2023 Embracing Change – Transforming Philanthropy: Call for Speakers   Since 2020, there have been unprecedented challenges in every aspect of philanthropy. Philanthropy has had to pivot in response to the global pandemic, racial reckoning throughout the country, wildfires in the west and economic uncertainty.  This year, Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington is seeking...

I’m honored to share my story with you about the personal experiences that led me to a life in the world of philanthropy. I was born to a mother who was born and raised on the Grand Ronde Reservation. She lived there all her life, until the age of 35, when the Tribe was terminated...

I officially joined the professional world of philanthropy in 2017. I was drawn to my role as an equity and education focused program officer, driven by the idea of broader, deeper impact for students and educators across my state. But this new opportunity came with a difficult reality. As a former public school teacher and...

Elisa Harrigan shares about her experience as a Hispanic Laitina and the importance of the values provided by her heritage; family, resiliency and service to others.  

The persistent question, “where are you from?” is commonly asked of people of color everywhere in the U.S. and while often unintentional, it is rather a statement with a question mark that tells people, “you do not belong.” In Oregon, this implicit statement can carry even more painful undertones and impact given the state’s history...

I started writing this piece in hopes of highlighting the vibrancy, resiliency, and rich diversity of my Latinx community. My research began by googling “Latinos in the U.S.” Instead of greatness, however, I was slapped with thousands of articles and reports painting a bleak picture of our community: Latinxs are less likely than non-Hispanic Whites...

Reflecting on My Experience: In and Out of philanthropy As someone that grew up in extreme poverty, I often get asked what it’s like to be an insider in the world of philanthropy. I’m still trying to figure it out. I guess you can say, I’m in-between—a space I’m very familiar with as an immigrant...

What a month it has been! I am officially one year (and one month) into my philanthropy career after having always been on the nonprofit/grantee side. While switching sectors during a pandemic brought unique challenges, I am thankful for the opportunities that have presented themselves and that I was ready for. One of those opportunities...

My Experience as a Grantmaker May 1, 2018 was special for me, as it was my first official day to be in a paid job as a grantmaker. That day I became the manager of Metro Parks + Nature’s Community Investments and Partnerships team, which implements two grants programs, and administers a capital assets funding...

It was 1985, during Ronald Reagan’s second term as president, when I set foot in the United States for the first time at 18 years old. I didn’t know what destiny held in store for me, but I was full of hope at being able to move forward. My path was difficult, and I lived...

We are thrilled to announce that after an extensive CEO search process that spanned over six months, we have hired Dashiell Elliott as Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington’s next CEO. Dashiell is a philanthropic and social impact creative who is invested in equity and accessibility to resources that can increase the capacity and strengthen...

Pride month is always an interesting time of year working at an LGBTQ+ community foundation. It is a time of celebration, joy, connection, and remembrance for our community, and also the time when LGBTQ+ folks are most recognized and highlighted. This visibility is critical for our community—as it is in all of the months that...

It was only three days after the killing of eight people in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian women, that I was announced as the new leader of The Collins Foundation. I had already been affected by the stories of brutal attacks of Asian people around the country, considering whether or not I should continue...

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and it pays tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. As a Sansei (third generation) of Japanese immigrants to Hawaii, I am honored and humbled to share my own journey with you....

Dear GOSW Members, By now, we hope that you have received the announcement that our President & CEO, Kendall Clawson will be leaving GOSW for an incredible opportunity with Group Health Foundation. For the nearly 4 years that Kendall has been with GOSW, the Board of Directors has had the pleasure of working side by...

Dear GOSW Members… I hope that you are all enjoying the spring and that you are finding your new rhythms as we rebalance from our COVID existences. As the spring typically exemplifies, there is new growth and change happening all around us, and I am writing to share some news of growth and change with...

Hussain was middle office manager for North America at PIMCO PORTLAND, OR, April 20, 2021 – Sohel Hussain has joined Meyer Memorial Trust, which has an endowment of approximately $1B USD, as the first ever Director of Investment Operations. Hussain most recently oversaw the Middle Office team at PIMCO, a global investment management firm focusing...

When I was a young child, growing up in the safe suburbs of Oklahoma and Southern California, I was perplexed at how my parents seemed to see dangers everywhere. It wasn’t until I was much older that I learned about their own childhoods, growing up amidst the turbulence of war in Vietnam, and how those...

The American chapter of my family began a quarter century ago. My father moved to Huntsville, Alabama in the early 1990’s to pursue a master’s degree in the United States. My mother would raise two kids in America and work as a successful career software engineer — eleven years of that career at Intel. My...

