Oregon’s Equity Foundation awarded two individuals and three businesses with various awards on January 20, 2012.
The awards were handed out during a sold-out luncheon at Portland’s Governor Hotel. The program included remarks from Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown and a rousing sing-a-long to Three Dog Night’s Joy To The World with the PHAME Academy choir. PHAME is a chorus of developmentally disabled adults that recently won funding from Equity Foundation.
Individual awards were bestowed on a couple of past Equity board members.
Dawn Holt took home the John Grigsby-Jim Vegher Investments in Dignity Award for her countless hours dedicated to the Equity Foundation. Holt is also active in the local PFLAG Chapter.
Dr. Tom Baretto won the David M. Crawford Memorial Award for his work on the Equity Boards of Directors and Advisors.
The Equity Foundation pays special attention to issues of equality in the workplace. This year, three businesses were honored for their diversity practices, scholarship and education opportunities and workplace giving programs that promote social justice. The Foundation awarded businesses in small, medium and large categories.
The Metropolitan Group, a business that empowers “social purpose organizations to build a just a sustainable world” won the small business category. Others nominated in the category include Beth Allen Law, Bridge City Medical and McEwen Gisvold LLP.
The Stoel Rives law firm won the medium business category. Entercom (radio) was also nominated.
In the large business category, Portland General Electric edged Nike. Both companies have noted LGBT employee groups.
Equity Foundation builds communities that advance the dignity and worth of all people. Equity Foundation promotes philanthropy and positive interaction by providing college scholarships and granting funds to organizations that work to eradicate prejudice against gender and sexual minorities and people from other diverse communities.
