Celebrating the Stellar Season of Giving

Ashley’s Picks | Jason’s Picks | Jessica’s Picks | Laura’s Picks | Rupert’s Picks | Ryan’s Picks | Tami’s Picks

There’s no doubt about it — 2020 has been tough. Between the pandemic, subsequent quarantine, and the election, communities across the U.S. have faced increasing emotional and economic challenges. At Stellaractive, we’ve been lucky. Our team has successfully navigated the changes associated with remote working, and we’ve been honored to bring new clients and projects (and even a new team member) into the fold. It hasn’t been easy, but we’ve grown stronger and more determined than ever to do work that makes us proud.

Through it all, we’ve remained focused on gratitude and on building relationships — with our families, with each other and with our clients (via Zoom, of course!). And as the year slowly winds down, we’re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. With it comes hope, inspiration, and a sense that the year ahead will bring many opportunities for healing and prosperity.

We’re starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel. With it comes hope, inspiration, and a sense that the year ahead will bring many opportunities for healing and prosperity. 

To celebrate, we’re sharing our blessings by supporting a group of non-profit organizations. The beneficiaries were handpicked by the Stellaractive team, who were each given $500 to gift forward. We’re honored to use our platform to bring just a little more awareness to these worthy organizations. We hope you’ll enjoy learning about the causes that matter most to use. And if you should find yourself in a position to do so, we hope you’ll join us in supporting these groups as well. Here’s to the joy of giving!

With love and gratitude, 
Your Friends at Stellaractive 

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

—Mahatma Gandhi

Donation: $250

About the non-profit

The Southern Law Poverty Center (SLPC) is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.

I chose this organization because…

Voters’ rights have been under attack for years, which I find infuriating and anti-democratic. I’m also concerned with the rise of domestic hate groups, which have proliferated in recent years. SPLC’s work to strengthen our democracy, restore our constitutional rights, and monitor hate groups is vital to our future as a country.

Donation: $250

About the non-profit

The Natural Resources Defense Council works to safeguard the earth — its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends.

I chose this organization because…

This organization does great work for the planet and all the creatures that inhabit it. I’ve grown increasingly concerned about our future due to climate change’s acceleration and the lack of national leadership on the issue.

Donation: $300

About the non-profit

Free Geek is a local organization that provides free refurbished tech equipment (mainly laptops) to folks in need as well as support, education, and sustainable recycling.

I chose this organization because…

Always a great and safe way to recycle used tech, FreeGeek is especially valuable during the pandemic. With a large swath of students having to school from home, it’s imperative that we close any gaps and disparities in our community resources. It is shocking how many households are making do without a computer or sharing a computer among an entire family. In the best of times, they provide other resources to the community, such as free tech support and classes. Data is always scrubbed and the facility is staffed by knowledgeable and passionate geeks who happily volunteer their valuable time for a cause that is important to them. For many folks who work or study from home, it’s inconvenient to say the least. But what if you didn’t have a computer, couldn’t afford one, and didn’t know how to go about buying a decent used one? They also have a store selling refurbished items on the cheap.

Donation: $300

About the non-profit

Feeding America is a national network of food banks that also engages our country in the fight to end hunger.

I chose this organization because…

I thought about keeping this donation local and supporting the Oregon Food bank, but then I saw that it was a member of this national organization. In these divisive times, I think it’s important that we strive to raise the living conditions of all Americans. I also like the idea that they coordinate with supply and need to secure food and resources around the U.S. through shipping, storage, and distribution.

Donation: $200

About the non-profit

Through the combination of long-lasting mentoring relationships, a pro-girl environment, and evidence-based programming, Girls Inc. equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers, and grow up healthy, educated, and independent. The organization also advocates for legislation and policies to increase opportunities and rights for all girls.

I chose this organization because…

As a young girl, I was fortunate to have parents and mentors who taught me to believe that I was capable of accomplishing just about anything, and that my gender had nothing to do with my ability to succeed. In my academic and professional careers, I learned that the world at large was not always on the same wavelength. Now that I have a daughter of my own, I want her to grow up learning to value and believe in herself, and to discover her inner strengths while taking risks. I’m supporting Girls Inc. so other young women are given the same encouragement and support.

Donation: $200

About the non-profit

Central City Concern (CCC) serves single adults and families in the Portland metro area who are impacted by homelessness, poverty and addictions by providing affordable housing options that are integrated with direct social services including healthcare, recovery and employment.

I chose this organization because…

The idea of privilege is a frequent topic of conversation at our dinner table, and it’s important to my husband and I that our kids understand this thin line of luck. I’m very aware that the fate of having been born a white person in a middle-class family afforded me many opportunities that were not available to others. I appreciate the work that CCC does to provide stability and opportunities for transformation to the less fortunate in my community.

Donation: $100

About the non-profit

The Internet Archive is building a digital library of Internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. Like a paper library, the Internet Archive provides free access to researchers, historians, scholars, the print disabled, and the general public. Its mission is to provide Universal Access to All Knowledge.

I chose this organization because…

At Stellaractive, we regularly rely on the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, which stores more than 475 billion webpages. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all of the information this important online repository provides. If you haven’t visited the site, I encourage you to check it out! Its resources include more than 28 million books and texts and 14 million audio recordings. The Internet Archive hosts more than 70 petabytes (that’s a lot!) of data, and users upload more than 17,000 items each day.

Donation: $500

About the non-profit

The National Bail Out collective is a Black-led and Black-centered collective of abolitionist lawyers and activists building a community-based movement to support our folks and end systems of pretrial detention and ultimately mass incarceration. The organization provides fellowship and employment opportunities to those who are bailed out in order to support their growth and create a national community of leaders who have experienced incarceration.

I chose this organization because…

The National Bail Out collective is working towards bail reform and helps people who would otherwise be stuck in jail simply because they can’t afford bail. I chose this charity because the current system is incredibly unfair and is devastating to families and communities who are affected.

Donation: $250

About the non-profit

Freedom From Religion Foundation protects the constitutional principle of the separation of state and church and educates about freethought.

I chose this organization because…

Separation of church and state and freedom from religious persecution are among our country’s founding principles. FFRG protects schools, workplaces, and communities from attacks on these principles by ensuring that no one belief is unconstitutionally imposed on others.

Donation: $250

About the non-profit

Equal Justice Initiative is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the United States.

I chose this organization because…

The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Many people who end up in prison are there for minor offenses, have been unfairly sentenced, and are disproportionately from minority and marginalized communities.

Donation: $500

About the non-profit

Tucker Maxon School teaches deaf and hearing children to listen, talk, learn, and achieve excellence together.

I chose this organization because…

My partner attended Tucker from age 1-1/2 until he was 6 years old and continued to receive services from Tucker after he was integrated into public schools. Through his continued engagement, I have had the opportunity to learn about the great work and opportunities Tucker creates for both deaf and hearing children. The average 8:1 student-to-adult ratio is necessary to provide specialized attention to each and every student but requires community support now more than ever.

Donation: $500

About the non-profit

The SHOC Foundation is a multifaceted fund-raising organization whose mission is to raise funds for ovarian cancer research, increase public awareness, and to provide survivors with resources and opportunities to feel empowered through their fight. In addition to raising funds for ovarian cancer research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the SHOC Foundation also works to increase public awareness about the disease and connects survivors with the resources to assist them on their journey. The Foundation primarily serves women in the greater Portland area, but is always available for guidance to anyone coping with gynecologic cancer regardless of their location.

I chose this organization because…

I am an ovarian cancer survivor and I know how blessed I was that my cancer was discovered early before it was incurable. I have met many women who were not as lucky as I was. I joined the SHOC board in 2104 to work hard to make a cure happen for the 1 in 78 women who will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. This organization is 100% volunteer-led and continues to raise funds for education (fighting the assumption that a pap smear is a screening for ovarian cancer) and research (by donating over 1 million dollars to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute research lab).

Donation: $500

About the non-profit

The SHOC Foundation is a multifaceted fund-raising organization whose mission is to raise funds for ovarian cancer research, increase public awareness, and to provide survivors with resources and opportunities to feel empowered through their fight. In addition to raising funds for ovarian cancer research at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), the SHOC Foundation also works to increase public awareness about the disease and connects survivors with the resources to assist them on their journey. The Foundation primarily serves women in the greater Portland area, but is always available for guidance to anyone coping with gynecologic cancer regardless of their location.

I chose this organization because…

I am an ovarian cancer survivor and I know how blessed I was that my cancer was discovered early before it was incurable. I have met many women who were not as lucky as I was. I joined the SHOC board in 2104 to work hard to make a cure happen for the 1 in 78 women who will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. This organization is 100% volunteer-led and continues to raise funds for education (fighting the assumption that a pap smear is a screening for ovarian cancer) and research (by donating over 1 million dollars to the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute research lab).