Portland, OR. Humanitarian crises, natural disasters, donating to help alleviate human suffering (like Bill Gates, Sr. who visited the Naz Foundation’s care centre for HIV Positive children in New Delhi) the needs today as pressing as ever, but the way we give is evolving, according to Time Magazine. Editors pinpointed five ways charitable giving is likely to change in 2019. Thanks to tax law and technology, along with changing consciousness and shifting social mores, philanthropy experts say there are notable shifts afoot in where, when and how Americans open their wallets to charitable causes.
Here’s what Time says you can to expect in charitable giving trends in 2019:
Giving bigger donations, but less frequently
Charities and non-governmental organizations, or NGOs, are watching carefully to see if the doubling of the standard deduction under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 changes how — and how much — we give.
“Certainly, the NGOs are worried,” says Barbara Leopold, associate director of the Center on Philanthropy and Civil Society at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. “There’s a great deal of worry about it on the receiving end.”
One potential change is that people could switch to giving every other or every third year instead of annually, a tactic called “bunching” that would let them itemize in their giving years to get the deduction, and take the standard deduction in other years. “At the higher level of giving, people who were giving in calculated ways — I think they’re keeping a closer watch on what effects the law will have,” Leopold says.
Using technology to mobilize support
If you feel like you’ve seen more notifications in your Facebook feed that someone is raising money for a good cause to celebrate a birthday or other milestone, you’re probably right. “We have seen a rise in crowdfunding and peer-to-peer funding,” says Una Osili, professor of economics and philanthropic studies at Indiana University’s Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
This growth is a confluence of two trends, she says: the desire of donors to personalize their giving, and advances in technology that make giving, or asking others to give on your behalf, as easy as typing up a heartfelt message and hitting “enter.”
Osili says the trifecta of how giving is traditionally framed — as gifts of “talent, treasure or time” — is getting a fourth leg. “Now, some people are adding ‘testimony’ to that, using social media to get the word out around a cause or get people mobilized around an issue.”
Growing clout of big donors (for better or worse)
“What I call ultra-philanthropy is going to continue to expand, as it has been over the last 10 years,” says Paul Schervish, professor emeritus and retired director of the Center on Wealth and Philanthropy at Boston College.
“We’re going to continue to find that the top one-half of 1% will be giving about 30% of all the charitable dollars,” he says. Exemplified by the publicized giving of moguls like Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Michael Bloomberg, this trend has facilitated important advances in fields such as health care and higher education.
But there is a drawback in that funding is funneled to a smaller pool of recipients or causes. This, combined with the proliferation of charities at the grassroots level, may leave smaller non-profits feeling pinched, Schervish says. “Charities at these local levels are going to feel that they’re facing greater financial challenges in their fundraising, and the reason is that the number of charities continues to expand dramatically,” he says. “The total amount of dollars can be still given to local charities and so on, but they will be divided up more.”
Investing with a social conscience
Donors today increasingly see the appeal of putting their money into a firm or a fund that will give them a return while affirming their values or supporting a cause they believe in, Osili says. “Impact investing is the notion that you can make a difference by investing in a company that has a social mission,” she says. “The idea is that the toolbox is growing.”
Millennials in particular have shown an affinity for aligning themselves — whether as customers, employees or investors — with businesses that reflect their personal value system or beliefs.
Schervish adds that donors today are looking for places that let their money do double duty. “There’s more venture philanthropy, where there is the infusion of funds for for-profit activities or non-for-profit activities that have a social outcome as one of the major consequences,” he says. “We’re going to continue to see people choosing business approaches or commercial approaches for what they deem to be important social needs.”
Making transparency a key determinant
“Women and donors of diverse backgrounds are taking more of a leadership role in the sector of philanthropy,” Osili says. One key outcome is that donors today are more proactive about asking about where their money is going and what it’s being used to do. “There’s been a lot of momentum around transparency,” Osili says.
Leopold adds that donor due diligence is a key trend driving how people contribute today. Dovetailing with the trend of donors — especially young adults — wanting more personal involvement with their chosen causes, she observes that givers are willing to do the legwork and investigate a charity’s governance policies and how donor funds are utilized, while an increasing array of online resources give them the tools they need to achieve this.
