We all have our favorite year end traditions. Maybe yours include a crackling fireplace, pumpkin pie, or a familiar sweater. One of my favorite activities is crunching numbers!
This is the season when the Oregon Black Pioneers team looks back to quantify the impact of our exhibits, programs, and education. And the numbers this year do not disappoint!
Since last fall…
- Our K-12 lesson plans have been downloaded 580 times
- Our exhibits have been on display in 14 locations in Oregon and Washington
- Our Black history walking tours have shown 479 people a different side of Portland, Jacksonville, Astoria, Salem, Oregon City, and Eugene
- We’ve driven 9269 miles to deliver presentations to audiences in 17 counties.
Altogether, over 4086 people have attended an Oregon Black Pioneers program in the past 12 months, and 45,600 people have explored the interactive resources on our website!
Here’s one more important number: 213. That’s the total number of individuals who have made a gift to Oregon Black Pioneers this year. I suspect that’s a smaller figure than you would have guessed. Unfortunately, despite our program successes, we’ve received fewer donations in 2024 than in any year since 2020.
Thanks to Oregon Black Pioneers, more people than ever are learning about the incredible stories of Black Americans in Oregon. But we cannot sustain this growth without your help. Donations fund our operational expenses, like our staff salaries and our small office in Portland. Program fees alone can’t cover these costs, and grant funding is unpredictable. YOUR support is critical to making our work possible.
You’ve seen what great things we can accomplish with limited resources. Imagine how much more we could do with the full support of our followers!
I’m asking you to consider making a gift to Oregon Black Pioneers before Dec. 31st. We’ve set a goal to raise $12,000 by the end of the year. Your gift of $500, $100, or even $25 will help us get there. Your support also creates the kind of community impact which can’t be easily quantified: more conversations, more inspiration, more hope.
Make a gift to Oregon Black Pioneers part of your year-end traditions! Please donate by Dec. 31st and thank you so much for your generous support.
With gratitude,
Zachary Stocks
Executive Director