Portland, OR. As war erupts in Ukraine, the Red Cross is vowing continued support for the at-risk families in the region. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has been on the ground for years, delivering urgent assistance — food, fuel for heating, medical supplies, and support for housing — to those living close to the line of contact in eastern Ukraine. The Red Cross also supports U.S. Military families in the area.
The International Red Cross is boots on the ground helping those who are injured in Ukraine.
The combination of cold temperatures, COVID-19 and chronic uncertainty made basic needs a challenge in recent years. Red Cross teams now in Ukraine will continue their work to repair vital infrastructure, support health facilities with medicines and equipment, and support families with food and hygiene items.
Women and children walk in eastern Slovakia after fleeing the conflict in neighboring Ukraine. Peter Lazar / AFP
“We already see the immediate consequences for civilians, with the latest intensification triggering new displacement,” International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer said, noting that residents have already endured eight years of conflict. “Now I fear increased suffering, with the potential of massive casualty numbers and extensive destruction of civilian objects like water and electricity plants, as well as mass displacement, trauma, family separation, and missing persons,” Maurer said.
The Role of the American Red Cross
In line with its work supporting military families, the American Red Cross is sending 30 trained staff to Europe to support the emergency communication needs of US military members. The Red Cross Hero Care Network is a Congressionally-chartered program that connects service members and their families in times of need.
Red Crossers are also distributing comfort kits, containing hygiene items and other necessities to service members and U.S. State Department staff.
Blood Services
At this time, the American Red Cross is not shipping blood products to Ukraine. The American Red Cross does not ship blood products outside the U.S. without a specific request from the U.S. Department of State, from the United Nations, or unless we have a request from affected Red Cross or Red Crescent societies abroad. (Donations of
International Humanitarian Law
ICRC called on authorities to adhere to international humanitarian law and to protect civilians and infrastructure delivering essential services, including power and water facilities, schools and hospitals. Maurer requested protection for humanitarian action so that aid actors like the Ukrainian Red Cross, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and the wider Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement can maintain access to civilians.
Assistance Contacting Family
Those unable to get in touch with US citizens missing in Ukraine or Russia should contact the US Department of State Overseas Citizen Services Office online or at 1-888-407-4747.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
Another nonprofit is also planning outreach and asking for donations.
From Mercy Corps:
Mercy Corps is deeply concerned about the humanitarian catastrophe in Ukraine and the surrounding area that is now unfolding, and threatening many lives and livelihoods. We see risks of food shortages and huge numbers of women, men, and children forced to flee from their homes. The destruction of infrastructures like hospitals and health services could lead to a rapid spread of diseases, including COVID-19.
Mercy Corps is mobilizing a team to the region to assess where help is most needed. We anticipate providing emergency cash assistance as well as supporting local organizations that know their community needs best. Mercy Corps provided humanitarian assistance in Ukraine following the 2014 conflict, helping over 200,000 people with emergency cash, food, water, and sanitation supplies.
All over the world, Mercy Corps works alongside communities to help families affected by disasters, conflict, and climate change. Your gift today to our Humanitarian Response Fund can help us meet the immediate needs of those facing crises like the current catastrophe in Ukraine, and in 40+ countries across the globe, working to build a future where everyone can prosper.
Over the last five years, we have spent 86% of our resources on programs that help people in need. Charity watchdog groups give us their highest ratings for accountability, transparency and efficiency.
Portland, Ore. The arts, students, stable housing and small businesses were some of the causes that received support from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) through the pandemic. The Foundation announced that from 2020 through 2021, it distributed more than $560 million in charitable support to more than 4,000 nonprofits and 6,000 students in Oregon. The funds were aimed at addressing disparities, increasing community resilience, and improving lives for thousands of Oregonians. Click here for a link to the 2021 OCF report.
“Oregon Community Foundation is in a unique position to address great needs facing people across our state,” said Sonia Worcel, Chief Community Impact Officer. “Moving into 2022, we’re listening to what matters most to Oregonians and working towards a healthier, more resilient Oregon.”
Informed by OCF research, including input from community nonprofits, OCF will focus 2022 grantmaking on impact areas identified as most urgent for communities as they rebuild from the myriad crises of the last two years. Priority focus will be given to key areas of impact including arts and culture, childcare and education, climate resiliency, housing stability, entrepreneurism and more.
The Foundation reports it will work to address needs and inequities facing under-resourced, rural and marginalized communities, which were exacerbated in recent years. “By prioritizing resources to communities facing the greatest disparities we will help strengthen all Oregonians,” said Niyati Desai, Director of Community Engagement, Oregon Community Foundation.