“They will take the effort to look into the place they’re giving to,” she says. “It may be looking at tax documents, looking up 990s at the Foundation Center website or just asking hard questions of people making decisions.”
Portland, OR. Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! The Pittock Mansion has been decorated every winter for nearly a half-century. Each year the grand staircase is festooned with red and green ribbons. This year, for “A Pittock Mansion Christmas” the theme is Hobbies and Pastimes. The exhibit is on view through December 31st (closed Christmas). Museum hours are 10am-4pm and tickets for adults are $12. From opera to knitting to beekeeping, the display highlights some familiar and not-so-familiar hobbies and pastimes. See the Mansion in a whole new light as volunteer decorators creatively transform rooms into a holiday extravaganza.
“Our annual holiday event is always popular. We love seeing new and returning visitors come up and experience something different and amazing, while still being able to engage the history of the Mansion as well,” Executive Director Marta Bones states. “We are so grateful to the many volunteers who help us make this event such a success.”
The West Bedroom decorated in the theme of Family Game Night, Circa 1914 by Sabrina Lang Stoffregen in partnership with the Portland Children’s Museum. The West Wing was home to Lucy and Edward Gantenbein, and their children, Rhoda, Georgiana, and Peter.
From Pittock Mansion:
Parking is limited and visitors are encouraged to use a ride share service. Pittock Mansion is a historic house museum in Portland, Oregon operated by Pittock Mansion Society in collaboration with Portland Parks & Recreation.
Pittock Mansion Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The mission of the Pittock Mansion Society is to inspire understanding and stewardship of Portland history through Pittock Mansion, its collections, and programs.
Portland, OR. Q Center is celebrating 15 years of serving the community so the nonprofit took time to honor people who helped the organization grow. At the Q Center annual brunch, “SHINE: 15 Years of Q Center,” supporters donated over $134,000. The December 9th benefit also featured a cabaret show. At the event, former Co-Executive Director Justin Pabalate, Executive Director Cameron Whitten, and Nick Bernier posed for a photo. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) The mission of Q Center is to provide safe spaces, community building and empowerment for the positive transformation of LGBTQ2SIA+ communities and allies in the Pacific Northwest.
Q Center Constellation Award honorees, Nancy Haque (North Star), Bob Speltz (Supernova), Emcee Joaquin Lopez, Board Chair Darion Demartez Jones, Shaley Howard (Quasar) and Katie Cox (Rising Sun)
Gold-glitter shoes worn by SHINE honorary Co-chair Eddy Morales
Terry Bean and Bill Dickey
Approximately 500 people attended the benefit.
From Q Center:
As the largest LGBTQ community center in the Pacific Northwest, Q Center proudly serves the LGBTQ2SIA+ communities of Portland Metro and Southwest Washington. Our drop-in and event space on North Mississippi Avenue is a frequent first stop for new arrivals in Portland, and for longtime residents who are newly out or questioning their sexual or gender identity. Q Center also serves as an information hub for friends, partners, community, and family members of LGBTQ2SIA+ individuals. We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach and seek out ways to share resources with other nonprofits and public institutions locally and statewide.
What We Do:
Q Center provides community-based support for LGBTQ2SIA+ community members seeking connection and resources. Our core programs:
LGBTQ Senior Community: *eRa*–Encouraging Respect for Aging is Q Center’s drop-in program for LGBTQ seniors. With membership of over 200, activities include meal sharing, peer support, creative groups, community education, and social events.
Affinity Groups: Q Center’s Affinity Groups program supports more than 30 peer-led groups meeting weekly and monthly in our community space. Activities include peer-based support for coming out, recovery, resource sharing, social connection, & organizing for social change.
Information & Referral: Our reception desk is staffed seven days a week by kind and knowledgeable volunteers who assist community members seeking LGBTQ2SIA+ community resources locally and statewide. We offer email, phone, and drop-in referrals.
