Portland, March 7th, 2014. Over 460 of Portland’s generous Lines for Life supporters celebrated the work of Judy Cushing, retiring CEO at its gala. Board President Dan McMillan of the Standard is pictured with Judy Cushing, Tommy & Amber Thayer (Tommy Thayer is best known as the guitarist from the rock band, KISS.) New CEO Dwight Holton was also there to kick off another great year of lifesaving work. The nonprofit raised over $323,000 for its efforts to prevent substance abuse and suicide. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
KISS band member Tommy Thayer, Amber Thayer, Event Co-Chair Tom Milligan, Cristan and Major Dan Browne.
Guests visiting at the pre-gala reception in the Sunken Ballroom.
Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill, Retiring CEO Judy Cushing, Incoming CEO Dwight Holton and Portland mayor Charlie Hales
Bidders during the paddle raise auction in the Kridel Ballroom
From Lines for Life:
Lines for Life (formerly Oregon Partnership) is a non-profit dedicated to preventing substance abuse and suicide because they touch so many families in our society. We have served thousands of people with addiction, mental health and suicide intervention services, treatment referral and drug prevention education.
Lines for Life Crisis Lines receive approximately 35,000 calls per year. We are able to de-escalate 98 percent of the 17,000 suicide calls we receive. The Military Helpline offers free, anonymous assistance 24/7/365 to active duty service members, veterans and their families through telephone and text support.
Our YouthLine offers a confidential teen-to-teen phone line and texting to help youth deal with bullying, depression, substance abuse or other issues that can make those years especially painful.
The Lines for Life staff works closely with schools, parents, treatment professionals, law enforcement and the military. We train and support community anti-drug coalitions. We lead public awareness campaigns on underage drinking, youth access to alcohol and reducing illegal drug use.
Portland, March 1st, 2014. More than 950 attended the 30th Annual Classic Wines Auction and that was a new record. At the event, Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive, handed the keys to the BMW i8 to winner Linda Dahl as guests help celebrate the bidding action. The gala at the Oregon Convention Center raised a record $3.4 million to support youth and families in five different charities in Portland and Southwest Washington.
Honorary Chair John von Schlegell joins Honorary Washington Wine Ambassadors Darcy Fugman-Small and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon.
Honorary Wine Ambassador Veronique Drouhin-Boss, representing both Maison Joseph Drouhin (France) and Domaine Drouhin Oregon joins California Honorary Wine Ambassador, Barbara Banke, of Jackson Family Wines.
CWA Board member Chris Hermann actively participates in the BMW i8 bidding and purchases the second one (a surprise offer from Kuni Automotive).
Linda Rae Hickey, CWA Raise your Paddle Chair and Emeritus Board Member, encourages the audience to help reach a record-breaking goal of $1 million in Raise your Paddle donations. For the 1st time in CWA history, that goal was achieved!
Guests admired the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car donated by Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW.
Brian Wineke, Managing Director of U.S. Trust, and Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America President, encourage the crowd to give generously.
This year’s partner charities include Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
A wide range of packages, vintage wines and international excursions were auctioned off during the course of the night. The highlight of the auction and the evening was the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Two bidders in Portland each paid $240,000 for cars for a total of $480,000. Donated by presenting sponsors, Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW, they are the first BMW i8s to be sold in the Pacific Northwest and two of only 900 that will be sold in the U.S. this year.
In 2013, the event raised $2.9 million. Established in 1984, the auction has raised more than $33 million and assisted over 700,000 children and families.
Portland, March 8th, 2014. Thomas Edison High School hosted 320 guests at the Governor Hotel for the carnival themed Brilliance Benefit auction and dinner. Shannon and Jeff Gianola of KOIN News enjoy the silent auction before Jeff takes over as emcee for the evening. Guests heard from sophomore Nazle Taylor and Board Vice Chair Roger Krage about the importance of Thomas Edison High School. The event generated over $230,000 in revenue to support financial aid, technology, and professional development at the school. Thomas Edison, the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with complex learning differences. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Student Volunteers at the benefit.
Board Chair Sandra McDonough and Vice Chair Roger Krage.
Charles Wilhoite, Mary Fellows, and John Russell enjoy the silent auction.
Director Patrick Maguire thanks our fabulous co-chairs Paula Jacobson and Anne Stein-Gray.
Jean Rystrom accompanies her son as he makes his way around the silent auction on his stilts.
About Thomas Edison High School:
Thomas A. Edison is the only high school in Oregon and Southwest Washington dedicated to serving students with complex learning differences. Our work here is powerful and profound: helping every student reach his or her full potential.