OCF has adapted its community grant making to create greater funding flexibility in 2022. “We aim to remain flexible to help meet community needs and evolve our grantmaking with new learnings as we work towards recovery and rebuilding,” said John Chang, Senior Program Officer, Oregon Community Foundation. Through the 2022 Community Grants Program nonprofits can apply for grants to now support general operations, capital improvements, capacity building and programs. 2021 Highlights In 2021, OCF deployed substantial support to communities across Oregon, amounting to more than $334 million in grants including $60 million in donor advised fund grants to nonprofits.
A key highlight of 2021 was OCF’s lead role with the Community Rebuilding Fund. In partnership with Meyer Memorial Trust, Ford Family Foundation and American Red Cross, this fund enables relationships between thousands of donors and nonprofits to deliver critical services and support to communities recovering and rebuilding from the ravage of the 2020 wildfires.
“The recovery and rebuilding process will take years. Together – and with generous support from committed partners – Oregon will recover and flourish again,” said Sonia Worcel, Chief Community Impact Officer, Oregon Community Foundation. “We’re incredibly grateful to the many nonprofits on the frontline helping our neighbors rebuild their homes and their lives.” Learn more at: www.oregoncf.org/rebuilding.
OCF also served in a statewide leadership capacity as the fiscal steward of critical public and state funding through additional key public-private initiatives.
Summer Learning – in mid-March, the State of Oregon allocated millions to support summer learning and enrichment for children.
OCF partnered with the state and successfully deployed $41.2 million in state-funded summer education and early childhood learning grants throughout all 36 Oregon counties. “Given the crises over the last year, Summer was a critical time to nurture and mentor children in our state,” said Max Williams, President and CEO, Oregon Community Foundation. “OCF was proud to deliver much-needed support to disproportionately impacted families and communities in Oregon.”
From Oregon Community Foundation:
OCF’s grant-making prioritized support to organizations responding to specific needs of children and families from Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and other communities of color, immigrant/refugee communities, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, and children living in under-resourced rural communities.
Learn more at: https://oregoncf.org/community-impact/research/k-12-summer-learning-2021/.
Project Turnkey was a state-funded grant program to help local entities acquire hotels and motels for emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness. “Project Turnkey is an example of one strategic response in a continuum of needed services and approaches to create housing stability for more Oregonians,” said Megan Loeb, Program Officer, Housing, Oregon Community Foundation. OCF served as the administrator for Project Turnkey. In total, 19 properties were acquired by local nonprofit organizations, cities, and counties through this innovative project, yielding a 20 percent increase in the state’s supply of emergency year-round shelter beds.
“OCF continues to focus on strategic housing solutions and innovative partnerships to help more of our neighbors secure longterm housing. For example, we’re looking at low-interest loans to community development corporations to build more affordable housing and grants to support innovative projects to expedite the creation of affordable housing. We know it’s going to take all sectors – working in partnership – to resolve Oregon’s complex housing crisis.” Learn more at: https://oregoncf.org/communityimpact/research/oregons-project-turnkey-report-to-the-oregon-state-legislature/.
Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) works with donors and volunteers to award grants and scholarships to every county in Oregon. From 2020 to 2021, OCF distributed more than $560 million, supporting more than 4,000 nonprofits and 6,000 students. With OCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations create charitable funds that meet the needs of diverse communities statewide. Since its founding in 1973, OCF has distributed more than $2 billion toward advancing its mission to improve lives for all Oregonians. For more information, please visit: oregoncf.org.
Portland, OR. A young man from Tigard is inspiring others with a fundraising drive for Meals on Wheels People (MOWP). Cooper Hammond started with a coffee stand in his neighborhood last fall and raised $500. This month, he kicked his efforts into high gear in the Multnomah Village. In partnership with PDXPOP! and Nossa Familia Coffee, Cooper’s Coffee stand served coffee and treats outside the Meals on Wheels People offices; MOWP helps older adults facing food insecurity and social isolation. Cooper raised nearly $7,500 from day-of sales and donations, bringing his fundraising tally close to $8,000. Anyone can give back—no matter their age, explained Cooper, “If you give back to the world, you can make it a better place.”
After learning about MOWP while visiting his local Green Zebra grocery store during Donate Dinner, Cooper decided to launch the coffee stand.
Cooper Hammond poses for a photo with his parents, Dave and Terri.
Cooper Hammond with a dog named Cooper.
Growing up in a family that values giving back to its community, Cooper adopted an annual tradition of creatively supporting a new charitable organization every holiday season. Over the most recent holiday season, Meals on Wheels People was the beneficiary of Cooper’s giving heart—and emerging business acumen.
Through the month of February, Cooper’s fundraiser lives on at cooperscoffee.org. Visit the website to make a donation, or order Cooper’s limited-edition popcorn or coffee courtesy of PDXPOP! and Nossa Familia Coffee. Proceeds benefit homebound older adults in our community through Meals on Wheels People programs.
