Nonprofit know-how

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA

I have been under the weather the last couple of weeks, so while there is some new information in this week’s column, I am also taking the opportunity to repeat some basic information about nonprofits which I included in my very first column. Some of this may surprise you; it often even surprises those working in the nonprofit sector, also known as a “Hidden Sector” – thus the reason for the name of my column!

My name is Mary Beth Harrington, and The JOLT has offered me the opportunity to write a regular column highlighting nonprofits in Thurston County. Let me start by explaining that I have over 30 years of experience working with nonprofits, and I am passionate about communicating how vital the nonprofit sector is to the social as well as economic well-being of our community. Most people working in nonprofits focus on one specific mission (animals, children, environment, etc.) or have worked their way up the career ladder (yes, nonprofits have a career ladder) with one specific nonprofit. A few of us, such as myself, have worked with what we call non-direct service organizations -- those that support other nonprofits (think the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound or United Way). I like to say that I have worked with all nonprofits, everything from AIDS to Zoos and everything in between.

Why should you care? 

You have benefited from the services of nonprofit organizations throughout your life. Chances are the hospital where you were born is a nonprofit. The schools you attended (unless one was an online school named after a major town in Arizona) were nonprofit. Your soccer team was a nonprofit. If you are a member of a homeowner’s association, bicycle club or social club, chances are they are a nonprofit. If you belong to a religious group, that is a nonprofit.

Not all nonprofits are alike 

You may have heard nonprofits refer to themselves as 501c3, but that is only one type of nonprofit organization. According to the Internal Revenue Service (and yes, nonprofits do pay taxes but more on that in another column), there are over 29 different tax-exempt types. 501 (c) (3) refers to Charitable Organizations that are organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational, or other specified purposes. For instance, 501(c) (4) refers to civic leagues, social welfare organizations, and local associations of employees.  A 501(c) (6) refers to business leagues, chamber of commerce real estate boards, etc. My favorite to cite is 501(c) (13), which refers to cemetery companies. The 501 (c) indicates the organization is a nonprofit and the number designates an organization’s tax requirements and donation process. That’s probably enough education for one week now on to what’s going on in our nonprofit community.

Scholarships Available
The Community Foundation of South Puget Sound (CFSPS) manages 27 scholarship funds that offer a wide range of scholarship awards and encourage students of all backgrounds and educational interests to apply. According to CFSPS, education is an investment in a better future for our community which is why CFSPS manages its funds to provide scholarship support for local students planning to pursue post-secondary educational opportunities—academic and vocational. The 2023 scholarship cycle is February 13-April 12 with award announcements by June 30. Explore available scholarships.

Give Local 2022 Report
Thank you to the 97 nonprofits and 1,829 local donors participating in the 'gift of giving' during last year's Give Local campaign, sponsored by the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound. Together the community raised $792,469 in gifts. Since its inception in 2017, Give Local has raised just under $800,000. Review the full report.

Olympia Historical Society Launches Webpage
The Olympia Historical Society-Bigelow House Museum (OHS-BHM) has launched a new webpage called “Many Voices-A Resource Guide.” According to the new webpage “Many Voices” was created to assist researchers and others in gaining easy access to resources on the many groups and cultures that contribute to our rich past and present. You can explore the site at “Many Voices - a Resource Guide.”

Soliciting your ideas

If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits!

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at  MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com