Light a Fire 2022: Caring for the Planet

Friends of the Columbia Gorge Helps Protect a National Treasure

The ‘citizen watchdog’ helps keep development in check in the national scenic area that lines the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington.

01/06/2023 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Light a Fire 2022: Leveling the Field

Brown Girl Rise Makes a Safe Space for BIPOC Youth

The Portland nonprofit centers joy, fun, and radical sisterhood for girls and nonbinary kids.

12/30/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Light a Fire 2022: Best New Nonprofit

WeShine Builds Small Pod-Villages as an Alternative Approach to Homelessness Solutions

The new nonprofit's microvillages help build community and give residents agency in an alternative approach to homelessness solutions.

12/30/2022 By Matthew Trueherz

Light a Fire 2022: Extraordinary Executive Director

At Path Home, Brandi Tuck Is Anything but Shy

For Brandi Tuck, executive director of Portland-based Path Home, a college spring break service project turned into a career.

12/30/2022 By Conner Reed

Light a Fire 2022: Lifetime Achievement

Civil Rights Advocate Valerie Whittlesey Is Someone Who Says Yes

From her time as a civil rights volunteer in Arkansas to campaigning against anti-gay Measure 9 in Oregon, our lifetime achievement winner has worked for equality for decades.

12/30/2022 By Fiona McCann

Light a Fire 2022: Young Leader

Yuyan Luo Connects with the Chinese Community for the Division-Midway Alliance

The Portland State grad acts as program assistant and Chinese community liaison for the Southeast Portland organization.

12/29/2022 By Conner Reed

Light a Fire 2022: Most with the Least

Our Legacy Harvested Brings More People of Color to the Wine World

The Willamette Valley wine country nonprofit sponsors internships to expose more people to all levels of the viticulture industry.

12/29/2022 By Julia Silverman

Light a Fire 2022: Keeping Us Healthy

WomenFirst Tells People They’re Worth Loving

The Gresham-based nonprofit matches people coming out of the criminal justice system with mentors who know what they’re going through.

12/29/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Light a Fire 2022: Extraordinary Volunteer

This Arts Advocate Reminds Us There’s a Lot Happening in Rural Oregon

Baker City’s Ginger Savage helped steer millions in COVID relief funding to arts groups all over the state, not just to Willamette Valley heavy hitters.

12/29/2022 By Matthew Trueherz

Light a Fire 2022: Giving Shelter

Bridges to Change Offers a Pathway to Recovery

The Oregon nonprofit brings wraparound services to those coming out of prison or houselessness.

12/29/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen

Urban Forestry

What Will Become of Portland’s Tree Canopy?

Friends of Trees, the nonprofit that has been greening the city for years, has been released from its city contract. We wondered what was next.

11/30/2022 By Matthew Trueherz

Aid

How to Help Those Affected by Hurricane Ian

From blood to cash donations, here are things Oregonians can do to help those in Florida and Puerto Rico.

09/30/2022 By Isabel Lemus Kristensen and Fiona McCann

Houselessness

A New Tiny-Home Village for the Houseless Is Opening Soon in Portland

The project is run by the nonprofit WeShine, one of a small but growing number of nongovernmental organizations that are getting managed villages populated by tiny sleeping pods.

08/15/2022 By Julia Silverman

Light A Fire

Your Favorite Portland Nonprofit Deserves an Award, Right?

Know of a nonprofit that deserves recognition? Nominations are now open for Portland Monthly’s annual Light a Fire awards!

08/10/2022 By Julia Silverman

Q&A

Ripping the City With Brennan Scarlett

The NFL player and founder of Big Yard Foundation, a Portland non-profit, discusses growing up in the Rose City and dishes on his favorite local spots.

07/22/2022 By Dalila Brent

Q&A

Stuart Wells Joins Portland Audubon as New Executive Director

Wells is looking to increase community involvement in wildlife conservation and education. The location set beside Forest Park is one of the oldest Audubon chapters in the country.

07/18/2022 By Michelle Harris

Soccer

Thorns and Timbers Took the Field Together in Ukraine-UNICEF Fundraiser

The at-times bizarre soccer game in a packed Providence Park raised $435,000 and counting.

04/28/2022 By Margaret Seiler

Nonprofits

A Newly Designed Women’s Shelter Opens Its Doors in Portland

Rose Haven’s newly expanded shelter, which measures 9,700 square feet, is a light and airy space that draws on trauma-informed design principles.

03/08/2022 By Michelle Harris

Global Aid

Here's How to Help Ukraine From PDX

These Portland artists, restaurants, and businesses are doing what they can to help Ukraine amid Russian attacks, and you can too.

03/02/2022 By Shannon Daehnke

Spaces

Trauma-Informed Design Turns an Old Church into a Family Shelter

With pro bono help from a local designer, Family Village has soft curves, open sight lines, and a sense of place.

12/10/2021 By Angela Uherbelau