The crises we have faced in 2020 have challenged our nonprofit partners like never before. Job loss and economic uncertainty have increased the need for their services, while the pandemic adds complexity to holding traditional fundraising events. Nonprofits serve a critical and growing need in our region, and the mounting obstacles they face can affect not just those they serve, but our entire community.

We are thrilled to continue addressing this need by announcing OnPoint’s third annual social giving campaign winners. The campaign, which began on Giving Tuesday, December 1, and ended on December 11, engaged our social media community in voting for six organizations to receive donations by following/liking OnPoint channels and sharing their favorite nonprofit.

Given the unprecedented need this year, we increased our donation amounts from last year’s social giving campaign to $5,000 for the nonprofit with the most votes and $2,500 for the five nonprofits with the next highest total.

With nearly 900 votes during the campaign, our community selected  Odd Man Inn as the grand prize winner. Odd Man Inn is an animal refuge and wildlife rehabilitation organization in SW Washington with a mission to find animals safety, rehabilitation, socialization and a forever home. Its services include taking in at-risk animals directly from animal control and shelters, and providing animals transport to receive medical assistance.

“Odd Man Inn Animal Refuge has been working on a property expansion for the last two years. This donation from OnPoint is vital in helping our animal residents occupy their new space. Thank you for your support of our mission at Odd Man Inn where Everyone Deserves a Forever Home!”- Wendy Smith, Director and Cofounder, Odd Man Inn

We’re also excited to announce the five runners-up that will each receive a $2,500 donation:

• Active Children Portland: The mission of Active Children Portland is to empower students to lead healthy lives, succeed academically, and inspire positive community engagement. The organization achieves its mission through an active and holistic approach to childhood development including sports, creative writing, nutrition education and service-learning projects.
• Girls Build: Girls Build gives girls the opportunity to learn building trades so they can begin fulfilling careers earning living wages to provide for a family. The organization’s mission is to inspire girls’ curiosity and confidence through the world of building with summer camps and after school programs.
• Oregon Children’s Theatre Portland: Oregon Children’s Theatre Portland believes “theater and storytelling can educate, empower, inspire and entertain in remarkable ways.” The theatre offers multiple ways for kids and families to engage, including full productions, Acting Academy programs teaching the craft of theater while fostering life skills, as well as classroom and community performances, classes, workshops and residencies. The Oregon Children’s Theatre reaches more than 120,000 kids and families every season.
• Saving Grace Bend: Serving Central Oregon, Saving Grace offers safety, hope, and healing to survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault to help them build a life free from violence. They supply domestic violence and sexual assault survivors services to help them heal and feel empowered through counseling, providing emergency shelters, and more. They also provide resources to professionals and community members that help them learn how to identify, respond to, and prevent abuse.
• Willamette Horse Outreach Alliance: Willamette Horse Outreach Alliance (WHOA) is dedicated to the care, rehabilitation, and sanctuary for abandoned, neglected, abused or elderly horses. They provide rehabilitation, training, and re-homing and work within the horse community to help owners find alternatives to auction, including networking, fundraising, euthanasia when necessary, and support and education.

As a financial partner to our members and our community, we see firsthand the impact this year has had on our region. That’s why we have stepped up in a big way in 2020. In addition to our social giving campaign, we helped our community by donating a record $1.65 million to 280 nonprofits that serve Oregon and Southwest Washington. OnPoint was also proud to be selected as the Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation for the 2020 Philanthropy Day Awards by The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Oregon & SW Washington Chapter. This award recognizes a business that commits significant financial or in-kind resources to assist organizations that meet community needs through their foundation, corporate giving program or employees.

We want to thank everyone who participated and showed up for our communities this year! To learn more about OnPoint’s commitment to the community, visit onpointcu.com/community-giving.