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This Week @ UNA: July 8, 2025

Lessons from "Jaws" 🦈

Joke of the Week

Q: What do sharks and computers have in common?
A: Scroll down to see the answer!

This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the film Jaws.

Turning Summer Scares into Real-Life Resilience

Shark attacks are rare, but the fear?? Very real. 😖 Horror movies like Jaws play on primal instincts, reminding us that sometimes we’re the prey. But here’s the twist: that same fear also forged some of humanity’s greatest strengths: collaboration, communication, and resilience. 

In the nonprofit sector, the threats we face may not have fins or creepy theme music, but they still keep us up at night. Whether it’s funding uncertainty, shifting policies, or big-picture decisions about your organization’s future, the question remains: How do we respond to fear? This week's Rapid Read is packed with support to help your organization face the unknown. 

🎉 UNA 35th Anniversary Nonprofit Reception | July 10
Join us for an afternoon of conversations, connections, and celebration. Whether you're looking to meet new peers, reconnect with old friends, or dive into energizing small-group discussions, this event is your chance to be part of something inspiring. 

💸 2025 Nonprofit Credential in Finance and Legal | July 16
Financial and legal compliance isn't just a best practice—it’s a must. This course is your roadmap to clarity, confidence, and credibility. You’ll walk away with the tools to meet funder expectations, earn donor trust, and protect your mission. 

🛣️ Navigating Nonprofit Crossroads: Mergers, Dissolutions & Strategic Decisions | July 29
If your nonprofit is facing hard decisions about its future, you’re not alone. Join UNA and acting chair of the UNA Board Jason Krause, an experienced nonprofit governance attorney, for a session on navigating mergers, closures, and staying the course. Get real-world insights and answers to the tough questions leaders are asking right now. 

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! 

Register for the 2025 UNA Annual Conference

Join us for the 2025 UNA Annual Conference, Hope in Action, Utah’s largest gathering of nonprofit professionals, happening Thursday, September 18 at the Davis Conference Center. The UNA Annual Conference brings you a full day of diverse sessions and speakers that offer insights and innovative approaches to addressing today's nonprofit challenges and needs. Register now! 

UNA Annual Conference Awards and Recognitions

Hall of Fame Spotlight Recognition Submissions are open until August 8! 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. 

Thank You to Our Conference Sponsors!

Connector Sponsors

Partner Sponsors

Business Exhibitors

Nonstop Health
Hoan Marketing
Utah Valley University MPA Program
Team Nash

Squire & Company
EleeHub
University of Utah School of Public Affairs (MPA)
KRCL

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.

If Not Now, When?

Now is the time to know how to build in an advocacy plan for your organization. A lot of decisions are being made that is affecting your funding, your goals, and the community you serve. It is not too late to start your advocacy plan and building out your strategy in order to protect your nonprofit organization and mission. Register TODAY for the Nonprofit Credential in Advocacy and Civic Engagement. Be the voice your community needs!

Upcoming Training
Deepen your knowledge and enhance your skillset.

Tools You Can Use

Perks That Power Your Nonprofit

Being a UNA member means big savings and better benefits. Take advantage of: 

  • 50% off Nonprofit Credential courses
  • 50–75% off UNA Annual Conference registration
  • Group health insurance through Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Access to the Elevate 401(k) Pooled Employer Retirement Plan
  • 20% off dental and vision plans with Dentist Direct
  • 25% off unemployment insurance with First Nonprofit 

Ready to make the most of your membership? Learn more. 

Review Before You Click

Scammers are getting sneakier. If something looks or feels phishy—don’t click! Even if it seems to come from us, double-check the sender and the link. When in doubt, forward the message to info@utahnonprofits.org so we can help verify it.

Community Corner

UNA’s Community Circles, MiniConfabs, and Receptions

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

Research Spotlight: "The Current State of Providers Serving Immigrants & Refugees," by the Center for Economic Opportunity and Belonging 

The recent instability of federal grants has placed many of Utah’s New American service providers in an increasingly precarious position, jeopardizing vital programs and creating uncertainty for the communities they serve. This survey of 28 service providers offers a critical window into the evolving landscape, illuminating both the mounting challenges and the potential pathways forward. Learn more.

The AI Revolution is Here – Get the Skills You Need Today   

The AI revolution isn’t coming—it’s already here, rewarding early adopters while threatening to leave the hesitant behind," Bernard Marr stated in his March 2025 Forbes article. Salt Lake Technical College is proud to present a core series of hands-on AI workshops designed to give you guided practice, understanding, and skills you can apply in your professional role right away.  Learn vital skills that you need today. 

Nonprofit Tabling at the First-Ever VolunQueer Fair | July 11

VolunQueer is inviting nonprofits who are committed to creating inclusive and affirming environments to table at the event and connect with the community. Participation is completely free, with the option to donate toward booth space if able—they want to ensure accessibility for both volunteers and orgs, regardless of budget. Learn more. 

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. Applications must be submitted by August 31. Learn more. 

Advocacy

Congress Passes Major Tax Package; Nonprofits Directly Impacted

Last Thursday morning, the House passed H.R. 1, a sweeping tax bill with major implications for nonprofits. While the final version includes a new universal charitable deduction (thanks to strong nonprofit advocacy), it also adds new barriers to giving, slashes Medicaid and SNAP, and reduces nonprofit resources by an estimated $81 billion over 10 years. Read NCN's full analysis.

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

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 these 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: What do sharks and computers have in common?
A: They both have megabites!

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.