Albina Vision Trust
Mission
The Albina Vision Trust exists to ensure that our most marginalized communities are reflected in Portland’s built environment and that we participate in the wealth generated by our presence as owners of our homes and businesses. We are building an entire zip code from the ground up, one explicitly geared towards housing, nurturing, safeguarding and financially elevating Black Portlanders. Our 94-acre project area makes the Albina Vision the largest restorative redevelopment effort in America.
Historically, Albina was home to 80% of Portland’s Black population. During the 1950’s and 1960’s, racist urban renewal policies displaced families and forced them to leave their stable and abundant community. Albina was classified “blighted” and redlined, with properties condemned for cents on the dollar. Government officials carved up the thriving neighborhood, demolishing thousands of homes to build Interstate 5, Veterans Memorial Coliseum, and the sprawling 10.5-acre Portland Public Schools (PPS) headquarters facility. Our work is situated in this context, understanding the role that the government historically played in the destruction of community abundance in Lower Albina, and understanding that the way forward must be firmly rooted in the principles of racial, economic, and environmental justice. Together, we can build the most innovative and equitable district in the country.
Bottom Line for Portland
Portland's thriving Black neighborhood of Albina was destroyed through decades of racist urban planning. Albina Vision Trust is buying back land, rebuilding community, and rerooting Black legacies and Black futures in the heart of Portland’s central city. The foundation we lay today will shape the next 50 years of life and possibility for Portland’s central city.
Quote
"Albina Vision Trust is committed to creating a space and place that is reflective of what we aspire to as a community and a city. For some people, the intentional destruction of Albina is history, but for many of the folks we talk to, it is also memory. They remember the homes, entertainment venues and businesses that are no longer here. Our goal is to curate development of new history for Lower Albina. AVT narrates a path that will create a total and comprehensive community, one which will afford our children and grandchildren positive and affirming history and memories.” - Michael Alexander, Board Chair, Albina Vision Trust.
Incentives
The first 100 donors to Albina Vision Trust will get a $5 Atlas Pizza gift card, good at any Atlas Pizza location in Portland, thanks to our great partners at Atlas Pizza!
On Giving Tuesday (Dec 3rd) we have a few extra incentives to say thank you for making Albina Vision Trust a priority:
The first 6 donors giving $50 on December 3rd will receive one of the following: 4 tickets for a Portland Pickles Game, a Portland Gear Classic Tee, or Portland Timbers Snapback Hats.
The first donor who gives $100 on December 3rd will receive a Portland Gear Hoodie.
The first 2 donors who give $250 or more on December 3rd will receive an exclusive Albina Vision Trust Hoodie.
Our incredible Building Albina Matching Challenge partners will match dollar for dollar every donation to Albina Vision Trust up to $35,500, doubling the impact of your gift!
Partner(s)
Huge thanks to our Building Albina Matching Challenge partners who are matching the first $35,500 in donations! Thank you:
Thank you to Atlas Pizza for your tasty partnership!
Also, huge shout out to our ongoing partners at the Portland Trail Blazers. Earlier this year, we collectively launched the Albina Rose Alliance, a first-of-its-kind partnership between a community-led developer and a major sports franchise, to accelerate the restorative development of Lower Albina.
Albina Vision Trust is in the Community category which is sponsored by Comcast.
They're a medium-sized organization with activities in Multnomah Co.