On Wednesday, March 24, Americans acknowledged Equal Pay Day, a day which shine’s a light on the continued gap in salaries between men and women. Just as a start, let’s take note of the actual data. In the United States, white women on average make only 82 cents for every dollar made by an average...

Like too many in America, despite being born here, I have often felt like the Other. Though I grew up in a racially diverse town, I was brown in a world that only seemed to recognize Black and white. I learned the carols for Christmas, then the dreidel song for Hanukkah, and as time went...

As I reflect on the recent increase in violence against Asian Americans, I am confronted with my own journey of belonging in the United States. As a first generation Indian American, I routinely navigate a complicated terrain of interpersonal questions and assumptions about identity, family, community, and a vision of ‘the American Dream.’ The sacrifices...

On March 21, 1910 — more than a century ago — a mob of two hundred white residents of St Johns, then an independent town just north of Portland, attacked a small community of Indian immigrants who had arrived at the tail end of the nineteenth century to work at the local lumber mills. The...

As a woman, I am constantly reminded of what it is like to feel unsafe. I often plan to do my errands during daylight hours, am mindful of the lighting in parking lots, and never put myself in a position where I could be surprised. To a degree, there are factors that I can control,...

A few weeks ago, I called my mom, as I often do, on my way to the Japanese market to ask what she wanted me to pick up for her. The market has been a vital source of connection to our culture and community, often the only place we can find the foods that are...

In 2020, the local government I work for adopted anti-racism and equity as core values (alongside transparency, communication, collaboration and fiscal responsibility). This was, in part, in response to the pandemics of racism and COVID-19. We have heard similar words before, including the 14th amendment, Civil Rights Act, and Voting Rights Act. Yet none would...

White nationalism and anti-Asian hate have been a part of America since the Chinese immigrants arrived in the 1800s. It is nothing new. The pandemic exacerbated hate against Asians and Pacific Islanders (API). We know from history that in times of crisis, people project blame onto a group or race. In the case of this...

I remember, back when I worked in a newsroom, standing in the office kitchen making tea one morning, and a man I had never seen before approached me and thanked me for the coffee I had apparently shared with him. Confused, I walked back to my desk, opened my computer and sent a message to...

My parents opened some of the first Chinese restaurants in Upper Michigan, and I was one of those kids from an immigrant family that was often in the back eating snacks and doing homework. One dish called the Triple Delight with stir fried vegetables, shrimp, chicken, and beef in a brown sauce was the star...

Anti–Asian hatred, violence and discrimination from the neighborhood to the workplace has been deeply sown into the soil and roots of this nation. The threat of harm and worrying about potential harm has always loomed over my experience as an Asian American since I came here from India at 4 years old. My mother worked...

Imagine the courage it takes to deliberately get yourself arrested in order to protest an unfair law. On March 28, 1942, Minoru Yasui, purposefully broke the curfew established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt under Executive Order 9066, that restricted dusk to dawn movement of Nationals from Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as all Americans...

Next month, we are presenting a learning event in partnership with the GOSW Collaborative for Older Adults that will focus on the impact of COVID on our elders. For 2 years, GOSW has been working with this group of funders who have prioritized being in service to elders in our community. As we prepared for...

Mr. President, Dr. Biden, Madam Vice President, Mr. Emhoff, Americans and the world, when day comes we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade? The loss we carry asea we must wade. We’ve braved the belly of the beast. We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace. In the norms and notions...

Today, January 15th, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King would have celebrated his 92nd birthday. And as I thought about Dr. King on the day of his birth, I wondered what he would think about where we are as Americans today. Certainly, we have seen immense changes that have uplifted Black people throughout the world....

About AGE+  AGE+ is a growing organization with a new vision for aging in Oregon. Our focus is on  community empowerment, capacity building and systems change. We believe in the strengths and abilities of people and communities to build sustainable, replicable models of support for  older adults and their families. Our programs primarily focus on...

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, 10-11am | REGISTRATION Join us for a virtual event to mark the official release of the Willamette River Initiative evaluation report. We’re thrilled to invite Steve Patty and Jessamyn Luiz from Dialogues in Action to share the findings of their in-depth investigation into the impact of the WRI, Meyer Memorial Trust’s funding...

Hello, GOSW members… It has been a couple of weeks since we gathered for Restore: A Virtual Gathering for Philanthropy, and truth be told, I am still buzzing from our time together. I knew this in the back of my mind, but I have to say out loud that it was really nice to see...