Portland, OR. The nonprofit called p:ear is celebrating its 20th Anniversary and offering pre-pandemic mentoring services. Over the pandemic, the organization continued serving homeless youth with new programs including many outdoor activities.
p:ear builds positive relationships with youth experiencing homelessness, ages 15 to 25, through education, art, recreation, and job training.
Since 2002, p:ear has mentored over 5,200 youth and provided over 320,000 hours of engaging programs.
p:ear has identified a strong model for working with homeless youth: assist them to recognize themselves as capable people while providing supportive mentoring and opportunities for growth.
Below is a video about the nonprofit’s art and music programs and its impact on the Portland community.
Administrators recall challenging moments on their Facebook page, but also many positive memories.
1. Trip to the Oregon Coast
2. Visit to a local farm
3. Macrame workshop with @threerosesmacrame
4. Hiking along the coast
5. Mural making with @pdxjramirez
6. Mural collaboration with @eyedrawp
7. Creating a custom bike for our Gala auction
8. Screen printing with @mamakanani
9. Virtual reality workshop
To learn more and support the programs, visit pearmentor.org.
February marks the 20th anniversary of the day p:ear first opened its doors and here’s a bit of history
From p:ear:
Time has flown by, and we are so proud of how far p:ear has come.
How did it all start?
After the loss of our jobs at the now-defunct Salvation Army Greenhouse, a brave call from a Nokia flip phone; and the acquisition of a floor of an abandoned building, this vision, this place, opened in February 2002 with the aim to build strong relationships with homeless youth to affirm their personal worth and to help them create more personally meaningful lives.
What we couldn’t have envisioned was the community that showed up alongside us to move this dream forward and beyond anything we could have imagined. p:ear is built and sustained by a community of creators, dreamers, fighters, leaders, financiers; a community willing to take risks, to redefine themselves and their lives because of a shared belief in the futures and value of these young people.
Stay tuned for more opportunities – events, campaigns, memory sharing, and more – to help us celebrate our 20th anniversary year!
Portland, OR. The nonprofit Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) brings executives and peers together to provide community and networking experiences. The organization is educating people about the importance of supporting local nonprofits, explaining, “As the COVID-19 crisis continues to take its toll on communities around the world, those organizations play a critical role in the relief efforts today and going forward as people navigate their way through the fallout.”
“With social distancing measures in place, many of the traditional channels for nonprofits have gone away,” says Roslyn Payne, chair of the board of directors of UpMetrics. “They can’t have events. They can’t afford mailings. How do they get their message out, keep their team together and still build capacity to service the needs within the community, both short and long term?”
Payne Family Foundation encourages supporters to give.
Both nonprofits and their supporters can continue to rebuild relationships. As our community looks to give back during the crisis, here are several “takeaways” from the Payne Family Foundation:
Set measurable goals. Help an organization break down its mission into a few measurable objectives. Engage the organization, stakeholders, and donors to drive alignment on those goals. “Frequently, goal setting becomes a critical element to achieve ‘success’ and the process by itself can be very helpful to everyone,” says Drew Payne.
Identify a time frame. To achieve the goals, expectations should be realistic. “There needs to be an understanding of the challenges that organizations have in trying to meet the goals,” says Drew. “It is the journey that hopefully results in progress. This is critical to get ahead.” Keep in mind that the path toward success will not always be straight and may take much longer than expected.
Take an iterative approach. “The theory of change model with short- and long-term goals translates into an operating plan that will probably demonstrate that the theory is correct, or needs to be modified,” says Drew Payne. “The organization and funders need to have ongoing, open communication lines with a ‘honest’ lens for review.” Applying a theory of change model inherently comes with risk. Remember that it’s ok to fail.
Interpret the data. “Every nonprofit that I have worked with cares about the mission,” says Drew Payne. “Few, however, have the infrastructure and data support teams required to effectively leverage real-time information to drive interventions at scale.” Data and the capacity to leverage information is required for sustainability and scale. Groups like YMCA and Boys & Girls Clubs of America have used UpMetrics data to show financial supporters and school boards who are evaluating cost cuts the importance of their afterschool activities. Having the data to back up the mission is critical so that organizations can report to potential and existing donors about their impact.
Tell compelling stories. One of the best ways organizations can engage their funders, donors, and stakeholders during these difficult times is through compelling stories. It can help people understand how they can help an organization make an impact and empower people to take action.
“Trying to get the stories out to as broad of an audience as can be accessed is critical to these groups because they are just getting crushed,” says Roslyn Payne. “We have to have a sense of trust in working together in all of this because it’s not an easy road ahead of us. And a critical element of success going forward will be these community groups.”
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