Portland, OR. It’s time to focus on year-end charitable donations! On our partner’s page, there are live links to hundreds of your favorites. They’re listed by categories like animals, arts, and education. Please explore PortlandSocietyPage.com for ideas, and watch for our features about many worthy local charities. If you’d like to suggest your favorite nonprofit for a feature, contact us at [email protected]
At Big Brothers/Big Sisters Columbia Northwest‘s Baltazar Ortiz Community Mentoring Initiative, editor Elisa Klein visited with Danielle and her program little sister, Kyara.
The website, Charity Navigator is a research tool for donors and evaluates how charities use money. The organization also offers these tips for smart giving:
Be Proactive In Your Giving Smart givers generally don’t give reactively in a knee-jerk fashion. They don’t respond to the first organization that appeals for help. They take the time to identify which causes are most important to their families and they are specific about the change they want to affect. For example, they don’t just support generic cancer charities, but instead have targeted goals for their giving, such as providing mammograms to at-risk women in their community.
Hang Up The Phone / Eliminate The Middleman Informed donors recognize that for-profit fundraisers, those often used in charitable telemarketing campaigns, keep a large portion (in some cases all) of each dollar they collect (read our report about telemarketing for more specifics on the costs affiliated with this form of fundraising). Wise donors never give out their personal information – like credit card accounts, social security numbers – over the phone. If they like what they hear in the pitch, they’ll hang up, investigate the charity on-line and send their contribution directly to the charity, thereby cutting out the middleman and ensuring 100% of their donation reaches the charity. Taking it a step further, donors may want to reconsider supporting a charity that uses an inefficient telemarketing approach and instead identifies a charity that does not use telemarketing to raise funds.
Be Careful Of Sound-Alike Names Uninformed donors are easily confused by charities that have strikingly similar names to others. How many of us could tell the difference between an appeal from the Children’s Charity Fund and the Children’s Defense Fund? Their names sound the same, but their performances are vastly different. Would you be surprised to learn that the Children’s Charity Fund is a 0-star charity while the Children’s Defense Fund is a 3-star charity? Informed donors take the time to uncover the difference.
Confirm 501(c) (3) Status Wise donors don’t drop money into canisters at the checkout counter or hand over cash to solicitors outside the supermarket. Situations like these are irresistible to scam artists who wish to take advantage of your goodwill. Smart givers only support groups granted tax-exempt status under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator meet this basic requirement.
Check The Charity’s Commitment To Accountability & Transparency In 2011, Charity Navigator added an Accountability & Transparency dimension to its rating system. It tracks metrics such as whether the charity used an objective process to determine their CEO’s salary, whether it has an effective governance structure, and whether it has a whistleblower policy. This data is critical because charities that follow good governance and transparency practices are less likely to engage in unethical or irresponsible activities. So, the risk that such charities would misuse donations is lower than for charities that don’t adopt such practices.
Obtain Copies Of Its Financial Records Savvy donors know that the financial health of a charity is a strong indicator of the charity’s programmatic performance. They know that in most cause areas, the most efficient charities spend 75% or more of their budget on their programs and services and less than 25% on fundraising and administrative fees. However, they also understand that mid-to-large sized charities do require a strong infrastructure therefore a claim of zero fundraising and/or administrative fees is unlikely at best. They understand that a charity’s ability to sustain its programs over time is just as important as its short-term day-to-day spending practices. Therefore, savvy donors also seek out charities that can grow their revenue at least at the rate of inflation, that continue to invest in their programs and that have some money saved for a rainy day. All of this analysis is provided on Charity Navigator’s website for free, but when considering groups not found here, savvy donors ask the charity for copies of its three most recent Forms 990. Not only can the donor examine the charity’s finances, but the charity’s willingness to send the documents is a good way to assess its commitment to transparency.
Review Executive Compensation Sophisticated donors realize that charities need to pay their top leaders a competitive salary in order to attract and retain the kind of talent needed to run a multi-million dollar organization and produce results. But they also don’t just take the CEO’s compensation at face value; they benchmark it against similar-sized organizations engaged in similar work and located in the same region of the country. To help you make your own decision, Charity Navigator’s analysis reveals that the average CEO’s compensation of the charities we evaluate is almost $150,000. In general, salaries tend to be higher in the northeast and at arts and education charities. Sophisticated donors also put the CEO’s salary into context by examining the overall performance of the organization. They know it is better to contribute to a charity with a well-paid CEO that is meeting its goals than to support a charity with an underpaid CEO that fails to deliver on its promises. (Check out our CEO Compensation Study for more benchmarking data.)
Start A Dialogue To Investigate Its Programmatic Results Although it takes some effort on their part to assess a charity’s programmatic impact, donors who are committed to advancing real change believe that it is worth their time. Before they contribute, they talk with the charity to learn about its accomplishments, goals, and challenges. These donors are prepared to walk away from any charity that is unable or unwilling to participate in this type of conversation.
