April 2016 Newsletter: 12-stop Listening Tour
A NOTE FROM EMILY
Hello from the road! We're halfway through our 12-stop Listening Tour "Listen to Her," and we've already heard from over 600 women and girls. We've heard difficult stories of challenges and hardships as well as incredible stories about contributions and triumphs. Throughout it all one message has been abundantly clear: Oregon women are ready to be listened to, and what they have to say matters.
Make sure to follow our journey on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And check out some of the terrific news coverage we've been getting in places like Bend, Salem, Eugene,Medford, and Portland. We're headed to Eastern Oregon next week -- see you out there, Oregon!
Warmly,
Emily Evans
Executive Director, Women’s Foundation of Oregon
FOUNDATION UPDATES
INVESTMENT UPDATE
Our annual voting process starts in a few short weeks! Between May 3-15 every current member of Foundation will get to cast her vote for our 2016 grant recipients. In preparation, here is a Q&A-style recap of our grantmaking process this year...
What are the Women's Foundation grantmaking plans for 2016?
This year, as a part of our transition to a statewide Foundation, we decided that 100% of our grants will be awarded to organizations that are based outside of Multnomah County (or that serve a majority of clients who live outside of Multnomah County). Our 2016 grants will range in size from $5,000-$25,000 and will total $60,000.
How were organizations selected to be a part of this year's process?
In December, we invited 23 organizations to submit invitation-only Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) to the Foundation. In addition to our geographic criteria, we limited the invitations to organizations that have registered with us by completing our service-provider survey, serve primarily women and/or girls (70%+), and have budgets that are at least $100,000 but not more than $2,500,000.
Why was budget size part of this year’s criteria?
The Foundation board members determined that the optimal candidates would be those for which our award size would represent a significant award, but not comprise an outsized amount of an organization’s operating budget. We know that many agencies doing exceptional work for women in Oregon did not meet this year’s criteria. We look forward to supporting such organizations through our future grantmaking.
How did the selection process proceed?
The Foundation’s Grants Committee evaluated the survey responders in consultation with Foundation officers and staff. They selected 23 organizations that were invited to submit LOIs. The Grants Committee then thoroughly reviewed those proposals and selected six semi-finalists. An extensive site visits and due diligence process was conducted for each semi-finalist. The Grants Committee then identified the finalists that will be presented to the Foundation's members, who will vote to select the award winners.
How does the voting work?
All current Foundation members will receive an email with a link to their personal official ballot listing the finalists. Like last year, the ballot will contain a brief overview of the finalists and their projects will be provided as well as a short site-visit video.
When will voting happen?
Current members of the Foundation will be able to cast their ballots between May 2-13, 2016.
When will the Grant Award recipients be announced?
The winners will be announced at our Annual Reception for members and friends of the Foundation on May 23rd in Portland.
Will the criteria for the Grant Awards be the same every year?
As we continue to grow, our grantmaking focus will change from year to year. We will continue to reflect on prior year's priorities and processes to inform how we structure the selection process for future years.
How do I stay informed about the Women’s Foundation’s grantmaking?
Sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about our grantmaking as soon as they are announced!
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Meet Dawn Jones Redstone, filmmaker, mother to Lucy, and proud Women’s Foundation member living in Portland.
Name: Dawn Jones Redstone
Age: 44
Occupation: Filmmaker
Member of the Women's Foundation since: 2015
Check out her Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and website to learn more about her award-winning film Sista in the Brotherhood.
What’s your favorite spot in Oregon?
Paradise Park on Mt. Hood. It’s a trek, but if you go in July when all the wildflowers are out, it’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen.
What quality do you most admire in others?
Loving kindness, particularly when coupled with a certain level of badassery.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To sing.
What was your first volunteer experience?
It might have been Hands Across America? Am I dating myself? Or a summer spent building trails in Denali, Alaska with the Student Conservation Association when I was in high school. It really opened up my world and set me on a path to make volunteerism a regular part of my life.
What’s the best place to eat in our great state?
I would never be so absolute as there are many, but I rather like dining at LaTaq near my house. It takes me back to my TexMex roots and who doesn’t love a good taco?
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
First thought: surviving last year. We were adjusting to our first child while I also had an unwieldy workload and was directing a short film in my “spare time.” Second thought: actually, it’s marrying my wife, the silent and extremely supportive co-producer on everything I do. Couldn’t have survived last year without her.
Which woman (living or dead) do you most admire?
My filmmaker answer would be Ava Duvernay. She makes compelling, interpersonal films, but also, has used her rising status to call out the lack of inclusion in the film industry. How much do I admire her? I spent a ridiculous couple of hours online making sure I got my daughter one of the 1,000 Ava Duvernay Barbie Dolls released last year.
What’s your most treasured possession?
Pragmatically, I might’ve said my laptop until I lost it about a month ago and realized it was nothing. The list would definitely include an ocelot tooth given to me by a friend in the indigenous Ngobe village where I lived in Panama for two and a half years during my Peace Corps service. The tooth is from the animal I was named after in their language. If it helps, the ocelot was attacking their chickens.
What is your personal motto?
"Gettin’ sh-t done since 1971."
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
A nicely chilled negroni with good company.
What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
My 17 month old daughter doing the darndest things.
Why are you a member of the Women’s Foundation?
