IMPACT Partners
OUR COMMUNITY IMPACT TO DATE
TOTAL: $3,332,498
(This number includes Impact Awards, Finalist Awards, and Semi-finalist gifts made from 2016-2024)
2016: 117 members $117,000 awarded
2017: 253 members $252,998 awarded
2018: 401 members $401,000 awarded
2019: 480 members $500,000 awarded
2020: 505 members $532,500 awarded
2021: 443 members $491,500 awarded
2022: 380 members $450,000 awarded
2023: 278 members $287,500 awarded
2024: 335 members $300,000 awarded
Our Impact Partners and Finalist Awardees are listed below. Use the links to learn more about these exemplary organizations.
2024
In 2024, we began funding in our new focus areas, determined by our history of awards and the needs of our community.
IMPACT AWARDS
$65,000
Camp Elso
ELSO seeks to reduce the achievement gap in STEAMED education and professions while creating a sense of belonging for Black and Brown communities in the natural and built environment. Our mission is to teach and frame STEAM and nature-based education through a lens that centers and elevates the stories, ways of knowing, individual needs, and lived experiences of Black and Brown communities.
Working Theory Farm
Our mission is to empower youth through the shared work of farming to grow food for partner organizations who distribute this food to families in need. Through growing vegetables and raising livestock on our organic farm, we provide alternative education and avenues of employment to youth who have barriers to thriving within traditional systems and teach personal responsibility, social responsibility, and professional skills.
Path Home
Building Dignity, Restoring Power, & Promoting Autonomy. Path Home empowers families with children to get back into housing and stay there.
FinAbility
We're a survivor-led nonprofit that financially empowers survivors of domestic abuse. Using our backgrounds in tech and finance, we build digital tools that make financial education and resources accessible to survivors through a trauma-informed lens. Survivor voices inform everything we do. Together, we're working towards a future in which everyone has the financial security to live free from abuse and thrive.
finalist AWARDS
$10,000
Self Enhancement, Inc.
Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI) is dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. Working with schools, families, and partner community organizations, SEI provides support, guidance, and opportunities to achieve personal and academic success. SEI brings hope to individual young people and enhances the quality of community life.
Taking Ownership PDX
Taking Ownership is a community and reparations-based organization in Portland, Oregon founded with the intention to activate and utilize community members and their resources for equitable change. Together we renovate and revive Black-owned homes and small businesses that have requested our help, with an emphasis on enabling Black homeowners to age in place, generate wealth and simultaneously deter predatory investors and real estate professionals to deflect the gentrification process.
Depave
Depave empowers disenfranchised communities to overcome social and environmental injustices and adapt to climate change through urban re-greening. Depave transforms over-paved places, creates resilient community greenspaces, promotes workforce development and education, and advocates for policy change to undo manifestations of systemic racism.
Community Doula Alliance
At Community Doula Alliance, our mission is to increase awareness and advocate for racially, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse doulas. Our focus is to train the next generation of exceptional professional doulas while improving maternal and infant health outcomes and reclaiming cultural practices in their respective communities.
2023
In 2023, ninety-nine girlfriends considered only previously funded Finalists or Impact Award Winners from the past five years. This allowed us to reinvest in our community partners while our volunteers focused on strategic planning for the next three years.
IMPACT AWARDS
$50,000
All Ages Music/Friends of Noise
Friends of Noise is a non-profit organization built on the values of collectivism and restorative justice. We seek to transform the culture of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry. We foster a healthy ecosystem for all ages to thrive by providing youth-focused programs, teaching industry skills, developing resources, mentorship and professional development. We meet young people where they are by facilitating opportunities for immersion into a safer arts community while uplifting youth voices.
Oregon Tradeswomen
Oregon Tradeswomen helps transform lives by building community and economic independence through empowerment, training, career education, advocacy, and leadership development in the skilled trades. Oregon Tradeswomen’s commitment to help women achieve economic independence is integrated in our values, programs, advocacy, and direct service work. Our work puts women on a path to economic independence. Our work helps change lives.
Community Energy Project
Community Energy Project believes that people are the experts of their own experience. By empowering people with information and tools and facilitating connections to resources, we can increase the capacity of our community to address many home, environmental, health, comfort, and safety issues while conserving natural resources.
