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, Whittlesey 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.

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

Houselessness

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

But it's not run by the city.

08/15/2022 By Julia Silverman

Light A Fire

Your Favorite Portland Nonprofit Deserves an Award, Right?

We can help! It's time to nominate the people who make our city a better place to live for our 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

One of his goals? To increase community involvement in wildlife conservation and education

07/18/2022 By Michelle Harris

Soccer

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

Roses, logs, a near mob on the pitch at the end: the at-times bizarre mixed match 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 new light, airy and cheerful space 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, 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

Best Restaurants 2021

In the Portland Dining Scene, These Little Lights Really Shine

The city’s sweet spot has always been the small, the intimate, the passionate—and no two alike.

11/30/2021 By Karen Brooks

Light a Fire

4 Organizations Fighting for Equity throughout Oregon

Unite Oregon, Equitable Giving Circle, Brown Hope, and Don't Shoot Portland are training leaders and providing direct aid, with racial justice at the forefront of their work.

11/30/2021 By Karly Quadros and Conner Reed

Light a Fire

4 Local Nonprofits Working on Environmental Issues

From salmon to stewardship to wildfire repair and more, these organizations are putting our planetary health front and center.

11/30/2021 By Cami Hughes and Gabriel Granillo

Light a Fire

Next Up's New Executive Director Breaks the Cycle

Elona J. Wilson talks about her path to leading the youth voting organization.

11/30/2021 By Hanna Merzbach