Portland, OR. This year’s #GivingTuesday, on November 28th, will mark the sixth year of the movement. Since the inaugural #GivingTuesday in 2012, the global day of giving has taken its place alongside Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, empowering individuals and organizations around the world to help bring about the change they wish to see. The end of the calendar year has always been a busy time for charitable giving, but the #GivingTuesday movement has amplified the effects of giving season.
Here’s a video about the special day:
For a bit of history, #GivingTuesday was founded through a partnership between the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation to created the movement with the goal of connecting “diverse groups of individuals, communities and organizations around the world for one common purpose: to celebrate and encourage giving.” On #GivingTuesday, 2016, over $177 million dollars worth of donations were made from people in 98 countries.
The spirit behind #GivingTuesday is not only based in generosity but also in the power of social media to connect and inspire (there’s a reason it’s name has a hashtag). Last year on #GivingTuesday, social media engagements reached nearly 2.4 million.
Many donors are turning to Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest independent charity evaluator to research nonprofits. There are 50 nonprofits in Oregon which have earned Charity Navigator’s highest four-star rating and another 58 with an admirable three-star rating. Click here to a learn more about local, national and international nonprofits.
This year Charity Navigator has partnered with GuideStar, Classy and GlobalGiving to display impact information for over twenty-four hundred rated charities. This collaboration will make it easier for charities to share their results and impact-related information with the largest possible audience.
SOLVE is an example of four-star charity – the top Charity Navigator rating. Over the past 30 years, more than 130,000 Spring Oregon Beach Cleanup volunteers have removed an estimated 1.9 million pounds of litter from Oregon’s beaches.
From Charity Navigator:
And we’re launching a collaborative project to bring you information about nonprofit impact. We are publishing results information for approximately 2,400 charities. This information will be provided by one of three partners—GuideStar, Classy, and GlobalGiving. We consider this to be an opportunity for us to help nonprofits become more impactful by clearly sharing that information with you, their donors and beneficiaries. Visit us online so you can see what impact-related information we’re collecting and which charities have this information available on their CN rating pages.
Portland, OR. At a sold-out fall benefit dinner and auction, 240 enthusiastic guests filled the hallways and cafeteria of De La Salle North Catholic High School to show support for students. Patti O’Mara was honored with a special award during the November 2nd benefit. Supporters, including 90 who were attending a De La Salle North Catholic High School fundraiser for the first time, helped raise a record $553,330 for student financial aid. (Photo credit, Andrea Lonas Photography)
Here’s a video about De La Salle North Catholic High School:
From De La Salle North Catholic High School:
De La Salle North Catholic High School opened in 2001 to provide a faith-based, college preparatory high school education to underserved students from the Portland area. These families needed and wanted a viable and affordable choice of schools to send their student. Other private high schools in and around Portland were not an option for most of them because of the cost and the distance their student would have to travel to go to school each day. They spoke out and said “put your school right here in our neighborhood.”
De La Salle was the first school to replicate the innovative corporate work study program pioneered by Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Chicago. There are now over 30 schools throughout urban America that model their school after this Cristo Rey model.
De La Salle North Catholic is sponsored by The De La Salle Christian Brothers and is a part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland/Western Oregon. And a nation-wide, independent rating agency has identified De La Salle North Catholic High School as the most diverse private high school in all of Oregon.
Students at De La Salle North Catholic High School attend class four days per week and work for a local company one day each week as part of the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). The CWSP provides work experience, business contacts, and helps offset the cost to educate them. This school exists to provide this unique educational opportunity to families who would not be able to afford a private, Catholic education. Our goal is to develop tomorrow’s community leaders by making high-quality education accessible to motivated young people in a learning environment that values cultural, spiritual, and ethnic diversity. We don’t turn away any capable, motivated or interested student because they cannot afford our modest tuition.
The Christmas Ship Parade will launch Friday, December 1st, in North Portland Harbor. The parade will run for 15 nights through Thursday December 21st. (There will be no parades on Dec 3rd, 4th, 5th, 11th, 12th, and 18th.) Christmas Ships, Inc. is a non-profit corporation. Some restaurants and hotels along both rivers, and private citizens, donate to the insurance fund for the lead boats each year. Minimal administrative costs for the year are paid from the fund.
The boats, 14 to 65 feet long, are brightly decorated for the holiday season. The ships draw thousands of residents each night to the banks of the rivers for their performances. Up to 60 holiday boats are expected to make up the two fleets this year.
