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.”
Portland, OR. A message from Editor, Elisa Klein. Portland Society Page is marking its tenth-anniversary publishing nonprofit news for free! 2,217 articles later, we’re still going strong with thousands of weekly readers. We’ve also launched society page websites in Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. One of the particularly gratifying roles I’ve enjoyed over the past year is mentoring dozens of interns from up and down the west coast. It has enabled me to share my enthusiasm for journalism with students from UCLA, Berkeley, U of O, University of Washington, and many more universities. Also, a huge thanks to my husband, Steven Klein who has been an enthusiastic supporter and terrific proofreader for the past ten years!
Elisa Klein, Editor
The indomitable Betty White who lived to be 99-years-old said, “It’s your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don’t take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver.”
Your interest in the nonprofit community offers hope. Together, let’s look forward to a better and brighter 2022!
Thank you,
Editor and Publisher, Elisa Klein
2021 UPDATE: For a second year, necessary Covid-19 restrictions meant that many volunteers had to stay away from the charities they love. Supporters who usually flock to galas were often social distancing, some organizations moved forward with caution by holding hybrid events. Some sectors, like human services, have seen a surge of donations, while arts organizations have struggled mightily without the benefit of ticket sales.
The generosity of our community remains constant. Donations brought hope to thousands of our friends and neighbors. The thankful include the elderly living alone receiving hot meals, children with learning differences finding support through zoom, brilliant performance artists feeding their families with grant money, and bone-tired frontline workers using donated personal protective equipment.
Now, we’ll share the stories you read most this year in reverse order.
TOP TEN PORTLAND SOCIETY PAGE STORIES 2020
10. Portland knifemaker Alex Horn created commemorative knives from the rubble of the Twin Towers.
So there you have it, the most-read stories of 2021 on Portland Society Page! We look forward to providing our coverage of local nonprofit news in 2022. Upward on onward!
Portland, OR. A message from editor, Elisa Klein. First, thank you for caring about our local nonprofits! At Portland Society Page, our coverage is often of exciting events held to raise money for worthy causes. We also spotlight inspiring volunteers who are the lifeblood of many local charities. Necessary Covid-19 restrictions meant that most volunteers had to stay away from the charities they love. Supporters who usually flock to galas were social distancing in 2020 and lamenting the fact that large gatherings had to be prohibited. All the while, nonprofit professionals put forth Herculean efforts to keep their organizations afloat, many from their home offices. Some sectors, like human services, have seen a surge of donations, while arts organizations have struggled mightily without the benefit of ticket sales.
Yet through these exceptional times, the generosity of our community remains constant. Nonprofits promoting social justice have seen renewed interest. Donations have brought hope to thousands of our friends and neighbors. The thankful include the elderly living alone receiving hot meals, children with learning differences finding support through zoom, brilliant performance artists feeding their families with grant money, and bone-tired frontline workers using donated personal protective equipment.
2020 zoom photo, Elisa Klein
Martin Luther King, Jr. said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infinite hope.” Your interest in the nonprofit community offers hope. Together, let’s look forward to a better and brighter 2021!
Thank you, Elisa Klein
Now, we’ll share the stories you read most this year in reverse order.
So there you have it, the most-read stories of 2020 on Portland Society Page! We look forward to providing our coverage of local nonprofit news in 2021. Upward on onward!
Portland, OR. There’s a plethora of terrific fundraising events that happen each fall in the Portland area. Last September, the Good Samaritan Foundation Fall Ball to support cancer services had guests like Barbara Young, Dr. William Johnson, Dr. Nathalie Johnson and Dr. George Brown, the CEO of Legacy Health. Other fall events included YouthBuilders’ Cornhole Classic, Bridge Meadows Annual IMAGINE Benefit, the LifeWorks NW Iron Chef fundraiser, The AIDS Walk, and “Red For Women” Luncheon. Those are just a few of the fundraisers happening in September!
Do you have a favorite nonprofit with a big event coming up this fall? We’d like to post details about the event on our Portland Society Page calendar. You can send us your information at [email protected].
While you’re at it…Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to speed on all of your latest nonprofit news. Your privacy and security are our top priority!
