A MESSAGE FROM ERIC K. WARD
mourn. rage. organize. celebrate.
Our problems are real. But we are winning. More Americans than ever support our vision of an inclusive, multiracial democracy. We came together in 2020, even as we were physically apart. We came together in grief and anger over the lives taken needlessly by the pandemics of racial and economic disparity, police and hate violence.
This is a time of unprecedented mobilization for change.
We came together around our common values. Artists, activists, educators, elected officials, organizers, civil society leaders – locally, across our region, nationwide. Together, we galvanized our communities in defense of democracy. When the pandemic hit, Western States Center was one of the first organizations to shut down travel and pivot our programming. It was one example among many of how we aligned our operational decisions with our values in 2020. Neighborhood in Portland, Oregon reclaims park marred by hate symbols.
I am incredibly proud of how much we did with so little, of how we rose each day in the most challenging of times. Our work is only possible with you – the courageous partners and generous donors and foundations – who fuel our work to build movements, develop leaders, shift culture, and defend democracy. Together, we are building the foundation of a 21st century civil rights movement. Thank you for your steadfast partnership and support,
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
We We We We
Eric K. Ward Executive Director
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A redemptive vision of governance as the means by which we take care of each other. Expressing our core values, protecting everyone’s basic rights, no exceptions…
WHO ARE WE, AMERICA? Including all people, and the planet, in a shared vision of health and prosperity. It’s what we work for everyday at Western States Center. A world where everyone can live, love, worship and work free from bigotry and fear. At a moment when the crisis of extremism is clear, there are few organizations that have as direct an impact. Western States Center not only provides a vital moral voice – it does the hard work of movement building that is central to the fight for justice.
On July 4th Western States’ Director Eric K. Ward and Southern Poverty Law Center Chief of Staff Lecia Brooks published “We Want the Flag Back: Celebrating Black American Patriotism” on westernstatescenter.medium.com
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Inclusive democracy: of, by, and for the people.
~ Amy Spitalnick, Executive Director, Integrity First for America 5
WE DEFEND DEMOCRACY
That was the question we posed six days after George Floyd’s murder ignited a global uprising for racial justice. “America is on a precipice. Whether we go over the edge into the abyss of a full-blown authoritarian state or find firm ground on which to construct an inclusive democracy depends on what we do right now.” ~ Eric K. Ward
When unidentified federal agents snatched Portlanders off the streets into unmarked vans, we issued the clarion call “NOT HERE. NOT ANYWHERE.” and filed suit in federal court to protect protesters’ constitutional rights.
Throughout 2020 we mobilized elected and organizational leaders to speak in a unified voice against threats to inclusive democracy. We delivered a major blow to the Trump administration’s authoritarian overreach with a lawsuit that secured an injunction against federal enforcement agents in Portland and served as a litigation model for other cities. We provided behind-the-scenes support for communities under attack, including a two-part training on white nationalism for Portland’s city council and bureau chiefs. Our 21 Day Pledge for Inclusive Democracy, digital action platform #WeDefendDemocracy, toolkits, message guidelines, research briefings, and online presentations engaged and equipped thousands of activists, organizers, educators, and civil society leaders across the country.
Ahead of a Proud Boys rally at a site significant to Portland’s Black community, we mobilized a unified response from state and local leaders. The City of Portland responded with anti-hate messages in strategic locations.
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
Authoritarian State or Inclusive Democracy?