PGE Project Zero launches to empower the next generation of Oregonians to create cleaner, greener, more equitable communities New initiative from Portland General Electric and the PGE Foundation to provide young people with opportunities to learn, work and make a difference   PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 6, 2020  — Portland General Electric and its philanthropic arm,...

Wednesday morning, I woke up in a veil of grey. The fall equinox had begun, and the slow-rising sun and the quiet ticking of rain on my rooftop announced the annual transition that is a part of life in the Pacific Northwest. We are used to this shift, and for many of us, we welcome...

Announced September 16, 2020 Today Governor Brown announced a new program to provide masks and gloves to small business in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Governor, in partnership with the Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board, allocated $10 million from the federal CARES Act funding for the purchase of protective supplies. The state of Oregon...

Kimberly Howard champions education for PGE and Oregon Announced 8/20/2020 This week, Kimberly Howard, principal Corporate Social Responsibility specialist, takes on the prestigious role as chair of the State Board of Education, which is charged by Gov. Kate Brown to provide leadership and vision for Oregon’s public schools and districts by enacting equitable policies and practices that...

The magic superpowers of Portland’s parks system are the 200+ non-profit, volunteer, and grassroots groups devoted to stewarding and developing programs for and in individual parks, natural areas, community gardens and community centers. On September 26, Portland Parks Foundation, in partnership with Portland Parks & Recreation, invites members of these groups to join together virtually for...

Oregon businesses join coalition to provide aid, strengthen the economy and alleviate hardship for immigrant Oregonians impacted by COVID-19.   PORTLAND, Ore.— The Oregon Worker Relief Fund coalition announced Tuesday that New Seasons Market and Portland General Electric Foundation (PGE Foundation) have each committed $25,000 to support the Oregon Worker Relief Fund. The additional funds come...

    Portland has been captivating the entire country for months—with daily protests being used as a lightning rod for President Trump and white nationalists. Now, the city is poised to pass one of the most sweeping police accountability measures in November. If successful, this overhaul would be one of the most progressive and community-controlled oversights and...

Gov. Kate Brown today announced the three largest Oregon philanthropic foundations have established the 2020 Community Rebuilding Fund as a place to bring private and philanthropic donations together to work collectively for Oregonians whose communities have been leveled by wildfires this season. The goal: to gather resources and begin planning for what comes next after...

As of Thursday afternoon, an estimated 500,000 Oregonians have fled their homes, and temporary shelters have opened up across the state. Here is a list of temporary shelters: Clackamas County Fires The temporary evacuation point at Clackamas County Community College in Oregon City is being moved since it’s under Level 2 evacuation orders. Evacuees are...

As they continue funding organizations and efforts that are focused on BIPOC, Immigrant, Tribal communities, and social/racial, justice our partners at the MRG Foundation are supporting the following wildfire relief funds:   The Since Time Immemorial Fund “Nearly every, if not all, Tribes in the Northwest have reservation land or culturally significant land that is...

During Oregon’s wildfires and safety evacuations, it is important to take precautions to avoid spreading COVID-19, particularly for those in isolation or quarantine due to a positive diagnosis or exposure to the virus. The first priority in wildfire situations is responding to the evacuation and safety instructions of local and state fire officials – and heeding their warnings....

Greater Douglas United Way (541) 672-1734 https://gduway.org/ Roseburg OR Tillamook County United Way (503) 676-3770 tcuw@tillamookcountyunitedway.org Tillamook OR United Way of Central Oregon (541) 389-6507 https://www.unitedwaycentraloregon.org/ Bend OR United Way of Clatsop County (503) 325-1961 http://www.clatsopunitedway.org/ Astoria OR United Way of Columbia County (503) 556-3614 http://unitedwayofcolumbiacounty.com/ Ranier OR United Way of Jackson County, Inc. (541)...

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“Ordinary people with extraordinary vision can redeem the soul of America by getting in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.” –John R. Lewis Dear GOSW Members It has been a few weeks since we have been in community with one another, and as days of July come to a close and we prepare to...

The Penney Family Fund‘s third- and fourth-generation board members have voted to increase their grant payout to 10% from 2021-2023. With the converging global crises—the COVID pandemic, an awakening to police violence and systemic racism, climate change, and a consequential 2020 election in the United States—PFF believes that the time is now to begin the journey of...

We are excited to announce that The Resource Connector (TRC) generated over $600,000 in funding for nonprofits from throughout the state and in a variety of disciplines. Funders will continue to have access to this tool to identify and fund nonprofits in need. We knew going into this that TRC was a new concept that...

