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8 Team members. $4,000 in donations.
Delight & appreciation from all of us.
The Stellar Season of Giving has returned for its third year! Tell your friends! Tell a stranger! Tell your friends to tell a stranger! For the last two years during the holiday season, each employee at Stellaractive has been given an allotted amount of money to donate to organizations of their choice.
What we love about the Season of Giving is that everyone on our team has the freedom to choose which organization they want to give back to. There is no snotty corporate overlord forcing everyone to pick from a small group of preapproved places. This allows everyone on the Stellaractive team to make donations to causes they deeply care about and for all of us to learn more about them.
While we love this time of year, we’re proud to say we’re dedicated to community involvement year-round. Back in September, we participated in an awesome event that our marketing partner The Partner’s Group put on, The TPG throwdown: Cornhole For Cause Event. We were thrilled to be a part of their first major event, and all of the proceeds went to two wonderful organizations, INCIGHT & Every Child.
This year for the Season of Giving, our team of eight was each given $500 to donate to an organization they are passionate about.
We view this time of year as a chance to say thank you to all the folks working at these organizations who dedicate long hours to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
We don’t take our platform for granted, and all of these wonderful places are more than deserving of increased awareness. If you’re able to do so, we hope you’ll join us in supporting these causes as well. (Or pick an organization that is meaningful to you! Like we said earlier, we’re not corporate overlords, you can do what you want!)
Check out our team’s picks below
Basic Rights Oregon
Donation: $250
About the non-profit
The mission of Basic Rights Oregon is to build a broad and inclusive movement that shifts public opinion to ensure that all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer Oregonians experience equality.
I chose this organization because…
I am supporting Basic Rights Oregon this year in honor of several special people in my life who are members of the LGBTQ+ community, and because I want to live in a world that normalizes inclusivity regardless of a person’s sexual orientation, gender expression or identity.
Free Geek
Donation: $250
About the non-profit
Free Geek’s mission is to sustainably reuse technology, enable digital access, and provide education to create a community that empowers people to realize their potential.
I chose this organization because…
I am supporting Free Geek this year because of its devotion to recycling e-waste and its commitment to connecting students and historically marginalized people with computer access and continuing tech support — essential in our digital world.
SCRAP
Donation: $100
About the non-profit
SCRAP is a volunteer run space that sells recycled craft supplies. 83% of every dollar donated goes to supporting SCRAP’s education and environmental programming. Some of their educational programs include Camp Scrap and teacher training. They provide a resource for schools and parents, while also inspiring adults to take on new hobbies.
I chose this organization because…
I’d like to donate to SCRAP because they inspire creativity, support education, and encourage recycling, by preventing tons of useful things from going into the landfill. They are a great resource for our community.
Native Arts & Cultures Foundation (NACF)
Donation: $200
About the non-profit
NACF is dedicated exclusively to supporting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian arts and cultures nationwide.
I chose this organization because…
I am constantly inspired by Native Artists and their stories. I feel it’s critically important to support Native American programs, because so much has already been lost. These programs not only support young artists in their careers, but also artists working on projects that respond to social, environmental, and economic justice issues.
Black Oregon Land Trust
Donation: $200
About the non-profit
BOLT is a small organization started in 2020 that is dedicated to ensuring that Black communities in Oregon have secure and affordable land access, sustainable agricultural skills, and the protected ecosystems needed to grow economically, environmentally, and culturally thriving communities.
I chose this organization because…
I’d like to donate to BOLT because I love supporting farmers. Farming is expensive, risky and hard. Black communities need our support to get started, and I’d love for this organization to grow. Their executive director was one of the winners of Willamette Week’s Skidmore Prize and BOLT is partnered with several non-profits including Oregon Food Bank, the Black Food Sovereignty Coalition and Ecotrust.
Center for Reproductive Rights
Donation: $250
About the non-profit
The Center for Reproductive Rights is a global human rights organization of lawyers and advocates who ensure reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person.
I chose this organization because…
I chose the Center for Reproductive Rights because I believe in reproductive freedoms and safety for all no matter the circumstances. The Center for Reproductive Rights works towards advocacy and legal defense not only on a local and national level, but internationally as well.
Impact NW
Donation: $250
About the non-profit
Impact NW is committed to the near-and long-term solutions in addressing the homelessness and housing crisis in the Portland area. There are 125,000 people facing housing insecurity in our area, and Impact NW steps in before it’s too late.
I chose this organization because…
Houselessness and housing insecurity continue to be major issues for Portlanders. Impact NW not only works to provide safety nets for those experiencing the trauma of housing insecurity as well as job training and support services, which are critical steps in helping folks back on their feet.
