Striving for just communities: Endowment support for humanities programs in Oregon

FAIN: CH-51244-15

Oregon Humanities (Portland, OR 97205-3625)
Adam Davis (Project Director: May 2014 to present)

Endowment for the Idea Lab Summer Institute for teachers and teens and the Conversation Project about ideas crucial to Oregon communities.

Oregon Humanities respectfully requests the National Endowment for the Humanities' consideration of a $250,000 challenge grant to be matched by $750,000 in private contributions in support of the OH endowment. A gift at this level will grow our capacity to meet the needs of Oregonians for public humanities programming that helps them to examine their beliefs, deepen their connections to each other, and make Oregon a better place to live. In February 2014, OH formulated a new vision: an Oregon that invites diverse perspectives, explores challenging questions, and strives for just communities. A challenge grant from the NEH will enable OH to help additional people and communities across the state become more informed, compassionate, and civically engaged. This kind of work - person by person, organization by organization, and community by community - is essential to preserving the thoughtful, vital culture Oregon needs.

Associated Products

WeLead: Youth Powered Conversations (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: WeLead: Youth Powered Conversations
Author: Eric Gold
Abstract: Article written by Eric Gold on WeLead, a youth program by Oregon Humanities to teach facilitation of difficult dialogue surrounding community issues.
Date Range: 5/1/16-5/31/16
Location: Portland
Primary URL: https://www.oregonhumanities.org/rll/beyond-the-margins/taking-the-lead/
Primary URL Description: Link to article on the Oregon Humanities page that talks about the WeLead program

Oregon Humanities Conversation Project (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Oregon Humanities Conversation Project
Author: Ben Waterhouse
Abstract: Tyler White who attended WeLead as a youth and is now a facilitator for the Conversation Project, another of Oregon Humanities programs targetted at facilitating community dialogue surrounding difficult issues.
Date Range: 8/31/08
Location: Portland
Primary URL: https://www.oregonhumanities.org/rll/magazine/turn/engaging-as-fellow-humans/
Primary URL Description: Article about a WeLead alum who became a Conversations Project facilitator. Shows that these two programs are active and working well together to create sustained humanities conversations. Ben Waterhouse is the Oregon Humanities staff member who wrote the article 8/31/21.

Bridging Oregon (Conference/Institute/Seminar)
Title: Bridging Oregon
Author: Jennifer Alkezweeny
Abstract: Information on Oregon Humanities program, Bridging Oregon, which sought to bring together diverse audiences for conversation and understanding.
Date Range: 2018-2019
Location: Portland
Primary URL: http://oregonhumanities.org/programs/past/bridging-oregon-past/
Primary URL Description: Information from Oregon Humanities website on this program. It looks like it only ran for one year.

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