Portland, OR. When the 2020 Friends of the Children “Friend Raiser” was forced to pivot because of the COVID-19 virus, it created a two-step plan. First, it offered mobile bidding and a silent auction in advance. Then on May 14th the nonprofit held a live-streamed program, live auction, and virtual paddle raise. In the end, Friends of the Children raised $1.5 Million with the virtual benefit.
The virtual auction was broadcast live.
Highlights included this shout-out from Mayor Wheeler below:
There was also a message from Russel Wilson and founders Cindy & Duncan Campbell. If you missed the live program you can check out the recording at friendraiserpdx.com.
From Friends of the Children:
Friends of the Children – Portland is the founding chapter of a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring. For 25 years, Friends of the Children has used evidence-based strategies, long-term interventions, and nurturing relationships to serve youth facing the greatest societal challenges. For every $1 invested in program youth, $7 is returned to the community in savings within the public sector and contributions to the private sector, according to a Harvard Alumni Association of Oregon research. This year, Friends of the Children was named the number one Most-Admired Nonprofit in Oregon by the Portland Business Journal for the fourth time in six years.
Portland, OR. “What stood out to me about Friends of the Children was that they employ and train their mentors and that they commit to every child for 12 ½ years,” explained Michael Jordan. “That dedication is important to me. My mentors believed in me and taught me the power of perseverance. I want youth in Friends of the Children to see that they have that same potential.”
Michael Jordan is quick to give credit to his mentors, especially his father and his college coach, Dean Smith. So, when Jordan heard about Portland based Friends of the Children, a national nonprofit that pairs youth facing the highest risks with a salaried, professional mentor (a Friend) from kindergarten through graduation, he was sold. Jordan announced that he is making a multimillion-dollar investment in the organization with the donation of his proceeds from his upcoming ESPN Films and Netflix documentary series, “The Last Dance.” ESPN Films and Netflix are creating the 10 hour docu-series featuring Micheal Jordan and more than 500 hours of never before seen footage from Chicago bulls last championship run in the 1997/98 season. The film is scheduled for release in 2019.
According to Friends of the Children, Jordan’s investment will give thousands more youth a salaried, professional mentor for 12 1/2 years; Jordan to donate his proceeds from “The Last Dance” documentary.
Last spring, in partnership with Nike, Jordan donated the proceeds of a commemorative Michael Jordan Bulls jersey to Friends of the Children, which sold out—and for a good cause. His donation builds on his nationwide efforts to empower youth who are facing the greatest challenges. The donation, which is supporting the organization’s national expansion campaign and their work in Charlotte and Chicago, took Friends of the Children over the finish line for an aggressive fundraising campaign: raising $25 million in less than three years. Now in 15 locations across the country and in the U.K., the investment will go toward Friends of the Children’s goal of expanding to 25 cities by 2025, empowering a growing number of youth and families.
“It’s not every day that you get a call that Michael Jordan—arguably most famous athlete in the world— had heard about your organization and wanted to support it. We got that call,” says Terri Sorensen, CEO of Friends of the Children. “We are thrilled beyond measure for this generous gift and recognition for our lasting impact.”
Knowing how his mentors shaped his life, Jordan saw the life-changing potential that youth could find through Friends of the Children. A philanthropist who believes in impact investing, Jordan saw their evidence-based model as an attractive social investment. It’s hard to ignore the outcomes:
–83% graduate from high school, although 60% of their parents did not graduate
–93% avoid the juvenile justice system, although 50% have parents who were incarcerated
–98% avoid early parenting, although 85% were born to a teen parent
A Harvard Business School Association of Oregon return on investment study also found that for every $1 invested in Friends of the Children, the community benefits more than $7 in saved social costs, saving the community $900,000 per child.
With Jordan’s investment, Friends of the Children will be growing their impact in the Two-Generation (2Gen) space which empowers families together, and serving more youth in foster care. The model is also being sought after as a possible solution to counteracting the effects of childhood trauma and toxic stress.
“There are so many communities across the country that we want to serve. With Michael’s investment, we can now expand more quickly to 25 cities,” says Sorensen.
Portland, OR. Friends of the Children celebrated 25 years by raising $2.51 million at its annual Friend Raiser benefit on May 10th. More than 740 guests came out for the event to honor Friends of the Children founders Duncan and Cindy Campbell as well as the hundreds of current program youth and alumni who’ve benefited from having a professional mentor in their lives. At the event, founder Duncan Campbell, was joined on stage by 25 current and former program youth and professional mentors to commemorate 25 years of Friends of the Children. (Photo credit, Kelly Mooney and Justine Reimnitz)
Priscilla and Dan Wieden, co-founder of Wieden + Kennedy, an event sponsor.
Founder, Duncan Campbell, talks with Michele and Greg Goodwin.
Friend Raiser guests bid on unique silent auction items.
Their first year at Friend Raiser, Beaches Restaurant from Vancouver, WA was a huge crowd pleaser.
