Philanthropy is a critical part of the Black United Fund of Oregon's community development efforts. Eight-five cents of every dollar donated to the Black United Fund directly benefits individuals in low-income communities.

The Black United Fund of Oregon partners with community-based organizations to provide services that stimulate human potential and foster social and economic development in low-income neighborhoods.

Last year, the Black United Fund of Oregon served 75,000 Oregonians in need through grants to the following organizations:

 

EDUCATION Ensures access to education, successful high school completion, higher education, and guides youth toward responsible citizenship: Adelante Mujeres (www.adelantemujers.org) Educates and empowers low-income Latina women and their families by providing a full-time adult school (literacy, English, GED preparation, business training, leadership and preschool). Chess for Success (www.chessforsuccess.org) Provides children in economically disadvantaged schools the opportunity to build and develop important skills necessary for success by participating in chess club programs. Harambee Centre, Inc. (www.harambeecentre.org) Dedicated to connecting the people of the Northwest with the people and cultures of Africa. Using a model of African cultural awareness for elementary school students and teachers and celebrate Africa with the community. Sabin Community Development Corporation (www.sabincdc.org) Providing long-term affordable housing, educational and self-help programs as well as residential services and resource identification in housing and non-housing needs. Stabilizing neighborhoods in N/NE Portland. Safe Place - Our mission is to offer a safe and controlled environment where youth can grow mentally, physically and spiritually. The homework and book club will provide academic instruction and life enrichment for youth not meeting public school benchmarks. Skipping Stones (www.skippingstones.org) Publish award-winning magazine of children writing and art that encourage cooperation, creativity and celebration of cultural diversity and ecological awareness. The magazine is a forum for all youth to express themselves. Voz Hispana Causa Chavista (www.pcun.org) Mission is to promote recognition and respect for the achievements and values of Cesar Chavez and other Hispanic heroes. Motivate Hispanic participation and leadership in the decisions that affect us in order to achieve a fair society HUMAN SERVICES Connects citizens in need to a wide array of human services that address immediate needs and transitions individuals toward self-sufficiency: Community Childcare Inc. - The mission is to prepare our children with the educational tools they will need while providing a safe nurturing environment for children to thrive. Target population low-income single parent households in N/NE Portland. Mano a Mano Family Center - A bilingual/bicultural holistic family center provides access to basic services such as food boxes, referrals, ESL and driver's education classes, and two youth programs. Somali Community Services Coalition - Mission is to address the ever-changing needs of the Somali community in Oregon. Program is designed to help Somali refugees get basic computer, provide after school tutoring as well as facilitate those seeking employment. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Stimulates employment, home ownership, business development, and economic growth in low-income communities: Centro Cultural of Washington County (www.centrocultural.org) Serves low-income Latinos, providing training in English, Spanish, job readiness and computer skills, day labor program, leadership program, cultural program and hot meals program. Housing Development Center, Inc. (HDC) (www.hdc1.org) Provides technical assistance to nonprofits developing affordable housing, and provides business technical assistance to minority and women-owned construction contracting businesses. North/Northeast Economic Development Alliance Inc. (www.nnealliance.org) Community- based advocacy and policy development organization promoting the economic development(job creation/placement, small business growth and expansion) of north and northeast Portland ONABEN: A Native American Business Network (www.onaben.org) Created by tribes in Oregon to: 1) encourage the development of reservation private sector through individual enterprise, 2) assist all Native Americans business owners in Oregon, and 3) and enhance economic development for Northwest Native individuals and tribes. SOCIAL JUSTICE Ensures access to services in low-income communities and increases awareness about programs and policies that affect neighborhood livability: Environmental Justice Action Group (EJAG) A grassroot, membership driven organization dedicated to developing and utilizing community based leadership in people of color and low-income communities to address the issues of health, safety, and environmental justice. Oregon Action (www.oregonaction.org) A broad-based, multi-racial community organization dedicated to economic justice. We assist people to organize on their own behalf to have greater voice in statewide policy making. Better People (www.betterpeople.org) A living-wage employment and cognitive-behavioral counseling program for adult offenders. The mission is to dramatically reduce recidivism (offenders returning to crime) in Multnomah and other areas. HEALTH Ensures access to healthcare, promotes health education, and addresses chronic health issues facing communities of color: International Center for Traditional Childbearing (www.blackmidwives.org) A health promotion and mid-wife training organization. Our mission is to decrease high infant mortality rates with midwives. North Portland Nurse Practitioner Community Health Clinic - Provides culturally sensitive pediatric primary health care to children up to age 21, including prevention, wellness education, health maintenance, and other treatment of minor acute illness. Women's Intercommunity AIDS Resource (WIAR) Provides HIV positive women and their children with information, referrals, emergency financial assistance, food, clothing and individual counseling. ARTS & CULTURE Enhances understanding of cultural diversity, serves as an education tool and improves the health and welfare of the community: Eugene, Oregon Juneteenth Committee - The mission is to create a perpetual celebration and recognition of Juneteenth for the Lane County community. Community awards and college scholarships are incorporated in the celebration. Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center (IFCC) (www.ifcc-arts.org) Portland's only multicultural art center, creates an environment where people of every ethnic and cultural background come together as artists and audiences. Leadership, Education, Adventure, Direction - LEAD 's mission is to develop the leadership skills of low-income teens to empower them to address community problems. Portland Taiko (www.portlandtaiko.org) Through artistic excellence and innovation in Taiko, Portland Taiko affirms Asian pride, inspires audiences, builds community, and educates about our heritage and culture. Salem Multicultural Institute (www.worldbeatfestival.org) Mission is to collaborate with public and private organizations to promote harmony and understanding through innovative educational cultural programs and activities.