WeShine
Donation: $500
About the non-profit
WeShine designs, builds, and operates neighborhood-based micro-villages that provide safe, transitional shelter and services where Portland’s vulnerable, unsheltered adults can live as they prepare to become successful tenants in permanent, affordable housing.
I chose this organization because…
Houselessness is a challenge faced by an increasing number of people every year and I believe in the housing-first model of addressing it. A safe living space provides the baseline stability for people to be able to seek the additional pieces of assistance that can put them on a self-sustaining track.
Basic Needs Hub
Donation: $150
About the non-profit
The Basic Needs Hub provides students with one place to stop for all concerns related to providing for basic needs support. Our mission is to connect PSU students to resources in the moment of need so students can focus on academics, career goals, and interpersonal relationships.
I chose this organization because…
As an access university, Portland State has a wide range of students. This includes serving a population of low income and first-generation students. So many students must put their studies aside because of something as small as a utility bill or unexpected living cost. This fund enables students to succeed and get across the finish line. I have seen first-hand how this fund has directly impacted students’ lives during my time volunteering with the Portland State Foundation.
Keep Oregon Green
Donation: $150
About the non-profit
For 80 years the Keep Oregon Green Association has been educating the public on how to prevent wildfires. Beginning its efforts in April of 1941, after public outcry over the human-caused Tillamook Burns, roughly 250 Oregon leaders came together to form a Keep Oregon Green Association. KOG’s mission is to promote healthy landscapes and safe communities by educating the public of everyone’s shared responsibility to prevent human-caused wildfires.
I chose this organization because…
As a native of Oregon going back multiple generations, I have a deep appreciation for Oregon’s Forests and the important role they play in Oregon’s ecosystem. Programs like KOG had an impact on me growing up and taught me not only how important protecting our beautiful landscape is but also how devastating and preventable many fires in Oregon are through simple education. With fire seasons getting longer and worse every year, now is the time to educate and motivate all Oregonians to do their part in Keeping Oregon Green.
Astoria High School Scholarship Inc.
Donation: $200
About the non-profit
The mission of Astoria High School Scholarships, Inc. is dedicated to helping Astoria High graduates continue their education. Astoria High School Scholarships, Inc. (AHSSI) strives to provide financial assistance to any and all graduating Astoria High School students meeting scholarship application criteria and who graduate in good standing from the district. Since its founding in 1976, the Astoria High School Scholarships, Inc. has provided scholarships to over 2,000 graduates – totaling more than $3.5 million.
I chose this organization because…
I was fortunate to receive assistance from the Astoria High School Scholarship Inc. allowing me to achieve my educational goals at the University of Oregon. This organization has an impact on thousands of students from my hometown and is the direct reason many of my classmates had the opportunity to pursue higher education.
Portland Backpack
Donation: $500
About the non-profit
Portland Backpack works to serve children who are at risk of hunger by providing food sacks for them to take home on weekends when food scarcity is higher. Portland Backpack partners with different local public schools to provide weekly food sacks for over 1000 kids every weekend.
I chose this organization because…
I chose this organization because there are so many kids in underserved communities who face food insecurity on a regular basis. This amazing organization helps to ensure that these kids don’t need to worry as much about where their next meal is coming from.
Black United Fund of Oregon
Donation: $250
About the non-profit
Founded in 1983 after leaders in North and Northeast Portland noticed that too many nonprofits were barely acknowledging communities of color, the Black United Fund of Oregon supports the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities.
I chose this organization because…
Oregon has a troubling history of racial discrimination that has had a lasting impact to this day. Organizations like Black United Fund are doing great work to uplift and shine a light on those who have previously been ignored.
Skate Like a Girl
Donation: $250
About the non-profit
Skate Like a Girl is dedicated to creating an inclusive community for everyone, but especially young women, and trans people through skateboarding. They use skateboarding to promote confidence, leadership, and social justice, with the goal of having participants grow into leaders who advocate for and implement social equity.
I chose this organization because…
I love the values and mission of Skate Like a Girl. Unfortunately, there have historically been far fewer opportunities for women and trans people to participate in sports and build a community. I’m thrilled that Skate Like a Girl exists and can be a place where everyone can be themselves, feel welcomed, and learn long-lasting skills.
RIP Medical Debt
Donation: $500
About the non-profit
In the United States, over 100 million people struggle with medical debt. Fueled by donations, RIP Medical Debt uses data analytics to find the debt of those most in need and buys up the debt through bundles at a fraction of the cost.
I chose this organization because…
No family facing a major illness or accident should be ruined from medical debt. Even with insurance many people are hit with medical bills that will take years to pay. The stress of facing a major health issue (sometimes life threatening) is difficult enough, then to be hit with crippling medical bills on top of that is very stressful.