Western States Center plays an essential role in helping communities across the country organize to promote inclusive democracy and confront violent white nationalists and alt-right extremists.” ~ Wajahat Ali, Western States Center Senior Fellow
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mariotta Gary-Smith, Chair - Oregon Lecia Brooks, Secretary - Alabama * Laura Martin - Nevada Mary Morten - Illinois * WESTERN STATES CENTER
Leslie Warren - Oregon * *Joined in 2020
STAFF, SENIOR FELLOWS + CONSULTANTS Eric K. Ward - Executive Director
Stephen Piggott, Program Analyst + Trainer/Organizer Rebekah Camm, Executive Office + Event Coordinator Wajahat Ali, Common Good Senior Fellow
Convergence Networks, IT Jitasa Group, accounting StrategyWorks NW, organizational development Stuart Collective, program strategy
Jessica Acee, Confronting White Nationalism in Schools Senior Fellow
Chris Orrick, special project support
Amy Herzfeld-Copple - Deputy Director of Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Adrienne van der Valk, Confronting White Nationalism in Schools consultant
Steve Mayes, Deputy Director of Operations
Jessica George, Inclusive Democracy Culture Lab Senior Fellow
Nanci Champlin, Director of Development
Josie Raphaelito, Indigenizing Love Senior Fellow
Megan Black, Common Good Program Director
Yee Won Chong, NW Racial Equity Leadership Project consultant Brink Communications, digital organizing
Program Partners, Training + Workshop Hosts
Tusk Consulting, strategic planning West End Strategy Team, media relations
Nora Flanagan, Confronting White Nationalism in Schools Senior Fellow
Leadership Cohorts + Networks and Senior Fellows
Snell & Wilmer, legal strategy
Simon Greer, Cambridge Heath Ventures, Common Good consultant
Jill Garvey - Chief of Staff
Lindsay Schubiner, Momentum Program Director
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Kate Bitz, Program Manager + Trainer/Organizer
Based in the Pacific Northwest & Mountain states, we serve as a national hub to engage partners committed to strengthening inclusive democracy.
Rapid Response + Organizing Support
Tito Crafts, communications Holly Pruett, strategic communications Ben Unger, program strategy Julia Xiong, special project support In Memoriam: Shon Quannie, graphic design consultant Appreciation to recent exiting board members Bookda Gheisar and Scott Winn; former staff Angela Pearson and Marley Pierce; and Common Good program consultant Jenna Weinberg for their contributions to Western States Center in 2020.
Western States Center consistently punches above its weight class, shaping narratives, crafting strategies, and developing leaders rooted in the lived experience of the Pacific Northwest & Mountain States that influence the entire country. That’s why SPLC counts on WSC as a core program partner and I’m proud to serve on the board of directors. ~ Lecia Brooks, Southern Poverty Law Center Chief of Staff
READ MORE: Leadership Cohorts
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Programs
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Program Partners
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Funders
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Donors
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By the Numbers
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2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
WHO WE ARE
Our staff, Senior Fellows, and consultants deliver innovative strategies through a national network of leadership cohorts and program partners, guided by our Board of Directors and supported by committed funders and donors.
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Our innovative fellowships, cohorts, and networks serve as laboratories for 21st century civil rights movement-building strategies. Inclusive Democracy Culture Lab WESTERN STATES CENTER
15 singer-songwriters from CA, ID, KY, NY, OR, TN and TX developed strategies for Americana musicians to engage fans around anti-bigotry work
20 multimedia artists from around the country combating racism, antisemitism and antidemocratic movements through their art
Leadership Initiative to Combat Antisemitism
NYC cohort of 27 Black, Jewish, and Muslim leaders exploring why we must address antisemitism to combat authoritarianism
NW Racial Equity Leaders Project
23 practitioners from the Pacific NW strengthening EDI capacity and building a community of practice
Confronting White Nationalism Educator Network
Oregon Inclusive Democracy Network
Senior Fellows
Defending Democracy + Movement Building Fellows
Common Good Masterclass for Jewish Funders
89 trained educators
Uniting communications and program staff from 12+ organizations throughout the state to counter antidemocratic activity
Developing multi-sector influencers as leaders on anti-hate, social inclusion and inclusive democracy in
10 fellows in FL, GA, ID, OH, MT and WA receiving tools, training, and building connections to peers
20 funders in conversation about threats to inclusive democracy from white nationalism, racism and antisemitism
151+ network participants 11,000+ Confronting White Nationalism in Schools toolkits distributed 10
Common Good Masterclass for Artists + Cultural Workers
AL, DC, IL, KY, MO, NY + OR
Northwest Racial Equity Leaders Project Western States Center’s 2003 Dismantling Racism Resource Book and accompanying training models were foundational for systemic racial justice work for a decade. Since then, the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion field in the U.S. has changed and grown tremendously. Our new project engages twodozen practitioners in (re)centering racial justice as a strategic lens that connects the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion field to systems transformation, social movements, and societal consciousness. Using a peer coaching model, the project created space (to the beat of a great soundtrack) to address realtime dilemmas of organizational leadership during a time of pandemic, racial justice uprising, and authoritarian crack-downs.