Fiscal Sponsorships: Q Center is a fiscal sponsor and community incubator for smaller nonprofits whose aims complement our mission, vision, and values.
Portland, OR. Pacific University paid tribute to the generosity of alumni and friends, recognizing its most dedicated donors and the most successful philanthropic year in school history at its annual Celebration of Giving. Pacific University College of Business dean Jim Goodrich visited with Pacific trustee Tim Schauermann ’66 and trustees chair Jerry Yoshida ’73 during the university’s annual Celebration of Giving event on November 29th. (Photo credit, Robbie Bourland from Pacific University)
Donors committed a fiscal year record $12.4 million in 2017-2018, the first year of the public phase of Lead On: The Campaign for Tomorrow at Pacific University. To date, Pacific has secured more than $50 million in gifts and pledges toward the campaign’s $80 million goal to strengthen its endowment, develop and enhance learning environments, and invest in innovation for tomorrow.
Pacific University President Lesley Hallick (right) inducts Hillsboro residents Sunny Iboshi ’67 (left) and Bob Iboshi (’63) into the university’s President’s Circle during Pacific’s 2018 Celebration of Giving held Nov. 29. The President’s Circle recognizes donors who have given $100,000 or more to the university.
Pacific University President Lesley Hallick (right) inducts Professor Emeritus Byron Steiger and Dianne Steiger ’79 into the university’s 1849 Society during Pacific’s 2018 Celebration of Giving.
Pacific University professor and alumna Jaye Cee Whitehead ’00 shares her personal journey during the university’s annual Celebration of Giving.
Pacific University President Lesley Hallick (right) inducts Hillsboro resident Fay Littlefield into the university’s President’s Circle during Pacific’s 2018 Celebration of Giving. The President’s Circle recognizes donors who have given $100,000 or more to the university.
“Your generosity not only creates the future for Pacific, it also transforms the lives of students today,” said Vice President Cassie Warman.
Among them, students like keynote speaker, associate dean, sociology professor and Pacific alumna Jaye Cee Whitehead.
Whitehead, a 2000 sociology major who was the first in her rural Wyoming family to attend college, went on to earn a doctorate and return to teach at her alma mater.
“Pacific changed the trajectory of not only my life, but of my entire family line — generations to come,” she said. “My partner — who was also a first-generation student at Pacific — and I have two little Boxer children. Because of the opportunities we had at Pacific, our kids have a completely different landscape of opportunity.”
She explained that 25 percent of current Pacific students are, like her, the first in their families to go to college, and that Pacific launches more students into the middle- and upper-middle class than any of its regional peers.
“My story is the story of Pacific — and it is centrally about social mobility and community responsibility,” she said. “I personally thank you for your support, which makes this launching pad and community of care possible.”
Those recognized included nine new inductees to the university’s President’s Circle (honoring individuals and organizations who have committed a cumulative $100,000 or more) and one new inductee to the 1849 Society (honoring those who have committed a cumulative $1 million or more)
Professor Emeritus Byron Steiger and wife Dianne ’79 are the newest members of the 1849 Society. He taught sociology at Pacific for 34 years, and the Steigers have since created a scholarship for Pacific sociology majors who plan to pursue graduate studies, as well as the foundation for an endowment that will give financial support to first-year Pacific faculty members.
New members of the President’s Circle include:
Albertsons Companies (Boise, Idaho) | A major supporter of Pacific’s School of Pharmacy, Albertsons sponsors many school events and the Albertsons-Safeway Pharmacy Scholarship has supported 29 Pacific students since 2009.
Julie Berglund Baker and Doug Baker (Carlsbad, Calif.) | Julie Berglund Baker serves on the Pacific Board of Trustees, and the couple has supported Boxer athletics, the College of Optometry and the establishment of Pacific’s College of Business.
Essilor of America (Dallas, Texas) | The company has been strong supporters of Pacific’s College of Optometry for almost two decades, where they created the Essilor Optical Technology Lab and recently supported the renovation of Jefferson Hall.
Robert ’63 and Sunny ’67 Iboshi (Hillsboro) | This alumni couple has supported a wide range of Pacific initiatives for more than four decades, including the Pacific Excellence Fund, Boxer Athletics and an endowed scholarship for students from Hawai’i.
