At SVP Portland, we are more than grantmakers. One reason is because we multiply our impact by engaging our networks, relationships, and influence to help attract additional financial resources for our Community Partners. An example is our role as fiscal coordinator of TASTE for Equity, a gala that celebrates the ongoing equity work in Portland. This year, the proceeds from the event will benefit KairosPDX, Latino Network, NAYA, and Seeding Justice (three of whom are current or former Community Partners). TASTE Co-Founder and Children’s Institute CEO Kali Thorne Ladd, said "I love equity, food, and wine. I believe in community as catalytic to transformation. There is no event like it."

We are proud to announce that our initial Dynamic Team has successfully achieved its goal! After a thorough and thoughtful process, the team unanimously recommended that SVP’s advocacy and influence priorities should be resourcing coalitions/collaboratives (focused on aligned advocacy) and supporting Washington County Preschool for All efforts. So what are the next steps? We will create an Implementation & Evaluation Dynamic Team with the goal of identifying specific activities for each priority along with key milestones and success metrics. Onward with the work!

Doug Adler is a creative entrepreneur with an eclectic background in photography, writing, marketing, advertising sales, and retail sales. He loves gathering with friends to cook, eat, drink, and converse. "Sometimes it is difficult to keep a positive outlook in this chaotic world – with caustic politics, ongoing social issues, and canyon-sized cultural divides. I rant on Twitter, but working as an SVP Partner is more productive and impactful! I am learning how to collaborate using online tools and, most importantly, I am gaining a fresh perspective on equity and privilege."

We are delighted to announce that LB Yockey Jones has joined SVP Portland as our new Finance & Operations Manager! In this role, LB manages our financial systems and operational needs to ensure we have systems, processes, and reporting in place to carry out our mission and support our nonprofit partners. In reflecting on what attracted her to SVP: “SVP’s capacity-building work is an exciting strategy to fundamentally change the outcome of philanthropy to one that is measurable, actionable, and collaborative.”

Darrell LeBlanc started racing cars when he moved to Oregon from California in 2006. When his kids went to college, he wanted to do even more with the racing community so he volunteered at Friends of PIR. This nonprofit helps to ensure that Portland International Raceway (PIR) continues to thrive as a venue for motorsports and other diverse forms of recreation and entertainment. Since he was already deeply involved in the PIR community, both as a racer and volunteer, it was a natural fit for him to do his Encore Fellowship at Friends of PIR when he retired in 2021 after 16 years at Intel.

Breaking news: Encore.org has changed its name to CoGenerate, and has a refreshed mission and vision! Their new vision is “A world where older and younger people create a better future together.” And their new mission statement clarifies their multigenerational approach: “CoGenerate brings older and younger people together to solve problems, bridge divides and co-create the future.”

The SVP community was deeply saddened to hear that Community Partner Threads of Justice Collective (TOJC) founder and Board member Hadiyah Miller passed away on September 11, 2022. SVP Portland Executive Director Lauren Johnson said fondly, “Hadiyah was a remarkable leader, deeply committed to social and racial justice, eradicating oppression, and early childhood development. We were honored to have the opportunity to partner with her in advancing TOJC’s mission.”

We are thrilled to announce that Carolina Castañeda del Río has joined SVP Portland as our new Director of Community Impact! “I am passionate about steering the development of organizations and initiatives that champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice,” says Carolina. “As a mental health professional and mother of a young child, I am convinced that early-childhood years are the most critical for any meaningful and sustainable change that we want to see in individuals and societies. I am excited to use my passion and expertise to make a positive contribution to SVP Portland as the Director of Community Impact!”