Depave

Mission

Depave empowers disenfranchised communities to overcome social and environmental injustices and adapt to climate change through urban re-greening. Depave transforms over-paved places, creates resilient community greenspaces, promotes workforce development and education, and advocates for policy change to undo manifestations of systemic racism.

Bottom Line for Portland

Depave partners with communities to take ‘hopeful action’ through the creation of pocket greenspaces. We identify, design, permit and build greenspaces that jumpstart nearby nature and buffer disenfranchised communities from extreme heat, flooding, and other climate change impacts. Since 2007, we have transformed over 8.7 acres (377,000 square feet) of lifeless pavement at more than 80 sites including schools, churches, affordable housing developments, and other community hubs. Our vibrant community greenspaces offer cooling shade trees, native plants, kids’ play areas, rain gardens, art, and connection to nature and one another.

Quote

“I love courageous nonprofits and I think Depave is one of them.” Nancy Bond, Portland Public Schools, retired

Incentives

Donate $15 or more and provide a mailing address to receive a cool Depave sticker in the mail!

Donate $25 or more to receive a 10% off coupon from Lovett Deconstruction Salvage Shop, just head down and show them your Give Guide Depave donation receipt. Store limits may apply. 

Everyone who donates $25 or more will also be entered to win weekly raffle prizes. Prizes include four $25 gift certificates to The Minnow PDX, two $20 gift certificates to Balong, ten wild smoked salmon gift packs from Schoolhouse Fish (a $29 value), and ten Depave hoodies and hats (a $25-30 value). We’ll post prize updates in our e-news!

Everyone who donates over $100 will be entered into a raffle to win a 3-night stay at a remote, off-the-grid cabin in the upper Wind River valley, near Carson, Washington. The cabin sits on the banks of Trapper Creek, just footsteps away from the Trapper Creek Wilderness - nestled amongst old-growth forest in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. It is quiet, and a great place for nature-lovers to unwind and slow down.

Partner(s)

Lovett's Salvage Shop sells reclaimed lumber from local deconstruction projects, plus found objects and curiosities. Lovett gives these materials—from architectural artifacts to time-worn tools—second, third, and fourth lives, keeping them out of landfills. As part of Portland's reuse community, they connect people with sustainable building materials and one-of-a-kind vintage finds at their 4315 NW Saint Helens Rd location in Portland. 

The Minnow PDX was founded to connect with local farmers and explore the beautiful & flavorful varieties they produce each season. Their Eatery at 740 NW 23rd Ave is where they share that experience with you! When you eat with The Minnow, you're supporting their mission, their small team, and our local foodshed.

Schoolhouse Fish Co. is a fisher-owned family business based in rural Southeast Alaska shipping their own hand-caught, sustainable salmon & seafood, with love, to people in Portland and around the country. 

Balong serves up delicious Filipino-American bread and breakfast eats in SE Portland, at 2850 SE 82nd Ave #27.

Our 2025 nonprofit partners are: Ground Score Association, Friends of Noise, The Blueprint Foundation, p:ear, and Community Cycling Center. Ground Score Association is helping steward Depave's pocket greenspaces, and curate the future Green Plaza at SE 7th and Sandy Blvd. Friends of Noise helps Depave host vibrant musical performances at the future Green Plaza. Depave is partnering with The Blueprint Foundation at the HOLLA School and with and p:ear at Bikeworks - two different east Portland re-greening projects. Depave, p:ear, and Community Cycling Center are hosting a bike ride together on December 7.

Additional Raffle Information

For donors of $25 or more over November 1-7, 15-21, November 29-December 5, and December 13-19, 2025, Depave will hold four separate drawings at noon on the day following each week period (November 8, 22, December 6, and 20) to select winners. The total number of tickets which may be sold is unlimited but is expected to be less than 30 to 50 for each week-long period, based on 2024 donation patterns.

For donors of $100 or more over November 1-December 31, 2025, Depave will hold a drawing at noon on January 3, 2025, to select ONE random winner of a 3-night stay at a remote, off-grid cabin along the Wind River near Carson, Washington. The cabin is available during the spring, summer and fall (not winter), for dates that are mutually convenient for the winning party and the cabin owner. The total number of tickets which may be sold is unlimited but is expected to be less than 50 for the two-month-long period, based on 2024 donation patterns.