MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON ADRIANA BAER

Adriana Baer

When I first joined ninety-nine girlfriends, I was in a transition from being an arts leader in Portland to creating my own business as a public speaking coach. Then COVID hit and we stopped gathering in person. I realized how much I missed the connections with other Girlfriends and valued the smart conversations this group fosters. I’m so glad to be back!

A highlight for me in past years was the opportunity to volunteer to coach the finalists on their presentations and public speaking skills. Being able to “use my powers for good” is a huge motivator for me! I also absolutely love the cross-generational aspect of this community. We have so much to learn from each other.

I’m now a proud member of the SW Washington contingent, having moved to a small farm in Ridgefield, WA. I live there with my husband and daughter (a Girlfriend in the making). When not growing veggies, I run a public speaking coaching business called Claim Center Stage and offer workshops, team trainings, and one-on-one coaching locally and nationally.


Adriana Baer

YOU CAN ACCESS NAO RESOURCES

We are members of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon, the statewide nonprofit membership organization representing and supporting charitable nonprofits of all sizes, geographic locations and missions across Oregon. NAO offers many educational resources about non-profits that we all have access to as Girlfriends. NAO serves the needs of the nonprofit sector through our work in advocacy and public policy work; convening; capacity building; disseminating nonprofit standard of excellence; and conducting thought leadership through research and polling.


To access these the NAO resources, create an account here:  https://nonprofitoregon.org/register/

This email includes essential details about logging in to your account on our new and improved website.

**All members must go to the Lost Password page to create a new password for their account.**

If you had an existing account on our old site, enter your email address or username to reset your password.

As a note, our old site and new site handle usernames differently, so some usernames may have changed to address this issue. Our new site doesn't allow for spaces where our old site did. In those cases, our new site may have added a hyphen where there previously had been a space. Ex. Beverly Wright would become beverly-wright on the new site.

Invite your staff, board, and volunteers to benefit from your organization's NAO membership! 

We encourage everyone to create their own user accounts. Below are step-by-step instructions on how to do that:

  1. Create Account at https://nonprofitoregon.org/register/

  2. Log in. You will be redirected to a "My Member Dashboard" page.

  3. Search for your organization in the "Organization Details" section.

  4. Click submit. If your organization is an active NAO member, your user account will automatically link to your organization's membership. 

  5. Continue to explore the website, register for events, and access member-only resources.

If you need help connecting your account, email NAO Membership with your first and last name and organization name so we can manually link your account. 

OTW Update from Liaison Andrea DuFlon

Recently, liaison Andrea DuFlon caught up with Oregon Tradeswomen to learn about what they’re up to and what’s coming up on their calendar. She reported the following:

OTW is doing amazing work on a shoestring budget, with bare-bones staffing. For them, a big challenge is keeping their training current with the changing trends in the trades industry. They have a classroom, as well as small office spaces and a very large shop where all the hands-on training in the various trades takes place. In addition, they provide job counseling, career placement information, and support services. I was excited to see the amount of support they receive from various companies and organizations. KEEN, for example, provides work boots and steel-toed boots for every student at no cost. Many of the tools that students are given, such as hard hats and tool belts, have been donated. 

OTW's Pathways To Success program offers a 192-hour (8-week) Trades and Career Class (TACC) 4 times a year. This is the mainstay of their work, preparing adult job seekers for a career in the construction trades. Not only does this program provide hands-on training in the various trades, but it also offers training and support in developing leadership skills for union work, as well as workplace attitudes and demeanor. It is an Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries-certified program, so it provides a pipeline to many paid internship programs in the trades. Students are paid a $15/hour wage equivalency, a milestone achievement put in place by their recently retired Executive Director, which opens the door to many women who wouldn't otherwise be able to participate in such a program. They also offer a RISE Up training with studies in the areas of respect, inclusion, safety, and equity, providing students with the tools they need as women to manage workplace issues.

OTW was a good choice for 99 Girlfriends. It's amazing how they can stretch a dollar, make connections in the community, and do the hard work to get what they need. Thanks to their innovative training program, they have made real changes in the makeup of Oregon's workforce. It feels so good to be a part of that.“ – Andrea DuFlon, Girlfriend and Liaison

OTW's upcoming events are: 

  • Oregon Tradeswomen Annual Career Fair – May 17 and 18, 2024

  • Build With Us – September 2024, bringing together tradeswomen and industry to increase connection, and to celebrate equity, inclusion and innovation; an annual fundraising event for OTW. 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON WENDY WRAY

I joined ninety-nine girlfriends in January 2020. As a relatively new Portlander and a nonprofit professional, this seemed like a great way to get involved with organizations in our community. I was also intrigued by the opportunity to learn about philanthropy from the grantmaking side.

