State of Nonprofits in Utah
Joke of the Week
Q: Why should you never take sides in an argument at the dinner table?
A: Scroll down to see the answer!
Nonprofits are Working Hard Across Utah
Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter yesterday, but here in Utah we’re still waiting for winter to show up, so perhaps his forecast will finally bring some snow our way. In the meantime, we can certainly make the most of the sunshine while it lasts.
And as we soak up that unexpected warmth, there’s another kind of warmth we can count on: the kind that comes from gathering together, connecting with one another, and lending a helping hand. Research from the Harvard Chan School of Public Health highlights that strong social connections are linked with better individual and community health outcomes. With events happening across the nonprofit community, there are plenty of opportunities to get involved, see friendly faces, and share some feel‑good moments with no winter weather required!
VolunQueer Queers in Tech Mixer | February 5
Mardi Gras Casino Night benefitting Rocky Mountain Innocence Project | February 6
The Road Home “Love Your Community” Resource Fair | February 11 (email Damianah Lupeamanu to participate as a community partner)
Wells for Wellness Short Film Screening and Photo Gallery | February 28
Bowl for Kids’ Sake: The Circus of Possibility | March 7
Beer Bar Bingo for WasteLess Solutions | March 8
You can share what your organization has in the works by posting to our Community Calendar!
Endowments: Making Donations Last | February 11
If you’ve asked yourself questions like: Do we have the resources to sustain an endowment? How does it fit into our overall financial plan? What risks should we be aware of? — you’re not alone. This session is designed to give you practical answers and a clear understanding of how endowments can support your mission over the long term. By the end, you’ll have a clearer picture of how an endowment can help strengthen your nonprofit’s long-term impact, along with concrete steps to move forward with confidence.
Credential in Fundraising and Development | February 18-19
The Nonprofit Credential in Fundraising and Development, led by fundraising expert Amberlie Phillips, gives you the strategies, tools, and confidence to make thoughtful, mission-focused fundraising decisions. This course emphasizes ethical practices, strategic planning, and meaningful relationship-building so your organization can grow effectively while staying true to its purpose.
🤝 Relationships That Last: Cultivating Donor Engagement | March 5
You deeply care about and appreciate your donors because they are what make your vision and mission come to life. But with all the hats you wear, keeping up relationally can feel overwhelming. This session will help create a realistic, intentional approach to donor stewardship. You’ll explore ways to track donor engagement, plan meaningful stewardship actions, and build touchpoints that make donors feel valued. You’ll also learn how to involve your board and staff so stewardship becomes a shared, sustainable practice and not just one person’s responsibility.
Get Excited for UTAHGIVES 2026!
Register today for UTAHGIVES 2026! UTAHGives is Utah’s new and premier 24-hour celebration of generosity, connecting the community with nonprofits’ missions. Don’t miss out on the fun: stay informed on what’s next! Sign up for the UTAHGIVES Newsletter to receive the latest updates.
2/17: Who, What, When, and How Often: Developing Your Utah Gives Communications Plan with GiveMN
3/5: Relationships that Last: Cultivating Donor Engagement with FRCI - Free registration via discount code sent to UTAHGIVES registered nonprofits
3/24: UTAHGIVES 2026: Fundraising Tools training with Mightycause
Calling All Board Members!
A strong board is critical to the success of any nonprofit, but it can be a labor of love. This brief survey will help us create programming that meets board member and organization needs, helping you and your organization reach new heights.
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.
Upcoming Training
Deepen your knowledge and enhance your skillset.
Tools You Can Use
Member Benefit: MyBoardPacket
Your membership includes FREE access to MyBoardPacket—a $2500 savings! MyBoardPacket is a practical, secure online board management system that allows nonprofits of all sizes to safely organize and distribute essential information. Create and manage subcommittees, grant custom levels of access, store minutes and important policy documents, conduct votes, and so much more—all on an encrypted, secure platform. Learn more in the UNA Member Info Hub!
Member Spotlight: Columbus Secure Shredding
Columbus Secure Shredding offers affordable shredding that protects your clients and your organization. CSS is a subsidiary of UNA Member Columbus Community Center, whose mission is to transform the lives of individuals with disabilities through employment, training, day programs, and housing. CSS further Columbus Community Center’s mission by employing and empowering individuals with disabilities. Learn more about their services here.
Community Corner
Nonprofit Community Calendar
Share your upcoming events on the Nonprofit Community Calendar and reach a bigger audience. Submit your event.
- VolunQueer Queers in Tech Mixer | February 5
- Mardi Gras Casino Night benefitting Rocky Mountain Innocence Project | February 6
- The Road Home “Love Your Community” Resource Fair | February 11 (email Damianah Lupeamanu to participate as a community partner)
- Wells for Wellness Short Film Screening and Photo Gallery | February 28
- Bowl for Kids’ Sake: The Circus of Possibility | March 7
- Beer Bar Bingo for WasteLess Solutions | March 8
Advocacy
Government Shutdown Update as of Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Today is Day 4 of the partial government shutdown, impacting 78% of the federal discretionary budget.
Yesterday, House leaders passed the first hurdle to enacting a legislative package to reopen and fund key agencies in the federal government: the Rules Committee voted to bring the measure to the House floor for a vote as soon as today. Votes on the legislative package are slated to begin at 1pm ET.
According to media reports, Speaker Johnson (R-LA) garnered enough support within the Republican caucus to advance out of the Rules Committee after striking a deal with some House conservatives who wanted to add legislation to the spending measure to require proof of citizenship in order to register to vote in federal elections.
The White House and House leaders allegedly promised the Representatives that they would bring their election bill to the House and Senate floor for a vote, and that the Senate would change its rules regarding a filibuster. The change would mandate a "talking filibuster," which would require a Senator or group of Senators to speak on the Senate floor for an extended period—sometimes for hours or days—to delay or block a vote on legislation. This would make it easier for the bill to pass the Senate because the filibuster would end once a senator stops speaking and no other senator takes the floor to continue the debate. Senate Leader Thune (R-SD), however, hasn't acknowledged or confirmed the agreement.
UNA Legislative Watchlist
Stay informed and keep up on bills UNA is tracking through the 2026 Utah General Session.
Your Message in Print: Letter to the Editor and Op-Ed Toolkit from Montana Nonprofit Association
One of the most powerful ways to educate and engage your community on an issue you care about is to submit a letter to the editor (LTE) or a guest editorial known as an op-ed (“opposite the editorial page”) in your local newspaper. To help guide you through the process, check out Montana Nonprofit Association’s resource, Your Message in Print, through the UNA Member Info Hub. Find it under Resources, then in the Marketing and Communications folder.
Advocacy Bulletin Board
The Advocacy Bulletin Board is a collaborative resource for UNA Nonprofit Members to share their mission-related priorities and concerns with our communities. If your organization wants to share important work, request support, or shout out an achievement, head to the Advocacy Bulletin Board and let your voice be heard!
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: Why should you never take sides in an argument at the dinner table?
A: Trick question. It's the perfect time to take sides because no one's paying attention. Bring Tupperware.
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!