October 2023

Cultivate Initiatives Leader Wins Prestigious Community Award!

Dear Friends,

This giving season, we are thrilled to see our beloved Executive Director and Co-Founder, Caleb Coder, receive the prestigious 2023 Skidmore Prize from renowned publication, Willamette Week.

The Skidmore Prize has a longstanding yearly tradition of recognizing Non-Profit Leaders under 36 years old making a true difference in our community. This prize celebrates and affirms the tremendous teamwork efforts that many have contributed to Cultivate Initiatives to sustain and grow our impact. 

“We’re ultimately a group of people who want to be neighbors,” Caleb shared, “We are all leaders in our community, so we all get to be a part of transformation in our community.”

We’re in the Give!Guide

As a part of the Skidmore Prize, Cultivate Initiatives received a “Golden Ticket” putting us into the Willamette Week Give!Guide Campaign! The Give!Guide is an annual effort to raise funds for — and draw attention to — the good works of local nonprofits.

What makes the Give!Guide unique? 

• As well as raising awareness and funds, the Give!Guide
  offers donors exciting rewards for their generosity.

• For every $10 donation given on a Big Give Day, donors
  are entered to win awesome prizes such as E-Bikes, Gift Cards, and even a trip to Guatemala.

• We will be offering some of our own unique gifts for donors
  throughout the campaign too!

What are the next steps?

• Get ready to give this November 1st when the Give!Guide opens, at precisely 12:01 am!

• Donations can be made directly through the online portal on our Give!Guide Profile, or on our website.

We are grateful to be working alongside other inspiring organizations in our community & so excited to be participating in this end-of-year fundraising opportunity!
Nov 1st through Dec 31st.

Interstate Learning Opportunity

Four leaders from Cultivate Initiatives traveled recently to Austin, Texas to participate in the Symposium For Goodness’ Sake at the Community First! Village, founded and operated by Mobile Loaves & Fishes. Their village is a combination of alternative housing opportunities, community enterprises, green spaces, and communal spaces.

These learning opportunities exposed us to working principles and practices that are proving effective in other states. The symposium offered interactive talks, workshops, and tours covering varied topics including; property management, resident care, entrepreneurial opportunities, and skill development for residents. Additionally, consultative guidance was provided on their philosophies and approach which has made Mobile Loaves & Fishes’ work unique and distinctively effective for more than two decades.

Thank you to Community First! Village for hosting our visit and pulling together valuable resources about how your model can be useful in communities such as ours. We are thrilled to see our staff empowered, and continuing to grow and learn.