Restaurants and hotels along the Columbia and Willamette rivers are already taking reservations with nights already booked for some evenings.
There’s always room for more boats in the parade of Christmas ships:
The privately owned vessels come from Portland, Vancouver, McMinnville, Salem and Hood River areas. Some of the ships owners have been part of Christmas tradition for more than 30 years with many being part of the Christmas Ship fleet for over 20 years. Each skipper is responsible for their own expenses, including fuel and insurance for their vessels over the two weeks. This can run into the hundreds of dollars, which in itself is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm the Christmas Ship skippers bring to the organization, and the community. The organization accepts donations to help cover the cost of maintaining, managing and promoting the organization, but none of these donations go to the skippers, their crews, or their boats. Christmas Ships, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization, with no paid staff or officers, just a large group of friendly individual volunteers/skippers who give back to the community.
From The Christmas Ships:
The Christmas Ship Parade started in 1954 with one lone sailboat from Portland Yacht Club. Bows of green with some ribbon where tied along the rails and it paraded on the rivers. The next year the parade started to grow. Today, The Christmas Ship Fleet averages about 55 to 60 boats between the Columbia and Willamette River fleets. Things have changed from the first lone ship. Now the displays are brightly lit and can be seen from bank to bank on each river.
The Portland tradition packs restaurants along the two rivers. Many reservations are made a year in advance. Many hotel rooms are booked by mid-summer. Corporation Christmas parties are scheduled around the Christmas Ship Parade schedule. By the thousands every night regardless of the weather Portland-Vancouver residents line the banks of both rivers to watch the parade. To show their appreciation for the all volunteer effort and the performance they give, many homes and cars along the way flash their porch and headlights as the fleet passes.
Each boat owner designs and builds their lighted Christmas display and pays their operating costs which includes fuel. Many of the displays can be seen each year, but new boats join the flotilla each year and bring with them new Christmas oriented lighted exhibits. As skippers retire, they also hand down their well known displays so the tradition continues. Even though not all boats make it out every night of the two weeks the ships parade on the rivers of Portland, most do. For many of the boat owners, this is a family Christmas tradition, offering the Portland area thrilling Christmas time parades. Many of the operators also have small private parties for friends and families aboard their vessels during the parade. All costs are borne by the owners.
Weather is the only element that will cancel the ships performance. That determination is made by the leaders for the evening about a half hour before the ships are scheduled to begin performing.
Portland, OR. Fête du Vin on November 4th brought together some of Oregon’s best wineries and restaurants, uniting the diverse and progressive community that surrounds the French American International School. FAIS Parent & Alumni relations Manager, KaDo Gorman posed for a photo with Fete Committee members Raphaelle Robert, Julia Bannon, Michelle Reeves, and Paul Willenberg. (Photo credit, Jason DeSomer)
FAIS Parent and Fete Chair Michelle Reeves pours a glass of David Wine to Fete Committee Member Julia Bannon while Verdigris Restaurant representatives Johnny Nunn explains his fine food.
350 guest enjoy the flavors of some of Oregon’s best wineries and restaurants.
FAIS Board members Kim Patterson, Patti Schafner Jordan, Andrea Vloon, Matt Littwin, Pamela Neferkara, Steve Lesnard, Christine Chang, Mat Birchard, Bonnie Stewart and Scott Shaw celebrate at Fete du Vin.
From French American School:
Established in 1979, FAIS has since built one of Portland’s most respected and forward-thinking schools. Known for its high-quality academic program, FAIS is committed to growing a global community of international thinkers and innovators. All proceeds from this event go towards supporting FAIS and its mission to foster open-mindedness, integrity, and collaborative community. FAIS is proud to host Fête du Vin at its new event venue, Pure Space in the Pearl district of Portland.
Founded – 1979 Head of School – Pam Dreisin Middle School Division Head/
Assistant Head of School – Emmanuelle Burk Lower School Division Head – Catherine Cohen FAIS Includes –
The French American Lower School, grades PS-5
FAIS educates approximately 550 students in preschool through grade eight. There are about 140 students in Maternelle (preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten), 230 in grades one through five, and 180 in grades six through eight.
Class size is generally limited to 18 in all grade levels, and the average class size is 15. Maternelle classes (preschool, prekindergarten and kindergarten) have a certified French teacher and a bilingual assistant.
Curriculum
French American Lower School (preschool through grade five) – Our primary school is a French immersion program that combines the best of the French and American educational systems. The language of instruction is exclusively French from preschool through fifth grade. English language arts, U.S. social studies and science are taught in English beginning in the second grade. A copy of the curriculum outline is available on request.
