Member Spotlight on Elisa deCastro Hornecker

I joined ninety-nine girlfriends in 2017 after Tammy Wilhoite introduced me to the organization. A born-and-raised Portlander, I was familiar with the philanthropy landscape in our area, but unfamiliar with women-focused collective impact giving. I was interested in the opportunity to learn about a variety of subjects through member education and to engage collaboratively with knowledgeable, thoughtful, and diverse women to focus our giving. Being a Girlfriend has allowed me to lead a Spotlight Study Team on Safe Homes for All in 2020 and serve as an Impact Partner Liaison with a couple organizations that I still keep in contact with. I often include articles on these organizations - and ninety-nine girlfriends - in a neighborhood magazine I write for. The fact that we have granted over $3.5 million to local nonprofits over the past decade is in itself amazing - to know it was accomplished through the dedication and determination of the women in ninety-nine girlfriends is breathtaking! 

Ninety-nine girlfriends’ model is something I often bring to the table when discussing philanthropy. I graduated from the University of Oregon with degrees in international studies and political science. Having been raised speaking Spanish and then becoming fluent in French, I thought my education would lead me in an international direction. However, my career was in managing investment portfolios for individuals and nonprofits instead. Perhaps this is where my interest in philanthropy began? I retired when my husband and I had three young children and I found motherhood was my true passion. 

I continued supporting youth-oriented organizations, and once the kids were nearing college age, I became reconnected with my alma mater, supporting areas with direct impact on students like internships and most recently The Ballmer Institute for Children's Behavioral Health on UO's North Portland Campus. I was asked to join the UO Board of Trustees in 2019 and currently serve as the chair of the Academic and Student Affairs Committee. This board service continues to be an honor and a continual learning opportunity for me. 

My involvement with the UO recently connected with that of ninety-nine girlfriends. Women lead philanthropy decisions in most families, and they have an interest in learning. Building on these ideas, the university began a new initiative, She Champions Oregon designed to bring women together to shape the future of philanthropy at the university makes their giving meaningful and impactful through education, engagement, and connection. Through my participation in ninety-nine girlfriends, I have been able to share what I have learned from our successful collective giving model for example: clear principles, goals and focus, core pillars, voting structure, and even communication guidelines.  

I am thrilled that two organizations I care deeply about are being championed by women!

Elisa deCastro Hornecker

Crag Law Center

Crag Law Center Senior Staff Attorney Meriel Darzen and partner organizations Cascadia Wildlands, Oregon Wild, and Umpqua Watersheds filed an emergency motion for a Temporary Restraining Order after volunteers documented the Bureau of Land Management illegally logging trees up to 250 years old and 67 inches in diameter near Yoncalla — trees the BLM's own rules require it to protect. See more about the work Crag is doing to hold BLM accountable in this article from Oregon Wild. 

Racial Equity Team celebrates AANHPI Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates the cultural heritage of Americans who are from Asia, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Pacific Islanders come from the geographic regions of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia. Hawaii, a part of Polynesia, is often identified withhula, which is much more than a dance.

How our volunteers are moving us towards $300,000 in giving for 2026!

It’s a busy time in our grantmaking process! Between now and mid June, 32 Girlfriends on four grant review teams (GRTs) are reviewing and evaluating applications from the 40 organizations that were invited to submit full applications after passing through the letter of interest stage. Focusing on our vision, guiding principles, and commitment to racial diversity, GRT volunteers work together to reach consensus to narrow the pool to four semifinalists per focus area. They then meet with the semifinalists to gather more information and get their questions answered. Ultimately they present two finalists per focus area to all of you to vote on this fall.

And we are excited to announce that we will be awarding $300,000 of grants this fall. Impact Awards of $65,000 will go to the #1 vote-getters in each focus area, and Finalist Awards of $10,000 will go to the #2 vote-getters in each focus area, for a total of eight awards.

2026 membership numbers are in and they look good!