Presented by Express Employment Professionals and Verizon, the event began with an open house at the Friends of the Children headquarters and a silent auction. Guests moved from room to room, grazing on gourmet hors d’oeuvres and sipping bubbles, while bidding on garden, wine, and vacation packages. Friends and youth then helped guide supporters to a massive tent for the evening’s live program through their famous high-five tunnel.
With only 10 live auction packages and a fast-paced special appeal, the crowd’s energy stayed high and the paddles were raised even higher. When all was said and done, the event set a new fundraising record at $2.51 million. Of that, $1.7 million was raised in the special appeal alone.
Before the record breaking special appeal, Randy Corradine, Director of Education & Equity, whose siblings are program graduates, addressed the audience and Friends of the Children founder, Duncan Campbell. “Duncan, you created this… Everyone in the crowd tonight is here because of you. Everyone on this stage and peppered throughout this space is here because of you. In 25 years, you have impacted thousands of lives and because of the ripple effect, those impacted lives will impact tens of thousands more lives in the next 25 years.”
From Friends of the Children:
Friends of the Children – Portland would like to extend a huge thank you to their major event sponsors!
Express Employment Professionals
Verizon
Columbia Forest Products
Acme Construction Supply
Campbell Global
Bob’s Red Mill
Grand + Benedicts
Touchmark
Wieden + Kennedy
Convergence Networks
CareOregon
Friends of the Children – Portland is the founding chapter of a nationwide organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of generational poverty through salaried, professional mentoring. For 25 years, Friends of the Children has used evidence-based strategies, long-term interventions, and nurturing relationships to serve youth facing the greatest societal challenges. For every $1 invested in program youth, $7 is returned to the community in savings within the public sector and contributions to the private sector, according to a Harvard Alumni Association of Oregon research. This year, Friends of the Children was named the number one Most-Admired Nonprofit in Oregon by the Portland Business Journal for the fourth time in six years.
Portland, OR. More than 825 guests gathered on March 3rd at the Oregon Convention Center for the 34th annual Classic Wines Auction, raising nearly $3 million for five local nonprofits. Guests bid on distinctive auction items while enjoying gourmet cuisine presented by top local chefs and, of course, the gala’s signature fine wines. Proceeds support children and families in our community served by the beneficiaries, including: Metropolitan Family Service, YWCA Clark County, Friends of the Children, New Avenues for Youth and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. Classic Wines Auction events have raised more than $43 million since 1982. (Photo credit, John Valls Photography)
Event chairs and Honorary Wine Ambassadors: Peter Andrews (chair), Gilles de Larouziere (Maisons & Domaines Henriot), Jill Nelson (chair), Shari Staglin (Staglin Family Vineyard), Mike Etzel (Beaux Freres Winery), Garen Staglin (Staglin Family Vineyard), Tara Kinateder (chair) and Richard Moreau (Maisons & Domaines Henriot).
Danielle Lee served guests from a “champagne skirt.”
Cyndi Challacombe, representing Cristal Champagne, pours for guest Wes Mallard.
Leslie Durst celebrates her winning bid.
Michelle and Jim Fitzhenry show their support.
Participants from ‘Friends of the Children’ share their stories on stage.
Brian Garish bids big.
Martin Green bids high in the live auction.
Guests enjoy the party.
Jim Mark, CEO of Melvin Mark Companies, First Growth Sponsor of the 2018 Classic Wines Auction
Mark and Tricia Cooper make their move in the live auction.
Master of Ceremonies Stephanie Stricklen welcomes guests with the help of the Starella Sisters.
Chef Allan Wambaa prepared a gourmet five-course meal, paired with wine from the Wine Ambassadors.
Bubbly was provided by Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne.
Guests peruse the wine section of the silent auction.
Portland’s Starella Sisters welcome guests to the party
Taft Stricklin earns a moment in the spotlight.
Jason Zidell gets ready to bid
Matt Felton raises his paddle to support local nonprofits.
Guests danced to Hit Explosion at the NIGHTCAP after party.
From Classic Wines:
OUR 2018 NONPROFIT PARTNERS:
Working with multiple nonprofit partners to spread the wealth and maximize our impact in the community.
The Classic Wines Auction supports the good work of Oregon and Southwest Washington organizations by providing funds to pre-selected nonprofit partners benefiting children and families. This year, we are honored to partner with Metropolitan Family Service (MFS), New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children – Portland, YWCA Clark County and Unity Center for Behavioral Health. Proceeds from the 2017/2018 Classic Wines Auction series of events will benefit these five organizations.
Interested in becoming a Classic Wines Auction nonprofit partner? Learn more here.
METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICE (MFS) Portland, Oregon Nonprofit Partner Since 1982
Metropolitan Family Service (MFS) helps people move beyond the limitations of poverty, inequity and social isolation.
With a focus on prevention, MFS delivers proven programs and innovative solutions to help more than 30,000 people succeed at home, in school and in the greater Portland and SW Washington area each year. MFS is reaching out across the lifespan, creating opportunities that enable people of all ages and abilities to live with dignity and realize success.
