Portland, OR. In February of 2020 Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos announced a $10 billion commitment to funding scientists, nonprofits, and “others” that have made it their life’s work to fight climate change. Bezos discussed his plans with world leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron, as seen above. However, little was known about how the fund would work. Now environmental and philanthropy experts say they hope the Bezos Earth Fund’s announcement that it has hired an established nonprofit leader will bring a more coherent strategy and greater transparency to a little-understood philanthropic organization. The nonprofit has the stated goal of spending $10 billion by the end of the decade. Andrew Steer, who leads the environmental think tank World Resources Institute, has been tapped to be the first president of Jeff Bezos’s $10 billion Bezos Earth Fund.
Andrew Steer, who leads the environmental think tank World Resources Institute, says the Bezos fund plans to give all its money away in a decade.
Bezos had little to say publicly about the hiring of Steer. In an Instagram post, Bezos praised Steer’s “decades of experience in environmental and climate science as well as economic and social policy in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa.”
Steer on Twitter said Bezos intends to spend all of the $10 billion fund by the end of the decade on “scientists, [nongovernmental organizations], activists, and the private sector to help activists, and the private sector to help drive new technologies, investments, policy change, and behavior. We will emphasize social justice, as climate change disproportionately hurts poor and marginalized communities.”
Jeff Bezos explains his initiative: “I’ve spent the past several months learning from a group of incredibly smart people who’ve made it their life’s work to fight climate change and its impact on communities around the world. I’m inspired by what they’re doing, and excited to help them scale. Today, I’m pleased to announce the first Bezos Earth Fund recipients—16 organizations working on innovative, ambitious, and needle-moving solutions. This $791 million in donations is just the beginning of my $10 billion commitment to fund scientists, activists, NGOs, and others. We can all protect Earth’s future by taking bold action now.”
From Bezos Earth Fund:
Here are the Earth Fund grantees: The Climate and Clean Energy Equity Fund, ClimateWorks Foundation, Dream Corps Green For All, Eden Reforestation Projects, Energy Foundation, Environmental Defense Fund, The Hive Fund for Climate and Gender Justice, Natural Resources Defense Council, The Nature Conservancy, NDN Collective, Rocky Mountain Institute, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, The Solutions Project, Union of Concerned Scientists, World Resources Institute, and World Wildlife Fund.
The Bezos Earth Fund joins The Solutions Project to accelerate the transition to 100% clean energy and equitable access to healthy air, water, and land. The Solutions Project champions and invests in a climate justice movement that centers women and power-building organizations led by Black, Indigenous, Immigrant, and other people of color.
We know the people closest to the problems have the solutions but often do not have the funding to scale them or share their stories with the rest of the world. For example, pollution and climate change disproportionately impact people of color and women. Yet, only 0.6 percent of all foundation giving is targeted towards women of color, even though they are the very backbones of their communities, often solving several interconnected problems at once and creating solutions that benefit everyone. Their stories are not told in the media, where just 2% of clean energy news coverage last year referenced communities of color.
Portland, OR. Katy Fackler of Wells Fargo was honored with a Service Award at the Blanchet House virtual benefit for her committed effort to build and sustain a therapeutic beekeeping program at Blanchet Farm. (Beekeeping helps formerly homeless individuals heal from trauma, build sobriety, and gain self-confidence.) Fackler’s story was featured during the nonprofit’s virtual “Lend A Helping Hand Brunch” on March 7th. Blanchet House celebrated supporters of the nonprofit’s work to alleviate suffering and to raise critical funds for its services. The virtual event was open to the public and more than 250 people were in attendance. Notable guests included Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury and Commissioner Lori Stegman who were there to support the human services provided to the City of Portland by Blanchet House. $216,000 was raised to support Blanchet House’s meal, clothing, and shelter services that are provided free to those in need.
Alaska Airlines PDX employees were honored with a Fr. Kennard Award for their daily volunteer service during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Event honorees included the Jesuit High School community which received the Founders Award for their service in 2020. Students and faculty made more than 20,000 sack lunches to help Blanchet House meet the increased need for to-go meals.
