Nonprofit Leaders Come Together At NWHF’s First Compliance Cohort

Cohort members came together with the support of expert coaches and NWHF staff

When it comes to managing a nonprofit, compliance can be a major challenge point of overwhelm. This is especially true for organizations navigating work across multiple entities such as c3s, c4s, and PACs. Together, with our trusted partners, Northwest Health Foundation launched its first ever multi-entity compliance cohort to help nonprofit staff and leaders navigate complex compliance requirements so they can confidently leverage their structures to advance their missions and power-building work.

Participating nonprofits were joined by a team of experts to build stronger skills and discuss scenarios with their peers. Angus Huntington, Operations manager at Next Up, joined us for our latest nonprofit compliance training and shared some of his insight on the benefits of this resource and his learnings. 

Angus didn't come up in operations. Before joining Next Up as their Operations Director, he spent years in direct services supporting people actively in crisis. Now he does timesheets, payroll, cost allocation, and grant compliance. He calls the Oregon Secretary of State's office more than he expected to.

Next Up is a c3 and has a sister c4, Next Up Action Fund, which means compliance isn't just administrative, it's political. For complex organizations like Next Up, compliance means far more than paperwork— it is a crucial part of mobilizing their mission, ensuring organizational stability, and protecting years of community investment and advocacy.  

"Operations is everything that other people don't want to do," he told us. “It's not the organizing, it's not elections, it's the boots on the ground. Nothing moves unless it's on paper."

The people doing compliance work at nonprofits are often the same people doing eight other things. They came up through programs, or organizing, or development, and found themselves responsible for something the organization couldn't afford to get wrong. While much of this work happens behind the scenes, it creates the foundation that allows organizations to focus on organizing, advocacy, and leadership development. Strong movement work depends on strong operational systems.

"The cohort has given me more people to ask questions of," Angus said. "Northwest Health Foundation is building a really helpful network."

For Angus, this new network sits alongside other helpful connections like his Secretary of State contact or outside advisors for c3/c4 audit work. 

Because of his participation in a cohort of peers learning together, Angus has strengthened his web of connections, and in return, helps Next Up and Next Up Action Fund have more stability as they build upon the collective power and leadership of young people to secure a more just and equitable Oregon.

In compliance, there is rarely a clean onramp or handoff. Much of the learning happens on the job and through relationships with trusted peers and advisors. Now, with the help of Northwest Foundation, operations leaders are building more connections while strengthening the skills and knowledge that help power movements for change.