Gilkey International Middle School (grades six through eight) – Our middle school offers an inspiring international curriculum where students strive to become independent, creative, and critical thinkers, preparing themselves as responsible citizens and leaders within their local and world communities. Students choose between instruction in English or partial immersion in French, German, Spanish, or Mandarin. All students also select a beginning language (French, German, Spanish, or Mandarin). A copy of the curriculum outline is available on request.
Portland, OR. The 11th annual Rosemary Anderson High School (RAHS) Gala drew 325 supporters and raised $265,000 to fund education and mental health services for RAHS youth – making this the largest and most successful Gala to date for the nonprofit. Joe McFerrin II, RAHS President & CEO, posed for a photo with award winners John Shreiber and Summy To of Myoptic Optometry.
RAHS Board Member and Emcee Tanasia Bishop addresses the audience at the November 1st gala at Pure Space.
RAHS is part of Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc., a non-profit education management organization, established for 42 years in North Portland, serving over 560 students and work trainees annually, across three programs: Rosemary Anderson High School, Rosemary Anderson Transitions, and Work Opportunities Training. Here’s a video about the program:
Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center, Inc., reconnect alienated at-risk youth affected by poverty, family instability and homelessness; with high school education through Rosemary Anderson High School (RAHS), and with career training through POIC Work Opportunity Training programs (WOT). The program continues to mentor and support graduates in post-secondary education until they reach the age of stable maturity at 25, through Rosemary Anderson Transitions program (RATR).
RAHS President & CEO Joe Mcferrin II explains the importance of the programs at the gala.
RAHS Board Members Kristin Valente and Sally Leisure are honored at the event.
Attendees celebrate on the dance floor.
From RAHS:
We would like to give a special thank you to our major sponsors: EY and The Renaissance Foundation; Cheryl’s on 12th & As Good As It Gets Catering for providing a wonderful meal; and to all of our outstanding table sponsors. Thank you as well to Stark Photography and Shields Films; Marjorie Belson & Mel Shulevitz, our Honorary Gala Co-Chairs; Brigitte Dortmund Ting & Marjorie Belson, our Auction Co-Chairs; Tanasia Bishop for emceeing our evening’s program; and to Rosie and Malik for bringing our video to life and sharing what RAHS means to them.
Portland, OR.. Edison High School welcomed 390 guests to the Oregon Zoo for its annual Partner with Edison Breakfast. At the event, board member Jim Kilpatrick and his wife, Rose visited with Edison Director Patrick Maguire. Guests heard from junior Jack Holmes and former student Wilson Sherman-Burton about the importance of Edison High School. Past parent, Anne Stein-Gray, shared her “Edison Story” about the positive impact the school has had on her family. The benefit on November 3rd generated over $190,000 to help support financial aid, technology, and professional development at the school. Edison, the only high school in Oregon and southwest Washington dedicated to students with learning differences. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus Photography)
Jade Dickey-Griffith ‘21, Shannon Quandee ’18, Kathleen Quandee, and Susan & Bill Rehm
Magdalen Livesey, alumnus speaker Wilson Sherman-Burton and one of Wilson’s favorite Edison teachers, Colin Livesey
Proud parent John Holmes and son, student speaker Jack Holmes
Jill Petty, Elizabeth Dove, past parent speaker Anne Stein-Gray and Sharon Brown Lamberton
Mark Zaugra, Karen Asbury, and Teri Ikeda
From Edison High School:
“Some kids have learning differences. All kids have dreams.”
Welcome to Edison High School, 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 school, Edison High School 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.
Portland, OR. Windermere Stellar hosted its fifth annual Children’s Justice Center Gala Auction and the benefit raised $190,000 for Children’s Justice Center, which works to serve current victims of child abuse. With the theme of “An Evening in Havana,” real estate brokers, clients, business leaders and affiliates got into the Cuban spirit and joined in on a fun-filled evening on November 14th that included Mystery Boxes, entertainment, and a silent and live auction. Gerry Dowdy Latshaw; The Designated Broker for Windermere Stellar’s Vancouver Metro office, Gerry Dowdy Latshaw, spearheads the annual Gala Auction. (Photo credit, Shelly Fry Photography)
The event was held in Vancouver, Wash.
