We are proud to introduce you to our racial equity consultant: Stephanie Montgomery. Beginning in March, Stephanie will be guiding the girlfriends on our journey as we seek to embed racial equity and inclusion throughout our organization from grant making, to membership, member education and leadership.
Take Advantage of Matching Gifts
Recruit Intentionally
Think about women you know who may add new perspectives to ninety-nine girlfriends and invite them to learn more at a World Café.
Attend: Solution Salon Event
Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS) is teaming up with Street Roots for their annual Solution Salon. The free online community discussion about homelessness in our community will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, March 9, 12:00-1:00pm. Register to attend here.
Volunteer with Our Grantee Partners
Current volunteer opportunities with Red Door Project and Community Energy Project.
What We Heard: 2020 Member Survey
Grantee Partner Profile: Black Parent Initiative
Like most organizations, the Black Parent Initiative (BPI) has really had to pivot due to the pandemic. Learn how they’re helping kids learn from home, supporting parents’ self-care, and more.
Learn: 28 Days of Black History Exhibition
In honor of Black History Month, Michelle Hynes shared 28 Days of Black History, a virtual exhibition of 28 works that celebrate Black legacy in the U.S. This exhibition centers the voices of Black LGBTQ leaders and Black leaders with disabilities often diminished in our nation’s history. The daily emails include discussion questions and action items. Subscribe here.
Watch: Philanthropy’s Role in Supporting Racial Equity Webinar
A webinar from the Center for Effective Philanthropy, Taking Stock: Philanthropy’s Role in Supporting Racial Equity. The poet at the beginning is pretty stunning and the content is very useful as we think about our work.
Feedback From Our Grantee Partners
New Member Connections
We want to welcome our new members to ninety-nine girlfriends. We can't wait to get to know you. We've organized a series of informal "New Member Connections" over the coming months to meet one another, hear stories from returning members, and get questions answered. Register to attend.
Update Your Member Profile
As you join or renew your membership, it’s a great time to update or create your Member Profile! Log in to the website and you will see three tabs where you can update your demographic info, skills and interests, and directory profile. Why is this important?
Listen: Reimaging the Nonprofit World Podcast
Here’s a recent podcast about the nonprofit sector on the Nonprofit Association of Oregon’s “Public Space”. Listen to local innovator and nonprofit leader Shari Dunn talk about Reimagining the Nonprofit World, with comments about philanthropy, racial equity and more. This podcast is about 25 minutes long, and you can read the transcript instead if you prefer.
2021 Leadership Team
New Format for Member Communications
New in 2021, members can now expect regular emails every two weeks, generally on Tuesday mornings. Open them for Upcoming Dates & Events, Calls to Action, and News & Announcements. The goal is to keep these emails succinct – you’ll need to follow any included links to find out more on each topic. You can also find the latest on the News & Updates page.
Interested in Helping with 2021 Grantmaking?
May 1 is the deadline to express interest in volunteering to help with grantmaking for the 2021 grant cycle. Renew or sign up for 2021 membership, sign in to your account, and under the Interests tab, check the box for Grantmaking to let us know you’re interested.
Now Accepting Fellows Applications
The Fellows Application is open Feb. 1 - Mar. 7. We are entering the recruitment period for our 2021 Fellows cohort and could use your help in finding amazing young women who could benefit from the program and would bring diverse perspectives to our community. Members have been our best recruiters because they understand ninety-nine girlfriends and tend to know young women who may add something to the membership and benefit from belonging.
Co-Host a World Café
We’re looking for co-hosts for 10 virtual World Cafés to be held between mid-February and late April. World Cafés are small, intimate one-hour gatherings designed to give women interested in membership a taste of what we do together and time to share personal values and experiences about social change and community. With your help, we can again assemble a diverse and committed membership! Read on for details on the role of a co-host or other ways to help, and contact Grayson by Feb. 14 to raise your hand!
Conversation Circle: Reducing Homelessness in Our Region
Our Safe Homes for All Spotlight Study Report focused on a number of specific challenges in trying to reduce houselessness, support people who are living on the streets, and create policy and funding to stem the crisis. What’s happening now in our community based on the passing of the recent bond measures? How might racial equity priorities alter the solutions enacted or proposed? What more can we do to continue making progress?
Event Dates: Tuesdays 6-7:30 pm May 11, May 18 and May 25, 2021
Discussion Guide: Click to Download
Circle Facilitators: Susan Rinker and Leslie Westphal
Conversation Circle: Impact/Sustainable Investing
Can you have investments aligned with the values, issues and causes you feel passionate about, and also get competitive returns? The answer is a resounding yes. Concern for the environment, social and racial justice, and integrity in governance can be found in abundance in financial products available to all investors. In these discussions, we will explore the world of impact investing and how to take the next step towards investing based on your own values.
Event Dates: Sundays 2-3:30 pm May 16, May 23 and June 6, 2021
Discussion Guide: Click to Download
Circle Facilitators: Jayni Kosoff and Sarah Cleveland