Portland, OR. “That was incredible,” said Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon Nancy Haque, (pictured eighth from the left above in pre-covid days). She was reacting to a recent Supreme Court ruling. “People have been working for decades to get this kind of protection for the LGBTQ community, and to get that victory now, when we really needed a victory, felt really good.” Hague was weighing in about the June 15th Supreme Court ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ members from employment discrimination. The ruling is widely considered a historic step towards equality for the LGBTQ community. She spoke at a virtual town hall on June 23rd. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Basic Rights Oregon has held weekly virtual queer town halls in an effort to build community and to share information with the LGBTQ and larger Oregon community.
The focus in the town halls is on current events and features statewide leaders and experts in a variety of fields. Previous discussions have focused on issues such as healthcare, housing, employment, and discrimination. After the discussion, panelists answer audience questions.
On Tuesday, June 23, five speakers, including Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosemblum and Unite Oregon representative Inger McDowell, discussed hate crimes and recent legislation that clarifies gender discrimination as a protected class.
“Thank you so much to BRO for hosting this event,” Rosenblum said, “This is a time for me to be listening and learning … We need to make sure that people of color and the LGBTQ community and the disabled community [are] at the table and that we are together—and that [elected officials] are the ones doing the listening.”
Since the pandemic began, many operations at BRO have changed. All workers and volunteers now work remotely, and events planned for the summer—such as BRO’s large annual fundraising event “Ignite”—are being adapted into virtual events. The weekly virtual town halls began in an effort to keep the community engaged with BRO’s work.
Over the past few months, BRO has done significant outreach to get important information to those in the LGBTQ community affected by the pandemic.
“Part of what’s happened with the pandemic is an economic disaster for many people,” said BRO Executive Director Nancy Haque. Haque emphasized that many in the LGBTQ community work in the hospitality industry and do not have a large financial cushion, and as a result are facing dire financial insecurity.
Nancy Haque, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon
“We shared info about how to apply for unemployment benefits and snap benefits,” Haque said, “We’ve also made an effort to try and respond to people’s needs and questions.”
Even though many of BRO’s events have been either canceled or adapted into virtual events because of the pandemic, Haque said that BRO has been given a lot of great support by new donors which the organization has never worked with before.
However, Haque emphasized that there’s still work to be done. “There’s a lot of things we have to do as a state and as a community to continue to help the LGBTQ community,” she said. “We would love your continued support, and your support for our virtual events.”
On top of the pandemic, BRO has also expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement. “We also get to think and dream about what we can do and what we can build and how we can be part of the fight for racial justice,” Haque said, “We’ve had an organizational commitment to racial justice, but we need to keep it on the forefront of our work.”
Basic Rights Oregon will ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality by building a broad and inclusive politically powerful movement, shifting public opinion, and achieving policy victories.
Here’s a video about the organization:
About the Queer Town Hall:
In an effort to develop community and stay connected and informed during these trying times, Basic Rights Oregon has set up weekly Queer Town Hall on Tuesdays. Streaming live on YouTube, we’ll be speaking with a wide variety of experts on issues that matter most to you, including healthcare, housing, employment, discrimination, and more. It’s your chance to ask your questions and have your voice heard, so join in!
Portland, OR.Students from St. Andrew Nativity School are organizing a peaceful protest on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21st. Students will march in support of Black Lives Matter from their school at 4925 NE 9th Ave to a local police precinct. The protest will begin at 2 P.M. and masks are required. Students say they’re are marching on Father’s Day to honor the fathers who have been killed due to police brutality.
St. Andrew Nativity School is a tuition-free private middle school serving students and families from low-income backgrounds in NE Portland. The peaceful protest is aimed at raising awareness about the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and the many others who have been affected by racism and police brutality in America.
St. Andrew Nativity School is a Catholic and Jesuit middle school dedicated to offering an academically challenging curriculum in a highly structured environment students of all faiths.
From St. Andrew Nativity School:
Students from Nativity School are organizing this protest in honor of the many Black lives who are fighting for freedom and the safety of the next generation. Please join us in the fight for freedom and equality.
St. Andrew Nativity School is Oregon’s only tuition-free, private middle school for low-income students. Located in NE Portland, just off 9th and Alberta, Nativity School offers a challenging academic program that prepares students for college preparatory high schools. 92% of Nativity School students go on to graduate from high school and 88% go on to attend college.