CARES Northwest
CARES Northwest’s mission is to stop child abuse and neglect through multidisciplinary prevention, medical evaluation, and ongoing treatment in partnership with our community.
North by Northeast Community Health Center
North by Northeast Community Health Center is the only medical clinic in Oregon devoted to African American/Black health. We exist to improve health outcomes and advance health equity by offering primary care services and health education and promotion focused on the African American/Black community.
finalist AWARDS
$7,500
Labs Media: Open Signal
Open Signal is a media arts center in Portland, Oregon. Our mission is to nurture the change-making power of community media in service of a just and equitable world.
Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project
Voz is a worker-led organization that empowers diverse day laborers and immigrants to improve their working conditions and protect civil rights through leadership development, organizing, education and economic opportunity.
Support us by donating or hiring a worker today!
Bark
Bark’s mission is to transform Mt. Hood National Forest into a place where natural processes prevail, where wildlife thrives and where local communities have a social, cultural, and economic investment in its restoration and preservation.
WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center
WomenFirst aims to provide a nurturing environment where women can rebuild their lives and self-worth.
Black Parent Initiative
The Black Parent Initiative (BPI) was established in 2006 to help families achieve financial, educational and spiritual success. BPI was founded and organized on a large body of educational research that demonstrates the importance of parental and family engagement in attaining educational success for children.
2022
In 2022, ninety-nine girlfriends funded organizations that are working to dismantle systemic racism, advance anti-racism, and move our region towards racial equity as defined and experienced by BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous and people of color). The work of these organizations should be in collaboration with the BIPOC communities they serve, preferably through self-identified BIPOC leadership, staff, and board members.
IMPACT AWARDS
$70,000
PSU/KSMoCA
KSMoCA reimagines the way museums, public schools, and universities can affect people, culture, and perspectives by creating radical intersections for sharing resources across organizations. Programs are developed collaboratively with the Dr MLK Jr School community, PSU students, and a team of supporting artists.
Voz Workers’ Rights Education
Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project is the only organization in the state of Oregon working with the day laborer community. We build leadership and economic power in this community through economic empowerment, leadership development, and grassroots organizing.
Wisdom of the Elders
Wisdom records, preserves, and shares oral history, cultural arts, language concepts, and traditional ecological knowledge of exemplary Native American elders, storytellers, and scientists in collaboration with diverse institutions, agencies, and organizations. Our vision: Native American cultural sustainability, multimedia education, and cultural reconciliation.
WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center
WomenFirst aims to provide a nurturing environment where women can rebuild their lives and self-worth.
Black Food Sovereignty Coalition
The Black Food Sovereignty Coalition (BFSC) serves as a collaboration hub for Black and Brown communities to confront the systemic barriers that make food, place and economic opportunities inaccessible to us. BFSC is focused on meeting these barriers with creative, innovative, and sustainable solutions
FINALIST AWARDS
$15,000
All Ages Music (Friends of Noise)
Friends of Noise is a non-profit organization built on the values of collectivism and restorative justice. We seek to transform the culture of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ youth access to the music industry.
Communities United for People, DBA Freedom to Thrive
Freedom to Thrive works to build a world where safety means investment in people and planet and end the punishment-based criminal and immigration systems.
Wild Diversity
Wild Diversity is a nonprofit organization that aims to help create a personal connection to the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, all People of Color (BIPOC) & the LGBTQ2S+ communities, through outdoor adventures and education.
The Rosewood Initiative
The Rosewood Initiative is a nonprofit community based organization that has been implementing neighbor-led strategies since 2009. Our community center, Rosewood, provides space for people to gather, connect to resources, celebrate and work on projects that improve their lives and the community.
Northwest Instituto Latino
Proveemos servicios de recuperación la comunidad de habla hispana a través de programas que respetan nuestra cultura, nuestros valores y nuestras creencias.
2021
Our 2021 grantmaking prioritized organizations investing resources in improving equity for under-resourced populations and/or those whose staff, board, and volunteers reflect the community they serve with special emphasis on culturally-specific organizations. This explicitly included work being done by environmental organizations.