Dr. Peter and Judy Kohler (Beaverton) | Peter Kohler serves on the Pacific Board of Trustees, and the couple’s philanthropic support includes the Kohler Endowment for Undergraduate Research to support the pursuit of undergraduate student research at Pacific through scholarships, stipends, travel support and equipment.
Fay Littlefield (Hillsboro) | The mother of a College of Optometry alumna and faculty member, Littlefield created an endowed scholarship for rural optometry students, as well as an award for public health outreach in the college.
Chuck and Connie Quinn (Clovis, Calif.) | The parents of a Pacific student funded the resurfacing of the baseball facility’s infield with a synthetic turf to expland competition opportunities for student-athletes and community teams.
Dwight Taylor ’29 (Washington, D.C.) | The late Mr. Taylor’s children facilitated a gift to Pacific from his estate to create the Dwight D. Taylor Endowed Scholarship, awarded to students who have demonstrated academic excellence and financial need.
Gordon Zimmerman (McMinnville) | A longtime friend of Pacific’s music and history programs, the late Mr. Zimmerman left a bequest to create two scholarships, one for students of each department.
In an evening rife with gratitude, Pacific also highlighted the transformational impact that generosity is already making on the university’s students, programs and communities by unveiling five donor-funded learning environments:
The EyeSmile Outreach Program | Through a generous $1 million gift from an anonymous donor, Pacific established the EyeSmile Outreach Program to maximize mobile healthcare provided by the College of Optometry and School of Dental Hygiene Studies. The gift built two new state-of-the-art mobile clinics and also funded the creation of a new clinic coordinator position to run the program and coordinate the care.
The Brim Family Outdoor Learning Center | A gift from Trustee Evie Brim funded the construction of this outdoor classroom in the Pacific University Early Learning Community. The ELC serves children ages 3 through 8 and offers an environment for future teachers to study best practices in early childhood education, including nature- and place-based learning.
The Essilor Classroom & Weberling Classroom | As part of the renovation of Jefferson Hall and the Pacific EyeClinic Forest Grove, donors Essilor and Doug ’72, OD ‘74 & Eileen Weberling each funded extensive upgrades to classrooms serving College of Optometry students.
Baseball Infield Synthetic Turf | Through a significant gift from parents Chuck and Connie Quinn, the infield of the university’s baseball facility received a major upgrade with the addition of synthetic turf.
From Pacific University:
Pacific University is a small, but diverse learning community, where students thrive in a personal academic environment. Tracing its roots to 1849, when it was chartered as a school for orphans of the Oregon Trail, Pacific has long been devoted to making a difference in the world. Today, students study in a unique combination of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in the liberal arts and sciences, business, education, health professions and optometry. Located in Oregon, Pacific serves a diverse population of more than 3,900 students, with campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene and Woodburn. At Pacific University, students and faculty develop close, nurturing relationships that provide an extraordinary educational experience.
Portland, OR. The Standard Insurance Company’s charitable foundation announced five grants, totaling $65,000, to local nonprofits. The Dougy Center was awarded $10,000. It’s a national nonprofit that started in Portland where children, teens and young adults and their families grieving a death can share their experiences.
The grant will enable Dougy Center to print and distribute copies of a Teen Grief Journal and an After a Death activity book for children ages 5-12.
“These grants will help individuals and families facing challenges enhance their self-sufficiency, education and employment opportunities,” said Greg Ness, president of The Standard Charitable Foundation and chairman, president and CEO of The Standard. “These grants will help individuals and families facing challenges enhance their self-sufficiency, education and employment opportunities.”
BedMart’s Leah Breen and Transition Projects Staff Member.
$25,000 was awarded to Transition Projects to expand its outreach and service navigation to people sleeping unsheltered in Downtown Portland. A Mobile Engagement team provides street-level support through engagement and relationship building to successfully connect people to shelter, health and wellness services and housing.
