Oregon Humanities

Mission

Oregon Humanities connects people and communities through conversation, storytelling, and participatory programs to inspire understanding and collaborative change. We have a vision for an Oregon that invites diverse perspectives, explores challenging questions, and strives for just communities.

Bottom Line for Portland

Finding what connects us as neighbors is vital to making real and tangible progress on the challenges we face in the Portland metro region. We tackle difficult topics, such as housing, mental health, political power, vaccines, land use, and criminal justice, through community and workplace conversations; in our magazine and podcast; in our trainings, classes, and workshops; and by providing grants and fellowships. Our programs and publications create the conditions for understanding and belonging, inviting all Oregonians to explore challenging questions and celebrate collective joy.

Quote

“It was really meaningful to have folks in the homeless community feel welcome enough to come to share their experiences. This kind of first-person experience feels core to understanding what services they need, and I'm thankful the conversation centered their experience. I hope that stakeholders from other communities could join and participate in a conversation like this. The safety of the conversation led to a sense of vulnerability in the room where real experiences and perspectives could be shared. Paul [Susi] supported that space and structure, and that felt key to having a productive conversation.” – Housing and Belonging Conversation Project participant (Hillsboro, April 2022)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Oregon Humanities strives for broad and inclusive participation in everything we do, and our programs and publications center those most affected by inequity and oppression. Our stated values are supported by concrete actions, including staff-wide work to understand disability justice and accessibility; our practice of transparency in decision-making through our internal culture work group; and our recruitment, support, and advancement of a diverse staff and board, who actively push one another to reflect on, challenge, and develop our understanding of equity and inclusion.

Incentives

• The Schlesinger Family Foundation will match the first $10,000 in Give!Guide donations to Oregon Humanities.
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• Donate $25 and get a free coffee and a breakfast taco at The Stacks Coffeehouse (up to the first 100 people).
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• Donate $15 and be entered to win the Consider This Prize Pack:
• - A selection of books by recent guests in our on-stage conversation series (generously donated by our friends at Broadway Books)
• - Four (4) tickets to a 2024 Consider This event at the Alberta Rose Theatre, plus complimentary beverages
• - A pair of Oregon Humanities pint glasses
• - And other goodies!

Partner(s)

Our generous friends at the Schlesinger Family Foundation are matching all donations to Oregon Humanities through the Give!Guide because they see how important connection, understanding, and belonging are for the vitality and prosperity of our community.

The Stacks Coffeehouse in North Portland is a coffee shop, a community library, and a literary event space. Since 2018, The Stacks has been a space for neighbors to gather together over cups of delicious coffee and tea, breakfast tacos and pastries, and beautiful books. 

Broadway Books is a locally owned, independent bookstore in the NE Broadway neighborhood committed to bringing you great books and supporting our vibrant and diverse communities.