Jim Christianson and Ed O’Hanlon received the Al Riley Award for their life of volunteer service to managing Blanchet House’s finances.
Speakers included a formerly homeless man, Jordan S., who found health and healing at Blanchet Farm while participating in the therapeutic beekeeping program. Jesuit Father Gary Smith gave an inspired blessing reminding everyone that their generosity is “a bridge of life” to those served by Blanchet House.
The goal of the new beekeeping program is to offer the men at the farm a productive activity that will build soft job skills, self-worth, and generate extra income for the farm. Beekeeping is a relaxing hobby that is beneficial to both those in recovery and the environment.
Here’s a video about volunteering:
From Blanchet House:
The event was supported by Presenting Sponsor Fortis Construction, Inc., Platinum Sponsor Agnes Petrusich Family, Gold Sponsors Alaska Airlines and SERA Architects, and other generous sponsors. Additional support of the event came from the B.P. Lester & Regina John Foundation and Ed Cauduro Fund of Oregon Community Foundation who matched gifts made during the special appeal. Next year’s event will celebrate Blanchet House’s 70 years of service to the community. Anyone interested in participating is encouraged to contact Brenda Ray Scott, CFRE at 503-241-4340 or [email protected]. A recording of the program is available online at blanchethouse.org/brunch2021.
Portland, OR. Edison High School’s March 6th benefit was an online night of game-show-themed fun. Math teacher Dan Keller shared laughs with students while highlighting Edison’s vital financial aid program.
Beforehand, Brilliance Benefit co-chairs, Tricia Wimmer and Diane Engelhard. Were up bright and early handing out goodie bags in preparation for the big event.
Edison President Mike Schwab with school teacher, actor, and friend of Edison, Kailey Rhodes, hosted the night of game-show-themed fun!
Guests heard a special thank you from guest and game show host, Richard Karn.
Here’s a video about the Edison experience:
This fundraiser supports Edison’s financial aid program, technology, and professional development.
Welcome to Edison High School, the only high school in Oregon and Southwest Washington dedicated to serving students with complex learning differences or learning disabilities. Our work here is powerful and profound: helping every student to reach his or her full potential.
As a small, private school, Edison High School offers an individualized curriculum that meets each student’s unique 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: it changes lives.
Portland, OR. The Portland Art Museum will have a phased reopening of the galleries following the second pandemic-related closure ordered by Governor Kate Brown in November 2020. Beginning April 10, the Museum will allow visitors access to all galleries, except the main special exhibitiongalleries andsome adjacent galleries. The entire Museum will open on May 5, giving visitors full access to all galleries including the highly anticipated new exhibition Ansel Adams in Our Time.
Due to pandemic restrictions, Northwest Film Center activities will continue to be offered virtually, and outside as part of the Cinema Unbound Drive-In. The Portland International Film Festival is underway now, with many online screening and program options. The Museum will also continue to offer ways to connect virtually with art.
“We are looking forward to welcoming back staff and visitors following months of closure. We believe that art, film and music are essential to our community and to our collective well-being,” said Brian Ferriso, Museum Director and Chief Curator. “I’m also so grateful for the support the Museum and Film Center have received from our staff, our members and other supporters during these difficult times.”
As a show of appreciation to members, the Museum will offer members-only days on April 8-9, and April 28 – May 2.
New, expanded hours of operation will be Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., including the Museum Store. Timed-entry tickets are required, which we recommend booking in advance because capacity is limited. COVID health and safety precautions, including mask-wearing, physical distancing, and staff wellness screening remain in effect. Tickets go on sale March 18, and will be released on a two-week rolling basis.
About Ansel Adams in Our Time
Ansel Adams in Our Time (May 5 – August 1, 2021), making its only West Coast stop at the Portland Art Museum, celebrates the remarkable artistry and visual legacy of the acclaimed American landscape photographer and educator. More than 100 photographs by Adams, from his earliest marketed prints to his world-renowned Western vistas, trace the artist’s development and maturation over five decades while pointing to his continuing influence on landscape photography today. Eighty images by artists working both before and after Adams, interspersed among his vintage prints, provide a deeper perspective on themes central to his practice, demonstrate the power of his legacy, and will spark critical conversations about the state of the American landscape in the 21st century. Organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and curated by Karen Haas, the MFA’s Lane Senior Curator of Photographs, Ansel Adams in Our Time draws from the outstanding Lane Collection of more than 6,000 American modernist photographs, works on paper, and paintings.
