Member Spotlight on Tever Nickerson

A few years ago I read about community giving circles and was impressed with how much impact a collective effort and mission can make. I never felt I would make much of a difference with small individual gifts so the concept was appealing to reach significantly wider and further. The idea of collective giving motivated me to see if there were any local opportunities, and thanks to Google I found ninety-nine girlfriends! I was thrilled to learn there was an established, engaged community that honestly "makes it so easy." Easy to give, easy to be involved, and easy to make a difference! I became a member in 2024 and am now going into my third year.

I came to the organization not knowing a soul, but decided to jump right in by signing up to read letters of interest and joining a grant review team. This was no small undertaking, but I felt immediately welcomed and supported and never felt I was out of place. Being a part of the grant review process in my first year was such a wonderful introduction to the work of our group. It's refreshing to be a part of something that genuinely embraces collaboration and community learning. I've stayed involved with the grant review work, even leading a team last year, and look forward to being a part of the process again this year.

In a former life, I worked in fundraising and nonprofit development for arts organizations. My experience left me with a profound appreciation for the need and impact of charitable giving. After the birth of my second daughter (I have two amazing daughters, 22 years and 26 years old), I decided to make a career change. I now work as a licensed mental health counselor running a small group practice. While so much of my time is immersed with the issues surrounding mental health, it's enlightening to return to learning about other areas of community interest and to feel a level of involvement again.

I'm truly honored to be a part of this organization. When I sat down to write my profile, I scrolled through the member directory listings and prior member spotlights and was blown away by the amount of knowledge, expertise, and wisdom brought together in our shared effort. It's humbling and motivating, so thank you! I'd also like to give a special shout out to the leadership team for the amazing structure and guidance they provide for members. Communication is on point, meetings start and end on time - it's very much appreciated to have our time so highly valued. 

POIC is seeking volunteers

POIC (Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center) is looking for volunteers for their first STEMFest. On Tuesday, April 28 from noon-5:00 PM, more than 500 students will gather at the Tony Hopson, Sr., Center for Self Enhancement for a free, fun-filled celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Children and families will explore STEM through hands-on activities, interactive experiments, and real-world learning experiences. They’ll also connect with STEM professionals and college students to see what’s possible beyond the classroom.

Can you volunteer to help facilitate activities, assist with student check-in, and support event set-up and clean-up? No experience is necessary. For more information, visit this link and sign up to volunteer, marking your group as “other: ninety-nine girlfriends.”

Microlearning from Member Education: AI in schools

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay for the foreseeable future, presenting us with risks and benefits to education and educational equity, which is the center of our ninety-nine girlfriends learning question this year. 

This NPR article explains some of the issues and contains a link to the larger report from the Brookings Institute.

Westview AVID develops a rubric for their Community 101 grant

In celebration of our 10th anniversary in 2025, we funded a group of Westview High School’s AVID students through Community 101. This program teaches kids about collective giving through a hands-on curriculum. AVID provides wraparound support to prepare potential first-generation college students for the next phase of their education.

First, they established their mission statement and then invited five organizations to apply for a grant. All five accepted the offer. Most recently, the AVID students revisited their mission and goals to come up with an evaluation process. They used mindmapping, collaboration, and brainstorming–with particular focus on programs’ accessibility to people with different needs–and came up with a rubric.

We will keep you posted on what happens next. We've been told we will be invited to attend their awards event in May or June.

Member Spotlight on Margie Sunderland

Joining a women’s collective giving organization felt like a natural extension of the values that have guided my life for many years. As a medical oncologist, I spent my career in service to others, and that commitment didn't end when I retired in 2022. I continue to feel a deep responsibility to contribute in meaningful ways, and ninety-nine girlfriends offers an opportunity to do that in partnership with others who share a similar spirit of generosity and purpose. On my return to Portland in 2017, Kathy Masarie (I met her the first day of medical school!) called to invite me to join and I've been a part of ninety-nine girlfriends since year two!

