Financial Beginnings Oregon and Portland Parks Foundation Split $400,000 Bank of America Grant

Financial Beginnings Oregon and Portland Parks Foundation Split $400,000 Bank of America Grant

Portland, OR. Financial Beginnings Oregon and Portland Parks Foundation have been named the Bank of America 2019 Neighborhood Builders winners. The nonprofits are being recognized for providing essential services that benefit the Portland-area community and promote economic and social progress. Financial Beginnings will use the resources to reach an additional 5,000 Oregonians with free financial education. Portland Parks Foundation, a fundraising partner for Portland Parks & Recreation, plans to expand its Summer Free For All Lunch + Play program that brings free, healthy meals to parks with their funds.

Through the Neighborhood Builders program, each nonprofit receives $200,000 in flexible funding, a year of leadership training for the executive director and an emerging leader at the organization, a network of peer organizations across the country and volunteering support from BofA.

“We recognize the critical role that local nonprofits play to build pathways to economic progress in the Portland community. Through Neighborhood Builders, we connect nonprofits like Financial Beginnings Oregon and the Portland Parks Foundation to the funding and leadership development resources they need to further scale their impact,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America’s Market President in Oregon and Southwest Washington. “Both of these nonprofits do extraordinary work, so I am pleased we are able to bring forward this additional support at a particularly strategic time for them.”

Financial Beginnings Oregon will use its award to establish the “Bank of America Financial Empowerment Fellowship.” With Bank of America’s funds, they will recruit and train a cohort of diverse student leaders each year to serve as Fellows. Fellows will receive leadership and skills training, and will then bring financial education programs back into their own communities. Overall, the organization anticipates the Fellows will provide free financial education to an additional 5,000 Oregonians each year.

“The $200,000 investment will help us reach more Oregonians with critical financial literacy training,” said Kate Benedict, Executive Director of Financial Beginnings Oregon. “We know that communities learn best from a member of their own community. The Bank of America Financial Empowerment Fellowship is our chance to make sure Portland-area communities attain valuable financial teachings from their own student leaders. This program will help us reach significantly more Oregonians than ever with life-changing, free financial education programs.”

The Portland Parks Foundation — Portland Parks & Recreation’s (PP&R) nonprofit fundraising partner — will use the funding to significantly expand PP&R’s Summer Free For All Lunch + Play program, which brings free, healthy meals to parks in communities where 50 percent or more of kids under 18 are eligible for free-and-reduced lunches. The program serves as a nutritional bridge during the summer months for kids who rely on school lunches. Additionally, the Neighborhood Builders investment will enable the purchase and design of customized vehicles to deliver needed community services via PP&R’s Mobile Lunch + Play program in neighborhoods without good access to parks.

“Thanks to Bank of America, thousands more Portland children will receive a free, healthy meal,” says Portland Parks Commissioner Nick Fish. “The Neighborhood Builders grant strengthens our long-standing partnership with Bank of America. Thanks to our philanthropic partner the Portland Parks Foundation and to Roger Hinshaw and Monique Barton at Bank of America for their commitment to Portland families.”

Randy Gragg, Portland Parks Foundation’s Executive Director, added: “The Bank of America Neighborhood Builders grant will allow us to bring a lot of the fun of a park directly to kids, right where they live. With our city growing so quickly, Mobile Lunch + Play is a fast, effective and innovative way to better serve more of our city’s children and reach new neighborhoods.”

Monique Barton, senior vice president at Bank of America in Portland, added that both nonprofits have long histories of partnering with Bank of America through traditional foundation grants that span many years. Over that time, both nonprofits consistently demonstrated impact, reach and successful two-way partnership. “We remain impressed by the visions of Financial Beginnings and the Portland Parks Foundation. They are both doing tremendous work to elevate opportunities available to young people in Portland, and we look forward to seeing what more they’re able to achieve with this additional investment,” Barton said. “The programs they are earmarking the funds for, are very worthy causes with the potential to make a real difference in helping local youth and families.”

From Bank of America:

At Bank of America, we’re guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We’re delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It’s demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News). For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom. Click here to register for news email alerts.

Financial Beginnings:

Founded in 2005, Financial Beginnings Oregon is a nonprofit organization that provides free financial education programs across the state. Our mission is to empower youth and adults to take control of their financial futures. To accomplish this, we partner with schools and community-based organizations across the state to provide free financial education to the communities they serve, preparing participants of all ages to make important financial decisions wisely and well. Learn more about Financial Beginnings Oregon at www.finbegor.org and connect with us on Twitter at @finbegor.

