Skip to content
This Week @ UNA: January 20, 2026

Fundraising for everyone + Save the date for the UNA Annual Conference!  

Joke of the Week

Q: Why did Beethoven get rid of his chickens?
A: Scroll down to see the answer!

Fundraising for everyone + Save the date for the UNA Annual Conference!

While we’re all hoping for more snow here in Utah, there’s nothing better for staying warm and cozy than spreadsheets! Just kidding—although we do have several trainings and events targeting fundraising and development in the upcoming weeks. These trainings cover a wide range of fundraising strategies and methods, since it’s always a good idea to diversify revenue streams, improving the resilience of your organization in a continuously shifting funding landscape.

 

📈 Endowments: Making Donations Last | February 11
Ever wonder how your nonprofit could turn today’s fundraising into long-term financial stability? How an endowment can help your organization grow and sustain its mission for years to come?  Join us on February 11 for an expert-led session to answer these questions and more!

💸 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.

💝 UTAHGIVES | April 30
Registration is officially OPEN for UTAHGIVES 2026! Sign up today to be part of Utah’s new 24-hour celebration of generosity. Join us on January 27 for a live webinar hosted by our platform partner, Mightycause, to learn more about getting started with registration, setup, and profile customization. Stay informed on what’s next! Sign up for the UTAHGIVES Newsletter to receive the latest updates.

SAVE THE DATE: 2026 UNA Annual Conference

September 30, 2026
Davis Conference Center

Get ready for the Utah’s largest convening of nonprofits, returning to the Davis Conference Center on September 30, 2026 We’ll have more information in the coming months as we continue to prepare. Whether you’re attending as a participant, exhibitor, sponsor, or speaker, you’re sure to leave feeling inspired and invigorated!

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

New Member Benefit: Gaard Capital

Gaard Capital would like to extend a discounted investment management rate of 0.25% (25 bps) of assets under management for the first year to UNA members, after which standard rates would apply (never exceeding 0.50%). This rate is inclusive of all investment management services provided by Gaard Capital, including such things as the development of an Investment Policy Statement, investment strategy design, asset allocation, cash management, risk monitoring, regular performance reporting, and board or staff education as needed. Learn more in the UNA Member Info Hub!

Having Fun Isn't Hard if You've Got a Library Card!

Public libraries are incredible resources for nonprofits! Among the many tools, trainings, and resources offered by libraries around the valley and across the state, we’re highlighting the City Library’s Candid Foundation Directory Professional.  This tool provides access to essential facts on grantmakers and their funding activities worldwide. To pinpoint prospective funders, explore four comprehensive databases: Grantmakers, Grants, Recipients, and 990s.

Community Corner

Nonprofit Community Calendar

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

Advocacy

 HAPPENING TODAY (1/20): Utah Nonprofits 2026 Legislative Kickoff

2025 was tough, but you showed grit through funding freezes, policy shifts, and messaging that didn’t always uplift nonprofits. Now 2026 is your moment to lead with confidence. 

When people understand how nonprofit participation shapes the policies that impact their lives, frustration turns into civic power, which is why we’re asking you to invite your community to the Utah Nonprofits 2026 Legislative Kickoff. Together, we can show up at the Capitol, stand united, and advocate for the decisions that keep nonprofits strong and Utah thriving. Learn more. 

How to Testify (and What to Expect) | January, 27 at 9:30am MT

Testifying can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Evan Done, walks participants through how to effectively testify before elected officials. With years of experience advocating and testifying at the local and state level, Evan will guide you through what to expect, how to prepare your message, and how to speak clearly and confidently in public hearings. FREE for members: register here.

BillTrack50-The "Search Engline 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.

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 did Beethoven get rid of his chickens?
A: All they ever said was, “Bach, Bach, Bach!” 

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!