Portland, OR. While December continues to be the largest month for charitable giving, 2018 gave way to the biggest shift in distribution across other months. In 2017, approximately 18.2% of giving took place in December and this shifted to 17% in 2018, according to a report by Blackbaud. June has continued to be the second-largest giving month of the year, which aligns with the end of the fiscal year for many nonprofit organizations. Meals on Wheels People, pictured above, like many nonprofits, continues to need support.
In 2018, overall charitable giving in the United States increased by 1.5% on a year-over-year basis. Large organizations grew by 2.3%; medium organizations increased 2%; and small nonprofits experienced a decrease of 2.3% compared to the same time period in 2017. Since 2016, overall giving has grown 9% and giving to Foundations grew 5% over the same three year time period.
Online giving grew 1.2% in 2018 compared to 2017. Large organizations had a decrease of 0.5%; medium-sized organizations grew 3.7%; and small nonprofits grew 0.7% on a year-over-year basis. Since 2016, online giving has grown 17%, and average online gift amounts have continued to increase. The percentage of total fundraising that came from online giving once again reached another record high in 2018. Approximately 8.5% of overall fundraising revenue, excluding grants, was raised online. In 2018, 24% of online transactions were made using a mobile device.
This is the continuation of a growing trend we have measured over many years now. Arts and Culture organizations had the largest growth in both overall and online giving during 2018. Animal Welfare, International Affairs, Higher Education, and Public and Society Benefit organizations also experienced significant growth in overall giving compared to 2017. Public and Society Benefit, Healthcare, and Faith Communities also had growth in online giving in 2018. 2018 continued the longest sustained period of charitable giving growth since the last recession.
There are several key trends shaping charitable giving that are highlighted here. First, charitable giving in the United States is returning to normal levels following two years of significant growth. Second, online giving is entering a new phase where mobile and other digital channels continue to change how donors engage with nonprofit organizations. Finally, giving to Foundations and Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) continues to grow in response to supporter preferences and changes in incentives. A 36-month view of fundraising from the same organizations reveals a 9% growth in overall giving and a 17% increase in online giving. When we take a broader view, spikes in giving during 2017 gave way to more normal growth rates in 2018. There is a tendency to want to identify a single reason for shifts in giving, but that is not how the philanthropic ecosystem works.
The digital marketing firm for nonprofits, Blackbaud, released this finding in its 2018 Charitable Giving Report.
Portland, OR. Have you been looking for a way to volunteer your time to help alleviate suffering during the COVID-19 crisis? Well, we’ve got some great ideas to share. You can learn about both remote and on-site volunteer options at the website: VolunteerMatch. Get involved in our community from the safety of your own home
The site offers thousands of volunteer options. There is both a local need and you can also help remotely across the country, in some of the hardest-hit areas by offering assistance with things like tutoring kids who are struggling to learn at home.
Independent Sector
Volunteerism is an essential part of our country’s social fabric and is perhaps most vital during times of crisis. And unlike familiar crises, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the very nature of how people can connect with and help each other.
Writing a quick card or letter with a positive message will brighten the day of clients who receive grocery deliveries! If you do not wish to write a message, that is okay! Artwork will also be accepted (photographs, drawings, paintings).
Feel free to be creative and have fun. Bonus points if you can incorporate food into your work!
This is also a great project for kids.
Please keep the cards secular and avoid mentioning any specific holidays.
For more details contact [email protected]
Please mail your finished cards to: Lift UP 2701 NW Vaughn Street Suite 102
Portland, OR 97210
Portland, OR. Grab your pug and head to the Civic Taproom and Bottle Shop near Providence Park on Saturday, September 14th. The taproom will donate one dollar for every pint sold to the Pacific Pug Rescue. The fundraiser is for those 21 and over, and will support the nonprofit’s mission to rehabilitate and place unwanted, neglected and abused pugs in permanent adoptive homes. Dogs need to be well socialized and on a leash to attend.
Pints for Pugs at Civic Taproom, March 2019
The benefit will take place on Saturday, September 14th from 1pm – 4pm. The Civic Taproom and Bottle Shop located on 621 SW 19th Ave, in Portland. It’s free to attend and you’ll also have the chance to enter a raffle to win a gift basket. Treats and Pacific Pug Rescue merchandise will be available for purchase as well.
Pints for Pugs at Civic Taproom, March 2019
Organizers encourage you to attend Pints for Pugs to enjoy an afternoon filled with socializing, crafted beer, and prizes as you help raise money for pugs in need.
