Taking the Spotlight 🎞️
Joke of the Week
Q: What do you call a group of musical sweet potatoes?
A: Scroll down to see the answer!
A Standing Ovation for Utah’s Nonprofits 👏
That’s a wrap on the first-ever Utah Nonprofit Film Festival! The Festival brought together nonprofits, partners, and community members to celebrate and recognize the incredible work happening across our state. Twelve amazing organizations shared their stories of impact, from strengthening families to protecting our environment.
A big thank you to the Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program for supporting this unforgettable evening and helping us celebrate the power of storytelling in our nonprofit community.
The twelve featured nonprofits were:
Utah Philanthropy Day | December 5
Join us for Utah's flagship celebration of philanthropy and volunteerism as we honor inspiring stories, connect with one another, and uplift the generosity that strengthens our Utah communities. Attend the luncheon! Find tickets and tables here.
UTAHGIVES | April 30
Exciting things are on the way! Get ready to experience UTAHGIVES, starting with nonprofit registration in January 2026. This day spotlights Utah's hard-working nonprofits while creating a new tradition of generosity in our state. More information will be coming soon!
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Complete the 2026 Nonprofit Compensation and Benefits Survey by November 21.
Your Learning Lineup
All UNA trainings (including Credential courses) are recorded!
Learn on your schedule. And when it comes to one-on-one Credential consultations, sign-ups are sent by email, so there's 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.
UNA Business Members Are Teaming up to Offer Free Resources and Education to Nonprofits | December 10
Lisa Montague of Coat Rack Web Services, will discuss how your nonprofit can optimize technology for better decision making and avoiding mistakes. She will highlight real world examples and give personalized advice for your nonprofit. Matthew Darnell of Comtel.Cloud, has a unique view, being that he owns a multi-state IT Company and is the founder of SecondOwner.org, a nonprofit battling generational poverty. He will discuss the tools and methods that he uses to maximize every penny spent on technology. Spots are limited, so register here. If you're interested but can't make it, click the Contact button on the event link page.
Tools You Can Use
The UNA Member to Member Corner
This is a space for UNA members to connect, support, and share with one another. In the Member to Member Corner, you can share items you’re giving away for free, share helpful coupons or discounts, offer shared resources (copy machines, conference rooms or event spaces, etc.), and keep your fellow members informed with news or updates. This board is intended for everyday connections and useful information relevant to our nonprofit member community.
This board is only available for UNA members and not for public viewing.
Please note: Events should be submitted through our dedicated Community Calendar and advocacy-related items through our Advocacy Bulletin Board.
BillTrack50 - The “Search Engine for Democracy”
BillTrack50 provides tools to monitor legislation efficiently. Whether you're just civic-minded or part of an advocacy group, it offers powerful tools from full-text searches and historical archives to AI summaries and bill comparisons to help make legislative tracking more transparent and actionable. Log in to the UNA Member Info Hub to learn more about accessing BillTrack50.
UNA Retirement Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) through Elevate 401(k)
This plan provides a cost-effective and simplified retirement solution for your organization. By utilizing this PEP, you can offer your team members a high-quality 401(k) plan with reduced administrative burdens and lower fees. Learn more.
DEADLINE EXTENDED! Complete the 2026 Nonprofit Compensation and Benefits Survey
Your input helps build a stronger, more equitable nonprofit sector across Utah and the western region. It only takes about 30–45 minutes, and you can pause anytime (no being glued to your computer 
). One person per organization, usually your Executive Director or HR lead, should complete the survey by November 21.
The results can help your organization confidently check “yes” on the Form 990 question about executive compensation—showing your pay practices are fair and well-researched.
Community Corner
Nonprofit Community Calendar
Share your upcoming events on the Nonprofit Community Calendar and reach a bigger audience. Submit your event.
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Screening and Director Talk: Paint Me a Road Out of Here | November 22
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Finishing Your Fiscal Year - and 2025 - Strong! | December 2
Advocacy
National Updates from the Nonprofit Sector
Protecting Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
The National Council of Nonprofits (NCN) joined a coalition of nonprofits, unions, and local governments in filing a lawsuit challenging new federal rules that unlawfully restrict which charitable nonprofits qualify as “eligible employers” under the PSLF program. Read the NCN press statement.
The Government is Back Up and Running
Congress enacted a legislative package on November 12 to end the federal shutdown. Starting on November 13, the federal government is back up and running. View the National Council of Nonprofits press release on the end of the shutdown here.
Nonprofit Day on the Hill: Reserve Your Spot!
Make your voice heard where it matters most—the Utah State Capitol! Join us on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM for Nonprofit Day on the Hill, the one day each year when nonprofits from across Utah come together to advocate for their missions and communities.
What’s included:
- One six-foot table and two chairs in the Capitol Rotunda
- Free advocacy training for UNA members
- Networking and visibility with elected officials and fellow nonprofits
- Space is limited—only 43 tabling spots available! Once those fill, we’ll open 20 standing-room-only spaces for individuals.
Cost:
- $95 per organization | $30 per individual
(Available to current UNA nonprofit members.)
Your nonprofit’s story deserves to be heard. Let’s make it happen together. Reserve your spot at the Capitol!
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.
Joke of the Week
Q: What do you call a group of musical sweet potatoes?
A: A yam session!
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.
Navigate the noise. Stay grounded with our Resources to Navigating Uncertainty and Policy Update Page. If legislation or funding changes are impacting your work, share your story.
Curious about UNA member benefits? See the complete list.
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!