Two Grant Winners. Double the Impact.

This is the best kind of news to share. We’ve chosen our two Grady Britton grant recipients for 2019/2020. Since we’re celebrating our 45-year agency anniversary and our 10-year grant anniversary, we figured that called for two winners. One has been awarded $25,000 in-kind marketing know-how. One has been awarded 150 volunteer hours from our very own Griffs. 

Both had some incredibly tough competition.

Before we talk about the winners, we want to thank every nonprofit organization that applied for sharing their stories with such thought. Our internal committee got a little attached to every one of them, and narrowing the pool down was no easy feat. Many of these organizations’ missions are critical to improving quality of life. Every one of them impacts our community. And we were reminded yet again how many driven and giving people are leading this city to make it better for everyone here.

After we reviewed all of the applications, we invited a handful of organizations into our office for an informational interview. Our committee got the chance to hear more about the work the applicants do, straight from them, and ask deeper questions about how the grant would ideally be used. While these interviews admittedly made the selection process that much more challenging, they were also an opportunity to make our first connection. And there was no denying the connection with our two winners.

Portland’s Artists Repertory Theatre is the recipient of our marketing grant. Transition Projects is the recipient of our volunteer grant. 

Founded in 1982 by local artists, Artists Repertory Theatre (ART) is Portland’s longest-running professional theater company. ART focuses on work by writers of color, women, trans-, and gender nonconforming writers—a contemporary theatre that addresses the issues of our time. ART is working to make theatre accessible and affordable for all audiences, and also provides programs, services, and rehearsal space to the community via the ArtsHub. 

The Grady Britton team is excited to partner with ART in the next year as they dive into these significant, exciting changes. Exactly what we’ll be doing is under wraps for now, but we can hint that it has to do with ART moving into their new space and finding ways to promote all of their services. As creators, we feel a shared ethos with the organization, and know that what’s ahead for their organization will have a dramatic impact on the community.

For 50 years, Transition Projects has helped those experiencing homelessness transition successfully into housing. By providing shelter, housing, and supportive services for very low-income people—especially veterans, women, and people with disabilities—Transition Projects assists more than 10,000 people experiencing homelessness each year. The organization operates out of 10 Portland Metro-area locations, and its programs are designed to help people survive the streets, find housing, and retain their housing.

As the recipient of Grady Britton’s first-ever volunteer grant, Transition Projects will receive 150 hours of volunteer time from our team. As part of their Meal Provider Program, we’ll plan, purchase, cook, and serve about 10 meals next year in their shelter locations. We chose Transition Projects because of their comprehensive approach—from homelessness to housing—in lifting up our community. (Psst they’re always looking for volunteers, so you can apply, too.) 

In celebration of our 45th anniversary, and our 10th grant anniversary, congratulations to both of our grant winners. We also want to offer sincere, deep appreciation to every organization that not only applied, but also to those in our city striving to make lasting change. We’re proud to use our B Corp status as a continual guide—to use business as a force for good.