Participating in the Northwest Racial Equity Leaders Project expanded my network, gave me new tools and resources in approaching crucial work in the communities I belong to and serve, and further reinforced the importance of carving out intentional time for reflection, information sharing, and healing.
~ Tyler TerMeer, CEO, Cascade AIDS Project
Project Participants Alexandra Manuel WA Professional Educator Standards Board | Ben Duncan Multnomah County Diversity & Equity Office | Bookda Gheisar Port of Seattle Office of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion | Carol Cheney Meyer Memorial Trust | Déja Fitzgerald Cascade AIDS Project | Emil Tsao Oregon Department of Education | Erica Hernandez-Scott WA Professional Educator Standards Board | James Parker Oregon Native American Chamber | Jenee Myers Twitchell Washington STEM | Kim Feicke Consultant | Latricia Tillman Washington County Equity & Inclusion Office | Laura John City of Portland Office of Tribal Relations | Mariko Yoshika SEIU 503 | Mariotta Gary-Smith Health Share of Oregon | Rut Martinez-Alicea Oregon Food Bank | Scott Winn Consultant, Seattle | Steven Nakana Port of Portland Social Equity Program | Swathi Massar Mercy Corps | Tamar Zere City of Seattle Race & Social Justice Initiative | Thuan Duong Portland Housing Bureau | Tricia Brand Portland Community College | Tyler TerMeer Cascade AIDS Project | Yoko Shimomura Washington STEM | Yolanda Sanchez-Marquez City of Portland Office of Equity & Human Rights
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPING INTERCONNECTED LEADERS
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WESTERN STATES CENTER 12
Supporting communities and democratic institutions to counter white nationalism
Rapid Response & Municipal Support Local governments and democratic institutions are an essential counterbalance to rising authoritarianism. We conduct strategy sessions and emergency briefings; design creative campaigns and sign-on actions. In 2020 we delivered a twopart training on white nationalism to Portland’s elected and appointed leadership, partnered with Southern Poverty Law Center to close space for political violence in four states, and galvanized a unified response to the large white nationalist mobilizations that served as dress rehearsals for the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
The fellowship expanded my thinking about the intersection between white supremacy, white nationalism, reproductive health, LGBTQIA rights, immigrant rights, and the far right. It was both fascinating and frightening to see these issues play out in real time during the 2020 elections. ~ Christina Bruce-Bennion, Idaho Office for Refugees Defending Democracy & Movement Building Fellows Fellows from six states built relationships, strengthened skills, and designed projects with the potential to influence statewide movements. Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington & Northern Idaho’s Sarah Dixit created a training guide on the connection between anti-abortion and white nationalist movements to sharpen the focus of college-based organizing. NARAL Pro-Choice Washington’s Gabbi Nazari presented on this same nexus to staff and leadership, resulting in an action plan to mobilize coalition partners to counter far-right movements.
Research, Narrative & Strategic Leadership We help shape the way civil society understands and acts on anti-democratic threats through participation in coalition tables, writing, public speaking, and work with the news media. Tools like our bi-weekly Democracy Alert and PlotAgainstImmigrants.com provide background and analysis developed through monitoring and original research in partnership with local antihate activists, the Oregon Inclusive Democracy Network, and national allies. Confronting White Nationalism in Schools Toolkit & Educator Network With our groundbreaking toolkit endorsed by the National Education Association, covered by The New York Times, Washington Post, and PBS NewsHour, and in use across the country, we engage on an ongoing basis with a large private online community and the 89 educators who completed our train-the-trainer certification program in 2020 to support them in delivering this material locally. One educator told us, “I joined out of heartbreak and began to feel a more realistic sense of hopefulness.” Another said of the three-day training, “I feel less and less alone and more supported.”
One of the best professional development events in my 15 years of education. ~ Chris Penna, Loyola Academy, IL
“My Child Is Sharing Conspiracy Theories and Racist Memes. What Do I Say?” With the pandemic exposing young people to more bigoted internet content than ever, we released a new set of tools on our Medium channel to empower parents and caregivers to discuss online propaganda with their kids in ways that help them discern fact from fiction, grow their empathy for others, and help them become better media consumers and overall better community members.