I am especially drawn to the idea of collective giving because it reflects something I have long believed: we are stronger and more effective when we work together. Individual contributions matter, but there is something powerful about women joining their resources, judgment, and compassion to create a larger impact. I value the thoughtful and intentional way this organization supports communities and addresses real needs. 

On a more personal level, I grew up with many sisters, so being in the company of women has always felt both natural and energizing to me. I am comfortable in women-centered spaces and appreciate the warmth, candor, humor, and strength that often emerge in them. There is a special sense of connection that comes from women gathering not only for friendship, but for shared purpose. 

I have participated as a volunteer in many ways, from being a greeter, to helping with initial grant screening, and organizing some social gatherings. I haven't participated on a grant review team (which I understand is incredibly rewarding) but my frequent travels often prevent regular scheduling. I'm currently in the "go go" phase of retirement (not the "slow go" or "no go") as my father taught me. He lived with me for the last three years of his nearly 100 years of life; that was a special privilege.

I live in Troutdale on the far east side of Multnomah County (only a quick drive to Multnomah Falls and within two miles of three siblings!) so I also focus my charitable interests on the nonprofits in this area, including SnowCap Community Services, Birch Community Gardens, Smith Memorial Presbyterian Church food bank, and the medical foundation at Mt. Hood Legacy Hospital. Interestingly, these organizations all tend to have their major fundraising galas in the spring so my family teases me about my "charity dinners" and my love of silent and live auctions! 

Project Lemonade Super Hero Day coming up

Project Lemonade is hosting its annual Super Hero Day on April 17–18 at its Lloyd Center location. This event brings together more than 200 foster youth for a day of shopping and fun activities alongside live superheroes, and they need volunteers to help in the store and at activity stations! Shifts are just 2 hours: Friday, April 17 between 2:45–6:00pm, or Saturday, April 18 between 11:00am–4:00pm. You can check out this video from last year’s event, and if you’re interested in volunteering, contact the organization’s liaison, Trina.

A shortened school year imperils student outcomes

It is both intuitive and proven: more instructional time improves learning outcomes. However, recent data shows that Oregon ranks 47th out of 50 states in total hours of time in school during an academic year. Nationally, students average 1,231 hours of school per year. Oregon requires just 900. With Portland Public Schools now planning to cut three more days of instruction to close a budget deficit, the gap grows wider. It's another reason why the work we do in educational equity is so important.

Access these Native American educational resources

At last month’s Discovery Forum, we shared a list of Native American educational resources. It includes books by and about Native Americans for readers of all ages as well as a list of Native American museums in our area. We encourage you to check it out and share with friends and family. 

“Who tells the story and from whose perspective the story is told is as important as the story itself—it inspires future paths forward.”  Danita Mason-Hogans

Member Spotlight on Maila Davenport

My family friend Karen Fettig was a Girlfriend. Sadly, she died of cancer in 2024. We raised our children at the same time and were at gatherings together every year. She joked that my daughter was a fun surrogate for her since she was a mom of all boys! At her memorial service, they announced that donations in her honor were welcomed by ninety-nine girlfriends. I did not know about your organization so I immediately researched it. I got so excited reading about a large group of women who also held philanthropic values, and it was so Karen. I joined in memory of beautiful, kind, candid Karen to carry her legacy onward.

In my work life, I helped create new groups and programs; I’ve lived the negotiations, details, and surprises that create a fertile place for the people to stand upon and succeed. I really get it. 

I value being in a community of women. Since I retired, I have not been able to find a group of women to be with, all working for a better world. I have also never been with others who pursue philanthropy. I think the sliding scale donation model at ninety-nine girlfriends is brilliant. Over the years, many women friends have said they wish they could contribute money to causes in a more substantial way but didn’t have enough to make it seem worthwhile. Ninety-nine girlfriends breaks down this financial “gatekeeping” by combining all our resources to make a measurable impact that depends on all of us.

