Oregon Humanities

Mission

Oregon Humanities connects people and communities through conversation, storytelling, and participatory programs to inspire understanding and collaborative change. We have a vision for an Oregon that invites diverse perspectives, explores challenging questions, and strives for just communities.

Bottom Line for Portland

Finding what connects us as neighbors is vital to making real and tangible progress on the challenges we face in the Portland metro region. Oregon Humanities offers tools, resources, models, and support for people to engage in their communities and care for one another. We tackle difficult topics, such as housing, mental health, aging, environment, accountability, power, labor, and belonging, through community and workplace conversations; in our magazine and podcast; in our trainings, classes, and workshops; and by providing grants and fellowships. Our programs and publications create the conditions for understanding and belonging, inviting all Oregonians to explore challenging questions and celebrate collective joy. 

As we explore challenging questions together, learn from different perspectives, and reflect on our own beliefs, we foster an inclusive, civically engaged, and democratic culture in the metro area and beyond.

Quote

 “I do think that one first major step towards solutions in any community is engaging and deciding that you want to think about it, be proactive about it, be a part of investing yourself in helping people, and in bettering the place where you live.”  - Eli Saslow, in conversation with Adam Davis at Consider This (Portland, April 2024)

“For 15 or so people to have been able to come up with one project is remarkable. It could have been sheer madness and total chaos, but we all said Yes to the process and went with whatever seemed to work…I see it as a metaphor and a model for ways we can incorporate a similar process in any area of collaboration, and that gives me a lot of hope. Lastly, I loved feeling safe enough to get somewhat ridiculous and let the creativity flow freely.” – So Much Together: Spark to Finish participant (Portland, April 2024)

“Both hearing from people whose opinions were similar to mine but more realized, and hearing from people who thought quite different. Because it made me examine those similarities and differences more closely, and re-evaluate what connections we might still share. Which might be helpful, as I have to connect with people I disagree with more often.” – Conversation Project: Art as Activism with Pepe Moscoso participant (The Dalles, May 2024)

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Healthy democracies and culture require participation from everyone, so all our efforts are grounded in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We articulate our commitment to equity by naming it as one of our three core values, along with community and imagination. Recently, a team of staff members updated our Equity Lens, first published in 2017, to reflect our evolving understanding of equity at Oregon Humanities and in the wider community. These aren’t just words and documents: they hold us accountable to our internal values. Those values are upheld by actions, which include reducing barriers for participation (free or sliding scale programs and media; offering accommodations for accessibility); seeking out and uplifting partners that share our vision (prioritizing rural and BIPOC led and serving organizations); and advocating for and modeling inclusion (open calls for leaders and contributors; holding and participating in reflective conversation). 

Incentives

• The first $5,000 in Give!Guide donations to Oregon Humanities will be generously matched by Mark Holloway & David Kahl.
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• Donate $25 and get a free coffee or espresso at The Stacks Coffeehouse (up to the first 100 donors).
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• Donate $50 and get a voucher for a glass of wine (or a flight) for $1 with the purchase of another from Ora et Labora (up to the first 50 donors).
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• Donate $100 and get a “Blind Date with a Book”, a hand-selected, wrapped title from Bishop & Wilde (up to the first 50 donors).
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Donate $10+ on Dec. 3 (Giving Tuesday) or Dec. 11 and two lucky donors (each day) will receive a $25 gift card to Mom & Pop Wine Shop.  *Can also be combined with incentives above while quantities last.

Partner(s)

Bishop & Wilde is a queer-owned bookshop located in Northwest Portland on the ground level of Tin House. Lovingly owned, operated, and curated by Melissa L. Amstutz. New & used books are sold alongside records, art, and ephemera.

Mom & Pop Wine Shop is a small, locally owned and operated wine shop specializing in well-made, distinctive, affordable selections from small producers around the world. They take pride in offering friendly, educational customer service & on creating a welcoming environment whether shopping online, in-person or during our tastings.

Ora et Labora is a welcoming space where people can come explore the expansive world of wine through conversation, tasting, and wine education classes. The owners carefully curate their shelves with wines from around the world, highlighting value at all price points, from daily quaffable drinkers to age-worthy bottles. 

The Stacks Coffeehouse in North Portland is a coffee shop, a community library, and a literary event space. Since 2018, The Stacks has been a space for neighbors to gather together over cups of delicious coffee and tea, breakfast tacos and pastries, and beautiful books. 

In addition, we are partnering with our peers at Friends of Willamette Week, Open Signal, Oregon Ballet Theater, Street Books, and Write Around Portland to highlight and support the amazing work they do!