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
MOMENTUM
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WESTERN STATES CENTER 14
We began 2020 on the Brooklyn Bridge at a 25,000 person solidarity march following a spate of antisemitic violence around New York City. Hate crimes had already reached record levels. Then the global pandemic ushered in new waves of deadly conspiracy theories targeting Jews, the Asian community, and democracy itself. Understanding antisemitism as the fuel that drives white nationalism, our Common Good programming equips leaders, organizations, and communities with innovative insights, tools, and strategies to respond. Leadership Initiative to Combat Antisemitism We piloted a new approach to addressing the “hot button” issues that help to perpetuate antisemitism with our inaugural transnational cohort of twodozen leaders from a range of sectors. In 2020, we held our first convening of our second cohort – 27 Black, Jewish, and Muslim leaders from the New York City area – just before the pandemic paused plans to travel together to civil rights legacy sites in the American south. We will resume this leadership cohort when in-person gatherings become possible.
Your ability to bring Jews and Blacks together to understand the forces that continually try to tear us apart is extraordinary. All of us left feeling inspired to take action. One person said it was the best talk she ever heard; another couldn’t wait to share the recording with her college students.
~ Sara Weinberger, Congregation B’nai Israel
Eric’s seminal essay Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism is now a video at WesternStatesCenter.org/leadership
A united fight against antisemitism is critical to the elimination of all forms of hatred. Your leadership is critical and greatly appreciated.
The Coalition of the Future: How We Combat White Nationalism & Weave the Fabric of Democracy, A Seminar in Practice We devoted part of 2020 to developing a new college course – launched at Oberlin in spring 2021 – to help students grapple with the intersections between antisemitism and racism and engage in the difficult conversations necessary to build alliances for change.
Common Good Masterclass for Artists & Cultural Workers Twenty multi-media artists from around the country convened over 14 weeks to develop a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between antiBlack racism and antisemitism. For research-based playwright and teaching artist Rachel Atkins, the timing was perfect. “I hope we can look back someday and see this as a period of positive transition and lasting social change,” she says. Illustration by Masterclass participant Kedar Reddy @Organiz. hierarchies.
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
COMMON GOOD
Building common ground in response to rising antisemitism, racism, and anti-democratic movements
~ Ronna Greff Schneider, President, Cincinnati Jewish Community Relations Council
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INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY CULTURE LAB
I believe in an inclusive democracy, the opposite of the white nationalist agenda. And I believe in the power of music to unite people across space, time, and all imagined or real divides.
Enlisting artists as agents of change to reach into the middle
Musicians and other culture-makers have always been agents of change. Their work connects through values instead of ideology and belief. Americana music, with its politically diverse fan base spanning rural and urban communities, has the potential to interrupt outdated narratives and reduce demographic anxiety. To test this theory, we recruited 15 Americana singersongwriters who began convening as a national cohort in 2020. The majority are continuing into
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Being involved with Western States Center has been one of the most rewarding and enlightening experiences of my life. Our discussions and meet-ups have given a hard spine to the themes and suspicions that have run throughout my work, that exclusion contributes to all sorts of failings and dangers. Part community organizer, anti-racism team, reasonable voice, and education source, Western States Center is doing important and necessary work during this incredibly fractious time. ~ Matthew Ryan
2021 to develop a music industry toolkit to share their learnings through case studies and concrete actions that other artists can take. Topics they’re tackling include resisting the myth of urban/rural divide, belonging and inclusion, breaking isolation, addressing backlash, and collaborating with justice movements.
~ Ana Egge Tony-award winner Anais Mitchell tweeted her 29k followers, “It’s so hard to write a good protest song. My Friend Ana Egge did it tho.”
The Ripple Effect of The Cohort Ana Egge’s “This Time,” written during her time with the cohort, got a shout out from Tony-award winner Anais Mitchell who tweeted the song to her 29k followers. The next day, Salisbury University kicked off their first-ever Anti-Racism Summit with a viewing of the song’s video. The Daily Beast’s feature “Is Country Music Turning on Racism and QAnon?” quoted Michaela Anne and Clay Steakley. Clay is featuring more conversations on equity on his “Outer Voice” podcast. Peter Mulvey used Facebook Live to speak to fans about the nation’s pain following the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. And Dan Bern’s latest, “Ivan’s Barbershop,” draws inspiration from his cohort experience.