Hello, GOSW Members As summer has officially arrived, we recognize that we are still living in a great deal of uncertainty, both with our ever-shifting experience with COVID-19 and our efforts to address systemic racism in our country. Summer, normally filled with a ritualized escape into the Pacific NW sunshine, now has a curious new...

I was 5 years old when I recognized the difference between my parents. It wasn’t based on the fact that their skin tones were different. Or that my mom has beautiful blue eyes and my dad has lovely chocolate ones. It had nothing to do with the obvious physical characteristics that we so urgently assign...

It has been a month since the brutal murder of George Floyd. Over these past few weeks I have felt incredible grief over what transpired in those agonizing and grueling 8 minutes and 46 seconds. Since then, I have been overcome with sadness that often feels like rage. I think a lot about the complexity...

I grew up in Portland before it became the progressive haven people now believe it to be. For people of color there has always been, and continues to be, fewer opportunities, limited access to basic services, and risk of displacement. I came out as a gay man in my early 20s, although to be honest,...

This week, we felt that it was important to continue the conversation we have been having for the past few weeks by exploring the intersection of being Black and a member of the LGBTQ+ community. In pre-pandemic times, during the month of June, LGBTQ+ people would come from all over our region to gather at...

The past three months have been a crazy time in our lives, and I don’t think that I have experienced such a convergence of cataclysmic cultural shifts in my entire life. There have been some amazing things that have arisen as we have navigated these challenges as a community. Whether it is beginning the collective...

Regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision on DACA, everybody should fill out the Census. It’s a tool for change and a way to ensure immigrant communities have resources/human rights they need, build political power (especially for those who are unable to vote), see full messaging here.    DACA messaging and guidance: United We Dream Decision...

Last week, GOSW presented the voices of 5 incredible Black women who shared their perspectives as Black people in leadership in philanthropy. As the community conversation continues about issues related to race and racism, we have committed to further engage our members in an ongoing dialogue during this critical moment in our history. This has...

It’s almost impossible for me to talk about the George Floyd killing and what we are engulfed in without shutting down. I’m weary, frustrated and angry, at “them” and equally at me for believing that my family’s and my Black community’s place in this nation was ever going to change. Will the day ever come...

The recent case of Amy Cooper, a White woman in New York City’s Central Park, who threatened to call the police on Christian Cooper, a black man, to say he was “threatening” her and her dog, despite video evidence to the contrary is a constant reminder to my personal story as a black man in...

I am a Black man, running a culturally specific, nonprofit organization, in Portland, Oregon. That sentence in and of itself is almost oxymoronic as, in our region, there are few Black men, fewer culturally specific nonprofits, and even fewer still Executive Directors of such entities. How I got to this place is a circuitous tale...

At the age of 7, in New Orleans, I remember the police driving through the neighborhood, my grandma’s house. And even though I didn’t have a clear understanding of the history of Black people and the police, I recall that people “acted different.” From those moments and observations, I developed a fear and anxiety for...

Racism is a pandemic. But we can cure it if people in power have the commitment. I am an immigrant from Chad, Africa. I lived in Oregon for the last 21 years. Six months after living in Portland, I was pulled over by 3 police cars while leaving my job at the airport. Three police...

As a native Oregonian, growing up in “the numbers” and living in a predominately white environment, I was different. Sports gave me an outlet and an opportunity to fit in even though I was not like most of my other classmates. Like many black boys, I wanted to use sports as my way out of...

The murder of George Floyd, like every racist police killing that preceded it, hits every Black person at a deeply personal level. Every Black mother is filled with both rage at the murderers and fear for her children; and I am no exception. And yet, the anxiety and disquiet that I feel is heightened to...

At the tender age of four years old, my Mom and I were at the Portland Children’s Museum for a painting art class. The instructor directed all of the children to be sure to clean off their brushes after using each color, dipping them in water after each use and not to mix the colors...

I’ve lived in Oregon for ten years, but I’ve never felt more comfortable here than I have in the last two months. I realized recently that it’s because I’ve been in my own home, in my neighborhood, only visiting my local parks and grocery stores – the only people I encounter are people I know,...

I’ll keep it simple because I am tired, angry, beleaguered, saddened, and currently numb to empty apologies because they’re meaningless without action. There is no justification, no excuse, no reason for, nor rationale that explains away the continued state sanctioned killings of black people at the hands of authorities. I have read hundreds of texts,...

