For 14 years, Portland Monthly’s Light a Fire awards have celebrated the nonprofits, organizations, and volunteers heeding the call to action. Meet the 2018 award winners.

Above image: homeless youth participate in an Outside the Frame workshop (image courtesy Outside the Frame)

In This Feature:

How IRCO Helps the Newest Oregonians Feel at Home

The Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization has been a "one-stop shop" since 1976.

10/17/2018 By Ramona DeNies

Portlander Olivia Katbi Smith Fights for Justice

"The community’s struggle is my struggle,” says the Democratic Socialist activist and IRCO staffer.

10/17/2018 By Sam Pape

Portlander George Nicola Documents Untold Stories of the LGBTQ Movement

The GLAPN volunteer captures how change happens.

10/17/2018 By Fiona McCann

This Portland Nonprofit Transforms Homeless Youth into Filmmakers

At Outside the Frame, street kids take charge of their own stories.

10/17/2018 By Rebecca Jacobson

Save the Bugs. Save the World.

Portland's Xerces Society fights for the littlest links in our ecosystem.

10/17/2018 By Kelly Clarke

Kimberly Howard: Actor, Foundation Leader, Dot Connector

The board member helps Portland Playhouse act on its intentions—and throw a great brunch party.

10/17/2018 By Margaret Seiler

Open Signal Brings Education, Access, and Equity to Media Production

The media arts center is out to amplify voices that often go unheard.

10/17/2018 By Marty Patail

This Nonprofit Supports Portland's Sex Workers

From trauma support to career coaching, the Cupcake Girls help those in the sex industry or affected by sex trafficking.

10/17/2018 By Sydney Dauphinais

This Portlander Takes School Fundraising to the Next Level

As executive director of All Hands Raised, Dan Ryan brings fundraising dollars to more school districts.

10/17/2018 By Benjamin Tepler

At Portland's Q Center, the Fight for Queer Rights Is Far from Over

In the age of Trump, the community center is more important than ever.

10/17/2018 By Eden Dawn

This Portlander Has Devoted His Life to Helping At-Risk Children

Friends of the Children, founded by Duncan Campbell, follows kids for more than a decade.

10/17/2018 By Fiona McCann

A New Center Brings Health Care and Housing Under One Roof

Cascadia Behavioral Healthcare's new Garlington Health Center makes access simple.

10/17/2018 By Sam Pape