I jumped right in by joining a grant review team. Learning about the amazing work going on in our community was a bright spot in that difficult summer. I've since enjoyed roles on the Outreach and Racial Equity Teams, and gotten to know incredible women. Ninety-nine girlfriends has a magical way of matching members with involvement that fits their interests and schedules and appreciating the time you have to invest, whether it's many hours or just a few.

Our work together is as interesting as it is enjoyable, and there are many ways to participate. I feel inspired at every meeting and event by the depth of members' curiosity, creativity and commitment to creating positive change in our community.

As an organization, ninety-nine girlfriends embraces learning, change and self-reflection. This means we listen, welcoming feedback and always growing, as we work with each other and our community partners.


Wendy Wray

FRIENDS OF NOISE

Friends of Noise is thrilled to kick off their first-ever Spring BreakFest, a two-day, ALL AGES event featuring an epic bill of 16 teen and adult bands March 29 & 30 at Oregon Contemporary (8371 N. Interstate Ave.)! As Friends of Noise loves to do, they have pulled together a multi-genre lineup, so come check out one of your favorite bands and stick around to discover someone new! Full lineup and advance tickets are available here.


Opportunities to Support CARES Northwest

  • They are looking for outreach marketing ambassadors – they could use some publicity and connections to potential donors. 

  • Volunteer opportunities interacting with families in the waiting areas - this will include some training. 

If you’re interested in either of these volunteer positions, contact Jenny Gilmore, Executive Director, or Teresa Baker, Admin Assistant at 503-276-9000.

LIAISON REPORT FROM ANDREA ALLISON

Girlfriend Andrea Allison is a liaison with Impact Partner CARES Northwest. Following is her report from her February site visit.

CARES Northwest expressed their gratitude for ninety-nine girlfriends and the Impact Awards they have received that helped them expand their services to Beaverton. Right now, they have a one-person office there that staff use to see clients. It is only large enough to see one child at a time versus four children here in Portland. They are in the process of building a 10,000-square-foot facility in the Hillsboro/Cornell area, tripling the size of their current space, which will open in January 2026. Next month they will be working on the design!
CARES Northwest is accredited and uses evidence-based practice for child abuse intervention. They not only evaluate children but also treat them with a staff of therapists, physicians, and case managers as well as outside contractors. They are working hard to dig out from under the COVID lockdown. The cases they are now seeing are increasingly severe and complex with more no-shows, increased trauma, and instability that further impacts the children. The court system is backed up for two years! The staff had hoped it all would return to a normal level, but it has not happened. It takes a toll on the staff, and they are working on self-care and focusing on successes and resiliency to not burn themselves out. They have continued success though. They were working with Legacy Hospital and the State of Oregon to bill health insurance for mental health services and that has now become a reality!

Girlfriend Andrea Allison pictured with Hollie and Jenny of CARES Northwest. The quilt in this therapy room will be gifted to a client.

Let us Know if You're Planning to Renew by Check, DAF or Stock Transfer?

To help ensure your membership contribution is properly processed when paying other than by credit card online, it’s very helpful to sign up or renew via our website (Join or Renew 2024), which automatically lets us know which membership level you want ($300, $600, $1200, $1800, or $2500) and whether the funds will be coming via a check or stock transfer. 

Read more here

Some Girlfriends make their annual membership contributions by sending a personal check or by having a check sent from their brokerage account or donor-advised fund at our PO Box. Other Girlfriends make their contribution by initiating a stock transfer directly to our investment account. We appreciate each and every contribution and are pleased to receive funds by any of these methods and by credit card. 

If your payment will be coming via a brokerage or investment firm, please email us to let us know you have requested the check and include the name of the fund, the account name, the date and amount requested, and the approximate date the payment is expected to be made (if known). If you received an acknowledgement from the fund custodian when the request was made, please forward that. These small steps help ensure we know your intentions and can accurately and efficiently connect funds received to the proper donor. Questions about this process? Contact us.

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LEARNING LINK: VANPORT

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This month’s learning links connect to both Black History Month and our 2024 focus on the relationship between equity, poverty and social mobility. 

In the 1940s, Vanport was the second largest city in Oregon, built to create wartime housing during WWII. Vanport was home to thousands of Black migrants looking for work in the shipbuilding industry. In 1948 it was destroyed by a devastating flood. The history of Vanport is tied up in state and local laws and practices regarding segregation, housing, and race relations.  