I also enjoy the education arm of the organization (I’m kind of a research nerd). In my first year, I went to all the educational speakers when I was in town. The text The Uprising of Women in Philanthropy gave me a needed history lesson, taught me about the third wave of women’s power as the intersectional feminist movement, and inspires our world with the “re-imagining” of philanthropy. I want to be part of the oomph!

I am grateful to all the foremothers who brought ninety-nine girlfriends into the vital and friendly action-based organization it is today. It was so simple for me to jump in, and the momentum carries us and our community forward. 

I am thankful to Karen Fettig for all she gave to her family, friends, and her part of the world. My life and my children’s lives are better by her presence and love.

Albina Vision Trust

In case you missed it, KOIN produced a segment last month on Albina Vision Trust and the 1803 Fund, covering their vital work to return Black Portlanders to the historic Albina neighborhood in North and Northeast Portland. They interviewed Albina Vision Trust’s executive director, Winta Yohannes; and Rukaiyah Adams, CEO of the 1803 Fund, about their collaboration. Check out the video on YouTube. 

Member spotlight on Lori Kellogg

I joined ninety-nine girlfriends after a Girlfriend invited me when she heard me talking about my 15 years of volunteer work with unhoused individuals in the Tigard community. My work background was special education as a speech-language pathologist and administrator. I recognize that one of the factors affecting homelessness stems from different learning styles, as well as poverty, addictions, and general lack of needed support during vulnerable times of life. 

So many things are happening in our world right now that feel out of control. I stay engaged and hopeful by working locally and supporting efforts that help people who are most in need. I also enjoy being connected with like-minded women who are focused on becoming educated and examining ways in which a lasting difference can be made and then doing something about it. 

I am a parent of four adult children and a grandparent to nine amazing grandchildren, some adopted from the foster care system, biracial, and with special needs. One of my children also experiences special needs and lives with her family in a foreign country that provides a strong social services network. 

Social programs designed for the benefit of people of varying backgrounds are an essential component of civilized society. It is up to each of us to build the world we want to live in. Being a Girlfriend is an opportunity to expand the impact of my efforts. Stronger together!

Crag Law Center fighting to save Oregon’s wild spaces

Liason Cheron Calder reports that Craig Law (another 2025 Impact Partner) has filed a federal lawsuit “challenging unlawful logging in SW Oregon forests.” Crag is representing Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild, and Umpqua Watersheds to challenge the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)’s “42 Divide Forest Management Plan,” which would allow aggressive logging of nearly 7,000 acres of public forest near Camas Valley in Douglas County. 

The project threatens land set aside as conservation reserves and intended to protect older forests and imperiled wildlife such as the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, Oregon Coast coho salmon, and western pond turtles. The area also supports a vibrant ecosystem of trees such as Douglas fir, cedar, and madrone and other plant, animal, and fungal communities. In addition to decimating the living ecosystem, the proposed logging would leave behind forests more prone to extreme wildfire behavior.   

Crag filed the lawsuit to stop BLM from evading the law, protect thousands of acres of mature older forests, and prevent creation of dangerous and unnecessary wildfire conditions.  

Recognition for Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC)

Last week, Portland's mayor proclaimed March 6 as Joe McFerrin II Day in honor of the president and CEO of POIC and Rosemary Anderson High School (2025 Impact Award winner) and the organization’s impact in our city. Mayor Keith Wilson lauded McFerrin II for “demonstrating an unwavering commitment to mentoring and uplifting young people,” with “30 years of service to the organization and the broader Portland community.” Congratulations for this well-deserved recognition of POIC’s commitment to equity, workforce development, and youth empowerment in our community! 

Ninety-nine girlfriends + Westview AVID = community impact

In celebration of our 10th anniversary in 2025, we funded a group of Westview High School’s AVID students through Community 101. This program teaches kids about collective giving through a hands-on curriculum. AVID provides wraparound support to prepare potential first-generation college students for the next phase of their education.