Financial Beginnings Oregon: $10,000 was awarded to Financial Beginnings Oregon toward their three core educational programs for youth and adults, aimed at providing personal financial management skills.
Shadow Project: $10,000 was awarded to Portland, Oregon-based Shadow Project to build capacity allowing the organization to expand its reading coaching initiative for children with disabilities to nine public schools.
United Way of Jackson County: $10,000 was awarded to the United Way of Jackson County to purchase and renovate a permanent home in downtown Medford, Oregon. The space will be used for community groups to gather and collaborate on key social issues including education, homelessness, housing and addiction.
The foundation’s giving, which recently passed $1.5 million in grants, is separate from the corporate giving of The Standard. Since 2007, The Standard Charitable Foundation, The Standard and its employees and retirees have contributed more than $35 million in grants and social investments. To learn more about The Standard Charitable Foundation, please visit www.standard.com/foundation.
About The Standard Charitable Foundation:
The Standard Charitable Foundation is the charitable foundation of The Standard. Founded in 2006, the foundation’s mission is to make a positive difference in communities by supporting community development, education, disability and health organizations. While the foundation has a broad goal of making a positive difference in communities, it places special emphasis on helping individuals and families who have experienced a loss or setback such as a major disability or the loss of a loved one. Since 2007, The Standard, its employees and retirees and The Standard Charitable Foundation have contributed more than $35 million in grants and social investments.
About The Standard:
The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping you achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. In business since 1906, we are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life, dental and vision insurance, voluntary (employee-paid) benefits, absence management services, and retirement plans and annuities for employers and individuals. For more information about The Standard, visit www.standard.com or follow us onFacebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.
Portland, OR. The 36th annual Providence Festival of Trees wrapped up after four days of holiday fun and 20,000 visitors enjoying the most impressive and uniquely decorated trees in the festival’s history.
It was also a year of record-breaking fundraising for Providence Children’s Health. Between the tree auction and ticket sales, the festival raised $1,610,000 for newborn services. The money will fund research in delayed umbilical cord clamping – a study being done by Providence researchers to boost infant brain development. Funds will help Providence Beginnings – a program for underserved and at-risk pregnant women. Proceeds will also help clinical teams in rural communities get help with high-risk deliveries through Providence telemedicine.
The People’s Choice Award for the public show was Tree-Ranosaurus Rex Sponsor: CIDA Inc./ LKA Fundraising & Communications
The designers were Lynne Sheppard, Connie Poppy and Jim Sheppard.
The fundraiser kicked off with a auction on November 29th.
Dave Salesky of KATU broadcasting the weather live from the Festival floor.
Archbishop Sample visits with friends to kick off the Christmas season.
Over 850 people were in attendance.
Patrick Lamb Band performs with Derrick McDuffy and Kingdom Sound.
Guests enjoy a photo op among the beautiful trees.
Tree Name: Twilight at Timberline Sponsor: The Kendall Family Designers: Leslie Radke, Sandy Miller, Martin Stone, Carol Nielsen and Judy Han
Tree Name: Natale Italiano Sportivo Sponsor: Ron Tonkin Gran Turismo Designers: Nicole Schatz, Judi Smith, Rawlen Smith and Chuck Stevens
Tree Name: Who? Who’s coming to town? Sponsor: iHeart Media Designers: Sandy Miller, Shelly Hamann, Mark Johnson, family and friends
Tree Name: Home Sweet Home Sponsor: Northwest Society of Interior Designers Designers: Gayle Standage, Terrance Mason, Susie Buchanan, Judy Cusack, Brittany Kurtz, Kaitlyn Danna, Jared Hermann, and Mark Tracy
From Providence:
Many thanks to the donors, community partners and local businesses who generously provided financial support and in-kind gifts – and to the hundreds of volunteers who worked long hours to create the festival’s magic and help local children make special holiday memories.
Portland, OR. Nicole Brown and her son Brantley shared their story and the help they received from B.U.L.L. Session during the charity’s 2018 auction. B.U.L.L.(Business, Union and Labor Leaders) hosts one of the Northwest’s largest charity events to benefit one of the community’s most valuable assets: children.