Concentrate Your Giving When it comes to financial investments, diversification is the key to reducing risk. The opposite is true for philanthropic investments. If you’ve taken the time to identify a well-run charity that is engaged in a cause that you are passionate about, you should then feel confident in giving it a donation. Spreading your money among multiple organizations not only results in your mailbox filling up with more appeals, but it also diminishes the possibility of any of those groups bringing about substantive change as each charity is wasting a percentage of your gift on processing expenses for that gift.
Share Your Intentions And Make A Long-Term Commitment Smart donors support their favorite charities for the long haul. They see themselves as a partner in the charity’s efforts to bring about change. They know that only with long-term, committed supporters can a charity be successful. And they don’t hesitate to tell the charity of their giving plans so that the organization knows it can rely on the donor and the charity doesn’t have to waste resources and harass the donor by sending numerous solicitations.
Cannon Beach, OR. SOLVE is organizing beach clean-ups over the holiday weekend. In past years, volunteers collected 850 pounds of debris after the 4th of July. Oregon Parks and Recreation has established 32 drop-offs locations for debris collected on the beach. Debris dropped off at the collection locations must be in official SOLVE bags, which can be picked up at any state park or transfer station in an Oregon coastal county. Here’s a list where you can help out.
Visitors flock to the tide-pools near Haystack Rock during low tide.
Fish, birds, and other aquatic life can mistake small bits of trash for food. This trash travels through the digestive system often resulting in malnutrition, entanglement, and strangulation.
Due to the increased use of plastic and other synthetic materials, marine debris is causing increasing damage to ocean ecosystems and wildlife. Scientists estimate that more than 5 million square miles of the Pacific Ocean is covered with trash, and most of it is believed to be made up of plastic remnants from the world’s shorelines.
SOLVE helps keep Oregon Beaches beautiful.
SOLVE is working with the Oregon Tsunami Debris Task Force which includes representatives of State Police, Parks, Environmental Quality, Fish and Wildlife, Public Health, Transportation and the Marine Board, as well as local and tribal governments, state legislators, community organizations, and federal agencies.
For more information on how to handle beach debris, here’s a website:
SOLVE is a non-profit organization that brings together proud Oregonians (native and newly-transplanted) to improve the environment and to build a legacy of stewardship. By making connections between individuals, business groups, and service and conservation groups through volunteering and education, we are building a stronger tomorrow for this place we all love. This place that, let’s face it, is pretty much the biggest reason why we came (or stayed) here in the first place. We’ll take care of it, together.
The organization originally called S.O.L.V. (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) was created by Governor Tom McCall and other community leaders in 1969 to address the need for community action in the ever-growing state. Today SOLVE is building on their vision with a strategic plan that will guide us as we work to improve the environment of Oregon and build a legacy of stewardship.
In response to what is becoming an unprecedented amount of marine debris in Oregon, SOLVE has taken a leading role with partners Surfrider Foundation, Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition, Oregon Sea Grant and Washed Ashore, in forming a plan for a coordinated response. Our group, collectively operating as the Oregon Marine Debris Team, is working in an effort to engage volunteers in cooperation with local, state and federal agencies in marine debris removal projects. A network of 32 drop-off sites on the Oregon coast are now ready to receive beach debris washing ashore from the tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011. The drop-off sites are free and are a combination of state parks and independent recycling and transfer stations located in every county. Visitors and residents can call 211 (or 1-800-SAFENET) to report tsunami debris they see on the beach. The drop-off sites will accept debris in official beach cleanup bags produced by SOLVE. Beach cleanup bags are available at state park campgrounds.There will also be an increased number of beach cleanups scheduled on the Oregon Coast. Join the Marine Debris Team volunteer list if you are interested in helping with this effort.
Pickup trash along the beach the next time you visit the beach. Bags are available at every state park and transfer station along the Oregon coast. Full bags can be left at beach debris drop-off points.
Organize a beach cleanup with SOLVE through the Project Oregon program.
Sign up to volunteer for ongoing beach cleanup efforts.
Portland, OR. April 29th, 2013. Glen Gilbert has been named the new Executive Director of Cascade AIDS Project (CAP). He will officially begin his role on May 1, 2013. Gilbert brings 18 years of experience in nonprofit management to his new position. Gilbert said, “I am thrilled to be joining CAP. There has never been a more optimistic and hopeful time to be part of the HIV/AIDS movement. This war is not over but it is winnable.
After 30 years, we can finally envision a reality in which HIV and AIDS are no longer part of our daily lives, but only part of our history.”
