Cultivate Initiatives

Mission

Cultivate Initiatives provides wrap-around homeless services for unhoused neighbors in Multnomah County. We work alongside those on the margins to empower individuals and create lasting change.

Our three core initiatives help neighbors move from the streets to stability and long-term housing. 

• Workforce Development: Providing paid jobs and hands-on training through Community Beautification, Property Stewardship, and Intern Programs.

• Housing & Homemaking: Offering housing navigation and homemaking support to help neighbors secure and maintain permanent homes.

• Supportive Sheltering: From life’s storms to weather emergencies, Menlo Park Safe Rest Village and seasonal shelters provide 24/7 care, emergency resources, and a safe environment.

Our mission is simple: “FOR & WITH THE PEOPLE.” By partnering with the community, we remove barriers and build opportunities — mobile health and hygiene services, housing navigation, and career pathways give unhoused neighbors the tools to ‘cultivate a sustainable future.’

Bottom Line for Portland

Cultivate Initiatives was born from a grassroots effort — housed and unhoused neighbors coming together to welcome a new shelter into their community. Today, that spirit of collaboration drives everything we do.

Every day across Portland, you’ll see our crew hard at work:

- Building transformative community and empowering our neighbors in vital ways

- Removing over 1 million lbs. of garbage per year, while creating jobs for our unhoused neighbors

- Helping people secure housing and make it a home

- Providing over 650+ free showers each month through our mobile hygiene services

- Sheltering hundreds of neighbors at the Menlo Park Safe Rest Village and emergency weather shelters

Together, we are building communities that are safe, supportive, and full of opportunity.
Join us by donating to Cultivate Initiatives’ 2025 Give!Guide campaign — every gift makes an impact.

Quote

“Before I was hopeless, but now I feel like I’m finding my way in the world again! 

I hadn’t had a job for twelve years… getting confidence that I can work was super important, and it’s become the cornerstone of helping me navigate in recovery.” - Nadine, Beautification Lead. 

Learn more about our work and community directly from Nadine in this Fox 12 Oregon story. 

Incentives

Double your impact! The first $15,000 donated will be generously matched by our incredible neighbor, Melanie Ann Nelson! 

As a way of saying thank you, all donors over $50 (cumulatively) will receive a free drip coffee or tea from Green Bridge Coffee! And a free ticket to our 3rd Annual Cultivate Comedy Hour! We're Assembling A must-see line-up of national touring and award-winning Comedians Hosted by Portland Comic Julian Gray in early 2026. 

Partner(s)

Beneficial State Bank is our business partner again this year – they lead by example, collaborate with and invest in change-makers, and build sustainable prosperity in our communities!  

Thank you to Melanie Ann Nelson, Beneficial Bank, and all of our great partners! 

Green Bridge Coffee has partnered with us for years - providing beverages for all of our events, and bringing coffee to our Workforce Hub every morning, supporting our employment programs. This local coffee producer also donates 10% of every whole bean bag of coffee, online subscription, and drip coffee at their café to a local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations.

Minuteman Press Gresham has supported our work for years and has helped us bring our stories to the masses through print! Most recently, they provided in-kind printing services for our 2023-2024 Annual Report. The digital version will soon be available on our website. 

SHOUT OUT to our amazing Nonprofit Partners for their collaboration throughout Give!Guide: 

Clackamas Women's Services works with survivors experiencing violence to plan for their safety, as well as heal from past trauma — we are thankful for their Give!Guide mentorship this year! 

HereTogether unites service providers, government officials, and community leaders in a region-wide response to homelessness in Portland. 

Rosewood Initiative fosters a safe, healthy, and vibrant community where East Portland neighbors can thrive together.