ALLIES FOR GOOD COMMUNITY GIVING PROGRAM

Reshaping our efforts to drive positive change

ABOUT
PROJECTS
COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Allies for Good Community Giving Program

Advantis was built on the principle of “people helping people,” and for the last 92 years, community giving and support have been at the heart of that ideal. We’re excited to announce a new program devoted to serving as allies for our friends and neighbors.

Through our Allies for Good community giving program, Advantis is dedicating one-third of our philanthropy budget to support communities that have faced exclusion and underrepresentation.

We’re pledging to serve as allies for Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, people of color, and LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented communities. And with Allies for Good, we aim to lift the voices of these communities and create greater opportunity and representation. The foundational pieces include financial support of nonprofits dedicated to supporting these communities, education and resource initiatives, new products and services, and volunteer service.

“Advantis is committed to working as an ally by using our position to promote progress,” said Jason Werts, Advantis President and CEO. “We’re listening and learning to find meaningful ways to help underrepresented communities within our community, within the way we do business and within the credit union movement. It’s not just good business, but most importantly, it’s the right thing to do.”

Projects

2023

Boys and Girls Club

Boys and Girls Club of Portland Metro has been serving our local community since 1946, empowering all young people, especially those who need it most, to discover their full potential as caring, engaged, and responsible community members. Operating at six clubhouses, and four extension sites, as well as virtually, the Boys and Girls Club program areas include leadership and community service, academic enrichment, performing and visual arts, personal health and fitness, college prep, workforce training, and more.

In alignment with our commitment to being an ally for those underrepresented, Advantis Credit Union is honored to make a $5,000 donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Portland Metro in honor of Black History Month. Funds from this donation will be used to continue to help open doors to limitless possibilities for young people in the Portland area and support life-changing programs and resources for the families, children, and communities we serve each year.

2022

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest In September of 2022, Advantis proudly supported Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest through their “Impact of a Connection” event. Intending to help children realize their full potential and build their futures, Big Brothers Big Sisters provides dedicated one-to-one mentors to each child. By using the power of life-changing relationships, they aim to help youth improve academic achievement, empower them to make positive life choices, graduate from high school, have higher aspirations, and have greater confidence and positive and supportive relationships.
Hacienda CDC In collaboration with five Portland area credit unions, Advantis joined in support of Hacienda CDC by jointly donating $75,000 to a new lending program that is designed for first-time Black, Indigenous, and people of color homebuyers. Funds from the credit unions will help support homebuyers with education and 100% financing at an affordable cost. Affordable and attainable housing has been the foundation of Hacienda CDC’s mission for over 30 years. As a local Latino Community Development Corporation, they are dedicated to strengthening families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement, and educational opportunities.
Advantis Commemorates Pride Month throughout June Advantis is committed to being an inclusive place for employees, members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. Throughout June Advantis celebrates Pride month by supporting local organizations through volunteerism and with donations from the Allies for Good Community Giving Program.
Pride Beaverton Advantis is proud to be the 2022 Platinum Star Presenting Sponsor of the 5^th annual Pride Beaverton festival. Pride Beaverton’s mission is to bring joy, support, and acknowledgement to the LGBTQIA+ community in Beaverton. They celebrate Pride, inclusion and diversity while creating opportunities for engagement and education.
Q Center A team of Advantis staff celebrated Pride Month by volunteering to help paint offices and prepare event materials for an upcoming fundraiser for community organization, the Q Center. Advantis is proud to support the Q Center, which is the largest LGBTQIA+ community center in the Pacific Northwest and offers a variety of impactful community programs dedicated to sexual orientation, gender identity, addiction and mental health support, and more.
Advantis Joins Juneteenth Oregon for 50^th Anniversary Officially founded in 1972, this year Juneteenth Oregon celebrated its 50^th anniversary of their annual Juneteenth Parade and festival. Each year this event is held to celebrate Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth “Independence Day” or “Freedom Day”. The holiday commemorates the June 19, 1865 announcement of the abolition of slavery and the emancipation of African American slaves. Advantis was honored to join the festivities as an event sponsor with a $2,500 donation through our Allies for Good giving program.
Taking Ownership. National Black History month serves as both a reminder of the vital contributions of Black Americans to US History and a celebration of the countless achievements of Black Americans. This year Advantis honored this month-long celebration with a $5,000 contribution to Taking Ownership PDX through our Allies for Good giving program. Taking Ownership PDX is local non-profit made up of contractors, realtors, neighbors, volunteers, and businesses who work together to revive and renovate Black-owned homes. Their grassroots commitment places an emphasis on enabling Black homeowners to age in place, generate wealth and deter predatory investors. Taking Ownership PDX is dedicated to creating impactful changes in support of Portland’s Black community. Advantis is extremely proud to support this vital organization.
Rose Haven In March Advantis partnered with Rose Haven, the only day shelter and community center specifically serving women, children, and gender-diverse people in Portland to celebrate Women’s History Month. Advantis donated 50 first aid kits and volunteers assembled over 200 hygiene kits for women, gender non-conforming folks, and children experiencing houselessness. In addition to the critical hygiene kits assembled, Advantis also made a $1,000 donation to Rose Haven through the Allies for Good giving program. Advantis has partnered with Rose Haven several times over the years and looks forward to continuing to do so in the future.