Prior to joining CAP, Gilbert served as Executive Director of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. In that role, he helped double revenues in three years, led a successful capital campaign, increased the agency’s endowment to $5 million, and successfully lobbied for legislation enabling used eyeglass distribution in Oregon. Gilbert has also served as a nonprofit management and executive transitions consultant to the Museum of Contemporary Craft and METRO; President and CEO of the Cascadia Region Green Building Council; President and CEO of the World Forestry Center and Museum; and Executive Director of the Berkeley Public Library Foundation. Gilbert lives in Portland with his wife Tori and children Marina and Matthew. He has been profiled in The Oregonian and The Seattle Times, and his writing has been published in The Boston Globe, and The San Francisco Examiner.
About Cascade AIDS Project Incorporated in 1985, Cascade AIDS Project (CAP) is the oldest and largest AIDS Service Organization in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Our mission is to prevent HIV infections, support and empower people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma. With a staff of 61, and a volunteer corps including nearly 800 individuals providing more than 29,000 hours of service each year, CAP manages a diverse array of programs and an annual budget of $6.1 million. Fifteen percent of CAP’s staff live with HIV, 25% identify from communities of color, and 30% are bilingual. Our programs serve the broad and diverse set of communities impacted by HIV, from community-specific
Portland, April 19, 2013. After a performance of the Portland Center Stage production of Clybourne Park, members of the Urban League of Portland Young Professionals and other leaders of Portland’s African-American community were invited to stay for a post-show reception. (Photo credit, Desirae MacGillivray)
Rachel Gilmer, Sita Symonette, Lailani Ovalles, Rebecca Naja, Cimone Schwoeffermann and Kamari Aykes.
Upbeat tunes were provided by DJ Rev Shines. Clybourne Park, now running at Portland Center Stage, explores issues of race and racism, gentrification, power and social class.
Portland Center Stage Board Member Rukaiyah Adams, Solamon Ibe and Sita Symonette.
Felicia Wells-Thomas and Nygil Thomas.
Here’s more information about The Urban League of Portland Young Professionals:
A Portland, Oregon based National Urban League volunteer auxiliary that targets young professionals ages 21-40 to empower their communities and change lives through the Urban League Movement.
Mission:
To support the Urban League Movement through our volunteerism, philanthropy and membership development.
Company Overview
The Urban League of Portland is a non-profit, community-based organization headquartered in north Portland and an affiliate of the National Urban League. Since 1945 we have advocated, served and empowered African Americans and other Oregonians to create an equitable place to work and live.
The Urban League of Portland YPs are a committed group of young professionals (aged 21 – 40) invested in the values and strategic goals of the Urban League of Portland. Those values include leadership development, education, healthcare, and elder care.
Portland, April 3rd, 2013. After a nationwide search and rigorous interview process, the board of Portland Children’s Museum is pleased to announce Ruth Shelly of Madison Children’s Museum as its new executive director.
board of Portland Children’s Museum is pleased to announce Ruth Shelly of Madison Children’s Museum as its new executive director.
“We are pleased to introduce and welcome Ruth as we look forward to an exciting new chapter in the life of the Portland Children’s Museum,” said Board President Shawn DuBurg. “Ruth is a lifetime advocate of locally focused organizational development, museum education, and outdoor play. She is enthusiastic about leading Portland Children’s Museum into its next decade of community service, and we are thrilled to have her as our next leader.”This announcement is the result of a thorough search, led by committed community leaders and board members. Interim Executive Director Carrie Hoops has led the organization since November 2013, and will facilitate the transition. Shelly will officially assume her new duties in mid-May, and friends and supporters of the Museum will have a chance to meet her on Saturday, May 11, at the Museum’s Be a Kid Again gala.“Portland Children’s Museum, the Opal School, and the Museum Center for Learning create a powerful combination that has the potential to demonstrate a new model of education for lifelong learners,” Shelly said. “The Museum’s location in beautiful Washington Park, enhanced by the prospect of its new Outdoor Adventure exhibit area, provides exciting opportunities to get kids outside for healthy physical and cognitive development. I look forward to working with the board, staff, and volunteers as we take this beloved community resource to its next level of excellence.”
Shelly is a lifelong museum professional who has worked as an exhibit director and administrator in museums across the country. In 2003, she returned to her native Wisconsin to serve as executive director for Madison Children’s Museum, where she led the museum’s move from small rented quarters to a donated 1929 department store building. Shelly and her staff exceeded the $10 million capital campaign goal.
Since opening in 2010, that museum has more than doubled its annual attendance, and nearly quadrupled its membership. With a fully accessible green roof, the museum is anticipated to be the first LEED-certified Wisconsin museum, and in 2011 won the National Medal for Museum and Library Service for its exemplary contributions to the community.
ABOUT PORTLAND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM Portland Children’s Museum is the museum that doesn’t act like a museum. You won’t find any velvet ropes inside, and playing with and touching our exhibits is strongly encouraged. Our main exhibit is the imagination of the children who play here. Every activity from permanent to travelling exhibits is designed to encourage children to play and wonder while they learn about themselves and the world around them. For more, visit portlandcm.org.
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