The nonprofit’s annual fundraiser in September included an auction at the Portland Art Museum and a golf tournament at The Reserve Vineyards and Golf Club. Money raised was handed out on November 14th. Since its inception in 1991, the B.U.L.L. has raised over $6.5 million. Charity recipients for 2018 included: Albertina Kerr’s Crisis Psychiatric Care Unit, Gales Creek Camp Foundation, March of Dimes, Shriners Hospital for Children – Portland, Swindells Resource Center of Providence Child Center, and Wheel to Walk Foundation.
Checks, including one signifying the $6.1 total raised since 1991, were presented at a reception held at the offices of the National Electrical Contractors Association.
Fundraisers also included “Spring Break” at Topgolf in Hillsboro, Oregon, in May.
At the annual auction, Jim McKune made a special donation on behalf of the Union Contractors Group.
Representing PacWest Communications were Dan Cushing, Bill Cross, Chris West, and Nate Eggers.
Winners from the North Course morning golf tournament were Joe Mollusky, Colin Moar, Jeff Lage, not pictured; Todd Predmore of Skanska.
From B.U.L.L. Session:
Board of Directors for B.U.L.L. Session, a 501(c)(3) organization:
Tim Gauthier, President – Oregon Columbia Chapter NECA, Mark Daskalos, Secretary/Treasurer – Charter Mechanical, Jim Brady, Arctic Sheet Metal Company, Dave Johnston – IBEW Local 48, Jason Kaufman – US Bank, David Kreifels – Laurelhurst Market, Jim Link – SKANSKA, John Mohlis – Retired, Jim Moss – Retired, James Anderson – UOE Local 701,
Albertina Kerr’s Children’s Crisis Psychiatric Care Facility provides short-term residential care and 24-hour access to mental health professionals for children experiencing urgent mental health crises. Through the Crisis Psychiatric Care program, Albertina Kerr works to stabilize children in crisis, provide effective mental health treatment, and ultimately return the child safely to their home or a less intensive level of care.
Program Results
Through a comprehensive set of interventions, the Children’s Crisis Psychiatric Care Program works quickly to achieve outcomes that have an immediate effect on the lives of those served. The program’s intensive, one-on-one work with children and families increases the likelihood:
Children in crisis quickly stabilize and return safely and successfully to the community.
Children learn skills to stay safe, preserve relationships, and be successful at home and school.
The adults in the child’s life are supported in understanding, planning for and meeting the child’s needs and feel connected to and supported by their community.
Support of the B.U.L.L. Session is vital to Albertina Kerr’s work. The generous donation helps to raise critical funds and awareness for children, families in need.
Kids come to Gales Creek Camp in many different states of physical and mental health. The stress and anxiety of having a lifelong, life-threatening disease–one that relentlessly demands attention, singles them out, and tries every day to limit their potential–is universal for anyone living with autoimmune diabetes. Before they can get up in the morning and be a kid, before they can walk outside and breath in a new day, before they can think about who they want to be, they have to grab their medical devices, their needles, and their vials–and they have to make sure they will live another day.
Camp is a place of true belonging for kids who often feel fragile and isolated. Many are uncertain about what they can actually accomplish. At GCC we show them all the ways they are not limited, while helping them cope with the one very serious way they are.
Too many babies are born too soon. Premature birth is a serious problem that threatens the lives of about 400,000 babies each year in the United States and 15 million globally. That’s why we’re funding new research to find the causes of premature birth and develop ways to prevent it. Throughout our organization’s history, March of Dimes has tackled complex health issues facing moms, babies and families – and solved them. We aim to make premature birth our next breakthrough and ensure that every baby has a fighting chance.
We help families cope with the challenges of having a critically ill newborn, whether due to prematurity or a birth defect. We work with women to reduce the known risk factors that lead to preterm birth and proceeds from the B.U.L.L. Session Events helps March of Dimes in Oregon and SW Washington improve the quality of maternity care and high-risk pediatric care for all pregnant women and newborns.