As a small, private high school, Thomas A. Edison offers an individualized curriculum that meets each student’s special needs, and maximizes the ability to learn. We also provide the emotional support that builds confidence and maturity. By empowering students with learning differences to experience academic success and personal growth, Edison does more than prepare teens for the future. We change lives.
Over 300 guests came to the Portland Art Museum to support Northwest Academy’s scholarship fund. Mary Vinton Folberg, Northwest Academy Head of School is pictured with Jordan Schnitzer, Harsch Investment Properties. Attendees enjoyed a cabaret stage show with Northwest Academy students and faculty, along with a live auction and dinner. Guests bid on silent and live auction items, including a McKenzie River Fishing Excursion, a Private Dinner at Silk and a Personal Tour of the Collection of Arlene and Harold Schnitzer. The evening raised over $150,000 in support of the Northwest Academy Scholarship Fund. Special thanks for Arlene Schnitzer and Jordan Schnitzer, who pledged a challenge grant of $50,000 from the Harold and Arlene Schnitzer CARE Foundation, and to the Quest Foundation, who offered a challenge grant of $37,050. (photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Crowd shot at the Portland Art Museum
Madeline Ettinger ’16 as Dancer in One NIght in Rio – The Cabaret
Northwest Academy students perform in One Night in Rio stage show
Drew Carney, KGW-TV and Club Cabaret Master of Ceremonies
Angeles Godinez-Valencia, Northwest Academy Alumna (’13)
Wilson Captein ’14 as Tourist in One Night in Rio -The Cabaret
One in four students at Northwest Academy receives financial aid to attend the college preparatory middle and high school located in downtown Portland.
Northwest Academy is an independent school, grades 6 through 12, committed to education through academics and the arts. Founded in 1997 by Mary Vinton Folberg, Northwest Academy offers rigorous academic and arts programs that emphasize and value creative thinking, individual choice, and self-discipline. Classes are taught by master teachers and professionals active in their fields – from dance and the arts to the humanities and sciences. Northwest Academy prepares students for the demands of the twenty-first century through a strong focus on independent thought and problem solving combined with an emphasis on new approaches to contemporary issues. Northwest Academy is located at 1130 SW Main Street, Portland, Oregon 97205; 503-223-3367. For more information, please visit www.nwacademy.org. Follow us on Facebook at Northwest Academy.
Portland, February 28th, 2014. The Freshwater Trust, an Oregon-based water conservation non-profit, held the organization’s 31st annual gala and auction. George Gadbury, Lynne Gadbury, Maurice Fykes III and Edvige Fykes enjoyed the celebration.
The Freshwater Trust president Joe Whitworth and board member and ACME Business Consulting principal Scott Demorest enjoyed the after party, held in the Sunken Ballroom of the Art Museum following the dinner and auction in the Grand Ballroom.
With a mission to restore freshwater ecosystems, The Freshwater Trust fixes river throughout the state. The nonprofit uses new tools to restore rivers and improve wild fish habitat. The gala highlighted its innovations in science and technology in the restoration field. From the use of an iPad app to streamlined data collection to creating “Basin-Scout “to determine the best sites for restoring stream-side vegetation, The Freshwater Trust understands that new conservation solutions are needed to fix every river.
Natural art pieces by Portland artist Scott Sutton filled the room.
Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter for Jacques Cousteau, delivered the keynote speech on how technology shaped her grandfather’s craft to how technology and data will shape the science of freshwater conservation.
Conservation group The Freshwater Trust celebrated its innovations in science and technology at the 31st annual gala and auction.
From the Freshwater Trust:
Our river systems are the backbone of agriculture, industry and recreation. Yet millions of river miles across the United States fail to fully support aquatic life. Over the last 50 years, human impacts have altered stream habitat, resulting in poor water quality and damaged ecosystems – creating a significant need to restore them.
Current conservation solutions are not addressing fundamental issues of water quality, climate change and species survival in time to fix these issues. This is why The Freshwater Trust is pioneering the next generation of conservation – new tools, methods, technologies and partnerships.