First, they established their mission statement: “With support from our funder, ninety-nine girlfriends, we plan on teaming up with two local nonprofits and aim to take meaningful action that creates lasting, positive change. Our goal is to educate our school and community on where students can go and turn to get support when dealing with mental health, child abuse, and homelessness. We will measure our impact through pre- and post-surveys that assess community knowledge, awareness, and personal insight regarding these issues. Our mission is to educate, advocate, and inspire others to build a more informed, compassionate, and resilient community.”

Recently, they invited five organizations to apply for a grant and all five have accepted the offer. Stay tuned for more updates on this wonderful example of collaboration and our support of educational equity.

“You Can’t Learn If You Aren’t There:” Addressing Absenteeism in Oregon Schools

In concert with the Discovery Forum on educational equity, we share more about Oregon’s chronic absenteeism crisis. About 34% of Oregon students miss over 10% of school days, compared with 22% nationally. Oregon also has a shorter school year—165 days vs. 179 nationally—meaning many K-12 students lose 15 days per year, or nearly a full year of instruction. Low-income kids are hit even harder. Children from low-income families in the US are more likely to miss school for health reasons and now for safety from ICE.

Learn more about this challenge by:

• Exploring research from Oregon’s Time and Attendance Campaign
• Visiting Attendance Works for ideas to support attendance awareness
• Signing up for Stand for Children updates to help pass 2027 legislation to lengthen the school year and improve school attendance 

Reducing absenteeism and aligning Oregon’s school year with national standards would significantly improve learning, especially in math and reading.

Making retirement contributions: a smart strategy for giving and tax savings

Did you know you could designate part of your retirement funds directly to ninety-nine girlfriends? 

Individuals who are 73 or older must withdraw required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and certain retirement accounts. These withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income, which can increase your tax bill and push you into a higher bracket. However, you can turn this obligation into an advantage by donating your RMDs directly to a nonprofit through a qualified charitable distribution.

A qualified charitable distribution transfers directly from your IRA to an eligible nonprofit like ninety-nine girlfriends. When done correctly, this transfer counts toward your RMD but is not included in your taxable income, helps you support causes you care about, and may prevent impacts to your Medicare premiums. If you intend to use this strategy, speak with a financial advisor or tax professional to ensure it’s executed properly and fits your broader retirement plan. 

Member spotlight on Melanie Nelson

Hello Girlfriends. I'm from Austin, Minnesota where Hormel makes Spam. YUM! My career began as a Home Economics teacher in Owatonna, Minnesota, where entrepreneurship is a community requirement. I founded Learning ZoneXpress, a mail-order poster business for schools, where our focus was school lunch nutrition education. When Michelle Obama introduced MyPlate in 2011, we sold thousands of posters to 143,000 schools nationwide and enjoyed incredible success!

Because of my team's hard work and success, I had the opportunity to attend Harvard Business School's Owner Managed Program. I graduated in 2015 with classmates from around the world. At 61 years old, I was the oldest student in my class and I had no fear of failing!

In July 2018, I accepted an offer on my business the day after I married Portland author Phillip Margolin. I was happy to start a new life in Oregon, though my heart longs to be closer to my grandchildren. Always a Minnesotan, we are tough and we are singing resistance!

My passion project has been EPES.cl, known as Actionforhealth.org in the USA. My dear friend founded this woman empowerment program in the shantytowns of Santiago, Chile, 43 years ago. I have sponsored many teams to visit and experience EPES. Shantytown women study and lead their communities in violence against women campaigns, nutrition education, Haitian immigrant education, and community gardening. 

Three years ago I also began sponsoring 20 Afghan girls now living safely in Islamabad. My friend and I have found partners in the last year acting as "grandparents" to support these beautiful girls. They do not live on social media so they are innocent and playful, never too cool. 

I am a proud 8-year member of ninety-nine girlfriends…smart and compassionate women. I feel confident giving to the juried nonprofits selected annually. I honor everyone who is a member as we together are building a better community in Portland. Together we are better!