Organized by the Museum Fine Arts, Boston, and curated for Portland by Julia Dolan, Ph.D., The Minor White Curator of Photography.
Portland, OR. The Pittock Mansion is open to the public again and administrators say they’re hoping visitors will return. Associate Director Jennifer Gritt explains, “We are thrilled to be able to reopen to the public. The year-long pandemic and multiple closures have resulted in an 80% drop in Admissions revenue which has had a significant impact on the organization.”
Gritt says the staff has been reduced both in number and scheduled hours. The nonprofit has been able to take advantage of federal and state aid including a grant and the PPP loan program. “We hope we are moving past the need for additional closures to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and once we are confident we’ll be able to remain open, we will start the slow process of rebuilding. We have seen an increase in donation support which is much-needed as we work to bridge the budget gaps created by significantly reduced revenue.”
Pittock Mansion is supported by general admission, memberships, donations, grants, and museum store purchases.
In 2007, the nonprofit Pittock Mansion Society took over museum operations. The Society works in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation to operate and preserve the historic buildings.
The Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style château in the West Hills of Portland. The mansion was originally built in 1914 as a private home for London-born Oregonian publisher Henry Pittock and his wife, Georgiana Burton Pittock.
Gritt explains, “While the pandemic and closures have been challenging, we are also learning a lot about what is important to visitors and the visitor experience. The limitations on the total number of visitors at one time and the socially distanced one-way path have resulted in a much more intimate and enjoyable tour of the Mansion. Visitors are able to spend some time and really take in everything the museum has to offer. We hope to be able to carry this forward into the future.”
Information about visiting the Pittock Mansion:
Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion tells the story of Portland’s transformation from a pioneer town to a modern, industrialized city through the history and legacy of one of its most influential families, the Pittocks. Saved from demolition by dedicated citizens in 1964, the Mansion and surrounding estate were purchased by the City of Portland and opened to the public as a historic house museum.
Current visiting guidelines: Face coverings are required when indoors and when around other guests or staff unless an accommodation for people with disabilities or other exemption applies. Face coverings are recommended but not required for visitors between the ages of 2 and 5.
Tickets are timed and must be purchased online. Please purchase before arriving. All transactions—both tickets and Museum Store—are credit card only. No cash. Exchange requests will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Members can reserve a time and check in with guests online using their Member ID number.
Entry and exit into the Mansion will be one-way and individual groups/parties will have a staggered entry from other individual groups/parties.
Maximum group size is limited to 10 people. Please note: there might be a short wait outside the Mansion before entry.
Six-feet distancing will be enforced in lines and within the Mansion and Museum Store.
Follow all capacity and one-way directional instructions throughout the Mansion and the Museum Store as stated by staff and signage.
Hand sanitizer will be available at main entrance and exit of the Mansion and Museum Store. Restrooms are also available inside the Mansion. We ask all visitors to follow CDC and Oregon Health Authority guidelines regarding handwashing and hand sanitizing.
Please refrain from touching surfaces and objects inside the Mansion and Museum Store (unless purchasing). Entry and exit from the Mansion and the Museum Store will be touchless.
There will be no access to drinking fountains within in the museum.
Elevator will be available for visitors with mobility issues but will be limited to two people per group. Visitors must be comfortable being in the elevator on their own. The elevator will be controlled by staff from the hallways on each floor. Other restrictions may apply.
Avoid visiting if you are experiencing symptoms related to COVID-19, have been exposed to someone who has tested positive within 14 days, or have traveled to areas with known travel restrictions within the last 14 days.
NONPROFIT BENEFIT TICKET GIVEAWAYS!
Sign up for our free weekly highlights for the chance to win two tickets terrific nonprofit events! If you "like" us on facebook, or sign up for our weekly news highlights, you'll be entered to win! Sign up today!
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]
