Giving Tuesday is here and business districts are filled with the spirit of kindness and generosity – as well as holiday decorations, festive events, and everything you need to make the season merry and bright.    

Portland’s family of business districts actively support neighborhood causes at twice the rate of national chains and show their gratitude to the customers who keep them in business. Thank you for your continued support. This holiday season we hope you will take a moment to recognize the dedication of Portland’s small business owners, plan a visit to one (or many!) of the City’s 50 neighborhood business districts, and discover why they make Portland a world-class city. Here are a few ideas for giving back at your favorite neighborhood businesses while also finding the perfect gifts for everyone on your list:

  • Beaumont: The Pongo Fund is Oregon’s only full-time charity focused on fighting animal hunger. They provide quality food and vital veterinary care for the family pets of anyone in honest need, keeping them safe, healthy, and out of the shelters. Shop at Green Dog Pet Supply and support The Pongo Fund! 
  • Central Eastside: Urbanite is an amazing lifestyle store that features Portland-based makers all under one roof! Today, one dollar of every single purchase at Urbanite will go to one of these non-profits: Sisters of the Road, ASPCA, and American Red Cross.
  • Columbia Corridor: Help animals in need by donating to the Oregon Humane Society. You can donate directly or shop at a number of community partners to make an impact.
  • Foster: Mt. Scott Learning Center enrolls 160 students in grades 9-12, with a full core curriculum, elective offerings, monthly service learning, and community partnerships in the arts, outdoor education, and more.
  • Hawthorne: One of our favorite cafes and juice bars, Harlow, is donating a percentage of sales today to No Kid Hungry. Get some healthy food and drinks while supporting ending childhood hunger.
  • Hollywood: Laughing Planet will be donating 10% of sales to Street Roots, a non-profit that combines journalism and income opportunities to offer a lifeline to those who need it most. When you support Street Roots, you’re helping build a fairer, more inclusive society for tomorrow. 
  • Lents: Every dollar donated to Green Lents will help to provide the community with education, outreach, and a local tool lending library. Donate to Path Home and help families fight housing insecurity through rapid re-housing, shelter, and housing retention programs. 
  • Lloyd: Give hope for the holidays by supporting Project Lemonade, a non-profit that supports foster youth and provides resources for them to realize their gifts and gain confidence, so they achieve success in school and life.
  • Mississippi Ave: Over 40 businesses will be donating 10% of their sales made today to Boise-Eliot-Humbolt elementary school. Not only is this a great day to come out and support the youth, but you will also be supporting local businesses too. ️
  • Multnomah Village: Sarah Bellum’s Bakery is a non-profit that empowers adults with acquired brain injuries to re-engage in the community. They help re-build their sense of purpose, meaning, and identity through return-to-work opportunities in their community-based, functional rehabilitation bakery program.
  • NW Industrial: All gifts big or small to LIFT UP help to increase food security in our community. As little as $5 equals 15 healthy and nutritious meals for your neighbors who need them the most. 
  • Old Town: Support the only Chinese Garden in Oregon! A gift to the Lan Su Chinese Garden provides funding for long-term safety measures, maintenance projects, care of the garden’s hundreds of species of plants, and cultural and education programs.
  • St. Johns: Swapnplay has a goal of reaching $1,000 in donations today. Consider supporting them because they exist to ease the burden on low and moderate-income North Portland families by providing access to shared resources.
  • Williams District: Give the gift of music this holiday season! Founded in 1998, Ethos provides music lessons, multicultural performances, and outreach to thousands of students each year. Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) provides support to families and community members throughout the holiday season, including meals and gift baskets, utility assistance, and housing services.

This list is non-exhaustive so you can find more opportunities to give back in Willamette Week’s Give Guide. Don’t forget you can always support Portland’s business districts with a contribution to Venture Portland. It is a gift that keeps on giving all year long!