New Avenues for Youth Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2005
New Avenues for Youth works in partnership with the community to prevent youth homelessness and provide homeless and at-risk young people the resources and skills needed to lead healthy, productive lives.
Since 1997, New Avenues for Youth has offered programs and services that empower homeless youth to exit street life. With an increasing focus on homelessness prevention, New Avenues is building brighter futures for Portland’s most vulnerable youth and moving closer to its vision of a community in which all young people have a safe place to call home.
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN – PORTLAND, Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2006
Friends of the Children breaks the cycle of generational poverty by giving children facing the highest-risks the ability to create a new story.
Children born into generational poverty believe they have no future, no potential, and their highest hope is merely to survive. These children are at high risk for teen parenting, incarceration, high dropout rates, and gang violence. Friends of the Children helps the highest-risk children dramatically change their story by providing each child with a salaried, professional mentor, or a Friend, from kindergarten through graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.
YWCA CLARK COUNTY Vancouver, Washington – Nonprofit Partner Since 2008
YWCA Clark County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
YWCA programs provide tools and support to heal, build self-esteem, foster positive life choices, and change lives. YWCA celebrates diversity, respects differences, and recognizes the dignity of each individual. Working as a team to achieve a shared vision, YWCA Clark County is a leader of high quality, innovative services offered in a caring and compassionate environment.
UNITY CENTER FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Portland, Oregon – Nonprofit Partner Since 2016
The right care at the right time.
The Unity Center for Behavioral Health is a 24-hour behavioral and mental health services center providing immediate psychiatric care and a path to recovery for people experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Classic Wines Auction Non Profit Partner Selection Process:
The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. supports the good work of Oregon and Southwest Washington non‐profit organizations by raising money for nonprofit organizations benefiting children and families. The Classic Wines Auction seeks charitable partners that can effectively contribute to the success of auction events and exceed annual participation goals and expectations. Classic Wines Auction events have raised more than $43 million since 1982, and have benefited nearly one million individuals in the community.
The Classic Wines Auction has very limited opportunities to engage new nonprofit partners each year and does not currently have openings for 2018 events. We encourage local nonprofit organizations interested in discussing their interest for future involvement with the Classic Wines Auction to contact our Executive Director.
The Classic Wines Auction does not require formal applications, and all compatible nonprofit organizations expressing interest will be considered by the Classic Wines Auction Board and Executive Committee. If opportunities are available, the Executive Committee will select organizations with the following characteristics for further consideration: mission compatibility (must benefit children and families in the Portland or Southwest Washington communities), effective organizational management, sound financial practices, Board‐led fundraising, sustainability, and a solid volunteer network. In order to become involved, interested organizations must contact the Classic Wines Auction before April 1st to discuss potential participation in the next calendar year’s events.
Portland, OR. It’s going to be a big year for the nonprofit, Friends of the Children. In 1993, the organization opened its doors with three friends serving 24 children. Friends of the Children has grown to employ hundreds of people who serve thousands of children in cities including Boston, New York, Seattle, Portland, Klamath Falls, Tampa Bay, and Cornwall (UK). Its mission is to provide vulnerable children a nurturing and sustained relationship with a professional mentor who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become a healthy, productive member of the community.
The program has many successful participants like Jonae Phillips. She started in kindergarten and is currently a senior at De La Salle North Catholic High School.
Jonae Phillips writes, “Since kindergarten, I have been able to do some amazing things with Friends of the Children, including white water kayaking, attending career fairs and visiting different work places, participating in the Seattle to Portland bike ride, volunteering, and tutoring. These experiences have had a huge impact on me and informed the person I am today. I have transformed from a shy, closed girl into a young lady who is outgoing and adventurous. I am really involved in sports, community events, school activities, church, and much more.”
Friends of the Children employs and trains salaried, professional mentors called Friends. Moving mentorship out of the volunteer realm is a key component of getting the quality, consistency and commitment that children need. Several Friends have been with the program for 20 years; the average tenure is over 7 years.
Friends of the Children commits to every child for the long term, from kindergarten through high school graduation. 12 ½ years. No matter what.
Duncan Campbell is the founder of Friends of the Children.
Duncan Campbell grew up in a low-income neighborhood with a tumultuous family life. After finding success in business he wanted to help kids who grew up in environments like his. In 1992, The Campbell Institute for Children, founded by Duncan, conducted extensive research to determine the most effective program model to help young children overcome their high-risk status and realize their inherent resilience and potential. The research clearly indicated that the strongest single protective factor a child can have is a close, healthy and sustained relationship with a caring adult, especially an adult who has positive expectations for the child and involves him or her in meaningful activities.
Duncan established Friends of the Children in 1993 in his old neighborhood. Now it’s time to celebrate the Friends of the Children 25th anniversary.
Here’s a list of the 2018 events:
Bowl-a-Thon | February 10, 2018
Classic Wines Auction | March 3, 2018
Friend Raiser | May 10, 2018
25th Anniversary Party | Fall 2018
25th Holidays with the Trail Band | December 14-16
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