No Images? Click here Dear Friends,With 2017 in the rear-view mirror, it’s worth pausing for a moment to consider what we have accomplished together. It was a remarkable year in service to our mission of improving the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. There were so many ways that we contributed to 2017’s many successes, and here are just a few highlights that are especially noteworthy and inspiring:
OCF is a force for good in Oregon and in communities across this state. We are helping people from all walks of life make things better for themselves and those around them. We offer some hope at a time when things often don’t feel very hopeful. We knit together people of different backgrounds and beliefs under a banner of charitable giving in Oregon. There is not another organization in the state quite like OCF – nurturing real connections and meaningful relationships from downtown Portland to downtown Port Orford, from Joseph to Junction City. Our sense of pride in what we do and the care in which we do this work is our differentiator and the foundation of our thriving culture. Thank you again for a remarkable 2017. I know we will achieve great things together in 2018. Max
Williams OCF Scholarship FundsIt's still early in the year, but we are already hitting big milestones… We’re proud to announce that we have officially established 500 funds that make scholarship awards! Since the first scholarship fund was established, more than 30,000 students have received an OCF scholarship. Every year, OCF awards close to $10 million through 3,200 scholarships. These funds support the dreams and aspirations of students who are pursuing higher education around Oregon. From non-traditional students to vocational students seeking technical skills that will lead to a good job, OCF scholarships serve students with varying backgrounds, goals and needs. It is all because we believe that education is crucial to a successful future and our donors agree. Annual Luncheon UpdateWe’re eagerly anticipating this year’s Annual Luncheon, which OCF will host on May 3, 2018 at Portland Hilton Hotel. We are honored to welcome Kathleen Saadat as our keynote speaker this year. Ms. Saadat has lived in Portland since 1970 and during that time held positions ranging from quality control chemist in a pharmaceutical manufacturing company and executive director of Oregon’s Commission on Black Affairs to director of affirmative action for the state of Oregon and diversity director for Cascade AIDS Project. Ms. Saadat believes that it is only by working together that we can help to build the just and inclusive world we want and we couldn’t agree more. We hope you will join us on May 3. Welcoming New OCF StaffWe have several incredible new members of the OCF team who will help support our mission to improve lives for all Oregonians. We’d like to introduce you to Jenn Columbus, OCF’s philanthropic advisor and regional director of the Northern Willamette Valley. Jenn is based in Salem and is responsible for working with OCF donors to help them create funds and scholarships to support the causes they care about. Another dynamic new addition is Justin Pabalate. Justin is a donor relations officer serving the Portland Metropolitan and Northern Willamette Valley regions and works closely with donors of advised funds to help meet their philanthropic goals. Stephanie Swanson has just joined OCF as the new director of marketing and communications. She brings extensive experience in branding, communications, marketing and community outreach and will help create an integrated marketing and communications strategy to proactively promote and fulfill OCF’s vision and mission. We’re lucky to have all three and hope you’ll join us in welcoming them! Children's Dental Health MonthOregon has one of the country’s highest rates of childhood dental disease, which is the most common chronic disease affecting U.S. children. To help combat this epidemic, OCF has built partnerships with other funders to improve dental health statewide through measures such as bringing dental screenings and services into schools, educating families on the preventable toll of dental disease and emphasizing the important role that parents play. During February, the national Children’s Dental Health Month, we continue to educate Oregonians and develop infrastructure that will provide wider access to dental care. To learn more about this initiative and how you can make a difference, click here to view a short film we just produced to help share these important messages. |