“I am so proud to experience this event’s five-year evolution. It’s a direct result of Windermere Stellar’s committed real estate brokers and staff and I am grateful to call them my colleagues,” said Gerry Dowdy Latshaw, Designated Broker of Windermere Stellar’s Vancouver Metro office and the event’s spearheading force. “Working alongside organizations like the Children’s Justice Center is how we as community ambassadors can better serve those who need our help the most.”
Over the past five years, Windermere Stellar’s Vancouver branches have donated $671,300 to the Children’s Justice Center, an organization dedicated to providing aid to current victims of child abuse.
Windermere Stellar plays an integral role in its local community. Beyond acting as a necessary liaison between the community and housing, Windermere Stellar extends its ties through the Windermere Foundation. Since 1989, the Windermere Foundation has been determined to provide services and funding for low-income children and families, donating nearly $3 million to over 159 local organizations.
About Windermere Stellar:
Windermere Stellar is made up of two branch offices from Windermere Realty Trust which has offices in Portland, Vancouver, Lake Oswego, West Linn and the north Oregon coast. The company’s full-time real estate experts have the local knowledge, collaborative network and dedication to successfully guide buyers and sellers through complex real estate transactions. Brokers donate a portion of their commission from every transaction to the Windermere Foundation, which supports low-income children and families. To date, over $3.25 million has been donated to 164 local organizations local organizations through the local chapter of the Windermere Foundation.
ABOUT WINDERMERE REAL ESTATE:
Windermere Stellar and Windermere Realty Trust are part of the Windermere Real Estate network which is the largest regional real estate company in the U.S. with over 300 offices and 6,500 agents in 10 states throughout the Western U.S. and Mexico. Last year, Windermere closed over 85,000 home sales for more than $33.2 billion in volume. The Windermere family has a proud heritage of serving our neighbors via the Windermere Foundation which funds services for low-income and homeless families. Since 1989, the Windermere Foundation has contributed more than $33 million towards improving lives in the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.windermere.com.
You can expect scenes like this one from a previous ball when more than 800 event-goers were in attendance for Levé’s Ninth Annual Charity Ball. That year, all proceeds benefited “I Have a Dream” Oregon.
This year, along with a DJ, silent auction, and wine wall, the event will be emceed by Stumptown’s favorite drag queen, Poison Waters.
Earlier this year, Levé members volunteered at the Girls Inc. “Rappel for Her” fundraiser. There is a clear synergy with the Levé and Girls Inc partnership. Girls Inc. works to inspire school-aged girls to be strong, smart and bold, while Levé prides itself on women supporting women.
Levé, which comes from the french word “to lift,” has a unique partnership model that exposes habitual attendees to a wide scope of Portland’s thriving nonprofit community. After a competitive application and interview process, Levé selects only one of the many worthy nonprofits for the ladies to lift and support throughout the year. Previous partners include Bradley Angle, New Avenues for Youth, and Children’s Cancer Association.
At a previous ball, then Levé board president, Megan Dobson sells items from a basket.
2011 Levé board member Anne Lawrence, Levé president Kiernan Doherty and Levé vice president Megan Dobson pose right before doors opened for the 8th Annual Charity Ball at the Wonder Ballroom.
the Levé board, committee and advisory members pose for a shot before the Ball begins.
From Levé:
Through our diverse and growing nonprofit network, we continually enlighten ourselves and supporters about Portland’s most vulnerable and strive to give them a voice through volunteering, activism, and fundraising. We’re a bit unconventional. We believe standing for something is contagious and that giving back is fun. That’s why we take a different approach to philanthropy. By selecting and lifting up a new nonprofit each year, we create long-term relationships between our supporters and partners based on shared values and passions. We are also able to share a cause that is relevant and accessible, tailored to each year.In addition to raising immediate and unrestricted funds for our annual partners through our signature event, we seek to build long-term support by exposing a new demographic to the organization and its mission. Our hope is that they will then become lifelong supporters, helping the organizations expand their donor base and build their next generation of supporters, advocates and volunteers. Each year since our inception, Levé’s cash contributions, volunteerism and activism have grown. In total, we’ve infused nearly half a million dollars into the local nonprofit community thanks to our awesome network of supporters! By selecting a different type of nonprofit each year, our hope is that if one doesn’t resonate one year, the next year’s nonprofit’s mission will, and that our event-goers continue to support that nonprofit with time and resources well into the future. Essentially, Levé’s goal is to help nonprofit organizations widen their footprint in the community and expand their donor base, providing a platform for which to publicize the essential work.
