Graduation is here, summer is near, and the Oregon game may be months away, September 27—but this is the White Out moment for the heart of our community.
Next week is Centre Gives, and if you are wondering what really holds a place like Happy Valley together—it’s not just football or fall foliage. It’s the nonprofit sector.
Our nonprofits are more than service providers. They are the connective tissue of our region. They’re where neighbors become teammates. Where professionals serve on boards, where retirees mentor students, where parents volunteer at food banks and we gather for year-round “Fun with a Purpose” golf tournaments, 5Ks, concerts, and community dinners.
They are the antidote to loneliness in a world that’s becoming far too isolated.
At a time when digital distractions pull us inward and divide our attention, our nonprofits pull us together. They remind us what it feels like to belong, to show up, to make a difference that’s measured not in clicks, but in kindness. They’re changing lives. In many cases, they’re saving them.
So next week, as Centre Gives kicks off, don’t just donate. Show up with purpose. Bring that White Out energy. Because when we support our nonprofits, we’re not just funding programs—we’re fueling the very fabric of connection that makes Happy Valley so special.
Community Conversation: The Nonprofit Sector: Rooted in Purpose: How Nonprofits Keep Our Community Strong
May 21 • 3 Dots • 6 p.m.
A few weeks ago, we started an important conversation at 3 Dots about the nonprofit sector’s role in shaping community connection. On May 21, we are continuing that conversation—and going deeper.
Join us for the next Community Conversation, where four of Happy Valley’s nonprofit leaders will share how their organizations are navigating a changing landscape. We will explore big questions, including:
- How rising costs of living and shifting academic and federal policies are reshaping missions and operations.
- What changes are the nonprofits making to stay resilient—as funders and as frontline service providers?
- What if all the nonprofits worked together with a central promotional arm to lift all boats like Happy Valley Adventure Bureau promotes the whole region to lift all lodging metrics. Where is the most need in our community?
Each panelist will share insights based on a shared outline covering mission, success metrics, anticipated challenges, and strategic responses. Then we will open the floor for community discussion—because solutions start with conversations like these.
Expect great food, great people, and bold ideas. More details (and panelist names!) in next week’s e-letter. But for now, mark your calendar and make plans to join us.