Portland, March 6th, 2014. 150 joined the party as Amy Vining Photography hosted an inaugural Shine Fashion Show at the Cleaners at the Ace Hotel. The event raised over $1,000 for “I Have a Dream” Oregon. Amy Vining is pictured with Katie Jacobson, Events and Corporate Relations Manager at “I Have a Dream” Oregon. Vinging teamed up with Portland’s prom and high school fashion vendors, like Charlotte’s Weddings, and the Jefferson Dancers to present a fashion and lifestyle event with teenage appeal. (Photo credit, Paul Rich)
The Jefferson Dancers
Class 10 Dreamer – Sierra
Class 10 Dreamer – Venus
Fourteen of Amy Vining’s senior models, alongside five of “I Have a Dream” Oregon’s student Dreamers walked the catwalk in the latest prom styles and teen fashion trends. 100% of ticket were donated to “I Have a Dream” Oregon. “The fashion show is something that allows my senior models to do something different at the end of their senior year, and also participate in something that benefits their community. I want to show these girls that even the smallest businesses, or one person, can make a difference. We chose ‘I Have a Dream’ because of their passion for what they do to support low-income students. I’ve been to a Dreamer student graduation, and have seen first hand the relationships and support that come from the staff and volunteers involved with the program. I have seen the pride in these ‘Dreamers’ eyes when they achieve something they didn’t think they could,” said Amy Vining, owner of Amy Vining Photography. Other companies involved included: Paradox Entertainment, Switch Shoes & Clothing, AJ’s Hair Design & Makeup, and Masala Pop.
ABOUT “I HAVE A DREAM” OREGON Since 1990, “I Have a Dream” Oregon has helped students in low-income communities with three proven core services: long-term relationships with caring adult mentors; access to wraparound services; and creating a “culture of college and career” within schools and Dreamer families. Their mission is to help students succeed in school, college and career. In Oregon, there have been more than 869 student Dreamers served since the first student class was ‘adopted’ in 1990, with more than 800 additional Dreamers currently served at the Nation’s first Dreamer School in outer SE Portland. Learn more at www.dreamoregon.org
Portland, February 21st, 2014. It was an erudite crowd 500 strong at the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) gala. Young readers from Oregon Children’s Theater Elisha, Ethan and Grace posed with Portland Timbers mascot Timber Joey before reading The SMART Story to gala attendees. SMART pairs caring adult volunteers with PreK through third-grade children to provide one-on-one reading support and books to keep. (photo credit, Andie Petkus)
The SMART gala featured a cocktail hour, dinner, live auction and “Make a Difference” paddle raise at the Portland Art Museum. The event chair was Michele Daterman. The money raised will support 250 SMART programs across Oregon.
The Cocktail hour had a silent auction where books were a hot item.
Table mates celebrate winning the Book Pack Frenzy, which pits tables against one another to purchase the most book packs for SMART students.
Johanna Thoeresz of Oregon Community Foundation; Sally McCracken; Susan Lindauer of Children’s Trust Fund of Oregon; SMART Board Member Greg Chaillé; and SMART Board Chair Mary Wilcox pose for a photo before dinner begins.
Portland saxophonist Patrick Lamb amps up the crowd before the live auction.
Tom Wyatt, CEO of the SMART Gala’s presenting sponsor Knowledge Universe, addresses the crowd.
SMART Gala emcee Brenda Braxton, KGW NewsChannel 8 anchor, poses between duties for a quick photo with DJ Wilson, KGW president and general manager and SMART Board Member.
SMART 2014 Outstanding Volunteer Rick Rogoway receives the award from SMART Executive Director Chris Otis
From SMART:
Our Vision
An Oregon where every child can read and is empowered to succeed.
Our Mission
SMART engages community volunteers to read one-on-one with PreK through third-grade children who need reading support. Participating children also receive new books each month to keep and read with their families.
Our History
In 1991, a group of concerned business leaders led by Gov. Neil Goldschmidt came together to address the troublesome reality that Oregon’s children were routinely reading below grade level. SMART’s unique model was developed, blending early childhood reading support, adult mentorship and community engagement to positively impact literacy outcomes.
The program launched in 1992 in eight schools in two cities, serving 585 children.
Over the years, SMART has steadily grown to become the state’s largest volunteer-driven nonprofit organization devoted to children’s literacy.
Since SMART’s inception, we have served more than 152,000 children and given away nearly 2 million books. More than 103,000 volunteers have logged 3 million hours reading with SMART children across the state.
Portland, March 11th, 2014– Greater Giving, a division of Global Payments Inc. and a company that delivers fundraising solutions and card payment technologies to the nonprofit market nationwide, announced today that it has signed an agreement with ClickBid, a leading provider of paperless auction software, to provide cloud-based mobile bidding technology to power Greater Giving Mobile Bidding. The information comes to us from a news release.
