A New type of Donor-Advised Fund: Mike Francis’ Story
The Newcomer Fund provides scholarships for immigrants and refugees to attend and graduate from college. Mike Francis, a former journalist, launched the fund to meet a need and create a way for him and others to give back. “Being a journalist is a calling. By telling stories, and sharing people’s experiences you are making the […] More »
Giving Back: Joyce Harris’ Giving Story
Joyce Harris is a former MRG grantee, a donor, a community leader, and a woman who says, “Yes!” in our community. We recently sat with her to learn how she’s giving back. “Giving back is doing small things. When I feel there is a need I open up my wallet, say “Yes” to sitting on […] More »
Coming Home: Andrea Williams’ Story
Growing up in South Salem in the 90s, MRG monthly donor Andrea Miller never quite felt like she was part of the Salem community. She is part-Filipina, part-Japanese and part-white, and her family came to Oregon from Hawaii. “There was no category nor community in Salem for me to fit into.” More »
Leaving a Legacy for Social Justice: Eleanor Townsend’s Story
Eugene
Eugene resident Eleanor Townsend wasn’t necessarily wealthy by most standards (she was no Koch billionaire), but she was committed to leaving a legacy for social justice. When she passed away in 2010, Eleanor left behind a sizable gift to MRG, enough to fund grants to several grassroots groups organizing for justice. More »
Community is Both a Means and an End: Dan Goldrich’s Story
“The state of our society is so deteriorated that we have to create community,” explains Dan. “And the good side is that the community is both a means and an end. As a grantmaker, I got to see that there are communities doing great work.” More »