IMPACT AWARDS
$90,000
BRAVO Youth Orchestras
Inspired by El Sistema to improve the lives of underserved children through intensive orchestral instruction.
Constructing Hope
Constructing Hope rebuilds the lives of people in our community by encouraging self-sufficiency through skills training and education in the construction industry.
Trash for Peace
Trash for Peach provides hands-on, creative experiences that encourage resilient communities.
Bradley Angle
Bradley Angle is a safe and welcoming refuge to recover from the trauma of domestic violence.
POIC & RAHS
Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center and Rosemary Anderson High School provides the highest quality services in education, mentoring, family outreach, employment training, and placement.
FINALIST AWARDS
$5,000
PHAME
PHAME believes that art is for everyone. Community is for everyone. Excellence is for everyone.
Open School East
Open School East is a Life Prep school that provides full-day school programming for students in grades 9-12.
OPAL Environment Justice Oregon
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon builds power for environmental justice and civil rights in our communities.
Partnership for Safety and Justice
Partnership for Safety & Justice is Oregon’s leading voice for public safety and criminal justice reform.
Centro Cultural
At Centro Cultural, our foundation is equity and belonging. This is our familia, and we feel a responsibility to make sure everyone has the opportunity to thrive—not just survive.
2020
Our 2020 grantmaking goal was to provide support to nonprofits as they respond to the challenges created or exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis, with special emphasis on efforts to benefit people affected by inequity due to discrimination or exclusion (including, but not limited to, people of color, people living in poverty, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ+, veterans, incarcerated people, people experiencing homelessness, elderly, and youth).
IMPACT AWARDS
$50,000*
Adelante Mujeres
Adelante Mujeres works to build a more just society by empowering Latinas to lead.
Bienestar
Bienestar builds housing, hope, and community for the wellbeing of Latinxs, immigrants, and all families in need.
Black Parent Initiative
Black Parent Initiative (BPI) provides culturally specific programming to transform the lives of families and children. BPI assists parents and caregivers in strengthening their involvement in the lives of their children so their dreams can be realized.
Black United Fund of Oregon
Black United Fund assists in the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups.
Community Energy Project
Community Energy Project believes everyone deserves a safe, healthy and efficient home, regardless of income.
Free Clinic of Southwest Washington
Free Clinic of SW Washington believe in Compassionate Care - Always. Free medical, dental, vision and specialty care for people in need.
North by Northeast Community Health Center
North by Northeast Community Health Center improves health outcomes and advance health equity by offering primary care services and health education and promotion focused on the African American/Black community.
Raphael House of Portland
Raphael House believes that everyone deserves to live a life free from violence. We engage our entire community in non-violent living through advocacy, education, and community outreach, and by providing a safe haven from domestic violence.
Street Roots
Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change.
Write Around Portland
Write Around Portland believes everyone can be a writer and benefit from and contribute to their community through the literary arts.
FINALIST AWARDS
$5,000*
Asian Health and Service Center
Asian Health and Service Center’s mission is to be the bridge between Asian and American cultures and build a harmonious community.
Climate Solutions
Climate Solutions is accelerating clean energy solutions to the climate crisis.
Independent Publishing Resource Center
IPRC provides affordable access to space, tools, and resources for creating independently published media and artwork, and to build community and identity through the creation of written and visual art.
PassinArt, A Theater Company
PassinArt is an African American producing theater company whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire artists and audiences while addressing critical issues facing our community.
Soul River
Soul River merges veterans and inner-city youth to be leaders for environmental justice.
* 2020 awards are unrestricted funds, which are donations the nonprofit may use for any purpose
2019
Impact AWARDS
$100,000
CARES Northwest/Randall Children’s Hospital Foundation, Expansion of Child Abuse Interventions
CARES Northwest’s mission is to stop child abuse and neglect through multidisciplinary prevention, medical evaluation, and ongoing treatment in partnership with our community. Our investment will expand services to Washington County.
Ecology in Classrooms & Outdoors, Investing in ECO to Build the Next Generation of Environmental Leaders
ECO inspires students to care about the natural world and their communities through hands-on science education. Our funds are supporting new programs.