Inclusive Democracy Culture Lab Inaugural Cohort Michaela Anne, Nashville, Tennessee* Dan Bern, Soquel, California Maya de Vitry, Nashville, Tennessee* Ana Egge, Brooklyn, New York* Rebecca Gates, Portland, Oregon* Sara Hickman, Austin, Texas* Catherine Irwin (Freakwater), Louisville, Kentucky* Eilen Jewell, Boise, Idaho* Peter Mulvey, Milwaukee, Wisconsin* Nate Query (The Decemberists), Portland, Oregon Rench (Gangstagrass), Brooklyn, New York* Matthew Ryan, Nashville, Tennessee* Nathan Salsburg, Louisville, Kentucky Joan Shelley, Louisville, Kentucky Clay Steakley, Nashville, Tennessee*
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
WESTERN STATES CENTER
At Western States Center we work 24/7 to reach as many people as we can with our analysis of threats to democracy and tools that organizers and civil society leaders can use to combat bigotry. But we ourselves can’t reach the one-third of Americans who are susceptible to white nationalist appeals to their anxieties and the antisemitic misinformation and stereotypes that have become so normalized. We can’t – but artists can.
* Continuing in 2021 (11) 17
In 2020 we reached over 30,000 people through 147 keynote and panel presentations, cohort classes, workshops and trainings for a wide range of organizations and events nationwide:
Hope Not Hate podcast Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center Illinois School Counselor Association Interfaith Worker Justice Integrity First Klickitat County Coalition
justice and solidarity.
Media Democracy Fund
~ Rabbi Lauren Grabelle Herrmann, SAJ
Meyer Memorial Trust Museum of the African Diaspora
WESTERN STATES CENTER
Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust and Humanity Center
FAITH + CIVIC EVENTS Congregation Ahavath Chesed - Florida Congregation Beth Israel - San Diego Congregation B’nai Israel - Northampton, MA Countering Islamophobia Roundtable Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice Jewish Community Relations Council - Florida
Executive Director Eric K. Ward kicks off 2020 with a call for unity in the face of division.
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You brought the fire! Our interview was a strategic way for me to advance the conversation in our synagogue towards
Religious Action Center of Reform JudaismCincinnati Society for the Advancement of Judaism Temple Shalom- Naples Temple Wise- Cincinnati T’ruah UJA Federation of NY
NAACP MLK Jr. Dinner, Florida
Training presented by Nora Flanagan, Confronting White Nationalism in Schools Senior Fellow, earns local news coverage. Oregon Small Farms Conference
City of Portland
Race Forward’s Facing Race Conference
Clatsop County Democrats
Southeastern Family Office Forum
Columbia University
Smith College
Daphne Foundation
Southern Poverty Law Center convening
Diné Pride
Southridge High School Community Conversation on Race
EngageNY Ford Foundation
Jewish Community Relations Council, Cincinnati
Washington State 7th Congressional District
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
CONFERENCES + FORUMS
Jewish Family Services of Spokane
American Civil Liberties Union - NJ
Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester
Bend the Arc: Pursuing Justice Conference
Jewish Federation of North America
Building Movement Project - Upswell Conference
Martha’s Vineyard Hebrew Center
Creating Change 2020 Conference
Levine Center to End Hate/Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester Summit
National Council Jewish Women- Greater Long Beach
Edward Waters College
Washington Refugee Symposium
No Hate. No Fear. March and Rally Against Antisemitism - NYC
Milton & Ruth Stern and James A. Samuels Social Action Lecture
BRIEFINGS + TRAININGS
NM Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Northern California Grantmakers 2020 Annual Conference
Center for American Progress
Idaho Conference on Refugees Anti-Defamation League
Facing History and Ourselves Gonzaga Law School, Center for Civil and Human Rights Greater Spokane Progress Help Tech Stop Hate Coalition
New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice One Oregon Open Society Foundations Oregon Community Foundation Peace & Justice Action League of Spokane People’s Action Portland Community College Sounds Like Hate podcast
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
TRAINING + EDUCATION
Southern Poverty Law Center Spokane County Human Rights Task Force University of Oregon University of Puget Sound West Central Development Group Whidbey Island Social Justice Network World Oregon
Holocaust Center Seattle, Powell Advanced Institute 19
Our programs engaged, supported, and relied on partnerships with nearly 200 tribal, state, and local governments, and racial, gender, and economic justice organizations:
Portland Housing Bureau
NARAL Pro-Choice Oregon
Port of Portland, Social Equity Program
Neighborhood Health Center
Port of Seattle, Office of Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Next Up & Next Up Action Fund
Portland YouthBuilders
OHSU Institute on Development and Disability
Professional Business Development Group
OPAL Environmental Justice Oregon
Professional Educator Standards Board
Open Signal
Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada
Lifting Our Spirits, Feeding Our Souls
WESTERN STATES CENTER
Our far-flung teams stayed connected through regular virtual happy hours supported by homedelivered care packages, sourced from these local Black, Indigenous, brownowned or women/trans/ non-binary-led small businesses:
NATIONAL PARTNERS
REGIONAL, STATEWIDE + LOCAL PARTNERS
Common Cause Oregon
Oregon AFL-CIO
Red Door Project
All* Above All
Includes groups active in our networks, cohorts and/or signers to our joint statements condemning hate and political violence.