Shriners Hospitals for Children — Portland celebrates more than 93 years of providing compassionate healthcare for the children throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Portland hospital is dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing specialty care, conducting innovative research, and offering outstanding healthcare teaching programs.
The Portland Shriners Hospital focuses on a wide range of pediatric orthopedic conditions, from fractures to rare diseases and syndromes. Services include inpatient and outpatient surgery; physical, occupational and speech therapy; orthotics and prosthetics; outpatient clinics; low radiation EOS Imaging System and a motion analysis center. All services are provided in a family-centered environment, regardless of the families’ ability to pay.
With donations from the B.U.L.L. Session, we can continue our mission of providing expert care to children.
Learning your child has special needs, developmental delays or disabilities is life changing, isolating and scary. Where do I go from here? What do I do next? Located at Providence Child Center and Providence St. Vincent Medical Center, Swindells Resource Center supports parents and caregivers of these children.
The kind and compassionate staff at Swindells know firsthand what parents and caregivers are going through. Parents gain the knowledge and confidence they need to be the best advocates for their child. Thanks to your support, we can provide free resources, information and education to communities throughout Oregon and southwest Washington. Through our vast lending library, educational events, support services, parenting classes and referral guidance, we connect families, caregivers and others to information and training.
In 2016, we made more than 29,720 points of contact, 903 care notebooks were distributed, and 2,579 people attended one of the 43 speaker events offered at little or no cost thanks to the overwhelming generosity of donors like you.
Because of you, we can serve the most vulnerable in our community.
Joaquin is a darling 3 year old born with numerous physical delays and needs assistance with standing and walking. With so many global delays, Joaquin needed help to increase his muscle tone, coordination and strengthen his hips and legs. Wheel to Walk purchased this $1,200 gait trainer for him. This device has been incredible to help provide him with independence, increase strength in his legs and he is on his way to be able to walk on his own someday.
It is children like Joaquin that Wheel to Walk continues to help, and thanks to B.U.L.L. Session Charity Events, we are able to purchase life improving equipment for children with disabilities when they are unable to obtain them through insurance. Examples of items we provide are therapy bikes, gait trainers, shower chairs, adaptive strollers, adaptive car seats, wheelchairs and modifications, communication devices, patient lifts, and cranial helmets, just to name a few.
Wheel to Walk Foundation strongly believes that no child with a disability should go without essential equipment that could improve the quality of their life and help them thrive.
The 2019 auction will be September 9, 2019 at the Portland Art Museum.
Portland, OR. Area pet owners gathered for a special memorial service and candle lighting ceremony to honor beloved animal companions at the Service of Remembrance. The free annual event, hosted by the DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program and Dignified Pet Services, pays tribute to the connection community members share with companion animals. The service was held on December 6th at The Old Church on SW 11th Ave., in Portland.
“The holidays can be an emotional time for families who have experienced the loss of a pet – regardless of when that loss occurred,” said Enid Traisman, DoveLewis Pet Loss Support Program director and certified grief counselor. “It’s our hope that this event provides attendees with a sense of comfort and reminds us all that the human-animal bond is truly remarkable.”
Community members heard inspirational stories from Traisman and pet owner Mark Harwood. They lit candles to honor pets, and listened to a musical performance by Ian McDonald and Brick and Mindy Street. Therapy dogs from the DoveLewis Portland Area Canine Therapy Teams were also on hand to provide comfort.
DoveLewis Mission:
DoveLewis Emergency Animal Hospital, in association with the regional veterinary community, provides 24-hour emergency and critical care, education and community outreach. Our highly-skilled professionals are dedicated to:
-Improving the condition of animals needing emergency and critical care.
-Strengthening the ties with, and extending the reach of, the veterinary community.
-Promoting the well-being of animals and the human-animal bond throughout the community.
Portland, OR. (Sponsored) It’s been a banner year for Girls Inc. The nonprofit launched programming in Seattle (after launching last year in SW Washington) and now covers much of the major metro areas in the Pacific Northwest. Girls Inc. has served nearly 3,000 girls by providing them with the holistic Girls Inc. experience, which shows them how to lead, how to thrive, and how to change the world.
