President, Senate, and House address the federal debt ceiling (slated for February), the postponed sequestration (slated for March 1), and expiration of the stop-gap federal spending bill for the current fiscal year known as the Continuing Resolution (slated for March 27). 

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO) joins the  National Council of Nonprofits, the nation's largest network of nonprofits, with mixed views of ATRA. While we are glad that Congress was able to pass a compromise bill, we have grave concern about the inability of federal policymakers to resolve the debt crisis. We are especially concerned as there are still pending across-the-board cuts of $54.6 billion from domestic spending programs that will increase demands for services, and reduce resources to meet those growing needs. Programs scheduled for cuts include block-grants and contracts to nonprofits supporting after school services, transportation safety, senior care, homeless shelters, and our most vulnerable citizens. 

NAO is calling on the nonprofit sector in Oregon to keep up the pressure on Congress and the President to avert drastic cuts to vital services delivered through our sector and continue to protect the charitable giving incentive for all Americans, regardless of tax bracket. We encourage you to get in contact with your representatives and help make our collective voice heard! 

Member Benefits Highlight #1:
UST Unemployment Insurance

Is Opting Out of Oregon's State Unemployment Tax System Right for Your Nonprofit?

Unemployment taxes are increasing across the US, and it may benefit your organization to opt out and become a direct reimbursing employer. Employers who opt out save money by reimbursing the state only for unemployment benefits paid out, instead of paying quarterly taxes per employee. And, since employers typically pay $2 in taxes for every $1 paid out in benefits, becoming a direct reimbursing employer may be the best option for your nonprofit.

The Unemployment Services Trust (UST) is a partner of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon and can help you determine whether becoming a direct reimbursing employer is right for your organization. All nonprofits with ten or more full-time employees are encouraged to explore this option. To speak with a knowledgeable UST representative, call 888-249-4788 or send an email to [email protected].

The deadline to opt out of Oregon's state unemployment tax system for 2013 is January 31.

Not a member and want to take advantage of this and other member benefits? Join today!


Community Events 

The Conversation Project Seeks Scholars, Innovators, Thinkers & Leaders

Oregon Humanities' (OH) Conversation Project offers Oregon nonprofits free, humanities-based public discussion programs about provocative issues and ideas. OH is seeking scholars, community leaders, innovators, provocateurs, artists, academic all stars, and other engaged thinkers who want to help Oregonians think broadly, ask questions, and talk with each other about timely and relevant ideas that affect our daily lives and decisions.

OH seeks individuals who are smart, passionate about ideas, and curious--who understand the role of the humanities in the public sphere, but who are also teachers at heart, regardless of their day job. Most importantly, OH is looking for people who value listening as much as speaking, and who are willing to step out from behind the podium and lead an active conversation among participants rather than simply offering lectures followed by Q&A. If this sounds like you, consider proposing your own Conversation Project program!

Professional Development Opportunities

9th Annual Nonprofit Organization Board Training

Financial Stewardship Resources Inc. presents their ninth-annual program, including a host of popular instructors and more than 25 topical workshops on January 19 at the OSU LaSells-Stewart Center in Corvallis. Last year, more than 500 Board members and their advisers from around the state attended this event. Learn more.

Funding Opportunities

Capacity Building Grants for Arts Organizations

The Oregon Arts Commission's Capacity Building Grants application deadline is February 1. Learn more.

In This Issue 

From the Desk of Jim White
Back to Basics: Resolutions for 2013
Nonprofits & Advocacy: Mission Advancement & Civic Engagement
National Study Sounds Alarm About Nonprofit Fundraising
2013 AFP Philanthropy Trends Survey
Public Policy News
Member Benefits Highlights
Community Events
Professional Development Opportunities
Funding Opportunities

Use The Handbook to Make Your Resolutions a Reality 

The Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook

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.  

Member of the Month: My Voice Music (MVM)

My Voice Music logo

Renewing member My Voice Music (MVM), based in Portland, engages youth in music and performance in order to promote self-esteem, social skills, and emotional expression.

Founded in 2008 by Ian Mouser, MVM programs focus on songwriting, recording, and performing, and emphasize the power of story and of personal narrative. All of their programs aim to help youth develop the music and life skills that will help them to cope, heal, and thrive in the moment, as well as a lifetime. 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  

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 

Nonprofits & Advocacy: Mission Advancement & Civic Engagement
Jan 23 in Portland

GAAP Update
Jan 24 in Portland

Nonprofit Financial Fundamentals
Jan 30 in Beaverton

The Essential Grant Proposal Blueprint: The Framework for Your Business Plan
Feb 1 Online

Exploring & Managing Learning Style Differences
Feb 6 in Portland  

Financial Oversight: Board Roles & Responsibilities
Feb 12 in Portland  

Managing Difficult Conversations Around Equity
Feb 14 in Portland  

Accurately Portraying Administration, Overhead & Program Costs
Feb 19 in Eugene  

Welcome New & Renewing Members

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

New & 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!

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