Spring: A Season of Renewal
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Dear Nonprofit Colleagues,
It’s spring and it feels that we are on the brink of more changes, including partial reopening of some of our public spaces as more Washingtonians are vaccinated. Yet, substantial uncertainty remains regarding how soon many of us will be back at the office, our kids attending in-person classes, and other aspects of our lives that changed dramatically during the pandemic will shift again.
Transitions, even positive ones, can be stressful. Whether we liked retreating to our homes and shrinking our social circles or not, some of us have barely adjusted to the new rhythm and may not be ready to adapt again. It’s been a stressful year, and some of us have not had access to our usual mental health supports. As the adrenaline that has carried us through a long emergency leaves our bodies (or not, depending on our individual circumstances), how will we show up for our families, our coworkers and the people we serve? How will we care for each other when we are exhausted and in need of care ourselves?
This time of disorientation and discomfort, grief and loss, oppression and new freedom, will continue to test us. Some of us face enormous additional stressors—racism and racially traumatic events in the news, symptoms of long-haul COVID, long-term unemployment, and more. I have little advice except to be kind to yourself and others as we go through it, and mindful that our experiences are diverse. As many have observed, we are navigating the same waters, but our rafts or boats look very different.
 In solidarity,
Laura Pierce
Executive Director
Washington Nonprofits
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SB 5034, The Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act, has been passed by the legislature.
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We have been keeping you up to date about the Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act, SB 5034, the Bill that modernizes the statutes for nonprofits in our state. And there is some news!
As of April 14, SB 5033 has been approved by the House and the Senate. Next, the bill goes to the Governor for his signature. We have been strong supporters of this bill. It makes things easier for nonprofits, includes provisions for virtual board meetings, and will reduce fraud and enhance public trust.
We have a one pager about “What Nonprofits Need to Know” about SB 5034 that covers all the key points and modernizations in just two pages.
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If you have any questions about the Bill and what it will mean for nonprofits, please let us know! And we will be sure you give you additional updates about this important modernization.
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Washington Nonprofits 2020 Annual Report
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Washington Nonprofits is pleased to present to you our 2020 Annual Report.
2020 was a year, “full of crises and rapid change.” With crisis and rapid change, came the need for adapting to a new way of living, working, and being. Through it all, our goal was to remain a strong state association, capable of serving an extremely dedicated and hardworking nonprofit sector in Washington state.
Please enjoy reviewing our organizational highlights and accomplishments in the Washington Nonprofits 2020 Annual Report. Washington Nonprofits is a membership organization, so our accomplishments reflect your contributions. Thank you!
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Are you ready for a road trip…a nonprofit learning road trip? The Tools for Running an Effective Nonprofit series is designed for leaders of small, all, or mostly volunteer organizations wanting to learn (or refresh) the basics. Through three interactive sessions, you will hit the road with steps on how to strengthen your organization to better achieve your mission. Here’s the series roadmap:
- Where are you going? What is your nonprofit hoping to achieve? How do you right-size your organization to your purpose?
- What are the rules of the road? What legal and financial rules do nonprofits need to follow?
- What road should you take? How do you determine community need and connect programs to need? Are you ready to build budgets and evaluate successes?
- Who is driving with you? How do you build a strong volunteer program? What areas of your board need strengthening?
- How will you fuel your organization forward? What is your organization’s readiness for fundraising, grants, and sponsorship opportunities?
Join us on this road trip to a strong nonprofit. Our next trip departs on April 29th!
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Although the deadline for this round of PPP loans has been extended to May 31st, we hear that funding could run out within the next several weeks.
99% of businesses and nonprofits are receiving loan forgiveness quickly and easily. As long as you spend the money on allowable costs, you’ll receive full forgiveness without much paperwork. If your board objected to taking a loan, let them know that this functions more like a grant. Don’t miss your chance!
Read more here and take action to confirm whether your organization can benefit.
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501 Commons Wage and Benefits Survey: Let’s Build a Stronger Nonprofit Sector TOGETHER!
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After reading that headline, you may be asking the question, “Well, just how do we do that?” The answer lies in responses to the questions you’ll answer in two important surveys that we believe will benefit both you and your organization.
We encourage all King County-based nonprofits and their employees take part in a Wage and Benefit Survey and an Employee Engagement Survey, being conducted by 501 Commons in partnership with the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL).
Your support will ensure that we have robust information that helps decision-makers understand how pay, benefits, and organizational culture impact the recruitment and retention of talented employees. The survey results will enhance the nonprofit sector’s ability to serve our communities. And unlike many other salary surveys, this data will be available to all nonprofits free of charge via a searchable online database.
Please go to 501commons.org/Survey for more information about the two surveys. If you have any questions about the survey, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions or contact Jenny Lundqvist at jenny@501commons.org.
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Don’t Miss Out on Getting Additional Fundraising Dollars for your Organization
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GiveBIG 2021 is coming! This year’s two-day event runs from May 4-5, but early giving starts Tuesday, April 20th so be sure to get your nonprofit registered, RIGHT NOW!
In addition to the two-day fundraising event, registration gives you access to the Washington Gives platform for a full year.
And how’s this for results? In 2020, 91,618 donations were made to 1,635 nonprofits, totaling $19.2 million!
So don’t miss out on the opportunity to be a part of this exciting fundraising event where, “…individuals and organizations come together and invest in our community.”
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Emergency Broadband Benefit – What is it and Who is it for?
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According the Federal Communications Commission, the Emergency Broadband Benefit is an FCC program to help households struggling to pay for internet service during the pandemic. The Emergency Broadband Benefit will provide discounts on broadband services and on the purchase of a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers.
The FCC has posted a new consumer FAQ on the Emergency Broadband Benefit, answering questions on benefit eligibility, how the discount will be applied to broadband service costs, and program length. It also includes information on the enhanced Tribal benefit and the connected device benefit.
The start date for this program has not yet been released. The FCC says they are working to make the benefit available as quickly as possible.
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Washington State Names its First Indigenous Poet Laureate: Congratulations to Rena Priest, member of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation
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Earlier this month, Rena Priest, American Book Award-winning poet, was appointed the sixth Washington State Poet Laureate by Governor Jay Inslee.
On Wednesday, April 14th, the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) Nation, Humanities Washington, ArtsWA (the WA State Arts Commission), and the Washington Center for the Book hosted the Passing of the Laurel event, to celebrate Priest’s appointment. Past Laureates Claudia Castro Luna, Tod Marshall, Elizabeth Austen, Kathleen Flenniken, and Sam Green (in absentia) were honored guests.
Priest’s term which began on April 14, 2021, will run through March 31, 2023.
If you missed the Passing of the Laurel, a beautiful and moving evening of poetry, speech, and song, you can view it here.
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