Here’s a video about the work of the Pacific Pug Rescue:
About Pacific Pug Rescue:
Pacific Pug Rescue is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started in 2006. More than 100 Pug obsessed volunteers dedicate themselves to running the organization, including a passionate board of directors, some of whom have been volunteering for us since the beginning.
We rescue, rehabilitate and place unwanted, neglected and abused Pugs in permanent adoptive homes that have been carefully screened. The Pugs and former owners we work with are from throughout Oregon, Idaho and Washington and we rescue pugs regardless of age or medical condition, seeking to provide for their short and long-term needs. Prior to adoption, our Pugs are cared for by our dedicated foster families located in the Portland Metro area. While there and before adoption can occur, our Pugs receive medical care including spaying/neutering, dental checks, vaccinations, and microchips. In addition to saving Pugs, we strive to educate the public about the breed, including its personality, health issues and care, and about the importance of domestic animal population control.
FALL PREVIEW: Portland, OR. United Cerebral Palsy of Oregon & SW Washington (UCP) will honor business leaders committed to employing Oregonians who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. Supporters are gearing up for a special recognition happy hour for employers who have excelled in diversifying their workplaces in partnership with Employment Solutions. The AbilityAware happy hour will take place on Thursday, October 24th from 4:00 to 6:30 at the Portland Armory: 128 NW 11th Ave.
UCP Oregon began in 1955 by supporting adults who experienced cerebral palsy. But today we do so much more than that! We assist adults and kids of all ages, who experience all kinds of developmental disabilities.
About Employment Solutions:
Employment Solutions is a service of UCP Oregon and has been connecting businesses with qualified candidates since its inception in 2006. Candidates are vetted to determine their best job match and supports are put into place to ensure employment success. Employment Solutions partners with hundreds of businesses in Portland, Clackamas, WA County and Hood River to increase diversity, productivity and profitability for local businesses. Some of the benefits of partnering with Employment Solutions are no-cost, on-site coaching, assistance with accommodations, and consultation on topics such as ADA compliance and filing tax credits. Our experienced team customizes the level of supports based on the needs of each business.
About AbilityAware:
An AbilityAware employer is a community-focused business, committed to advancing employment opportunities for people with disabilities, and in turn cultivating a strong local economy. Employers have earned this designation and can proudly display the AbilityAware plaque and signage in their workplace. Learn more about being an AbilityAware employer here.
FALL PREVIEW: Portland Fashion Week will hit the runway October 2nd through 6th. The event features sustainable fashion and will take place at the Old Church Concert Hall in downtown Portland.
The driving force is the philosophy of “Slow Fashion” which is founded on the idea of non-impulsive buying; using awareness as the basis for understanding the quality and value of clothing.
Fiona Foulk, Executive Producer Portland Fashion Week (PFW) also announced the formation of the nonprofit Portland Fashion Foundation. The foundation will be the recipient organization of all related charity endeavors and 100% of net profits will benefit local and regional charities by 2022. Foulk explained, “We realized that we can do so much more for everyone by adopting the non profit status.”
Portland Fashion Foundation will be producing not only the PFW series but all ancillary events such as the PFW Annual Charity Golf Tournament, Werewolves’ Beard Ball Halloween Party, photo shoots, community outreaches and model searches. These events will support The Portland Fashion Week New and Expecting Mommies Fund, a safety net and stop gap helping new and expecting unwed mothers meet monthly needs. Ticket prices for PFW range from $150 to $40.
Did you know that there are two different major fashion weeks in Portland? Running concurrently during Portland Fashion Week and organized by former PFW producer Tito Chowdhury, FashioNXT is a different Portland showcase. One FashioNXT focus is the integration of technology into fashion. In the past, that’s included wearable 3-D-printed items. More information about the fashion event can be found at fashionxt.com. Tickets run from $25 to $185.
Here’s a look at some photos from past Portland Fashion Week shows:
From Portland Fashion Week:
Portland Fashion Week strives to continually revolutionize the fashion industry through upholding the slow fashion and sustainable fashion mindsets. Defining our core values, we feature fashion inclusive to everyone and using our business model to continually conduct educational outreaches, charitable events, and our yearly Portland Fashion Week series.
Since 2002 Portland Fashion Week has striven to create a fashion-based business with a network of domestic and international resources to support emerging designers. Through annual events, Our full annual calendar of events brings together designers, models, media, stylists, celebrities, and VIPs in support of the Portland fashion communities, utilizing a percentage of the proceeds to benefit charity and support the education of the future fashion visionaries.