The NPR show Code Switch, did a short piece on Vanport in 2015. In addition, Oregon Public Broadcasting created an excellent one-hour documentary to share the full story of Vanport.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON TONG ZHANG

While I was born in China, I grew up in Oregon and consider this place my home. I moved away for a long time after high school, living in Seattle and in Baltimore. In Baltimore the nonprofit I worked for received funding from the Baltimore Women’s Giving Circle. While I was never a member, I was really impacted and impressed by the community. When I came back home in 2015 I started looking for something similar in Oregon and I learned about ninety-nine girlfriends. I wanted to be a member but at the time I wasn’t in a place financially to join due to our priorities of starting a family. Shortly after, I learned about the Fellows Program and joined in 2018 as a Fellow. I’ve been part of the organization ever since.

I’ve been involved in many different projects within the organization, the most long standing of which is as a ballot mistress with the amazing Jude Lieberman. Seeing the votes come in every year is something I’ve appreciated being a part of for a long time. I am also on the Governing Board where we verify the financial health of the organization but also keep an eye out for the strategic vision. I’ve been on many advisory boards and councils before but this is my first time serving on the Governing Board of a philanthropic organization, which has proven to be a really great learning experience for me.

I joined ninety-nine girlfriends to meet women like me who are interested in making an impact in the community. I’ve stayed because I continue to meet women unlike me who continue to grow and challenge my perspectives on how to use philanthropy for meaningful impact. There are too many folks that I’ve met over the years to mention them all but I especially wanted to give credit to two of them, Deborah Edward and Barbara Hilyer. They have always helped me think differently about tackling tough challenges and I am grateful for what I have learned from them and others in the organization.


Tong Zhang

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON KIMBER CAVENDISH

I met Tammy Wilhoite for the first time a couple of weeks ago over a lovely cup of coffee. We chatted about our lives and my renewed membership with ninety-nine girlfriends. As the conversation was winding down, she asked how I felt about writing a Member Spotlight. I thought about what I would say to all my new Girlfriends about myself and my renewed desire to join. Here’s what bubbled up for me.  

I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My father owned property in Reno and my mother built a bed and breakfast on the central Oregon Coast. During my younger years, I was a professional Can-Can dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris. I worked for Club Med teaching snorkeling, I opened an aerobics studio in Eugene in the mid 80’s and yes, I wore leg warmers!! 

In my mid-twenties, after a serious running injury, I decided to head back to college to become a physical therapist. When I graduated 7 years later, I moved to Austin for two decades.In the early 90’s, the entrepreneurial  seed planted by my parents sprouted. I opened a PT clinic, remodeled a bunch of homes, and had a baby girl. In 2008, I designed, built and operated a boutique hotel in Austin called Kimber Modern. 

Being the entrepreneurial type is exhilarating and scary, starting your own business is scary, the fear of failure is super scary, financial ruin even scarier. But there's something that drives you to pursue your ideas, your dreams, your passions…   

The humans who have the fighting spirit, the grit, the resilience, the determination and the heart to start their own businesses and risk everything are the people I admire the most beyond measure. The small non-profit organizations that are applying for grants and trying to make a difference in this world, for the better, are my heroes.  

By renewing my membership, I pledge to be engaged and involved in the application and voting process and to learn as much as possible about the people and organizations that are applying. An award of $100K is a game changer and such an immense honor.  

Additionally, the prospect of meeting many of you, in person, is very exciting to me. Being part of a like-minded women’s giving collective, that’s so impactful and critically important, truly fills my soul.

Kimber Cavendish

JOIN THE FELLOWS PROGRAM

With the advent of our new membership options, what has been an invitation-only program for just a few members aged 20-35 is expanding to include all interested members 35 and younger. The current Fellows are eager to welcome you to leadership development opportunities, small learning events, occasional social events, and as many one-on-one mentoring matches as possible. Please contact Michelle Hynes at the Fellows Program if you’re interested in joining or helping out. Watch this space for more information in the new year. 

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2024: HOW ARE EQUITY, POVERTY, AND SOCIAL MOBILITY RELATED, AND HOW CAN OUR PHILANTHROPY SUPPORT POSITIVE CHANGE?

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“How are equity, poverty, and social mobility related, and how can our philanthropy support positive change?” 

This question will guide our Member Education programming for the year and is something to remember throughout our grant-making. Learn more about our annual learning questions at this link.

RACIAL EQUITY WORK FINDS A NEW HOME

Our Racial Equity Committee (REC) is moving into the Member Education Committee as the Racial Equity Team. The outstanding members of REC have helped lay a foundation through our Equity Statement, moving beyond land acknowledgments and establishing our Racial Equity Resource page. They will continue this vital work of striving for racial equity as part of our Member Education Committee. Having racial equity embedded in both our grantmaking and member education moves us closer to our goal of embedding racial equity in all that we do. 