The combination of Greater Giving’s Event Management Software and mobile bidding technology transforms the traditional silent auction into an online fundraiser, allowing nonprofits across the United States to raise money before, during and after live events. With Greater Giving Mobile Bidding, attendees can bid on auction items using their own smartphones, or at bidding stations on tablets or laptops – moving away from manual paper bid sheets in crowded rooms.
“Mobility is creating new fundraising opportunities and the Greater Giving Mobile Bidding solution is a powerful example of how our technology investments continue to provide tangible value to thousands of nonprofits that choose us,” said Sid Singh, SVP and GM, Worldwide Integrated Solutions for Global Payments.
“Over the last two years, smartphone usage has averaged 80 to 90 percent at our events,” said Matt Burnell, ClickBid Founder and CEO. “Mobile Bidding introduces the best facets of the online bidding experience – ease of use and heightened competition – to any live event, adding new enthusiasm to fundraisers. Our agreement with Greater Giving shows that convenience of mobile bidding is quickly becoming the norm.”
“Greater Giving Mobile Bidding made a big difference in our event set up and organization,” said Emily Muserallo, Development Associate, Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas. “Contributors have told us they spent more this year because Mobile Bidding made it so easy. We believe the convenience of online fundraising helped to increase donations at our annual gala by more than $20,000.”
Nonprofit organizations interested in Greater Giving Mobile Bidding can email sales@greatergiving.com to request more information.
About Greater Giving
Greater Giving, a division of Global Payments, headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon, is dedicated to providing technology solutions to the nonprofit community in order to improve their fundraising efforts. Greater Giving has processed more than $2B in credit card payments in support of nonprofit causes for over 9,000 organizations and schools across the United States. Greater Giving provides best-in-class customer service, with night-of-event support available for the entire duration of the event. Greater Giving also provides free fundraising education programs throughout the year, including webinars, white papers and live seminars. For more information, visit www.greatergiving.com.
About ClickBid
Founded in Norton Shores, Michigan in 2002, Click Bid was the first alternative to paper silent auction bidding. With 12 years’ experience in paperless auction software, ClickBid’s mobile bidding helps nonprofits, schools, and other causes enhance fundraising events by reducing their workload and raising more money. Auction guests use any internet capable device, including smartphones and tablets, to bid on auction items, thereby allowing them to spend more time socializing instead of hovering over bid sheets. Text alerts encourage more competitive bidding, and ClickBid software ensures fast, secure checkout. Organizations pay one flat fee rather than a portion of proceeds, and on-site support is always available. Also offered is ClickBid Me, a lighter version that lowers costs by empowering clients to take a more do-it-yourself approach. To sign up or learn more visit www.ClickBidOnline.com.
Portland, March 7, 2014. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation has selected the Urban League of Portland as its latest Neighborhood Builder® winner. The Builder award entails a $200,000 unrestricted grant as well as advanced leadership training, all of which is awarded to one Portland-area nonprofit each year in a competitive selection process. The Builder program is specifically in support of high-performing nonprofits that have made a significant impact addressing needs related to community development, critical needs or workforce development and education. This is the tenth year of the Builder program in Portland.
Bank of America’s Roger Hinshaw and Urban League CEO Mike Alexander with $200,000 check
“We have a long history of supporting the Urban League of Portland’s mission over the past decade, but it was really last year that our partnership ramped up. Bank of America provided a $25,000 grant to help revive their workforce program and after seeing the results of that investment, combined with the leadership Michael Alexander has brought to the League, we were really inspired to consider other ways we could help this valuable organization,” said Monique Barton, senior vice president of corporate social responsibility at Bank of America in Oregon and southwest Washington. “It’s our hope that this latest $200,000 investment will not only deepen the Urban League’s impact today, but sustain their mission and services well into the future.”
Barton noted that last year’s grant from Bank of America helped the Urban League of Portland serve 129 new clients with job coaching, employment preparation training, job search and placement services and resume preparation for both youth and adults. “We’re excited at what the future holds in terms of the Urban League’s important efforts at breaking down barriers for achieving employment and financial independence,” Barton said.
The Urban League of Portland is one of Oregon’s oldest civil rights organizations. Its mission is to help empower African Americans and other Oregonians to achieve equality in education, employment and economic security.
With this new funding from Bank of America, the Urban League of Portland aims to partner with new corporations and organizations to develop additional employment opportunities for clients seeking jobs. This grant will enable the Urban League of Portland to research and connect with corporations, small businesses, local skilled trade unions and other organizations to forge partnerships that will benefit the community by linking companies with eligible and diverse job candidates.
