We continue learning and embedding racial equity in all that we do, and would like to share our new Equity & Inclusion statement which was spearheaded by the Racial Equity Committee. In addition, the Outreach Team has connected with more nonprofits that identify as indigenous or Native American to invite them to learn about our grant opportunities and we are creating space for indigenous people to share their voices and perspectives with our members at our events as an addition to our land acknowledgment. We will continue to learn and incorporate inclusive ways that we can embed racial equity in our work. If this work interests you, reach out and learn more!
Fellows Program Update
Many of our new and continuing Fellows, Fellows grads, and program leaders got to meet each other at an in-person event, co-hosted by Year 2 Fellow Liz Starke (Development Director at grantee partner Rose Haven) and recent Fellows grad Mikayla Posey (Manager at the Hostel Cafe right across the street). A few of us also took a walk, thanks to Year 2 Fellow Kathleen (Kay) Porcello, at the Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge.
Another Great Group of Girlfriends!
We are thrilled to share that we have 379 members for 2022! In addition to the 312 Girlfriends who renewed, 67 new Girlfriends decided to join us. Welcome to all of you! (Although this number is smaller than last year, don’t be dismayed. Women’s giving circles have retracted a little bit nationally over the past year as a result of COVID and our model is to make the biggest impact we have with whatever number of Girlfriends join us in any given year.)
Grantee Partner Highlight: POIC + RAHS
I learned so much about the origins of this 50+ year old organization which began by providing education, work experience, and opportunities to primarily Black adults in underserved communities. Their work is now centered on providing those same opportunities to youth who are at risk. With four school campuses many students have experienced homelessness, poverty, violence and the criminal justice system.
Grantee Partner Highlight: Constructing Hope
My visit with [2021 Impact Partner] Constructing Hope was a great experience. I spent a little over an hour there, got a tour of the facility, and had lots of time to chat with [leaders] Pat Daniels and Courtney Jenkins.
Also, they welcome guest speakers when classes are in session and inquired whether any Girlfriends might have expertise in these areas: HR and job interviewing, general life skills/balance, nutrition and physical fitness, financial planning, and strategies for dealing with stress and anxiety. They seemed very happy with their experience with ninety-nine girlfriends and are thrilled about the partnership." Betty, Impact Partner Liaison
Grantee Partner Highlight: Bradley Angle
There’s a lot going on at Bradley Angle. Renovating the Bonnie Tinker shelter is a big project for the organization, as the facility was long overdue for updates. They have worked to make trauma-informed upgrades, prioritizing the shared spaces, and are raising additional funds for the phase-two upgrades to the other areas of the facility.
Passionate About Democracy
In the spring of 2015, six women gathered in a Southeast Portland kitchen and formed a regional giving circle, called ninety-nine girlfriends. A year later, Lisa Adatto and Laura Rogers met for the first time as co-leaders of one of the new organization’s grant review teams. While working together in pursuit of strongly held values, their friendship grew and after the 2016 grant-making cycle they continued to stay in touch. In June of 2021, they met to catch up. In short order, Rogers realized it was to be a consequential exchange “so I took notes and saved them.”
Six New Fellows Join Our Philanthropy Program for Younger Leaders
Since 2017, ninety-nine girlfriends has recruited women ages 20-35 into our Fellows Program, a three-year learning and networking experience. Ninety-nine girlfriends is thrilled to welcome our six new Fellows: April Jay Unterberger, Brianna Babbitt, Hanna Lilly, Josie Greer, Katrina Machorro, and Tuyen Ta.
2022 Grant Applications Are Open!
Ninety-nine girlfriends 2022 grant making cycle is now open! We are thrilled to announce that we will invest $450,000 in our community this year. We will grant one Impact Award of $70,000 and one Finalist Award of $15,000 in each of our five focus areas. Plus, semi-finalists that don’t advance will receive a recognition gift of $2,500.
Volunteer Spotlight
JEANETTE SWAFFORD
What brought you to ninety-nine girlfriends?
Five years ago I was getting my hair cut by Fahti and began chatting about a small giving circle that I was participating in. Fahti shared that she had just joined this amazing group of women who were also experimenting with giving, but on a larger scale with transformative amounts. I used to work in tech start-ups and that fresh energy of building something new was exciting to me. I didn’t know anyone aside from Fahti, but I loved the idea of change-makers out there stirring it up. These were women that I wanted to know!
Help Spread The Word!
This year, ninety-nine girlfriends will fund organizations from five focus areas that are working to dismantle systemic racism, advance anti-racism, and move our region towards racial equity. These FAQ and definitions provide additional information about our 2022 Funding Priority and process. Funds may be used for general operating or project support and impact partners can choose to have funds disbursed in one year or over the course of two years. Our Timeline provides key dates for application review, decision-making, and payment.
Don’t Miss Your Chance to Join a Grant Review Team (GRT) This Year!
Sign up for the GRT Info Session to learn about the experience and the time commitment required, including the key dates listed below. This virtual Info Session is mandatory if you want to participate on a GRT. If April 28 doesn’t work with your schedule, please register anyway to access a recording afterwards. Register here.
Let Your Thoughts Be Known: Take the Member Survey
New Member Number Coming Soon
As you know, our deadline to renew for 2022 was April 23. We are in the midst of finalizing our membership number and are excited to share that with you soon. Before I joined the membership committee, I wondered why it took extra time to figure out how many members we have. In case you’re curious too, here’s my short answer. We have a lot of different ways Girlfriends join and pay. With the rush of renewals at the end, it takes us a while to sync those up. And we usually need to reach out to a few members with questions.
We Welcome Our Six New Fellows!
The Fellows Program is thrilled to welcome our six new Fellows: April Jay Unterberger, Brianna Babbitt, Hanna Lilly, Josie Greer, Katrina Machorro, and Tuyen Ta. Earlier this month, we also hosted a virtual graduation for third-year Fellow Mikayla Posey – featuring customized Zoom backgrounds, spring tulips, inspiring poetry, and a gift certificate for a professional photo. Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us!
In-Person Girlfriends’ Reunion & Orientation!
Share Your Zoom Expertise
Have you gotten really good at running the controls on Zoom meetings? Have you helped with a Zoom webinar? If the answer to these questions is yes, and you have an hour or two a few times a year that you’re willing to volunteer, we’d love to hear from you. Please reach out for more information. Don’t worry. We won’t rope you into anything you don’t want to do.
Let Your Voice be Heard: Complete the Member Survey
Each year we reach out to our members for feedback. Ninety-nine girlfriends is an all-volunteer organization and we are always learning. The deadline for submission is 5:00pm on Thursday, April 28, 2022. Take the survey
Being Human Together Resources
If you missed Being Human Together with Coty Raven Morris we hope you’ll take the time to check it out. You can find the recording here.
Impact Partner Update: Constructing Hope
My visit with [2021 Impact Partner] Constructing Hope was a great experience. I spent a little over an hour there, got a tour of the facility, and had lots of time to chat with [leaders] Pat Daniels and Courtney Jenkins. They wanted to invite any and all Girlfriends to their events this year, which are posted on their web site, particularly their grand re-opening on 4/21 and their 15th anniversary celebration sometime this fall (TBA).