Event details:
Venue: The Old Church 1422 SW 11th Ave Portland, Oregon 97201
Wednesday Oct. 2, 2019 5-11pm Press Night
Thursday Oct. 3, 2019 5-11 pm Sustainable Apparel
Friday Oct. 4, 2019 5-11 pm Ready To Wear
Saturday Oct. 5, 2019 5-11 pm Couture and Bridal
Sunday Oct. 6, 2019 5-11 pm Accessories and Hair Styling and Make-up
Portland, OR. Do you have an exciting nonprofit event coming up this fall?
We’d like to help you spread the word. Contact Elisa at [email protected].
PortlandSocietyPage.com is offering a very reasonable publicity package and here are the details:
It’s $50 dollars to participate in the fall preview program and reach about 10,000 of Portland’s most civic minded and philanthropic nonprofit lovers.
The fall preview package includes a short story with photos on PortlandSocietyPage.com. The story will contain all of the details of the event and links to ticket pages. The story will be included in our free weekly e-newsletter and posted on all of our social channels including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
We only have room for a limited number of Fall Preview stories, so let us know if you’d like to participate as soon as possible.
Here’s an example of the article we posted for Bridge Meadows.
Having your story on our free platform can really help. Here’s a testimonial:
Hi Elisa,
Thanks so much for the great presence on your Portland Society Page! We really appreciate the extra awareness. In fact, yesterday as we were making a presentation to a potential foundation funder, they mentioned that they had seen our event featured on your page. It made a big impact! We really appreciate the nice coverage you gave us!
Best,
Carrie, William Temple House
As always, story publication after your event and inclusion in our website calendar is free, so send us your information, or use our submission form.
Portland, OR. Bridge Meadows supporters are gearing up for a special evening on September 19th at the Hilton Hotel. It’s the 14th annual IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala. Portland favorite, KGW’s Drew Carney and Benefit Auctions 360’s Johnna Wells will co-host the event again this year. Bridge Meadows is a nonprofit which builds purposeful communities where children formerly in foster care, their forever families, and elders of modest means flourish together. Click here for tickets information.
Due to damage inside of the Kridel Grand Ballroom at the Portland Art Museum, Bridge Meadows is moving our 14th Annual IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala to the Hilton Portland Downtown Grand Ballroom I. The Hilton Portland Downtown and the Portland Art Museum have been very gracious and helpful in working with us through this transition, and we hope that this shift to a location several blocks away will not inconvenience
At the benefit, attendees will enjoy a selection of wine and cocktails, dinner, and live auction while supporting the meaningful work Bridge Meadows provides for children who have experienced foster care, parents and elders in our community. Entertainment will be provided by talented youth performers from Friends of Noise. Come celebrate the transformative power of intergenerational communities!
Here are some photos from last year:
Board Member Gayle Meyer, Associate Director Renee Mosely, and friends pose at the photobooth.
Beaverton Mayor Denny Doyle and friends
Bridge Meadows Supporters Steve Meyer, Mike Cobb, Patty Cobb, and Board Member Gayle Meyer
The IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala is the premier fundraising event for Bridge Meadows. Since its inception in 2005, the IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala has raised more than $2 million to sustain and build intentional, intergenerational neighborhoods where children, families, and elders flourish together.
Bridge Meadows builds purposeful communities where children formerly in foster care, their forever families, and elders of modest means flourish together. We provide safe, affordable housing that helps interrupt the cycle of poverty, instability, and isolation that weakens communities over generations. Youth find comfort in stable homes. Parents receive support and guidance. Elders find the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families and children. Bridge Meadows community members are invested in each other’s success. With safe, stable housing, and a shared social purpose, Bridge Meadows residents can re-orient themselves toward improved family stability, wellness, education, and economic outcomes. Our program has a lasting impact on the health and well-being of children who have experienced trauma, their adoptive parents, and elders who live in our communities. As we continue to look beyond our two communities, North Portland and Beaverton, we feel a grand sense of urgency to respond and build more intergenerational communities. Proceeds from the IMAGINE gala & auction will support on-site programs, mental health services and future community site developments.
Your support at the IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala will make it possible for future generations to benefit from a Bridge Meadows community.
The IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala is the premier fundraising event for Bridge Meadows. Since its inception in 2005, the IMAGINE Fall Auction & Gala has raised more than $2 million to sustain and build intentional, intergenerational neighborhoods where children, families, and elders flourish together.
Editor’s note: Fall Preview is a PortlandSocietyPage.com feature and is sponsored content.
Depoe Bay, OR. If you’d like to catch a glimpse of some of the largest animals on earth, you’re in luck. A whale spotting program called, “Whale Watching Spoken Here” will take place last week of August through the first Monday in September. Volunteers will be stationed at 26 different locations along the coast to help visitors see resident gray whales.
Oregon is known for having a small population of “resident” gray whales that appears to live off our Pacific Northwest coast in the summer and fall. They don’t make the long migration north to the frigid but rich feeding grounds of the Arctic Ocean.
The Marine Mammal Institute in Newport, Oregon studies these whales. It found that one male gray whale earned the title of “resident,” remaining offshore from northern California to the central Oregon coast for 383 days. His preferred spot was between Point St. George in northern California and the Oregon/California border, where he stayed for 137 days straight.
Another “hotspot” for these resident gray whales is Depoe Bay.
What causes this small population of whales to remain off the Pacific Northwest instead of going north to the Arctic? Researchers from the Marine Mammal Institute at OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport are not certain.
“It is possible that the whales have concluded that our local food is sufficient to sustain them,” Barbara Lagerquist said. “It also is possible that this group of 200 hasn’t grown larger because that local food supply isn’t sufficient to feed a bigger population. In other words, the local population is at carrying capacity.
Here’s a list of locations where you can spot whales:
From north to south, these are the 26 Whale Watching Spoken Here sites. With or without a volunteer to assist, these are the best locations along the coast to spot whales.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Ilwaco, Washington
Ecola State Park
Neahkahnie Mountain Historic Marker Turnout on Highway 101
Cape Meares State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Lookout State Park – 2.5 mile hike to site at tip of Cape
Cape Kiwanda
Inn at Spanish Head Lobby on 10th floor
Boiler Bay State Scenic Viewpoint
The Whale Watching Center/Depoe Bay Sea Wall
Rocky Creek State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Foulweather
Devil’s Punchbowl State Natural Area
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
Don Davis City Park
Cape Perpetua Interpretive Center
Cook’s Chasm Turnout
Sea Lion Caves Turnout – large Highway 101 turnout south of tunnel
Umpqua Lighthouse, near Umpqua Lighthouse State Park
Shore Acres State Park
Face Rock Wayside State Scenic Viewpoint
Cape Blanco Lighthouse, near Cape Blanco State Park
Battle Rock Wayfinding Point, Port Orford
Cape Sebastian
Cape Ferrelo
Harris Beach State Park, Brookings, Oregon
9th Street Beach, Crescent City, California
People from all over the world come to the Oregon Coast to learn about the gray whales.
Look for these signs along the coast.
You might see a few new Oregon license plates as you drive along and stop to look for whales. The plates benefit whale research and have an image of a gray whale mother and her calf along the coast. They’re now available at Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles offices throughout the state.
“This is a wonderful way to support marine mammal conservation on a local and even a global basis,” said Bruce Mate, director of the Marine Mammal Institute based at Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport.
The plate costs $40 to order or renew – $35 of that total will go to the OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute for marine mammal research, graduate education, and public outreach. People who have previously purchased vouchers for the plates may submit those at DMV offices in lieu of this fee. Those transferring new whale plates to an existing Oregon-registered vehicle will have some small additional fees to transfer new month and year stickers to the new plates. More details about the license plate can be found here: http://bit.ly/2B2LeSz.
“Some of the proceeds from the plate sales will target marine mammal research and education,” Mate said. “The plates are a way that citizens can support marine mammal research at a very modest biannual basis and let other folks know about their interests, support and concerns for the coast as they drive down the road.”
About OSU’s Hatfield Marine Science Center: The center is a research and teaching facility located in Newport, Ore., on the Yaquina Bay estuary, about one mile from the open waters of the Pacific Ocean. It plays an integral role in programs of marine and estuarine research and instruction, as a laboratory serving resident scientists, as a base for far-ranging oceanographic studies and as a classroom for students.
To learn more about the Depoe Bay Whale Watching Center and whale watching all year long, please click HERE.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
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Look for another ticket giveaway soon! Are you a nonprofit looking to bolster your publicity with facebook and tweets? Email us and we'll run a contest with tickets to your event! [email protected]
