As the sector-wide network representing all Oregon nonprofits, the Nonprofit Association of Oregon (NAO) works across the state to strengthen and connect nonprofit leaders, organizations, and the sector as a whole. NAO accomplishes this by giving voice to the collective achievements and aspirations of nonprofits; growing organizational and leadership capacity and diversity; and facilitating knowledge exchange among nonprofits and across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. Building on its rich history of capacity building over more than three decades, NAO ensures a future in which Oregon nonprofits are visible and valued as essential contributors to our society.

The Nonprofit Association of Oregon’s Theory of Change articulates the way we work with nonprofit organizations, their leaders, and society as a whole. The Theory expresses the results we are working toward and the underlying beliefs that animate our mission. This Theory of Change—along with feedback loops that keep NAO in touch with organizations, funders, and partners throughout Oregon—provide a basis for accountability, continual learning, and the evolution of vital programs and services that support the nonprofit sector.

Mission

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.

Vission

NAO’s vision is that Oregon’s nonprofits are visible and valued as essential contributors to our society.

Strategy

NAO recognizes that Oregon’s nonprofits are under ever‐increasing pressures to make timely, strategic decisions to maximize the impact of their charitable missions. NAO accomplishes our mission in service to nonprofits through four key strategies, each of which includes several supporting strategies.

1. Develop effective and inclusive nonprofit leadership by:

• Playing an active role in developing current and future nonprofit leaders, using a lens of equity, inclusion, resilience, and cross‐generational learning
• Growing NAO’s leadership development offerings, including executive coaching, executive transition services, and peer learning opportunities
• Working in collaboration with professional networks, capacity builders, and higher learning institutions to advance nonprofit leadership development

2. Grow the capacity of nonprofit organizations and networks by:

• Utilizing the most essential tools and frameworks for adaptive, effective, and resilient nonprofits
• Leveraging NAO’s frameworks and toolkits through members, networks, and partnerships
• Promoting dialogue and learning about impact measurement at the organization and sector levels
• Adopting, implementing, and promoting nonprofit standards of excellence in Oregon

3. Build the nonprofit sector’s voice and visibility by:

• Establishing evaluation and survey practices and working with partners to collect and disseminate data about Oregon’s nonprofit sector
• Establishing policy platforms, acting as a convener, and amplifying the nonprofit voice, ensuring that our sector’s issues are considered in public policymaking
• Raising awareness of the essential role and impact of nonprofits in Oregon

4. Strengthen NAO by:

• Implementing our Theory of Change, value proposition, and sustainable business model, which are understood by funders and drive membership growth
• Establishing methodologies for evaluation and impact measurement
• Reinforcing NAO’s culture as a learning organization