What Does the ORPIB Foundation Do?
The ORPIB Foundation is excited to be in the midst of our first year as a fully funded, fully operational entity. Formed in 2023 out of the ORPIB Chamber of Commerce, this 501(c)3 nonprofit exists to promote growth and sustainability for the LGBTQ+ business community in Oregon and SW Washington. We have several exciting programs launching in 2025 that we can’t wait to tell you about. But first, we should explain why the Foundation is different from ORPIB itself.
The Foundation was formed out of the ORPIB chamber of commerce, but is legally and financially separate in a few very important ways. Oregon Pride in Business is a business resource for members across Oregon and Southwest Washington. Even though ORPIB is a nonprofit, the Chamber of Commerce 501(c)6 designation classifies it as a lobbying entity, which limits the ways that money can flow in and out of the organization. The ORPIB Foundation works to uplift the community as a whole, members and non-members alike. As a 501(c)3, the Foundation has the ability to give and receive grant funding. Even better, donations to the Foundation are 100% tax-deductible. Chamber membership dues are not.
The membership model of the Chamber supports investment and close-knit connections between the businesses that choose to participate. Chamber membership is a fantastic way to demonstrate your business’s values and directly support the work that goes into creating a vibrant, well-informed, and connected business community. Chamber members see direct benefits from their membership investment.
The Foundation’s funding sources include grants and certain kinds of corporate donations that are not available to non-501(c)3 organizations. This broader pool of support means that our programming can reach further into the community, to support LGBTQ+ business people who may not be able to access Chamber membership. This broader scope makes it easier to fund and promote programs focused on the economic climate and the community as a whole.
The two organizations share a goal of uplifting the LGBTQ+ business community in Oregon and SW Washington, and the missions (and leadership!) of both orgs support one another.
As part of our inclusive programming approach, the Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of two major initiatives this year, open to ORPIB members and non-members alike. The first to debut was the Mentorship Program, which welcomed its first cohort in the spring. Inspired by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) initiative, this program takes inclusivity to the next level, welcoming everyone in our community, not just ORPIB members, to foster entrepreneurial growth and meaningful community connections. New applications will open in the fall, and more information can be found here. The second community-inclusive initiative to launch in 2025 is the re-formed Incubator Program. Anyone interested in shaping this impactful program is encouraged to email us.
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