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This Week @ UNA: May 20, 2025

🍭 Come with Me, and You’ll Be...

Joke of the Week

Q: Why did the M&M go to school?
A: Scroll down to see the answer!

... In a World of Nonprofit Innovation!

Whether you're dreaming up your Theory of Change, building a golden-ticket board, or just looking for sweet community connections—we’ve got something for you. No chocolate river required. 😉 

🗂️ Nonprofit Credential in Outcomes and Evaluations | Starts May 21
Want to prove your impact and be able to access more funding? Start here. This course will help you gather meaningful data, build a compelling narrative, and put the information to good use! You’ll even walk away with a custom Theory of Change you can put to work right away. 

🎟️ MiniConfab: Northern Utah (Ogden) | May 22
Based in Northern Utah? Join the upcoming free MiniConfab designed to connect you with peers, get fresh resources, and celebrate the powerful work happening in Northern Utah. Gather, learn, and grow—together!   

🌿 Nonprofit Credential in Board Governance | Starts June 3
Your board can do more than meet quarterly and approve minutes. Let this course be your guide! Learn how to transform your board into a strategic, engaged, and mission-driven team. 

Don’t forget—the Ledger Lab Series starts on June 5! This brand-new series will walk you through the essentials—from day-to-day finance to long-term growth. 

P.S. Have a Letter to the Editor from your Executive Director or a news story featuring your organization? Send it our way—we're adding these highlights to the UNA Newsroom!

UNA Annual Conference Awards and Recognitions

2025 Outstanding Nonprofit Leader Award Nominations and Hall of Fame Spotlight Recognition Submissions are open! Celebrate the individuals who uplift your mission. 

Looking for other ways to get involved? Sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities put your organization in front of nonprofit leaders who are ready to connect and collaborate. Support Utah’s nonprofit sector while showcasing your services, products, or expertise. 

Applications Open for the Utah Nonprofit Film Festival! 

Selected UNA nonprofit members will be paired with a professional filmmaker to co-create a short documentary that highlights your impact—and shares your mission with a broader audience. Apply now.

What’s included: 

  • A professionally produced short film (a $10,000 in-kind value)
  • Visibility at the festival and beyond
  • A powerful tool for outreach, fundraising, and advocacy 

📅 Application Deadline: June 2, 2025
📍 Open to Utah-based 501(c)(3) UNA Nonprofit Members only
(Not yet a member? Join today!) 

Your Learning Lineup

Headed Out for Summer Adventures?

No worries—all UNA trainings (including Credential courses) are recorded so you can learn on your schedule. And when it comes to one-on-one consultations, sign-ups are sent by email—no need to be there live to grab a spot! 

Nonprofit Credential Courses
Get knowledge, skills, and resources to build capacity, achieve outcomes, and grow your organization.

Be the Voice Your Community Needs

The people you serve deserve a voice—and your mission depends on breaking through barriers to influence the policies that shape their lives. But navigating the complexities of government and legislative systems can feel overwhelming. 

That’s where the Nonprofit Credential in Advocacy and Civic Engagement comes in. This course is designed to help you advocate smarter, build confidence in your lobbying efforts, and turn passion into effective policy change.

Upcoming Training
Deepen your knowledge and enhance your skillset.

Tools You Can Use

Get 50% off Nonprofit Credentials

As a UNA Member, you have access to 50% off Nonprofit Credentials! 

Dive into our lineup of upcoming credentials, and don't miss out on the chance to level up your skills and connections. 

To access the discount, sign in to your UNA member account while registering. Learn more about the Nonprofit Credential program. 

Community Corner

UNA’s Community Circles, MiniConfabs, and Receptions

Connect, collaborate, and grow with fellow nonprofit professionals across Utah.

Nonprofit Community Calendar

Share your upcoming events on the Nonprofit Community Calendar and reach a bigger audience. Submit your event.

Utah SUN Bucks Program (Summer EBT)

Utah SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT) can help families buy food during the summer when schools are closed. Families get $120 for each eligible school-age child. Learn more. 

Welcome UNA's New Team Member: Jennie Bigelow 

Jennie Bigelow has joined the UNA team as Event Coordinator! Jennie brings a diverse background to UNA, with experience spanning the technology sector, elementary education, and most recently, the nonprofit world. Her professional journey reflects a deep commitment to meaningful work, and she is especially passionate about supporting the success of Utah’s nonprofit community through collaboration, advocacy, and compassion. 

Advocacy

Navigate the Noise

We know you’re balancing a million things. Our Resources to Navigating Uncertainty and Policy Update Page are here to keep you grounded. And if legislation or funding changes are impacting your work, share your story. Your voice matters—and we’re listening. 

Nonprofits Don’t Have Big, Corporate PACs or Deep Lobbying Pockets—but We Do Have Each Other

Advocacy is how we protect our missions, secure resources, and push back against harmful policies. But this work doesn’t happen on its own. It’s powered by people like you. 

 Your support and membership fuels our ability to monitor legislation, mobilize quickly, and ensure nonprofits are heard—whether at the Capitol in Salt Lake City or on Capitol Hill in Washington. 

🙏 If you're already a member—thank you! 

👉 Not a member? Join UNA today—because advocacy isn’t free, but it’s worth every ounce of support. 

👉 Not a Nonprofit? Donate to UNA—support the sector with your donation. 

Get Involved

Share Your Story!

Your story matters—and now is the time to share how federal and state actions are impacting your work. Your voice helps combat false narratives and tells the real story of the incredible work you do every day. Share your voice.

Celebrate the People Who Power Nonprofits

We’ve made it easy to honor the people behind your impact with 2025 UNA Annual Conference nominations and Utah Philanthropy Day awards. Explore our three new pages to see which nomination, event, or recognition fits your changemaker best:

🌟 Individuals 

Volunteers. Staff. Board members. Advocates.

They show up, speak out, and go above and beyond—often without recognition. Celebrate the individuals who uplift your mission. 

🤝 Teams 

Program staff. Leadership teams. Collaborations. 

Change is a group effort. Recognize your powerhouse team and give them the celebration they deserve. 

💼 Funders and Companies 

Mission-aligned businesses. Sponsors. Grantmakers. 

They make the work possible. Shine a light on your partners who lead with generosity and purpose. 

Joke of the Week

Q: Why did the M&M go to school?
A: They wanted to be a Smartie!

Have a joke that makes your team laugh out loud? Send it to info@utahnonprofits.org—you might see it in next week’s Rapid Read! 

Resources to Keep on Your Radar

Need affordable health coverage for your team? Explore UNA's Group Health Insurance Plan. 

Looking for professional expertise or guidance? Check out the Business Affiliate Directory for the solutions you need. 

Sign up for UNA’s Slack Community and join the UNA Advocacy and Civic Engagement channel to share your advocacy priorities, questions, and calls to action.

Curious about UNA member benefits? See the complete list.