“We are honored to have been selected on this tenth anniversary of the Neighborhood Builders program. Bank of America’s investment in our community will enable our workforce programs to offer comprehensive employment services to African Americans and others in the region who are seeking sustainable, family-wage employment,” said Michael Alexander, president & CEO of the Urban League of Portland. “This contribution will allow us to create straightforward pathways to employment for all levels of job seekers — from working with clients to build fundamental employment skills to specialized trainings for emerging technologies. This Builder award will allow us to address the critically high level of unemployment in our community, to build strong partnerships with the business sector, and to improve the quality of life in our community by working to build a skilled, qualified and diverse workforce.”
According to findings released by the Bridgespan Group, the Neighborhood Builders program is the largest investment in nonprofit leadership development that exists today, as well as one of the largest philanthropic programs in its spending, and it’s the third largest in number of leaders served. Through the program — now in its 10th year — Bank of America has invested more than $160 million in 800 nonprofit organizations and provided training to 1,600 nonprofit leaders. Neighborhood Builders furthers Bank of America’s broader philanthropic commitment to addressing core issues that are critical to the economic vitality of local economies, with a particular focus on low-income communities.
“The Urban League of Portland makes critical contributions to our local community and this latest partnership with them will help break down employment barriers, which is really about building a stronger, more skilled workforce,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America’s President in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Bank of America is pleased to provide this latest funding since it will help fuel local economic vitality by putting people back to work. That’s something our local employees are proud to be a part of.”
About Urban League of Portland
Established in 1945, the Urban League of Portland is one of the oldest African American service, civil rights and advocacy organizations in the area. The Urban League of Portland is a part of a network of over 90 National Urban League Affiliates across the country and is recognized as one of the leading voices for African Americans and other people of color in the region. We are a key coalition-builder amongst other African American organizations, and work extensively with both traditional and emerging African American groups, the faith-based community, minority businesses, and other organizations of color, including immigrants and refugees. The Urban League of Portland helps empower African Americans and others to achieve equality in education, employment, health, economic security and quality of life. The Urban League movement carries out its mission at the local, state and national levels through direct services, advocacy, research, policy analysis, community education and mobilization, coalitions and collaborations, and communications. Learn more about our work or sign up for our newsletter at ulpdx.org
About Bank of America Corporate Social Responsibility Bank of America’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a strategic part of doing business globally. Our CSR efforts guide how we operate in a socially, economically, financially and environmentally responsible way around the world, to deliver for shareholders, customers, clients and employees. Our goal is to help create economically vibrant regions and communities through lending, investing and giving. By partnering with our stakeholders, we create value that empowers individuals and communities to thrive and contributes to the long-term success of our business. We have several core areas of focus for our CSR, including responsible business practices; environmental sustainability; strengthening local communities with a focus on housing, hunger and jobs; investing in global leadership development; and engaging through arts and culture. As part of these efforts, employee volunteers across the company contribute their time, passion and expertise to address issues in communities where they live and work. Learn more at www.bankofamerica.com/about and follow us on Twitter at @BofA_Community.
Portland, March 7th, 2014. Many employees from local companies roll up their sleeves to help build homes for deserving families. Recently over 20 Huron Consulting Group volunteers joined the construction crew to build a local Habitat for Humanity home for the Dulal family. Family members worked alongside the volunteers. Volunteer Amy Hawkins said, “Getting to work alongside the homeowner is awesome! And raising the wall was a great way to start the day.”
Huron provides time off to participate in philanthropic activities. “We are pleased to work with Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East,” said James H. Roth, chief executive officer and president, Huron Consulting Group.
“Huron has been a great corporate sponsor over the years and we are pleased to work with them in Portland,” said Sasha Davis, director of communications, Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East. Huron employees have been participating in Habitat for Humanity community service projects across the country since 2009.
Tilting up one wall of the new home.
raising the wall
Huron Consulting Group employees savor the satisfaction of construction.
Habitat for Humanity Portland/ Metro East revitalizes neighborhoods, builds affordable and sustainable homes and empowers families through successful homeownership. Habitat is one of the only organizations in the Portland Metro area that offers homeownership opportunities to hardworking families making as little as $20,800 (for a family of four). We do this by mobilizing the community and a hand-up model in which the homeowner helps to build and then buys their home with a 0%-interest Habitat mortgage. Additionally, Habitat offers home repair services to low-income homeowners, using the same 0%-interest loan and sweat equity model. Instead of being in a vulnerable and fragile economic position, Habitat families find themselves in a position of strength. Habitatportlandmetro.org.
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