Program areas at Nonprofit Association of Oregon
Capacity building (learning and convening): nao offers a wide variety of professional and volunteer development learning and convening opportunities for Nonprofit leaders and their staff through high quality affordable training programs on issues of board development, funding strategy, financial management, diversity, supervision and technology. Nao supports the Nonprofit sector to convene, network, discuss issues, offer solutions, and share best practices. Nao frequently partners with local, statewide and national networks, funders and research partners to convene these gatherings to create meaningful dialogue and discussion.nao produced seven professional networks; Nonprofit leaders network, Nonprofit network of central Oregon, Nonprofit fiscal managers Association, equity and inclusion leaders network, lane county Nonprofit network, the rogue valley Nonprofit network and the new in 2022 mid-valley Nonprofit network. These networks normally meet monthly from september through june, providing professional updates and opportunities to learn from experts and network. Additional workshops, webinars, and online resources ensure that nonprofits all over Oregon have access to these valuable resources and opportunities. Nao also produced several cohorts learning programs for groups of nonprofits to learn and peer-support one another. In addition, nao undertook compliance training projects with the Oregon health authority. All of our capacity building services were delivered both virtually and in-person throughout the year. In 2022, nao invested in two Nonprofit education specialists to build our capacity internally to teach and provide better service to our members.
Member services: nao uses a membership business model to provide valuable services for nao members, including reduced fees at trainings and free events like webinars. During the 2022 year, nao continued to expand additional benefits for cost saving to our member nonprofits. Nao forges partnerships with nao business verified affiliate members who want to support nonprofits by offering discounts on services and products. Nao Nonprofit members save money by taking advantage of these cost-savings opportunities.
Voice: nao amplifies the Nonprofit sectors voice through public policy and advocacy work on behalf of oregons Nonprofit sector. Nao directly advocates on behalf of all nonprofits, as well as catalyzes important conversations with policy makers and among nonprofits. Nao works to raise the awareness of nonprofits impact, issues challenging the sector, and need for policy change. Nao educates and informs policy makers and others at the local, state and federal levels. In 2022, nao invested in a director of public policy for the first time in our history and already this investment is paying off in better service to our mission.