I’m proud to be part of an organization that’s focused on documenting and ultimately improving the lives of women and girls in Oregon. It’s been an honor to be in the story booth on the Listening Tour and hearing what women are concerned about across the state. Participants come with a wide range of stories, but I’m always touched by their willingness to share a part of themselves with the hope of making things better.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
DONATE FEMININE HYGIENE PRODUCTS TO CAMIONS OF CARE!
Camions of Care is a youth-run 501(c)(3) global nonprofit that manages menstrual hygiene through advocacy, education, and service; and through the global distribution of feminine hygiene products and the engagement of youth leadership through their 18 worldwide chapters.
In the last year, Camions has distributed over 6,000 care packages to women in need around Portland, OR and across the US -- each containing enough supplies for a woman's entire menstrual cycle. Right now, Camions distributes at a rate of service for 350 women/week. Camions is focused on reaching out to people of all backgrounds by connecting through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Your donations of feminine hygiene products will make this possible!
Need some examples of feminine hygiene products? Tampons, pads, and pantyliners are always needed! All items can be dropped off at the Women's Foundation offices: 221 NW Second Avenue, Suite 302, Portland OR 97209.
Camions has also started a new campaign to fight the stigma surrounding menstruation called the Period Pledge. You can learn more about the Period Pledge at www.camionsofcare.org and share it with your friends and family by using #PeriodPledge.
Nadya Okamoto, Executive Director (also a Women's Foundation board member), will be giving a TedTalk in Portland, Oregon on August 9th, 2016 about charities and activism amongst youth.
Community Events
Our remaining Listen To Her tour stops -- please join us or volunteer!
April 20: Forest Grove - Spanish language only, Centro Cultural, 6:00-7:30pm
April 23: North Portland, Portland Community College - Cascade, MAHB 104, 12:30-2:00pm
April 26: Umatilla Reservation, Longhouse Annex, 6:00-7:30pm
April 27: Pendleton, Blue Mountain CC - Science & Tech Bldg, Room 200, 5:30-7:00pm
April 28: Ontario, Four Rivers Cultural Center, 7:00-8:30pm
May 2: Burns, Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 5:30-7:00pm
April: PSU's Culture and Conversation, Portland and Eugene
A month-long series of events designed to spark campus and community dialogue around identity, equity, and community.
May 14: Women in Trades Career Fair, Portland
Women in Trades Career Fair to increase the overall number of women working in the trades and to help fill the imminent gap in the labor force that will be created with record-levels of upcoming retirements of skilled trades people.
May 15: The Empowered Event, A Benefit for Girls, Inc., Portland
EMPOWERED is an afternoon of inspiration, transformation and networking in a supportive
community of women.
May 23: Women's Foundation of Oregon Annual Celebration, Portland
Join fellow Foundation members and their guests to celebrate the past year and for the announcement of this year's grant recipients.
May 28: PDX Red Party, Portland
Celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day in Portland to raise awareness.
Save the Date! September 21: Women's Foundation of Oregon Report Release Party
If you would like your event added to our calendar, please email info@w-for.org
Our remaining Listen To Her tour stops -- please join us or volunteer!
April 23: North Portland, Portland Community College - Cascade, MAHB 104, 12:30-2:00pm
April 26: Umatilla Reservation, Longhouse Annex, 6:00-7:30pm
April 27: Pendleton, Blue Mountain CC - Science & Tech Bldg, Room 200, 5:30-7:00pm
April 28: Ontario, Four Rivers Cultural Center, 7:00-8:30pm
May 2: Burns, Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 5:30-7:00pm
April: PSU's Culture and Conversation, Portland and Eugene
A month-long series of events designed to spark campus and community dialogue around identity, equity, and community.
May 14: Women in Trades Career Fair, Portland
Women in Trades Career Fair to increase the overall number of women working in the trades and to help fill the imminent gap in the labor force that will be created with record-levels of upcoming retirements of skilled trades people.
May 15: The Empowered Event, A Benefit for Girls, Inc., Portland
EMPOWERED is an afternoon of inspiration, transformation and networking in a supportive
community of women.
May 23: Women's Foundation of Oregon Annual Celebration, Portland
Join fellow Foundation members and their guests to celebrate the past year and for the announcement of this year's grant recipients.
May 28: PDX Red Party, Portland
Celebrate World Menstrual Hygiene Day in Portland to raise awareness.
Save the Date! September 21: Women's Foundation of Oregon Report Release Party
If you would like your event added to our calendar, please email info@w-for.org
Oregon News to Know
Bewer Honored as Oregon Woman Veteran of the Year
Oregon State Women's Basketball Finishes Historic Season with Trip to the NCAA Final Four
FBI Honors Oregon Woman for Her Work with Victims
Melissa's Law Results in Testing Thousands of Backlogged Rape Kits in Oregon
Social Media
JOJO THE MOTORHOME!
NAMED AFTER THE DELICIOUS NORTHWEST POTATO TREAT AND THE BELOVED OWNER OF THE 1985 RV, MARY JOANNE CHRISTLIEB, JOJO THE RV CAN BE SEEN HAVING ALL KINDS OF FUN AROUND OREGON ON OUR ROAD TRIP LISTENING TO OREGON'S WOMEN AND GIRLS. FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK FOR MORE FUN PICS OF JOJO.
Membership Matters
Your support makes all this exciting work possible. If you joined the Foundation last spring, be on the lookout for your renewal letter in the mail on your 1-year anniversary as a member. We can't wait to have you with us for 2016!
If you have any questions regarding your membership please contact
membership@w-for.org and we'll be happy to help.
If you're not yet a member, join us by clicking here!