Portland Parks Foundation:

The Portland Parks Foundation is dedicated to connecting Portlanders to nature and to each other through the city’s parks, public spaces and natural areas. We lead, develop partnerships and raise money to fund new facilities, enhance existing ones, and support programs to put our parks system within reach of all. We are the chief philanthropic partner of Portland Parks & Recreation, which helps Portlanders play by providing the safe places, facilities and programs that promote physical, mental and social activity. Since our founding in 2001, PPF’s impact has stretched across the entire city. For more information on Portland Parks & Recreation’s Mobile Lunch + Play and other Summer Free For All programs, please click here.​

30th Annual Classic Wines Auction Raises Record $3.4 million

30th Annual Classic Wines Auction Raises Record $3.4 million

Portland, March 1st, 2014. More than 950 attended  the 30th Annual Classic Wines Auction and that was a new record. At the event, Greg Goodwin, CEO of Kuni Automotive, handed the keys to the BMW i8 to winner Linda Dahl as guests help celebrate the bidding action. The gala at the Oregon Convention Center raised a record $3.4 million to support youth and families in five different charities in Portland and Southwest Washington.
Honorary Chair John von Schlegell joins Honorary Washington Wine Ambassadors Darcy Fugman-Small and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon.

Honorary Chair John von Schlegell joins Honorary Washington Wine Ambassadors Darcy Fugman-Small and Rick Small of Woodward Canyon.

Honorary Wine Ambassador Veronique Drouhin-Boss, representing both Maison Joseph Drouhin (France) and Domaine Drouhin Oregon joins California Honorary Wine Ambassador, Barbara Banke, of Jackson Family Wines.

Honorary Wine Ambassador Veronique Drouhin-Boss, representing both Maison Joseph Drouhin (France) and Domaine Drouhin Oregon joins California Honorary Wine Ambassador, Barbara Banke, of Jackson Family Wines.

CWA Board member Chris Hermann actively participates in the BMW i8 bidding and purchases the second one (a surprise offer from Kuni Automotive).

CWA Board member Chris Hermann actively participates in the BMW i8 bidding and purchases the second one (a surprise offer from Kuni Automotive).

 Linda Rae Hickey, CWA Raise your Paddle Chair and Emeritus Board Member, encourages the audience to help reach a record-breaking goal of $1 million in Raise your Paddle donations.  For the 1st time in CWA history, that goal was achieved!

Linda Rae Hickey, CWA Raise your Paddle Chair and Emeritus Board Member, encourages the audience to help reach a record-breaking goal of $1 million in Raise your Paddle donations. For the 1st time in CWA history, that goal was achieved!

Guests admired the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car donated by Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW.

Guests admired the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car donated by Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW.

Brian Wineke, Managing Director of U.S. Trust, and Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America President, encourage the crowd to give generously.

Brian Wineke, Managing Director of U.S. Trust, and Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America President, encourage the crowd to give generously.

This year’s partner charities include Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, Friends of the Children-Portland, YWCA Clark County and Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel.
A wide range of packages, vintage wines and international excursions were auctioned off during the course of the night. The highlight of the auction and the evening was the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. Two bidders in Portland each paid $240,000 for cars for a total of $480,000. Donated by presenting sponsors, Kuni Automotive and Kuni BMW, they are the first BMW i8s to be sold in the Pacific Northwest and two of only 900 that will be sold in the U.S. this year.
In 2013, the event raised $2.9 million. Established in 1984, the auction has raised more than $33 million and assisted over 700,000 children and families.
Dress for Success Oregon Launches Empowerment Breakfast: In Her Shoes

Dress for Success Oregon Launches Empowerment Breakfast: In Her Shoes

Portland, October 9th, 2013. Over 260 people attended Dress for Success Oregon’s inaugural Empowerment Breakfast which drew supporters like  Tom Kelly from Neil Kelly; Barb Attridge, Co-Founder and Executive
Director of Dress for Success Oregon and Theressa Dulaney from Comcast. The event at the Governor Hotel raised over $40,000 featured an educational panel presentation with businesses and individuals coming together to discuss how generational poverty affects our community and how Dress for Success Oregon is making an impact by helping low-income women gain employment, independence and self-worth. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

Panelists: Erinn Kelley-Siel, Department of Human Services; Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America; Dr. Donna Beegle, Communication Across Barriers; Cylvia Hayes, First Lady of Oregon.

Panelists: Erinn Kelley-Siel, Department of Human Services; Roger
Hinshaw, Bank of America; Dr. Donna Beegle, Communication Across
Barriers; Cylvia Hayes, First Lady of Oregon.

Ken Thrasher, Compli Inc. and Nicki Nickoloff, Wells Fargo Bank and Dress for Success Oregon Board Member.

Ken Thrasher, Compli Inc. and Nicki Nickoloff, Wells Fargo Bank and
Dress for Success Oregon Board Member.