2021

Self Enhancement, Inc. To kick off Allies for Good in January, 2021, Advantis partnered with Self Enhancement, Inc. (SEI), a nonprofit dedicated to guiding underserved youth to realize their full potential. Advantis provided SEI with a grant of $20,000 to support internet access for online learners. The grant will directly help economically disadvantaged local students impacted most by online access and connectivity issues. SEI will use the grant to provide greater bandwidth and internet accessibility for 66 students and their families across the metro area, making it easier for them to attend and participate in online classes and other learning activities.
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon In May of 2021, Advantis provided the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) with a $5,000 grant to support their work in fighting hate crimes, violence, and hurtful rhetoric against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Oregon. Advantis is committed to being a safe and supportive place for the Asian American community and all people of color. We’re shocked by the 2021 tragedy in Atlanta that deeply affected the Asian American community, and the continued rise of hate crimes, violence, and hurtful rhetoric against Asian Americans. Advantis is proud to support APANO, a critical organization that unites Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work.
Q Center We want to affirm our commitment to being a safe, supportive, and inclusive place for our employees, members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community. In June of 2021 Advantis recognized Pride Month by making a $5,000 donation to the Q Center, which provides safe spaces, community building, and empowerment for positive growth of the LGBTQIA+ communities as part of our Allies For Good Community Giving program. Advantis is proud to support the Q Center, which is the largest LGBTQIA+ community center in the Pacific Northwest, and offers a variety of impactful community programs dedicated to sexual orientation, gender identity, addiction and mental health support, and more.
Portland Opportunities and Industrialization Center + Rosemary Anderson High School Advantis celebrates the creation of Juneteenth as a new Federal holiday, an important day of remembrance and recognition of Black American history. We recognized this day (June 19, 2021) with a $5,000 donation to Portland Opportunities and Industrialization Center + Rosemary Anderson High School, (POIC + RAHS), which provides services to underserved youth and adults as part of our Allies For Good Community Giving program. POIC + RAHS reconnects alienated at-risk youth and adults affected by poverty, family instability, and homelessness to education, career training, and culturally-specific wraparound programs, including services for families impacted by the criminal justice system. Advantis is proud to support POIC + RAHS and the impactful work they do in our community.
Hispanic Heritage Month Advantis is honored to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic Americans. To recognize this month long celebration, we are proud to make a $5,000 contribution to Hacienda CDC. through our Allies for Good program. Hacienda CDC strives to advance livability, wellbeing, education and economic progress of Latino and NW communities. They provide affordable housing, small business coaching, early education and more throughout the Portland Metro area.
INCIGHT This October, Advantis celebrated the many and varied contributions of people experiencing disabilities by observing National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Through our Allies for Good Giving Program, we are thrilled to make a $5,000 donation to local organization INCIGHT. Founded here in Portland in 2004, INCIGHT serves individuals living with barriers, people with disabilities, single parents, veterans, welfare recipients, and justice-involved by building sustainable villages, networks, and resources to help all people reach their unlimited potential. Through a variety of programs and services focused on education, employment, and independence the results include less homelessness, less need for welfare, fewer incarcerations, and fewer barriers to success. Advantis is extremely proud to support INCIGHT and their important mission of “unlocking the potential of people.”
Advantis Honors Native American Heritage Month Created as an opportunity to honor the remarkable contributions and rich cultures of Native Americans, November marks the annual observance of Native American Heritage Month. This year Advantis is honoring this month-long celebration with a $5,000 contribution to the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) of the Northwest through our Allies for Good Giving Program. The mission of NARA is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives and anyone in need. Serving the Portland community since 1970 NARA now operates treatment centers, a child and family services center, a primary health care clinic, several adult mental health locations, a wellness center, and transitional housing for Native women and children. All services are centered on the family as it is NARA’s philosophy that, without the family circle there will be no future.
S.I.N.E - Survival is Not Enough Our Allies for Good Community Giving Program was launched in 2021 with the aim of creating greater opportunity and representation within marginalized communities. That’s why Advantis Credit Union is proud to partner with local non-profit, The Contingent on their new program SINE. Based on the idea that a college degree does not guarantee social mobility, SINE was launched in 2021 to provide post-graduation interventions designed for college graduates of color or graduates from low-income rural communities. The program provides participants ongoing mentorship and education, help building a professional network, and access to vocation and wealth-building resources. Advantis is honored to partner with The Contingent on this vital program to help build a stronger community and more inclusive Oregon.

Community Support

Advantis has always proudly given back to the communities we call home, and Allies for Good is a fitting next step in the evolution of those efforts. We have a long history of supporting nonprofits with grants from our Grow Community Fund, event sponsorships, and employee volunteer service.