MRG donors and activists recognized the increased need many groups across Oregon are facing given mounting social, political and environmental challenges. In response, MRG launched the Democracy and Rights Fund. In two months’ time donors contributed nearly $90,000 and the MRG Board drew on its savings to move $125,000 to groups doing strategic, thoughtful organizing on a wide range of issues.
“The proposals that came in showed the excellent work that so many across the state are doing for social justice,” said Shaun Franks, MRG Grantmaking Committee chair. “It was hard to narrow our decisions to these 18 and it shows the need for MRG’s kind of grantmaking. I’m extremely grateful to those donors who recognized the need for the Democracy and Rights fund. There’s a lot of work to do ahead of us and many organizations poised and ready to respond.”
MRG is proud to present the list of the Democracy and Rights Fund grantees who received their grants in mid-October. Many thanks to the donors and activists who went the extra mile to make this fund happen quickly.
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO): Washington county organizing and voter registration focus on immigrant rights.
Bus Project : Youth voter registration and mobilization actions to engage and empower voters under the age of 24.
Centro des Servisios para Campesinos: Special outreach strategy to support residency applications and organizing in mid-Willamette Valley.
City-Wide MeChA: Emerging Eugene Latinx organization focusing on youth leadership and immigrant rights.
Community Alliance of Tenants: Organizing statewide strategy sessions to advance housing solutions.
Eugene Peaceworks and La E Kiss: Collaboration with Latinx youth on Spanish language radio to advance organizing for immigrant rights.
Eugene/Springfield NAACP Springfield: Organizing in Springfield with African American community for voter registration and mobilization.
Health Care for All Oregon: Organizing underrepresented constituencies with high health inequities to be involved in health care policy.
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA: Organizing to counter violence and policy work to expedite cooperation between tribal and state law enforcement.
Oregon NARAL Foundation: Mobilizing to protect access to abortion and against Measure 106, collaboration with Spanish language reproductive justice groups on the election.
Oregon Student Foundation: Civic participation and youth voter leadership engagement.
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN): Special mobilization in support of Oregon Voting Rights Act in Willamette Valley.
Rural Organizing Project: Coordinate local responses to increased activities of white supremacists and white nationalism in various parts of the state.
Right 2 Survive: Responding to increased vigilante attacks on houseless people with organizing for safety and awareness.
Southern Oregon Raids Response Team: Group addressing increased ICE raids in the southern Oregon region.
Unite Oregon: Translation of English materials and organizing among Somali, Vietnamese and other immigrant communities about Measure 105.
Voz Worker’s Rights Education Project: Organizing and mobilization on Portland’s Clean Jobs initiative.
Word is Bond: Know your rights training for African American youth regarding police and policing.
MRG thanks these groups for their work year-round and to the donors who make this work possible.