The past ten days have been pretty challenging for me. The blatant murder of another Black man, this time in broad daylight…and right in front of our faces, still sits in my mind. The video told the story in real time. The sounds of George Floyd’s voice as he cried out for humanity from the...

The recent deaths of Black people across the country is staggeringly familiar. I wonder, how many times do I have to process this? How many times do I have to feel the rise of anxiety that swells through my belly, explodes through my heart and mind, and causes me to freeze in place and silently...

I am a writer. On my bookshelves are hundreds of works celebrating, examining and dissecting blackness and the condition it imposes in this country. The second largest genre of book on my shelves are dictionaries. French, Italian, Chinuk Wawa, the Oxford English Dictionary. I care about words. And I’m ready to jettison some of them....

We are hearing from a lot of our members about how they are changing their giving in response to COVID-19. Stories inspire and we want to share some of them with you. Each week, we will introduce you to a member of GOSW who has responded to COVID-19 and what that looks like through sharing.GOSW...

We are hearing from a lot of our members about how they are changing their giving in response to COVID-19. Stories inspire and we want to share some of them with you. Each week, we will introduce you to a member of GOSW who has responded to COVID-19 and what that looks like through sharing....

We are hearing from a lot of our members about how they are changing their giving in response to COVID-19. Stories inspire and we want to share some of them with you. Each week, we will introduce you to a member of GOSW who has responded to COVID-19 and what that looks like through sharing....

We are hearing from a lot of our members about how they are changing their giving in response to COVID-19. Stories inspire and we want to share some of them with you. Each week, we will introduce you to a member of GOSW who has responded to COVID-19 and what that looks like through sharing....

We are hearing from a lot of our members about how they are changing their giving in response to COVID-19. Stories inspire and we want to share some of them with you. Each week, we will introduce you to a member of GOSW who has responded to COVID-19 and what that looks like through sharing....

ABOUT CECP Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose® (CECP) is a CEO-led coalition that believes that a company’s social strategy—how it engages with key stakeholders including employees, communities, investors, and customers—determines company success. Founded in 1999 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman and other business leaders to create a better world through business, CECP has grown...

The public-private partnership will support local civic leaders in developing solutions to address budget shortfalls threatening critical public services FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 6, 2020 Caitlin Baggott (503) 804-7644 caitlin@northstarcivic.org Salem, Ore.—A group of Oregon foundations including Meyer Memorial Trust, North Star Civic Foundation, Northwest Health Foundation, United Way of the Columbia Willamette, and The...

Cambia Health Foundation Awards $1.6 Million to Build Health Equity Grants support innovative whole-person care strategies focused on eliminating disparities   Cambia Health Foundation is committed to partnering with visionary organizations to foster a person-focused, accessible, and economically sustainable health care system that empowers everyone to achieve optimum health.  We are excited to announce 14...

For centuries, Native communities have been part of the land we call America. For more than five hundred years, these communities have demonstrated resilience and resistance in violent efforts to separate them from their land, culture and each other. Honor Native Land: A Guide and Call to Acknowledgment is a short and instructive document that...

The Census Equity Fund of Oregon is currently accepting applications for Census Assistance Centers (CACs) serving Hard to Count (HTC) populations across the state. CACs provide an effective on-the-ground presence for the 2020 census in order to raise public awareness, deliver trustworthy information, and provide options for self-respondents to receive questionnaire support. CACs are one...

Tuesday, November 12, 2019 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Place: Smith Memorial 3rd Floor Ballroom – Portland State University: 1825 SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97201-3256   Please join us for a symposium that will emphasize the importance of the 2020 Census, highlight what individuals and groups can do to prepare for the census in their...

Meyer Memorial Trust and GOSW are excited to announce that we have joined in collaboration to host a new peer learning pilot to share and gain practical strategies to advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within your foundation! The DEI Communities of Practice pilot will run for one year and is open to participants who are...

Portland, OR – A unique community model, the first of its kind in the nation and inspired by the mother and advocate of a teenager with intellectual and physical disabilities, received catalytic funding from the Wayne D. Kuni & Joan E. Kuni Foundation. Our Home, Inclusive Community Collaborative, founded by Alicia DeLashmutt, received $1 million...

In 2016, the Building Movement Project conducted a national survey on race and leadership in nonprofits. The data from that survey led to the development of the popular Race to Lead report series (http://racetolead.org/). This summer, the Race to Lead survey is back! By participating, you will contribute to one of the largest existing data...