Open Signal, Open Signal Labs Open Signal Labs is a fellowship program for emerging Black filmmakers at this community-driven media center focused on creativity, technology and social change. We’re supporting this program of training, access to equipment, workspace and mentorship with professionals in order to create new and authentic stories of Black Americans.
Oregon Tradeswomen, Training Women, Strengthening CommunitiesOregon Tradeswomen is dedicated to promoting success for women in the trades through education, leadership and mentorship. Our funds are expanding their programs into new hours and locations.
Rose Haven CIC, Rose Haven Mental Wellness Program
Rose Haven offers an array of services to help homeless and abused women and children improve their lives in Portland.
2018
Impact AWARDS
$100,000
KairosPDX, Transformational Education for Tomorrow’s Leader
KairosPDX is an education nonprofit focused on transforming education through a model built on love and inclusion that elevates the voices of historically underserved children, their families and their communities.
Red Door Project, Evolve: Using Theatre to Impact Public Safety in Portland, Oregon
Red Door Project’s mission is to change racial ecology through the arts.
Red Lodge Transition Services, Healing the Sacred Hoop
Red Lodge Transition Services is a Native American led organization that provides culturally focused programs for women releasing from jail, prison or treatment.
FINALIST AWARDS
$20,000
Bark
Bark’s mission is to transform Mt. Hood National Forest into a place where natural processes prevail, where wildlife thrives and where local communities have a social, cultural, and economic investment in its restoration and preservation.
Cascade AIDS Project
CAP supports and empowers all people with or affected by HIV, reduce stigma, and provide the LGBTQ+ community with compassionate healthcare.
CORE MISSION AWARDS
$12,200
Adelante Mujeres
Adelante Mujeres works to build a more just society by empowering Latinas to lead.
BRAVO Youth Orchestras
BRAVO improves the lives of underserved children through intensive orchestral instruction.
CASA for Children, Inc.
Oregon CASA Network, an affiliate of the National CASA Association, is the statewide organization supporting Oregon’s 22 local CASA programs. The local programs recruit, screen, train and support CASA volunteers.
Friends of the Columbia Gorge
Friends of the Columbia Gorge works to ensure the Gorge remains a vibrant, living place—wondrous, wild, and open to all. It is the only conservation organization entirely dedicated to protecting, preserving, and stewarding the Columbia Gorge for future generations.
Virginia Garcia Memorial Health Center
The health center serves the members of Washington and Yamhill county through access to high quality, culturally appropriate health care.
2017
Impact AWARDS
$100,000
Path Home, Portland Homeless Family Solutions, Diversion for Homeless Families
Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) empowers homeless families with children to get back into housing and to stay there long-term.
Urban Gleaners, Food First: Fighting Childhood Hunger in Washington County
Urban Gleaners feeds over 6,000 people every week through school pantries, summer free farmers markets, and Mobile Markets at low-income housing communities.
FINALIST AWARDS
$17,666
My Voice Music
My Voice Music engages youth in music and performance in order to promote self-esteem, social skills and emotional expression.
Metro East Digital Youth Inclusion
MetroEast uses media to invigorate civic engagement, inspire diverse voices and strengthen community life.
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Xerces protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.Metro East Digital Youth Inclusion
2016
Impact AWARD
$100,000
PDX Bridge Project, Gateway to College
PDX Bridge propels Portland area foster, juvenile justice, and homeless youth onto a pathway from high school to and through college. In 2019, Gateway to College merged with Achieving the Dream. Learn more about these educational issues and resources in the Gateway blog.
FINALISTS
Family Forward Oregon
Family Forward Oregon is building an intersectional movement centered on care to fight for economic and reproductive justice for all mamas and caregivers in Oregon.
Friends of Zenger Farms
Friends of Zenger Farms is a working urban farm that models, promotes and educates about sustainable food systems, environmental stewardship, community development ad access to good food for all.
Street Roots
Street Roots creates income opportunities for people experiencing homelessness and poverty by producing a newspaper and other media that are catalysts for individual and social change.
The Circus Project
The Circus Project uses circus arts as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation.