A New Grant Initiative with Black United Fund

We are excited to launch a new collaborative grant (Equitable Early Education Grant) that leverages the resources of both SVP Portland and Black United Fund of Oregon (BUF-OR) to have a greater impact on BIPOC-led grassroots nonprofits serving Oregon and SW Washington. This collaboration aims to create equitable access to high-quality early learning in our communities, and to support organizations that already do this work.

As SVP’s Director of Community Impact, Carolina Castañeda del Río, puts it, “The collaboration between SVP and BUF-OR is an example that philanthropy can collaborate for greater impact. Uniting our resources amplifies our strength.”

SVP and BUF-OR will jointly award one to three mission-aligned, grassroots organizations (that are already SVP Community Partners) unrestricted grant money. This will be a one-time award with invitation-only applicants. The awards will be announced in February 2024. 

BUF-OR is the longest-serving and one of the only BIPOC-led foundations in Oregon, and one of the last culturally-specific organizations remaining on historically-Black NE Alberta Street. For 40 years, their programs have increased post-secondary education success for youth and provided philanthropic support to underserved communities. The mission of BUF-OR is to assist in the social and economic development of Oregon’s underserved communities and to contribute to a broader understanding of ethnic and culturally diverse groups.