Light A Fire

Extraordinary Volunteer

This Volunteer Has Fostered 18 Guide Dogs for the Blind Just Since 2016

Says Debi Hays: “They give me the dogs that are a ‘challenge.' I call them misunderstood.”

10/23/2019 By Kelly Clarke

Caring for Our Planet

How a 30-Year-Old Conservation Group Is Thwarting Developers and Protecting Pristine Forest Land

Columbia Land Trust now controls 45,000 acres along the Columbia River—where nothing will ever be built

10/23/2019 By Marty Patail

Most with the Least

This Tiny Group Makes Oregon Schools Safer for LGBTQ Students

Oregon Safe Schools is advocating for the city's LGBTQ students.

10/23/2019 By Margaret Seiler

Exceptional Community Contribution

This Portland Charter School Is Closing the Achievement Gap for Black and Brown Kids

KairosPDX is already seeing results.

10/23/2019 By Conner Reed

Best New Nonprofit 2019

How One New Portland Nonprofit Amplifies Immigrant Voices

The Immigrant Story shares the stories of some of the area’s new (or not so new) arrivals from afar.

10/23/2019 By Tiara Darnell

Game Changing Project

Meals on Wheels People Made a Hip, Midcentury-Mod Diner for Seniors

The nonprofit café serves community connection along with Reubens and house marionberry pie.

10/23/2019 By Kiva Hanson

Extraordinary Executive Director

Shari Dunn Helps Empower Oregon Women for Professional Success

Since 2015, Dunn has steered Dress for Success Oregon, offering women career coaching, interview and résumé preparation, and access to a professional wardrobe.

10/23/2019 By Tiara Darnell

Extraordinary Board Member

Becky Blumer Delivers Groceries and Kindness to Seniors and People with Disabilities

“I grew up in a small community where it felt like a given that people took care of each other.”

10/23/2019 By Conner Reed

Editor's Note

We’ve Honored More than 200 Nonprofits with Light a Fire Awards Since 2005

The real winners in this annual nonprofit and volunteer spotlight? All of us.

10/23/2019 By Fiona McCann

Light a Fire

Women Skaters Are Kickflipping Ass at This Portland Nonprofit

Skate Like a Girl provides community and space for women and nonbinary people.

09/23/2019 By Alli Weseman

Light a Fire

One Portland Non-Profit Is Challenging Trump’s Border Policies—And Winning.

The Innovation Law Lab has become a national leader taking on immigrant cases.

09/23/2019 By Fiona McCann

Music

Big Emotions Reign Supreme in PHAME’s World-Premiere Rock Opera

Written and performed entirely by adults with developmental disabilities, The Poet’s Shadow is a landmark production for the Portland nonprofit.

07/24/2019 By Conner Reed

Light a Fire 2019

Nominate Your Favorite Nonprofit Now!

We’ve extended the deadline for nominations for Portland Monthly’s 2019 Light a Fire awards. Get on it!

07/03/2019 By Portland Monthly Staff

Community Report

These 4 Nonprofits Are Fighting Homelessness One Meal, Bed, or Trash Bag at a Time

When it comes to tackling homelessness, bigger is not always better.

06/25/2019 By Fiona McCann

Community Report

We Know How to Solve Homelessness in Portland. What’s Stopping Us?

“These are not intractable problems. They can be solved.”

06/25/2019 By Fiona McCann

Signal Boost

This Yearlong Program Provides a Platform for Black Filmmakers in Portland

Open Signal Labs provides everything from cameras and money to local acting talent and mentoring.

05/28/2019 By Emma Mannheimer

Community Report

These Are the People Cleaning Up Portland's Homeless Encampments

Central City Concern’s Clean Start employees are uniquely qualified for the job: they used to be homeless, too.

05/28/2019 By Ramona DeNies

Community Report

One Woman’s Story of Living on Oregon’s Streets

Corrine Penning tells us how she became homeless, and what that experience was like.

05/28/2019 By Fiona McCann

Foreign Affairs

The Toughest Part of Getting Aid to Syria Could Be US Politics

Just take a history lesson from Portland nonprofit Mercy Corps.

02/26/2019 By Ramona DeNies

Wellness: Bust a Move

Cully's Nonprofit Workout Studio Puts Community First

(com)motion brings Portland together with dance parties, karate classes, and body-positive yoga.

01/29/2019 By Rebecca Jacobson

Portland Monthly

Light A Fire

This Volunteer Has Fostered 18 Guide Dogs for the Blind Just Since 2016

How a 30-Year-Old Conservation Group Is Thwarting Developers and Protecting Pristine Forest Land

This Tiny Group Makes Oregon Schools Safer for LGBTQ Students

This Portland Charter School Is Closing the Achievement Gap for Black and Brown Kids

How One New Portland Nonprofit Amplifies Immigrant Voices

Meals on Wheels People Made a Hip, Midcentury-Mod Diner for Seniors

Shari Dunn Helps Empower Oregon Women for Professional Success

Becky Blumer Delivers Groceries and Kindness to Seniors and People with Disabilities

We’ve Honored More than 200 Nonprofits with Light a Fire Awards Since 2005

Women Skaters Are Kickflipping Ass at This Portland Nonprofit

Popular Content

Introducing Our 2015 Light a Fire Winners

Meet Our 2017 Light a Fire Winners

One Portland Non-Profit Is Challenging Trump’s Border Policies—And Winning.

Big Emotions Reign Supreme in PHAME’s World-Premiere Rock Opera

Nominate Your Favorite Nonprofit Now!

These 4 Nonprofits Are Fighting Homelessness One Meal, Bed, or Trash Bag at a Time

We Know How to Solve Homelessness in Portland. What’s Stopping Us?

This Yearlong Program Provides a Platform for Black Filmmakers in Portland

These Are the People Cleaning Up Portland's Homeless Encampments

One Woman’s Story of Living on Oregon’s Streets

The Toughest Part of Getting Aid to Syria Could Be US Politics

Cully's Nonprofit Workout Studio Puts Community First

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The 25 Restaurants that Made Portland