The Blueprint Foundation

Mission

The Blueprint Foundations aims to eliminate the opportunity gap for Black youth within the Portland Metropolitan Area.  This is accomplished by engaging youth in culturally specific experiences that introduce them to and prepare them for, family-sustaining careers in disciplines where black-identified individuals are currently underrepresented.

Bottom Line for Portland

The Blueprint Foundation supports community-building for youth by providing safe and culturally affirming spaces for them to connect, learn, and receive mentorship. Our collaborative work with partners centers and advances equity and inclusion to empower historically marginalized communities while diversifying the green workforce. During the 2021 academic year, 45 co-ed students of color citywide engaged in TBF’s STEM-based program activities, including stewardship (683 native plants and 336 trees planted), restoration (14 acres of land restored), skills building, and career exploration, additionally, 40% of participants completed internships in the green sector.

Quote

"The Blueprint Foundation is a stunning organization successfully creating culturally inclusive, safe access and green education to our youth, opening their senses of possibility, exploration, and responsible reciprocity with our natural world. It has changed our lives. This program and the team create brilliant, innovative, truly special opportunities that cannot be taken for granted. This never existed when I was a kid, and we're honored every day to get to be part of it. They're shaping our future for good."--Brittany Wade, guardian of Blueprint student

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Blueprint programming is intended to engage Black community members in nature-based activities that foster a realization that the environment is an extension of themselves – As much a part of their wellbeing as eating or breathing or meditating because it is.  Reconnecting our people to the environment requires: (a) physically engaging them in culturally relevant activities that build neural associations with green spaces. (b) culturally responsive education about what they are seeing and experiencing, and (c) empowerment to take an active role in intersectional environmentalism. We partner with organizations that share our belief that access to culturally- nature-based activities and training fosters stewardship and conservation ethics in people.

Incentives

First 5 donors to give $20-$50 will receive a $10 gift card to Birds & Bees Nursery!

Donate $10 or more and enter to win a Granite Gear Crown2 60L ultralight, ultra-comfortable multi-day backpack! Winner chosen on January 3, 2023

November incentives:

First 8 donors to give $100+ will receive a $25 gift card to Deadstock Cofee

First 4 donors to give $200+ will receive a $50 gift card to Deadstock Cofee

First donor to give $300+ will receive a $100 gift card to Deadstock Cofee

December incentives:

First 8 donors to give $100+ will receive a $25 gift card to The 1905

First 4 donors to give $200+ will receive a $50 gift card to The 1905

First donor to give $300+ will receive a $100 gift card to The 1905

Gift cards for The 1905 are suitable for food and beverage only, does not include gratuity or live music coverage charge

Business Partner(s)

This year we are grateful for the support of our business partners:

Colas Construction, Inc. - https://www.colasconstruction.com

Birds & Bees Nursery- https://birdsandbeespdx.com/

The 1905- https://the1905.org

Thank you for amplifying our mission and supporting our work throughout this year's Give!Guide campaign!