The membership drive is officially over and the total number of Girlfriends is 329, which includes 237 renewals and 83 new and 9 returning members. This is up from 2025, when we had 315 members including 227 renewals, 80 new, and 8 returning. Our member retention rate is 76 percent in 2026 versus 68 percent in 2025. Many factors contributed to this year’s success, including our tiered membership options. Not only do new members get to choose the contribution level that works best for them, but we also had 62 renewing members take advantage of the flexibility to increase or decrease their contribution as compared to last year. Upgrades at the higher levels, especially to the new $5,000 level, balanced out the downgrades, resulting in a net increase in income of $1,100. 

The majority of members joined or renewed at the $300 or $600 level. The average contribution of all members was $970, down from $1,014 last year. This is the first time our average contribution has dropped below $1,000. Even so, the total income from all contributions exceeded $300k, once again allowing us to give significant grants.

Follow us on social media

Are you following ninety-nine girlfriends on social media? If not, you’re missing some fun posts. This month we’re highlighting famous Asian and Pacific Islander women in Oregon’s history, to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. You’ll learn about brave Chinese pilots Hazel Ying Lee and Leah Hing, architect Edith Yang, writer Takami Fukuda, dancer Sahomi Tachibana, and Miyo Iwakoshi, the first female Japanese immigrant in Oregon, just to name a few. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn! 

Member Spotlight on Amber Durkin

I first learned about ninety-nine girlfriends several years ago when the organization I work for, Urban Gleaners, received a grant. More recently, I came across the Fellows Program and was immediately excited to apply. As I’ve learned more about the organization and its approach, that excitement has only grown. The emphasis on trust-based philanthropy really resonates with me - especially coming from a nonprofit perspective, where constantly developing new program ideas just to fit funding categories can be challenging when general operating support is what’s truly needed.

I was especially drawn to the opportunity to be part of a community of women who give back through collective action. I’m looking forward to connecting with members across different stages of their careers, and I’m also eager to gain insight into the grantmaking process. Working at a nonprofit that depends on the generosity of foundations and the broader community, it feels meaningful to now experience the other side - supporting organizations in continuing their important work.

A little about me: I’m originally from Northern California and have called Portland home for the past seven years. I love the city, but I also enjoy getting outside - spending time among the trees, mountain biking, foraging for mushrooms, and camping. The Pacific Northwest is such a beautiful place, and I’m looking forward to continuing to put down roots here, both personally and in this community.

Amber Durkin

Project Lemonade

Project Lemonade is saying farewell to its 10-year location at Lloyd Center, with its recent Super Hero Day as its final event. Liaison Trina Brodsky reports having a great time volunteering at the event: “The kids were so excited and the staff was so supportive of everyone!” The organization is now moving to a new location in the Left Bank Building, (in the Albina District!). They begin the move to their new home this week. Mark your calendar for the new space’s grand opening on June 10! More details to come.

POIC

Last summer, our Impact Partner Albina Vision Trust (AVT) opened Albina One, a 94-unit family-centered housing development in Lower Albina. AVT recently posted a video on its YouTube channel celebrating this building and what it means to the community it supports. One of our other Impact Partners, the Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center (POIC), is also a partner in this work, supporting Albina One residents with culturally specific education, mentoring, family outreach, employment training, and career placement services for Black and other people of color households. Albina One is the first AVT development in the district, with more to come, and the organization has just secured $15 million in a major investment from the Meyer Memorial Trust.

Additionally, POIC has recently published their 2025 Impact Report, highlighting their major accomplishments in supporting more than 3,000 people through their education, employment, family and wellness, and community safety programs. 

On educational equity: Mississippi’s literacy approach is working better than Oregon’s approach

Each year we choose a learning question, and this year we’re focusing on educational equity: “In what ways can philanthropy play a role in supporting educational equity and success in our region?” 

The “Mississippi Miracle” refers to the state's dramatic improvement in 4th-grade reading scores and national education rankings, rising from 49th in 2013 to the top 10 in 2026. This podcast shares the details behind the approach and contrasts Mississippi’s results with Oregon’s (the discussion of Oregon starts at about minute 28).

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.