Girls Inc. also launched its national #GirlsToo: Respect Starts Young campaign, to focus on girls’ experiences of sexual harassment and violence. You can support the organization by clicking here: DONATE NOW! You can also sign the #GirlsToo pledge at girlstoo.girlsinc.org.
This testimonial about the program demonstrates the power of Girls Inc. Emily and her sister Jocelyn shared their journey in a new film.
From Emily (and Jocelyn):
When I started going to Girls Inc. in 5th grade, I was so nervous I decided to bring my older sister with me. Jocelyn has always helped me find my voice, and because of Girls Inc.’s Produced By Her program last year, we were both able to find our voice more than ever before.
When we were young, we both experienced sexual violence. We had a story to tell, but didn’t know how to talk about what had happened to us. We didn’t grow up understanding that #GirlsToo experience sexual violence.
I wasn’t sure if I was strong enough to keep going. I wasn’t sure what healing from sexual violence was supposed to look like, and I was afraid that I might not be able to have a successful future because of the trauma I had experienced.
While making our film, I talked to survivors of sexual violence who a owned their own businesses or were doctors or lawyers. I started to envision a future for myself where I could be anything.
Because of the support of people like you who help make Girls Inc. programming possible, we are able to tell our story without fear. Now, I see a bright future for myself as an architect. Girls Inc. helped me learn to feel powerful, become stronger, and more free; that wouldn’t be possible without you.
That’s why I’m asking you to donate to Girls Inc. before the end of this year. I want girls throughout the Pacific Northwest to be able to become stronger and dream of a bigger future. You can inspire girls to be strong, smart, and bold like Girls Inc. inspired me.
With you in our corner, we will thrive. Love, Emily (and Jocelyn)
You can ensure every single one of the 3,000 girls we serve are respected and valued, and can be the leaders we need. With you in their corner, everything is possible. You can support the organization by clicking here: DONATE NOW!
About Girls Inc.
Girls Inc. of the Pacific Northwest inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We make an impact in the communities we serve by equipping girls with the skills and confidence to access a bright and economically-independent future. By focusing on the whole girl from ages 6-18, we provide life-changing after school programs and experiences that help girls grow up to be healthy, educated, and independent. Our trained volunteer leaders, research-based curricula, and pro-girl environment provide girls with the tools, confidence, and support to realize their own power.
Portland, OR. A tiny three-year-old Chihuahua named Nelson set a milestone for the Oregon Humane Society today by becoming the 11,000th pet adopted in 2018. Nelson is going to a new home with the Grenfell family of North Portland where he will join two cockatiels and a bearded dragon. This is the earliest date that OHS achieved this milestone in the new shelter. This is the ninth year in a row that OHS has reached this milestone, and they are now setting 12,000 adoptions as the year-end goal.
Nelson, a dog transported to OHS from California, was in the shelter before the wildfires began and was moved out of the area to free up resources for displaced pets. “Each year, we set a goal of finding homes for 11,000 pets, and it warms my heart to know that we will be exceeding the goal this year. It’s wonderful to see people opening their hearts to shelter animals,” said Sharon Harmon, OHS President and CEO.
Nelson’s adopter Brittany Grenfell said she came in on Sunday and fell in love with Nelson when she saw him in his kennel. Nelson was made available for adoption this morning and Grenfell was first in line to adopt him today. “I knew that he would be adopted by someone else if I waited until the end of the day, I couldn’t take that chance.”
The large number of adoptions makes OHS one of the busiest shelters in the nation. OHS adopts more animals from its shelter on NE Columbia Blvd. than any other single shelter facility on the West Coast. This feat is especially remarkable because OHS never puts a time limit on how long a pet remains available for adoption and has a save rate that is among the highest in the nation.
The Oregon Humane Society is asking the public to open their hearts to the 114 dogs, cats, small animals and two horses who are also looking for a “Home for the Holidays” this December. For every animal in the shelter on December 1, OHS seeks to place them in a “Home for the Holidays” by December 31. Some of these pets have been awaiting adoption for just a few days; others have been waiting for weeks.
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