U.S. Bank donates $650,000 to Portland as part of its $15 million Rebuild and Transform Fund

U.S. Bank announces $650,000 in donations to Portland nonprofits as part of its $15 million U.S. Bank Foundation Rebuild and Transform Fund, addressing rebuilding in corridors impacted by social unrest and systemic racial inequities in small business, housing and workforce advancement. This second wave of the fund, $5 million went to Twin Cities organizations in the first round, includes $5 million to local communities across U.S. Bank’s footprint. The Fund is part of the bank’s previously announced $116 million commitment to address social and economic inequities.  

“Our focus is on listening to and learning from community leaders and responding to critical needs,” said Karen Kervin, community affairs manager for Oregon at U.S. Bank. “We are investing in organizations led by people of color and providing general operating funds because we trust community leaders to know how, when and where to use these funds for the greatest impact.”

The donations in Portland will go to:

• African American Alliance for Homeownership – Focused on the issue of declining home ownership and displacement in the greater Portland area through a combination of programs such as: matched savings accounts, minor home repair, financial education and homeownership/home retention counseling.
• Black United Fund of Oregon – Dedicated to increasing educational and economic opportunity for marginalized communities.
• Micro Enterprise Services of Oregon (MESO) – Promotes advocacy for access to credit and support to Black owned businesses.
• Oregon Association of Minority Entrepreneurs (OAME) – Develops and promotes entrepreneurship and economic development for ethnic minorities, with a mission directed toward eliminating discrimination and racism.
• Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives – Focused on reinvesting in Portland’s neighborhoods, preserving their diversity and providing tools to help low-income Portland families achieve stability and self-sufficiency.
• Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center and Rosemary Anderson High School – Committed to creating economic opportunities for Portland's marginalized communities of color, including five alternative school campuses and a wide network of workforce development and placement programs.
• Self Enhancement, Inc., – Creates pathways to higher education, career-readiness preparation, and financial literacy with services that are culturally specific for African Americans, and culturally responsive to varied racial/ethnic groups and social identities 
• United Negro College Fund – Dedicated to providing every local minority student with the funds they need to support their college education and promote awareness of UNCF in the Pacific Northwest.

“It’s a very proud moment today to announce our support for Portland organizations that are uplifting communities of color and driving economic mobility by addressing structural systems that lead to racial disparities and inequities,” said Stacey Dodson, Portland market president at U.S. Bank. “These are the leaders who are advancing racial justice and helping us build greater prosperity for people of color in Portland.” 

The local markets receiving grants are: Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Little Rock, AR; Louisville, KY; Milwaukee, WI; Nashville, TN; Ohio - Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton; Phoenix, AZ; Portland, OR and St. Louis, MO. In total, 48 organizations will receive funding across these markets.

For more information, visit usbank.com/community.