Donors Join Forces to Support Resilient Landscapes and Communities

Oregonians value efforts to protect, preserve and provide access to healthy working and natural landscapes

Aligning shared interests through philanthropy is a key motivation for many OCF donors, as is the case in the formation of the Climate Change and Healthy Habitats Collective Giving Group (CCHH).

Through OCF, a diverse donor group with expertise in business, academia, medicine, law, agriculture and forestry has created a vehicle to meet, learn, plan and recommend grants that support efforts to address climate change and protect healthy ecosystems.

“OCF provides the structure, support and guidance for us to align our diverse environmental interests,” said John Miller, a Salem business owner and donor member of CCHH. “There’s no more important work than trying to preserve and heal this earth that is our home — a home that is increasingly threatened by climate change. Oregonians in rural communities and inner cities alike may be first and hardest hit by changing climate impacts.”

OCF donor members in CCHH review nonprofits addressing climate change and recommend grants to further those efforts.  Fund recipients represent diverse focus areas: ensuring water quality, creating clean energy jobs and environmental health in communities of color, and empowering rural communities to create strong economies and healthy landscapes.

“Through participation in the CCHH group, our family has welcomed the valuable chance to build powerful relationships with like-minded donors, extend and accelerate our learning, and increase the impact of our giving,” said Peter Hayes, a Portland-based sustainable forestry advocate, business owner and CCHH donor member.

“My husband Eric and I recognized how we could do more with this group than we can individually, and leverage more of our funds over time,” said Michele Goodman, a Portland-based CCHH donor member along with her husband Eric Wan. “Everyone is tremendously flexible and open-minded as we define what we stand for related to ecological health,” she added.

Group members hope to see these efforts attract new participants and additional resources to continue the momentum and generate greater impact.

“Being part of a larger donor ecosystem helps us all stay current on the best science, legislative activities and nonprofit expertise that we may not have otherwise known about,” said Craig Kelley, a family foundation trustee and CCHH donor member.

“We embrace our role to listen, learn and evolve our work alongside donors’ charitable goals and the emerging needs of our kids, families, neighbors and colleagues,” said Kirsten Kilchenstein, OCF vice president, donor relations. “Together we hope to create connected, engaged communities across the state.”

In 2018, OCF donor members in CCHH reviewed more than 100 nonprofit organizations, met with finalists and recommended $75,000 to support five nonprofits’ important work in rural and urban communities. Co-investment from OCF and donors resulted in $141,000 in grant awards to nonprofits addressing climate change and healthy habitats. 

Anyone may contribute to the fund at any time. If you’re seeking deeper involvement, you may join the group in early 2020 to participate in the full year of activities including shared learning, discussion, and reviewing and discussing grant proposals. To donate or join the group, please contact Anne George at (541) 382-1170 or ageorge@oregoncf.org.