A Year of Impact
In 2019 Oregon Community Foundation hit new strides, powered by donor support and engaged collaboration. Together, we’re improving lives for all Oregonians.
Message From the Board
As we write this letter, the world has changed dramatically in the course of a few short weeks.
In the wake of the COVID–19 pandemic, uncertainty has spread across the globe and markets have tumbled. Here in Oregon, businesses are closing and families are isolated at home in order to flatten the curve of this deadly outbreak.
Despite office and school closures, and despite the paradox of physical distance from one another, we came together! When our physical world became smaller, we turned to a virtual world and mobilized a remarkable network of generous Oregonians to respond to the most urgent health, public service and economic crisis of our time.
Heartbroken by the hardship of children, families, small businesses and communities, donors like you came forward with stunning speed, empathy and generosity to aid our friends and neighbors. Nonprofit and community partners stepped up with a sense of purpose and leadership. In a single moment of unparalleled crisis, the spirit of community is evident everywhere across the state. Funding partners—large and small, urban and rural—came together to center on a mission of giving back, particularly to those communities that are most vulnerable and will be hardest hit: Oregon’s children and families of color, seniors, low–income children, and rural children.
We joined together to create the Oregon Community Recovery Fund, so anyone could contribute to the recovery efforts. And OCF’s staff displayed the resilience, creativity and innovative problem– solving needed to keep this critical work moving forward amid the chaos.
While this annual report is a look back at 2019, never has it been more critical to acknowledge the leadership, convening power and vast network of connected Oregonians to celebrate of the power of togetherness. You’ll find its evidence in the variety of stories herein about everyday Oregonians investing in rural communities, supporting communities of color, supporting children, and empowering successes in statewide arts education.
With thousands of generous donors, volunteers, philanthropic partners, community advocates and leaders across the public and private sectors, we collectively make a difference in solving Oregon’s most pressing challenges. Whether it’s the COVID–19 crisis today, a future crisis, or the ongoing challenges we face to close the opportunity gap, joining together is what makes us stronger.
We are living in a time of dramatic transition. These issues are complex, and change is hard work. OCF is committed to leveraging the power of a statewide network of community partners and donors to catalyze action that builds trust, relationships and philanthropic investments across the state.
We can only do this work with you.
With gratitude,
Max Williams
President and CEO
Sue Naumes
OCF Board Chair, Medford