Funds will support consumer and credit-building loans to help Oregon families overcome financial emergencies and build financial resiliency. Portland, OR. —Catholic Charities of Oregon (Catholic Charities) was awarded a $500,000 loan from Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) to help launch a consumer loan fund. This investment creates a critical new resource that provides consumer and credit-building...

On July 29th, GOSW was proud to attend the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Meyer Memorial Trust’s new headquarters that will be located at 2045 North Vancouver Avenue in North Portland. the 20,000-foot structure, just northeast of the Broadway Bridge, that will house office space for about 50 staff and feature a library, educational garden and convening...

The Standard’s volunteer expo is a free event that brings nonprofits together in one place, helping Oregonians discover service and donation opportunities that fit their skills and interest. It was also great to see GOSW members from Oregon Humanities and the Portland Parks Foundation in attendance!

Ewnetu Tsegaw was born and raised in Bahirdar, Ethiopia, where he completed his elementary, high school and undergraduate education. After completing his graduate studies in Peace and Security Studies at Addis Ababa University in 2013, he moved to Idaho to pursue further education. Following the completion of his graduate studies in Pocatello, Idaho, he moved...

There are few institutions more privileged than philanthropy. Such privilege can make us think we have the luxury of time and an infinite amount of resources. We know neither are true.  We recognize that when it comes to health, too many of our friends, family and neighbors don’t have the luxury of time. Historic and...

When the first Black president headed into the White House, Americans were imagining their nation as colorblind and went so far as to call it post-racial. With the arrival of Donald Trump, many people are awakening and seeing racial reality for the first time. With opened minds, people are actively trying to understand racism. In...

The Census Equity Funders Committee of Oregon (CEFCO) applauds the Supreme Court’s ruling that the citizenship question cannot, for now, be added to the 2020 Census. Preserving the integrity of the census upholds a fundamental element of our democracy, and CEFCO stands with so many of our community members to support this rejection. The Commerce...

On behalf of the Board of Directors and Staff of Grantmakers of Oregon and Southwest Washington, we would like to congratulate the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for reaching the mark of $1 billion in cumulative grants since opening their doors in 1975.   Congratulations on this amazing milestone and celebration of the Pacific Northwest nonprofit community!   We...

The Democracy Funders Collaborative Census Subgroup has released a second Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Census Equity Fund. The Fund is designed to support census preparation and outreach in regions of the country with high proportions of historically undercounted populations and relatively fewer philanthropic resources. In the initial rounds, the Fund is prioritizing applications from...

Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced new legislation (H.R. 1260) aimed at increasing the number of Americans who give to charity by allowing for an above-the-line tax deduction. The bill would provide a way for “all taxpayers regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions” to receive a tax deduction on their charitable contributions.   Unlike the...

  2020 Census Update: Supporting an Accurate Count   One of the largest civic engagement activities in the U.S. is happening next year, participation in the decennial census. More than $10 billion is allocated for Oregon each fiscal year based on census data, primarily for Medicaid, SNAP, and Medicare. Census data impacts congressional representation and...

Congratulations to Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington Members for being honored at the Portland Business Journal’s 2018 Corporate Philanthropy Awards as the 2018 Top 10 Corporate Philanthropists! As presenting sponsors of the event, Cambia Health Foundation had a prominent role in celebrating the millions of dollars that Oregon and SW Washington-based corporate philanthropy organizations...

Staff Transitions at GOSW Transitions are always bittersweet, especially within our close-knit community of funders. Julia Willis, who joined the GOSW staff to support our programming and other endeavors, recently announced her decision to pursue other opportunities. Many of you know Julia in her role as a former GOSW board member. Her contributions to this...

Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education, has named Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) to the BCA 10: Best Businesses Partnering with the Arts. The Standard joined nine other companies receiving this honor at the Central Park Boathouse in New York City. Presented every year by...

Last month, GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and Southwest Washington was asked to extend an invitation to funders, policy makers and civic leaders to attend a performance of Hands Up – seven monologues written by six Black men and one Black woman reflecting on the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri and their experiences of being...

A few short months ago, Oregon was rocked by the shootings at Umpqua Community College.  We lost our innocence as a state and took our place in the company of other communities and states who suffered senseless and horrific violence before us.  People across our region came together in a demonstration of solidarity and community...

In 2014, GRANTMAKERS of Oregon and Southwest Washington partnered with Foundation Center to pilot a mapping tool that would enable users to find data on funding in our region. In early 2015, the Get On The Map! campaign went national through the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers.  To date, more than 25 regional associations...