Oregon Nonprofit Forum
Nonprofits in Flux: Implications & Opportunities (May 21 in Portland & Online)
Are nonprofits actually adopting the ideas that will change lives or are we simply rebranding old models?
 Our first Oregon Nonprofit Forum features Diana Aviv, the CEO of Independent Sector. Be sure that your organization is part of the discussion--in-person or online using the hashtag #ONPF14!
If you are unable to attend the live in-person event in Portland, please consider joining one of the video-linked meeting sites in Bend, Grants Pass, and Springfield or join us on your desktop.
Register today!
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Reflections from Jim White
Dear Friends,
I am happy to report a significant step in NAO's work to build a stronger nonprofit sector. Philanthropy Northwest--which promotes, facilitates, and drives collaborative action by philanthropic organizations to strengthen communities in our region--has extended reciprocal memberships with the five Pacific Northwest state nonprofit associations, including the Nonprofit Association of Oregon. (Membership would not extend to the nonprofit members of each association.)
Jeff Clarke, CEO of Philanthropy Northwest, stated that he hopes this step "opens up an immediate future of possibility that brings our respective communities together for critical dialogue, influence, policy activity, and other forms of collaboration in support of building stronger, more resilient communities across the Pacific Northwest."
Read more about this collaboration.
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Public Policy News
IRS Goes Back to the Drawing Board
In February, NAO joined Independent Sector to comment on proposed IRS regulations that would redefine the rules for political activity by tax-exempt organizations. The IRS received over 150,000 comments on its proposed 501(c)(4) regulations concerning campaign-related political activity.
Due to the unprecedented response, the IRS stated in early April that it plans to review all those comments, hold a public hearing, and possibly put forward a new rule and ask for more public comment, a process that will likely not be completed before the end of the year.
New Form 1023-EZ Goes Too Far, Too Fast
Recently, NAO joined the National Council of Nonprofits to comment on proposed changes to the Form 1023-EZ, expressing concern that while improvements do need to be made, "...the proposed new EZ Form and related express-lane approval process go too far and too fast".
The Council of Nonprofits calls on the IRS to instead emulate the example set by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding reform efforts by seeking guidance from the public and the charitable nonprofit community and its stakeholders to strike the right balance between increasing efficiency, minimizing the burdens on nonprofits and the IRS, and improving public trust.
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Professional Development
Community Voices (May 15 in Portland)
 Community Voices builds on YNPN Portland's most successful event from 2013. Speakers from across the sector will give dynamic, fun snapshots of what excites them most about their work, and the pressing issues that fire up their passion for change. Plus, it's free! Register now.
10 Tips for Measuring Programs
through Data (May 22 Online)
This webinar--FREE for NAO Members--breaks down 10 straightforward tips to help you skip the jargon and get started in collecting the data that matters most to your organization. For those of you interested in "The Program Data for Information and Transformation Toolkit" Webinar Series, this is a great opportunity to see if this course is the right fit. Register now.
Strategic Planning: Approaches, Benefits & Challenges (Jun 3 in Portland)
Register now for the first session of the Oregon Society of CPAs' 2014 "What Matters for Not-for-Profits" series--it's free for nonprofit leaders and professional service firms!
Eastern Oregon Nonprofit Conference
(Jun 5 to 6 in Ontario)
NAO is proud to be partnering with Rural Development Initiatives to bring Change, Connect, Commit, Community to Ontario next month. NAO's Director of Rural Programs Amy Carlson and Director of Executive Transition Services Kim Cumming are each presenting, and NAO's Executive Director Jim White will moderate a panel discussion and lead a town hall on advocacy. Register now.
2014 Independent Sector National Conference (Nov 16 to 18 in Seattle)
We are also partnering with Independent Sector--the leadership network for nonprofits, foundations, and corporations--to bring its 2014 National Conference to Seattle this November. NAO Members receive a significantly discounted registration rate.
Contact membership@nonprofitoregon.org or 503-239-4001, ext. 127 and ask for the discount codes. Learn more.
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Funding
Advantis Credit Union's GROW Community Grant Program
This grant fund is designed to provide nonprofit and service organizations with financial resources to address a wide range of needs and tackle challenges in the community, one project at a time. Learn more.
RedRover Domestic Violence Safe Housing Grants
RedRover is partnering with Sheltering Animals and Families Together (SAF-T) to enable organizations that provide emergency sheltering for victims of domestic violence to also house pets of domestic violence victims on-site with their families. Learn more.
Google's Giving Through Glass Program
Attention nonprofit employees! Share how you would use Glass to solve real world problems. Learn more.
Zipcar's Communities with Drive Program
This program, with support from the Ford Motor Company, will award cash grants and Zipcar credit to 501(c)(3) nonprofits that share how they will use Zipcar to help others. Learn more.
Innovation Labs
With support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, EmcArts offers unique immersion programs for performing arts and arts development agencies to uncover adaptive strategies and launch innovation initiatives. Learn more.
Lincoln's Legacy Award
Lincoln Financial Group awards this $50,000 prize to a nonprofit that exemplifies President Abraham Lincoln's legacy of freedom, opportunity, and equality and increases high school graduation rates and college preparedness. Learn more.
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Pacific Northwest Nonprofit Survey 
For five years, beginning in 2008, the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has supported five key capacity building organizations-including the Nonprofit Association of Oregon-serving nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. Check out the findings of their report here.
Government-Nonprofit Contracts & Grants
Governments and nonprofit organizations partner through contracts and grants to provide needed services in communities across Oregon and the country. According to the recently released Urban Institute report National Study of Nonprofit-Government Contracts and Grants 2013: State Profiles, nonprofit government contracts reached approximately 56,000 nonprofits and totaled close to $137 billion dollars nationwide. This report also provides data on government contracts and grants with nonprofits, problems encountered, and the current fiscal situation of nonprofit organizations in each state. Oregon rankings provide useful indicators of how we compare to other states on key issues.
A practical series of solutions has been drawn from the network of state associations and provided by the National Council of Nonprofits. The Nonprofit Association of Oregon is committed to working with state and county officials and nonprofits to help ensure our joint collaborations are effective, efficient, and supportive to the people of Oregon.
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2014 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon Survey
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 Once again, NAO has partnered with Oregon Business for their annual 100 Best Nonprofits to Work For in Oregon survey. The survey is open to any 501(c)-type organization with at least ten workers (including volunteers). Registration is free, and your nonprofit will receive a summary of the data on your organization--an invaluable tool for assessing the strengths of your HR program and identifying areas for improvement.
Learn more and register your organization for the survey by emailing the project manager.
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New Resource for Central Oregon Nonprofits
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Through support provided by the Partnership to End Poverty, we are pleased to announce that Adrienne Graham is our part-time NAO Central Oregon Regional Director! Adrienne will support collaboration, communication, and the flow of technical assistance and provide limited, on-the-ground technical assistance, support, and coaching to Central Oregon nonprofits.
Her first project is a resource and asset mapping exercise which will be shared with the Oregon nonprofit community and our supporters. To reach Adrienne for support or to get a better understanding of the services NAO can provide send her an email.
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If you receive mail from Annual Business Services requesting a fee to file your annual minutes just ignore it--it's a scam! Contact the Oregon Secretary of State for more information.
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Oregon Nonprofit Event Calendar
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Check out all the great nonprofit events happening around Oregon this month! You can add your nonprofit's event easily--for free--here.
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Bookmark NAO's Nonprofit Job Board to keep an eye on the latest nonprofit job openings.
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NAO Nonprofit Members receive $15 off of The Oregon Nonprofit Corporation Handbook, Fifth Edition.
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.
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