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LEARNING LINK: INTELLECTUAL HUMILITY

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“I am not here to be right. I am here to get it right.” —Brene Brown

As Girlfriends, we always look for new ways to impact our region. But to do that, we must be willing to listen, consider alternate viewpoints, and change our opinions based on new information.

Intellectual humility allows us to open ourselves to new ideas and approaches. In a compelling two-minute video, Dan Pink offers simple approaches to increasing our intellectual humility. For a great story on how to use intellectual humility to improve relationships, listen to this inspiring TedTalk.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT ON BECKY JACKSON

Becky Jackson

I was introduced to ninety-nine girlfriends by a friend who was a Girlfriend (and remains one), and I found it compelling to think of a women’s grant-making movement in Portland. I then met another friend from the same circle, who was a Girlfriend also, and a volunteer. I did not hesitate any longer and joined in 2018. I now have 6 years of working on the Grant Review Teams, and I love it!

When I joined ninety-nine girlfriends, I wanted to do so with engagement. I considered my skills and interests and landed on grant review from the get-go. I know business and making human resource and financial assessments, so I thought I would have something to offer in the grant review process. What really had meaning for me was to learn about the needs of Portland and the people and programs who were seeking to serve those needs. From there, I found it rewarding to help with the work to find the best places to put our funds to work for impact. In the process I have met many wonderful volunteers and program staff members who are also working for good outcomes for our city.

Being a Girlfriend and working in grant review has given me a deeply meaningful experience in philanthropy. I have met people who are working tirelessly for equity and opportunity. The Girlfriends are all talented and fun to work with, and I have made new friends. The programs we sponsor are grateful, and their communities are rewarded with expanded support. It is a huge win for all involved. 


IMPACT PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM THEIR REPORTS

As we wrap up 2023, we hope you will take a moment to join us to celebrate the incredible work and accomplishments of our Impact Partners, who work in the ever-changing landscape of the nonprofit sector, where challenges seem ever-present. We invite you to review their impact reports now on our website. As you browse these reports, we hope you will join us in taking pride in our tangible impact. Our Impact Partners have submitted various testimonials that speak to the scope, depth, and overall impact of their work – and demonstrate the value of our collective support in bolstering their efforts. 

We look forward to another year of standing together – not only in our contributions to grantmaking but also in our collective commitment to making a difference in our communities! Continue reading here.

To quote our various Impact Partners, our awards have helped organizations increase capacity, empower workers, foster intergenerational equity through art and activism, increase the depth of their services for youth, hone internal communications, return to in-person programming, build financial security, bring women hope, and so much more. 

Here are just a few highlights: 

  • Black Food Sovereignty Coalition’s regenerative urban farm put on its largest CSA, distributing over 4000 pounds of produce (and serving 50 families who are a part of WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center!).

  • WomenFirst Transition & Referral Center provided critical services to women who need access to vision care resources, storage fees for program participants, and furnishings for those transitioning into permanent housing.

  • Constructing Hope graduated 42 community members and placed them in new careers with an average starting wage of $23.51/hr.

  • Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center + Rosemary Anderson High School (POIC+RAHS) have enrolled and graduated two cohorts of trainees from The Culinary + Hospitality Emergent Fellowship Academy. During the graduation ceremony, Chef Kiara Hardy, the Culinary Director of the POIC Kitchen, congratulated the graduates and emphasized that they can now work "as  professionals in any kitchen you set foot in." 

  • Trash for Peace’s Ground Score program launched a new website, providing the project with a vital fundraising and marketing tool.

  • Voz Workers Rights' Education Project offered 35 training opportunities in habitat restoration, forestry, arborism, invasive and noninvasive plants, and general green jobs skills in different languages.

  • Dr Martin Luther King Jr School Museum of Contemporary Art (KSMoCA) is starting to use the school's windows as a giant canvas to display some of the student artworks, making their work more accessible to the broader King neighborhood. 

  • BRAVO Youth Orchestras provided three incredibly robust summer music camps supporting ~150 students who otherwise may not have had access to music and the arts. They also gave a shoutout to their liaison, Anne Castleton, who will be playing with the BRAVO Community Orchestra Winter Concert on Friday, Dec. 15 at Buckley Center Auditorium!

  • Wisdom of the Elders has been working to build capacity – from bringing in an Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) Admin/Outreach Coordinator, to supporting multiple cohorts of BIPOC interns and individuals in developing skills in ITEK-informed environmental restoration.

LEARNING LINK: GIVENATIVE LIST

As a Wrap-up of Native American Heritage Month, we share this GiveNative List for your consideration.

Native Ways Federation recognizes that Native-led organizations know their communities, their strengths and how best to help their people. Investing in Native-led nonprofits is the best way to support positive change in these communities. Click here to see GiveNative participating organizations.