Hope for the Homeless Foundation Gala: A Record Breaking Success!

Written By Douglas Marshall

Event Overview

The Hope for the Homeless Foundation’s Partner Together to Give Hope gala on November 7th was a resounding success, with record attendance and donations. Attendance was a 50% increase over last year and the event raised $129,000, tripling last year's total, and brought our annual donations to over $330,000. This year's gala exceeded all our expectations. “The community's generosity is truly inspiring," said Steve McCarty, Board Member of HHF.

Featured Organizations

At the gala four organizations with a proven track record of helping the homeless become stabilized and housed were introduced by way of three-minute videos on each organization. Below are the links to the videos of the four organizations:

Voting Results

After everyone viewed the videos, they had the opportunity to vote for their favorite organization. The organization, with the most votes, receives 40 percent of the total funds distributed; the other three organizations each receive 20 percent. This year we are distributing $125,000 through HHF’s Champions Fund.

The overwhelming winner with 45 percent of the vote was Shepherd’s Door of Portland Rescue Mission. The other three organizations each received between 17 to 21 percent of the vote.

Champions Fund Distribution

So, this is how the money will be distributed to the four organizations:

  • $50,000 Shepherd’s Door – Portland Rescue Mission

  • $25,000 Men’s Residential Center – Volunteers of America

  • $25,000 Pathway of Hope – The Salvation Army

  • $25,000 The Miracles Club

The Difference Between the Champions & Evergreen Funds

The balance of the donations raised this year will be distributed to past financial grant recipients through the Evergreen Fund. Let me explain the difference between the Champions Fund and the Evergreen Fund. The Champions Fund is a one-time grant.

The Evergreen Fund grant is an on-going grant given annually to past Champions Fund recipients. We believe an annual donation has more influence than a one-time grant. If an organization knows that HHF can be counted on to give a financial grant to them every year, they can plan accordingly. That is when they can hire additional staff or start a new outreach program that will increase the number of people they serve.

Evergreen Fund Distribution

We believe we will have enough money at the end of this year to award six, possibly seven, $25,000 Evergreen Fund financial grants to previous Champions Fund recipients.

Last year we had three Evergreen Fund recipients:

  • My Father’s House

  • Road to Hope

  • Transitional Youth

Our first step will be to re-vet these three organizations. If their metrics remain strong, they will each receive another $25,000 grant. In January, the board will meet to decide which three or four previous Champions Fund recipients will be added as new Evergreen Fund grant recipients.

Thank you to everyone who made this year's gala an overwhelming success. Your generosity is making a real difference in the lives of those in need.

Douglas Marshall
Next

Oregon’s 2023 Homeless Report Card