Our credo is to do more good. Levé was born of the belief that anyone can make a difference. In fact, we know that the impact of a lot of smaller donations is often more effective than a few large ones. That’s because when we do something for someone else, that good energy ripples out; it’s contagious. It’s literally science. When we build charitable habits, we are better citizens, colleagues, parents and friends—and we inspire others to be too. And thus is the magic of the ripple effect. We consume over 10 hours of media every day. It can be difficult to cull through it all to determine what matters. That’s why we take our responsibility as (unofficial) community advisers so seriously at Levé. Since 2004, our volunteer board of young professional women has vetted hundreds of applications from local nonprofits, narrowing it down to one annual partner each year. Our unique process connects our supporters with diverse causes and trusted organizations each year, concluding with an unconventional fundraiser that is designed to teach our peers what it means to give back. Levé membership has also evolved into a “training ground” for young philanthropists. Comprised of some of Portland’s most driven and gracious women, Levé provides an opportunity to cultivate not only nonprofit endeavors, but also significant professional and personal growth. It’s not uncommon for members to get new jobs, learn new skills, or even change careers entirely based on a connection they make. Perhaps best of all, is the sisterhood and friendship we share. Together, our goal is to inspire and mobilize the next generation of givers in Portland and beyond.
2010: Bank of America, Local Hero Award – awarded to board member Megan Dobson for activating her middle school students to get involved in Philanthropy using Levé’s model of giving back.
Government Camp, OR. For over 80 years, Mt. Hood Kiwans Camp has partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to provide individuals with disabilities recreational opportunities in the Mt. Hood National Forest. One of the largest programs of its kind in the U.S., each season MHKC offers a unique opportunity for more than 500 campers ages 10 to 55 to experience the outdoors in its fully accessible 22-acre campsite. The nonprofit is now in a year-end fund drive; click here for more information.
On any given day at camp, campers can be seen petting horses, catching a fish in the pond, swinging on their very own adventure course, splashing around in the temperature controlled pool, or perhaps dancing the night away in full costume at an evening event.
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp offers programming for all individuals with disabilities ages 10 and up. In addition to the Main Camp program, MHKC offers off-site programming for individuals seeking a higher level of independence and adventure.
There are few places where children and adults with disabilities can spend an entire week focusing on their abilities, rather than their disabilities. MHKC is dedicated to the belief that all people regardless of race, economic status or physical/mental ability should experience the joy and personal growth that comes from the adventure of an overnight camp experience.
MHKC has provided more than 17,000 campers with the magic of camp. Thanks to this life-changing experience, our campers’ quality of life has improved, along with their personal growth in self-esteem, communications, social skills, sense of achievement and independence.
The nonprofit was started by Willamette University graduate, Ashley Holmer. She traveled to Tanzania to coach soccer and teach English to Maasai children and realized there was great need in the country. Ashley founded Red Sweater Project in 2011, with the goal of putting as many kids in school as possible. In 2012, Red Sweater Project opened the Mungere School, which welcomes a new class of students each year. The organization is dedicated to developing quality, sustainable, and accessible schools for East African children. The Red Sweater Project collaborates with local communities to create affordable, accessible and advanced educational opportunities for children in rural Tanzania. Students wear their red sweaters with pride.
Founder Ashley Holmer saw the inequality between boys and girls, specifically in education. When 82% of Tanzanian families can’t afford to send their children to school, those who can often prioritize educating their boys because the girls are seen as more valuable staying at home and preparing for marriage. That not only hurts girls’ prospects for the future, it slows an entire community’s progress.
As a U.S. college all-star soccer player, Ashley quickly earned the respect of the local men and boys on the pitch. Coaching and playing alongside boys where girls are often not allowed, she demonstrated how women could not only participate, but also compete.
From Red Sweater Project:
Our Goals include:
Affordability The average family income in Mungere Village is US$190 per year, while average boarding school fees are US$500. 93% of Mungere families cannot afford boarding schools, but they can pay US$16 per year to send their child to Mungere Secondary School.
Accessibility Tanzania is suffering from a shortage of teachers and schools, and children living in rural areas must travel long distances or attend expensive boarding schools. Mungere Secondary School operates within the village, providing education and health services within the community.
Advanced Education is about more than test scores – it’s about critical thinking, innovation and solutions. By creating educational institutions that utilize renewable energy to power computers and access information technology and the internet, we equip each child with skills that lead to success in a 21st century world. Courses in business development encourage entrepreneurship and innovation, while vocational courses develop real-life skills that lead to employment and self-sufficiency.
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