Funders

Forward Together unites communities to win rights, recognition and resources for all families. Using the Resource Connector they successfully funded a critical project they took on due to COVID-19.
 
The economic downturn had an outsized economic and health impact on BIPOC and LGBTQ communities, there was an immediate need to ensure these communities had information and access to the existing SNAP programs supporting families’ nutritional needs. Forward Together collaborated with Oregon Food Bank in an outreach project to more than 12,000 families using a volunteer phone bank and direct mail program. Initial reporting from the phone banking portion of the project indicates that 50% of those reached received SNAP benefits.
 
This project caught the attention of a funder who was able to fulfill the entire request, but also put Forward Together in front of other funders they would not have otherwise interacted with. Forward Together sees the Resource Connector as a great way to reduce barriers to funding for chronically understaffed development teams at nonprofit organizations.

The request from this operational foundation resonated with a funder focused on education and committed to supporting BIPOC communities in our region. The timing of their request made the most of the long overdue attention being focused on systemic racism and was funded fully.
 
In an era when the emergent issues arise regardless of funding cycle calendars, the Resource Connector is committed to highlighting how nonprofits are being affected and offers funders the opportunity for timely response.
 
For over 35 years, the Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF) has helped students of color pursue their dreams of higher education and vocational training. Through mentorship, workshops, scholarships and many other targeted resources, BUF fuels social and economic development in underserved communities, one student at a time. The mission of BUF embraces the belief that education is a catalyst for change. In the words of Chief Executive Officer LM Alaiyo “Dr. A.” Foster, BUF represents that change and academic learning is “the intersection of curiosity and preparation—on behalf of students, educators, and community alike.”

The Boys and Girls Club of Corvallis request was fulfilled by two funders collaborating independently. The first funder committed to funding a portion of the request, the request was highlighted as partially funded and came to the attention of a second funder.
 
The nonprofit’s response to the brief application highlighted key attributes that also made their request stand out. This included their mission to attract, continually engage, and inspire youth in elementary, middle and high school to realize their full potential by mentoring, modeling good character, and delivering relevant structured enrichment programs in a safe, inclusive, and positive environment. And their commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion which shapes their staff hiring, board member recruitment, partnership formation, program and curriculum design, and creating opportunities for youth.
 
Each funder was able to make an individual impact that was deepened by their collaboration, in the end it was a win, win, win result for all three parties involved.