Monique Barton, Roger Hinshaw, and Nicole Frisch from Bank of America.

Monique Barton, Roger Hinshaw, and Nicole Frisch from Bank of America.

Sandra Etlinger; Karen Fishel, Co-Founder of Dress for Success Oregon and Vice-President of Board; Lori Hickox.

Sandra Etlinger; Karen Fishel, Co-Founder of Dress for Success Oregon
and Vice-President of Board; Lori Hickox.

From Dress for Success:

Dress for Success Oregon is a nonprofit organization that has been helping low-income women successfully transition back into the workforce since 1999. 

We promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

 

Classic Wines Auction Hands out 1.7 Million to Delighted Nonprofits

Classic Wines Auction Hands out 1.7 Million to Delighted Nonprofits

Portland, July 2nd. The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. handed out 1.7 million dollars to four worthy local nonprofits. Classic Wine Auction (CWA), presented by Bank of America and US Trust, delivered a check for $455,000 to Metropolitan Family Services (MFS) . The donation will help MFS continue to service 37,000 low-income individuals and families. Pictured (from right to left) are: George Hosfield, CWA Board Member; Karen Hinsdale, CWA Board Member; Eva Kripalani, MFS Board Vice Chair; Jim Fitzhenry, CWA Board Member; Keith Barnes, CWA Board Member; Krista Larson, MFS Executive Director; and Heather Martin, CWA Executive Director.

Metropolitan Family Service is the original auction beneficiary and remains highly involved with CWA to this day. “With the support of the community, the Classic Wines Auction has been able to help four charities serve roughly 44,000 children and families annually in Oregon and southwest Washington,” said Roger Hinshaw, Bank of America President of Oregon & Southwest Washington. “I am so honored to be part of an organization that gives back to such deserving charities as Metropolitan Family Services.”

Brian Rice (New Avenue's Board President and KeyBank District President), and Roger Hinshaw (CWA Board Member and Bank of America president of Oregon & Southwest Washington) display the over-sized check of $505,000 presented to  New Avenues for Youth from the Classic Wines Auction.

Brian Rice (New Avenue’s Board President and KeyBank District President), and Roger Hinshaw (CWA Board Member and Bank of America president of Oregon & Southwest Washington) display the over-sized check of $505,000 presented to New Avenues for Youth from the Classic Wines Auction.

The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. delivered a check for $505,000 to New Avenues for Youth. The amount reflected the second largest disbursement New Avenues has received from CWA in more than eight years. New Avenues is a Portland-based nonprofit that prevents and intervenes in youth homelessness.

 

Heather Martin (Classic Wines Auction Executive Director),Terri Sorensen (FOTC Executive Director) and Ken Thrasher (FOTC Board Chair) display the donation from the Classic Wines Auction,.

Heather Martin (Classic Wines Auction Executive Director),Terri Sorensen (Friends of the Children Executive Director) and Ken Thrasher (FOTC Board Chair) display the donation from the Classic Wines Auction.

The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. delivered a check for $390,000 to Friends of the Children, representing the largest distribution from CWA to FOTC since 2008. Friends of the Children is a Portland-based nonprofit that provides vulnerable children a nurturing and sustained relationship with a professional mentor who teaches positive values and has attainable expectations for each child to become healthy, productive members of the community.

 

The donation to YWCA Clark County from the Classic Wines Auction (CWA) is proudly displayed by: Paul Vogel, CWA Board Member (Pacific Power); DJ Wilson, CWA Board Member (KGW Media Group); Heather Martin, CWA Executive Director; Sherri Bennet, YWCA Clark County Executive Director; and Kelly Walsh, YWCA Clark County Board President (Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt) (pictured from right to left).

The donation to YWCA Clark County from the Classic Wines Auction (CWA) is proudly displayed (from right to left) by: Paul Vogel, CWA Board Member (Pacific Power); DJ Wilson, CWA Board Member (KGW Media Group); Heather Martin, CWA Executive Director; Sherri Bennet, YWCA Clark County Executive Director; and Kelly Walsh, YWCA Clark County Board President (Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt)

The Classic Wines Auction, Inc. delivered a check for $350,000 to YWCA Clark County on June 27, 2012. The donation amount represents roughly fifty percent of YWCA Clark County’s philanthropic-related income for the year.

 

The majority of the funds given out were raised during the annual Classic Wines Auction fundraising gala this March. As one of the largest fundraisers in Oregon, CWA is dedicated to producing premiere food and wine events to raise funds for local charities.

CWA partners with organizations with the following characteristics: mission compatibility, effective organizational management, sound financial practices, board-led fundraising, sustainability and a solid volunteer network.