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- ARPA & Nonprofits - New Webpage
- Nonprofit/Government Partnership Success Stories
- Tools for Bringing Back Your Volunteers
- Welcome New & Renewing Members
- New Recovery Loan Program for Nonprofits
- COVID Cultural Impact Study
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“Start a huge, foolish project, like Noah. It makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.”
- Rumi
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Letter from our Executive Director
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Dear Nonprofit Colleagues,
In modern life, we have lost some of the benefits of seasonal rhythms. Traditionally, summer is a time when folks spend more time outdoors, enjoying cookouts and picnics or a camping trip. It is also a time of abundance, especially in our agriculture-focused state. My family looks forward to berry picking, visiting the farmers market, and eating food fresh from our garden. Our ability to engage in these things has been disrupted somewhat in recent years by heat, fire, and smoke. I hope in spite of these challenges, you have had brief or extended opportunities to experience nature, devour some amazing Washington State fruit, do some forest bathing, or otherwise take a breather.
At Washington Nonprofits, we are planning for the coming year of learning programs, keeping up with federal relief (see the article below on ARPA), and sharing out new resources like our new Workers in Nonprofits tools. We are growing and look forward to introducing several new staff members in our September Connector. I am excited about our work and our team. I also feel profound grief as I read about the rise of COVID cases and the virulence of the delta variant. Reaching the grim milestone of over 500,000 COVID cases in Washington State this week, and 6,204 lives lost, is sobering.
Over the past year and a half, our team has missed opportunities to travel around the state and connect in-person to the vibrant nonprofit community that we serve. I was optimistic that I could plan some travel for this fall, but I am again adjusting my expectations. Please know that we wish we could be there with you, seeing your work, and building relationships.
I suppose it’s time for a garden break, a deep breath, and more Zoom meetings.
Take care,
Laura
P.S. Don’t miss the opportunity to share COVID’S impact on your nonprofit, by participating in the Federal Reserve survey. Your participation will help create a comprehensive picture of the pandemic’s effects on nonprofits and the communities we serve, both nationwide and here in Washington state. Please take 15 minutes to complete the survey today. Your responses will help inform equitable recovery programs and policies. Deadline: Tuesday, August 24.
And, there’s still time to sign onto the Charitable Nonprofit Policy Priorities Letter to President Biden and congressional leaders, identifying challenges charitable organizations continue to face. Nonprofits are seeking support for urgently needed policy objectives that will enable charitable organizations to contribute to the nation’s relief, recovery, and rebuilding. Washington Nonprofits encourages you to join us in this effort. Sign on today.
Laura Pierce
Executive Director
Washington Nonprofits
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Policy Breakdown: Proactive Nonprofits Will Benefit from ARPA
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By Laura Pierce (Executive Director)
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The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) is a $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed on March 11 of this year. Nonprofits are vital to providing both relief and recovery to our communities, this was pointedly evident during the COVID crisis. Nonprofits are providing increased food assistance, mental health supports, childcare, and housing. They are training and placing people in jobs, educating children and adults, and caring for animals and our environment. Arts and cultural organizations are poised to revitalize our main streets and inspire communities. Nonprofits have responded to new needs but are feeling the strain of doing more with less, working longer hours with fewer volunteers, and spending down limited reserves.
We know ARPA is a once in a generation opportunity, with an enormous amount of federal aid coming to Washington State. That is why we want to share the most relevant information with nonprofits and encourage government leaders to partner with and share funding with nonprofits, so nonprofits can continue to serve our communities. Washington Nonprofits has developed an action plan that includes: advocacy with government leaders at all levels, workshops on securing government funding and contract compliance, coordination among nonprofit capacity builders and with philanthropic partners, sharing information about grant and contracting opportunities, and more. As a part of this effort, we have created an ARPA & Nonprofits page on our website, with information for nonprofits seeking funds and information for government partners.
We encourage all nonprofits to explore whether government grants and contracts are right for you and apply for ARPA funding, if appropriate. To support this effort, we have a series of workshops called Get Ready for ARPA Funding planned to begin in September. These workshops will walk you through deciding if you are ready for government funding, teach you how to write an effective proposal, and help you understand the compliance requirements associated with federal funding. We will also list funding opportunities that we are aware of on the ARPA & Nonprofits webpage.
Please join us in advocating that government at all levels (city and county, state and federal) partner with nonprofits to ensure that ARPA is an investment in our communities. Washington Nonprofits has been learning about the many ways CARES Act funding succeeded in supporting communities. Be sure to check out our Partnership Success Stories to learn more about how nonprofits worked to support communities and families across Washington. In many cases, local governments may not understand how to administer grant funding to nonprofits effectively, which is why we’ve created 10 Funding Principles to Guide ARPA Funding Distribution by State and Local Governments. Meet with your local public officials to make sure they know how your organization can contribute to COVID recovery and what you need to continue to serve. Additional materials like our key messages document can help you make the case for investment in nonprofits.
Explore the ARPA & Nonprofits page and bookmark it for the future as we will be adding new information as we have it.
