The Black United Fund is dedicated to assisting in the social and economic development of Oregon’s low-income communities and contributing to a broader understanding of ethnically and culturally diverse groups. Since 1983, we continue to work on cultivating ongoing sources of financial support for low-income and minority communities to address issues such as education, social justice, youth empowerment and economic sustainability.
 

Through our Grants Program we offer annual grants of up to $5000 to small grass-roots nonprofit organizations that are working directly with low-income communities in Oregon and SW Washington. 

In order to provide direct resources to youth in our communities, encourage responsible citizenship and access to higher education, in 1994 a scholarship program emerged. Through our scholarship program, we facilitate over $500,000 in scholarships to Lewis & Clark, Willamette University, University of Portland, George Fox, Concordia and Reed. 

While working with youth, we saw a need for educating youth about identifying and applying for scholarships. Currently, we offer monthly scholarship writing workshops to all high school students interested in learning about the scholarship process, how to write a compelling essay, and the basics of the college application process.

Here are some comments from students:

•    This program should be required for all high school students because it not only helps now, but it will also help a student in the future

•    I cannot believe how informative this workshop was. It is a vital resource that more students need access to with rising college cost

To learn more, please visit our website at www.bufor.org! 

Stories from the Field
The Douglas County Funders’ Forum

The Douglas County Funders’ Forum began in 1998 as a casual gathering of funders to share information, become more acquainted with each other’s funding processes, and learn about community programs and projects.  Over the years that premise has continued and expanded to include collaborative projects, such as the development, procurement, and on-going support of the Martha Young Grantsmanship and Non-Profit Resource Library at UCC.

The Forum meets quarterly over a lunch hosted by members on a rotating basis.  The agenda includes opportunities to discuss needs and issues, processes and projects, and how funders can have a positive impact in Douglas County.   In late 2008 as the recession was hitting hard, the group responded jointly to provide additional grant dollars to United Community Action Network (UCAN) to assist the local food banks in responding to the increasing demand for emergency food boxes.  Subsequent programs included a lunch made only from contents of a food box and a presentation from the Oregon Food Bank on “Community Food Assessments”.   In addition, as state and federal funding, foundation and individual giving have declined; the forum has invited some of the most severely impacted agencies to share their stories. These educational programs are presented in a “no ask” format so that the members can learn without the pressure of feeling the need to make funding available.   The conversations have led to a very collaborative group of funders who work together to improve the lives of those who live and work in Douglas County.

The Douglas County Funders’ Forum welcomes and includes all funders in Douglas County.  For more information, you may contact Susie Johnston-Forte, susiejohnstonforte@yahoo.com.

What Matters to Me...
Alice McCartor, James Miller Foundation
Living in Mexico and Other Life Surprises

“Snow bird.” “Expat.”  These characterizations surprise me; they also define me.  Ten years ago I was settled in my Portland life - working in philanthropy and hiking in the rain.  But, long grey winters took their toll.  My husband needed light, if not sun. 

Serendipity landed us in San Miguel de Allende, a colonial town in the mountains of Mexico.  After a five-day visit we shook hands with a builder and began learning to conjugate verbs in Spanish.  I cut back my work at Meyer Trust to half the year.  Now, ten years later, we live in San Miguel more than half the year.  My role as a director at the James Miller Foundation keeps me connected to a core love, working with nonprofits in Oregon, and my time in San Miguel opens my eyes to new sensibilities.

Living in another culture is an amazing gift that I had not imagined.  It brings me face-to-face with my values and assumptions about life every day.  My Mexican friends tease me about my fast walk, punctuality and inability to simply slide through an afternoon.  They remind me that one’s work does not define oneself; character, family and one’s word do.  Speaking ill of someone is a punishable offence; what we would call negligence is not.  The ethos and mores of my Mexican neighbors make me realize that those I learned are not the standard; they simply define one possible way to live…not always the best. 

A while back an article in The Economist reported on research that asked people in various countries which they want in their lives: more time or more money.  Mexicans, rich and poor, chose time; we chose money.  

Another San Miguel surprise is the plethora of charitable organizations in our small town.  Not a common part of Mexican cultural, many of these were started by the “expat” community, which contributes lots of volunteers.  These organizations span from health care for the young and old, scholarships, food and housing programs, to Chamber Music, the only Audubon chapter in Mexico, and a beautiful native plant garden…full of cacti.  Of course, all are constantly pushing to grow and seeking support.  Grant writers, however, are in short supply!