The Impact NW Garden Party has supporters like Dennis Peck, Marcia Westcott Peck, Liz Burns and Andy Nelson. This year the party is on September 22nd.
The LifeWorks NW Iron Chef fundraiser will be at the Portland Art Museum on September 27th.
The YouthBuilders’ Cornhole Classic will be September 17th. In the past, event organizers closed the street at Castaway Portland in order for 56 teams to compete in the round robin cornhole tournament.
The AIDS Walk is September 8th. (Photo Credit Mike Burt)
That’s just a small sampling of what’s happening in September. Please give your favorite nonprofit a boost by letting us know about their big upcoming fall event. Later this summer we’ll be rounding up a list of seasonal benefits and nonprofit events you’ll love. To reach out and tell us about yours, send us a message at [email protected].https://www.portlandsocietypage.com/contact/
About us:
PortlandSocietyPage.com is a free public news source for nonprofits. Trusted, accurate and positive, we love our local charities and their vibrant events! We spotlight your luminaries and shine a well-deserved spotlight on outstanding nonprofits. With a free Sunday email, subscribers enjoy thoughtful information about positive and proactive movers and shakers in their hometown.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay up to speed on all of your latest nonprofit news. Your privacy and security are our top priority!
Portland, April 14th, 2013. After six years of service to the community, 24 high school seniors from The National Charity League, Inc. Portland Chapter were honored at a special celebration at the Governor Hotel. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus) Most of the young women, including Mariel Klein, Courtney Hall, Madeleine Waldram, Austin Quinlan and Sarah Murphy, began volunteering with their mothers during seventh grade and in total, the seniors worked 3,795 hours.
Class members include: Katie Zika, Austin Quinlan, Hayley Matson, Maddy Gram, Siobhan Furnary, Leighton Murphy, Lea Campbell, Sarah Murphy, Katherine Benedict and Mariel Klein. (Back row) Lyndsey Holm, Maddy Waldram, Cori Paine, Olivia English, Emma Scherzer, Carolyn Holce, Anna Zupan, Emma Paustian, Alaina Lester, Molly Hagler, Kate Lowes, Courtney Hall, Mackenzie Dix and Claire Alexander
The class of 2013 chose a nautical theme for their recognition dinner, tying in the color red to represent their senior philanthropy beneficiary: The Red Sweater Project. The young ladies raised $1,685 for the nonprofit which provides educational opportunities for children in Tanzania.
Here are members of the class of 2013 and their mothers:
Carolyn and Karen Holce
Alaina and Linda Lester
Event co-chair Michelle Matson and Hayley Matson
Mary and Sarah Murphy
Barbara and Madeleine Gram
Mariel Klein and Elisa Klein, PortlandSocietyPage.com editor
Jean Benedict and Katherine Benedict
Cori Paine and Patricia Eddy, event co-chair
Kristin and Austin Quinlan
Elizabeth and Olivia English
Debby and Leighton Murphy
Molly and Lacy Hagler
Katie and Kristine Zika
Dee Madden and Lea Campbell
Anna and Noreen Zupan
Julia and Siobhan Furnary
Amy and Kate Lowes
Julia and Courtney Hall
Emma and Cheryl Scherzer
Molly and Emma Paustian
Candace Gray and Mackenzie Dix
Heather and Madeleine Waldram
Claire and Shannon Alexander
The girls are now excited to be sailing off to their next big adventure.
In the Portland Chapter the 144 Ticktocker members volunteered a total 3,921 Philanthropy hours, and 122 Patroness members volunteered in our community 3,147 hours. Collectively, members volunteered 7,068 hours this year.
From The Portland Chapter of National Charity League, Inc.: This chapter was chartered in April 1995 and was the first National Charity League chapter formed in the State of Oregon. Our chapter currently has 119 Patronesses and 140 Ticktockers. National Charity League, Inc. (NCL) is a non-profit national organization of mothers and daughters who join together in community involvement within local chapters throughout the United States. Our goal is to foster a sense of community responsibility and strengthen the mother-daughter relationship. Daughters participate in a six-year program of philanthropic work, educational activities and cultural events. Portland Chapter Mailing address: P.O. Box 25108 Portland, Oregon 97298
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