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Government and Nonprofits: A Strategic Partnership to Help Communities Through the COVID Crisis
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By Sondra Santos (Communications Manager)
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Communities benefit when nonprofits and government partner to meet community needs. Throughout the COVID crisis, we’ve seen government and nonprofits successfully partner to distribute CARES Act funding to organizations impacted by the pandemic. Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to some amazing folks at some nonprofit organizations and government agencies here Washington state. My takeaway from these conversations is, when government and nonprofits partner to prioritize the wellbeing of communities, everyone wins. To illustrate some of the successful partnerships between nonprofits and government in the distribution of CARES Act funding here in our state, we invite you to read these inspiring partnership stories.
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Learning Log: Volunteer Management Cohort
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By Julia Hunter (Learning Manager)
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Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofit organizations. They create a community of support and often nonprofits depend on them to do the work to achieve their missions. As we progress through the pandemic, what is top of mind as your volunteers return to volunteering?
During Return to Volunteering, a free event on Thursday August 19, we’ll address safety and health concerns for in-person volunteers and take time for volunteer managers to connect and share insights about their programs. If you lead volunteers at your nonprofit, we hope you can join the conversation. To help us prepare, please answer this short survey to let us know your questions about coordinating volunteers in 2021.
This is the final event in a series of three convenings for volunteer managers—support made possible by Serve Washington. If you missed the first two, don’t worry! Check out the recording and presentation from the first convening, 3 Cheers for Volunteers!. Watch the recording from the second convening, Data Management for Volunteers, and explore the additional resources from the gathering:
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Welcome New and Renewing Members
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By Julia Hunter (Learning Manager)
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Welcome to all the organizations that joined as members in July:
- Georgia Ranch Consulting
- Grays Harbor College - Stafford Creek Correction Center
- Izzy Sparkles Forever
- Pend Oreille Region Tourism Alliance
- Spin Cafe
- The Planning Group
- Thurston Community Media
And thank you to all the organizations that renewed their memberships:
- 501 Commons
- Cascade Connections
- Eastside Firefighters Benevolent Fund
- Edmonds Historical Museum
- Friends Of Whidbey State Parks
- FUSION
- Grays Harbor Community Foundation
- Issaquah History Museums
- Meadowbrook Community Care
- Office Moms & Dads
- PT ReCyclery
- Spokane Area Jewish Family Services
- The Columbia Basin College Foundation
- Third Sector Company, Inc.
- United Way of King County
The work you do is so important, thank you for being part of the Washington Nonprofits community!
If you are not yet a member of Washington Nonprofits, join today.
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Featured Funding Opportunity: Small Business Flex Fund
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A new recovery loan program has just launched in Washington.
The Small Business Flex Fund is a simple, low interest, and flexible loan for Washington-based small businesses and nonprofits.
The pandemic has impacted all our communities, but it has been especially hard on Washington’s smallest businesses and nonprofits. Supported by the Washington State Department of Commerce, the Small Business Flex Fund is designed to help nonprofits access funds at a competitive interest rate so you can bounce back stronger than ever.
The Fund is now offering loans of up to $150,000 to small businesses and nonprofits with under $3 million in annual revenue and fewer than 50 employees, to help with recovery from the impact of COVID-19.
With the Small Business Flex Fund, you’ll experience low interest rates, longer payback timelines, and community-based lenders with decades of experience helping Washington’s nonprofits thrive.
Learn more about the Small Business Flex Fund today.
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Exciting News: We’ve recently learned that Washington Nonprofits member Homes First, was approved for a Small Business Flex Fund loan with very favorable terms. This loan will help Homes First continue to provide affordable housing to community members in Thurston and Mason Counties.
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Workshops Presented by 501 Commons in Partnership with AFJ's Bolder Advocacy
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Are nonprofits allowed to advocate for public policies that can transform our communities?
Yes! This two-part workshop presented in partnership with AFJ’s Bolder Advocacy will empower your organization to do just that:
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ArtsFund COVID Cultural Impact Study
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Attention arts, cultural, heritage, and science nonprofit organizations! ArtsFund wants to hear your story about economic and social impacts to cultural nonprofits across the state through the upcoming COVID Cultural Impact Survey (CCIS). This report will serve as a valuable advocacy tool by providing critical, timely, and actionable data.
How can you help? First, take the Nonprofit Organizational Survey! This survey will examine the operational, programmatic, and economic impacts your organization has experienced over the past year. ArtsFund is offering $50 gift cards to organizations that complete the full survey.
Second, spread the word to the communities that you serve about the Public Participation Survey! This survey seeks to understand your community’s cultural participation, spending, and the role culture has played in their lives since March 2020 and beyond.
Together, these two surveys will capture the economic and social impacts to cultural nonprofit organizations and the communities they serve across Washington state.
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Happy National Nonprofit Day - August 17
Let's Celebrate Nonprofits
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Washington Nonprofits Staff Meets for In-person Retreat
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In July, our staff had the opportunity to gather for an in-person retreat. It was a day filled with team building, planning, fun, and games.
Pictured from left to right: Alex Panagotacos (Director of Community Engagement), Sondra Santos (Communications Manager), Erika Bentley Holland (Administrative Assistant), Jennifer Chang (Director of Learning), Laura Pierce (Executive Director), Dwight Hutton (Operations Manager), Julia Hunter (Learning Manager), Daniel Parkhurst (Director of Policy and Communications)
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