Crag Law Center
Oregon AFSCME Women’s Committee
Rural Organizing Project
Disability Rights Oregon
Oregon Education Association
Renew Oregon
Eastern Oregon Legacy Lands / Wallowology
Oregon Department of Education
SAGE Metro Portland
Bard Center for the Study of Hate at Bard College
Accountable Northwest
Greater Hells Canyon Council
Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities
SEIU 49
APANO
Fair Shot Oregon
Oregon Food Bank
SEIU 503
Center for Inclusion and Belonging at the American Immigration Council
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Family Forward Oregon
Slingshot Fund
Greater Spokane Progress
Springfield-Eugene Showing Up for Racial Justice
• DB Dessert Company
Classrooms Without Borders
Basic Rights Oregon
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education
Beaverton School District, Beaverton, Oregon
First Unitarian Church of Portland
Oregon Justice Resource Center
Unite Oregon
Beyond Toxics
Health Share of Oregon
Oregon Latino Health Coalition
United Vision for Idaho
• Enchanté Chocolatier
Business for a Better Portland
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Cascade Aids Project
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
Oregon Native American Chamber
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, OHSU
Cascadia Wildlands
Idaho Office for Refugees
Oregon Peace Institute
Verde
Causa Oregon
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice
Oregon Recovers
Voz Workers’ Rights Education Project
Centro Latino Americano
Jewish Community Relations Council, Cincinnati
Oregon Tradeswomen
Washington County, Equity & Inclusion Office Washington STEM
Jewish Federation of Greater Portland
Oregon Women’s Investment Network (WINPAC)
City of Portland, Office of Government Relations
Latino Network
Oregon Wild
Zen Community of Oregon
Latinx Alliance of Lane County
Our Oregon
350 Eugene
City of Seattle, Race and Social Justice Initiative
League of Women Voters of Oregon
Partners for a Hunger-Free Oregon
350PDX
Climate Solutions
Meyer Memorial Trust
Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane
Mercy Corps
PCUN, Oregon’s Farmworker Union
Montana Human Rights Network
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon
American Association of Teachers of German Anti-Defamation League
Common Cause Facing History and Ourselves Fellowship of Reconciliation USA Fight Back Table Forward Together National Education Association People’s Action Race Forward Sierra Club Smith College Roots of Reproductive Justice Curriculum Advisory Group Southern Poverty Law Center / Teaching Tolerance
City of Portland, Office of Equity & Human Rights
Coalition of Communities of Color Coalition of Community Health Clinics 20
Portland Community College
Multnomah Education Service District
Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon
Willamette River Network
We appreciate the 66 elected, government and civic leaders in Oregon who signed on to our statements rejecting hate and political violence in 2020.
• Hibisbloom • Honeybee Sparkling Lemonade & Syrups • Jacobsen Salt Co.
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
THANK YOU, PARTNERS
Multnomah County
• Missionary Chocolates • Nomad Mix • PDXPOP! • TeeMart Apparel
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We’re grateful for the 28 steadfast funders whose investments over the last few years helped WSC test the new strategies, tools, and narratives that prepared us for the challenges of 2020; and to the 26 new grantmakers and donor-advised funds whose support and solidarity buoyed our spirits and work!
WESTERN STATES CENTER
Alan Preston, Proteus Fund *
Foundation to Promote Open Society
All* Above All
General Service Foundation
American Immigration Council, Center for Inclusion & Belonging *
Groundswell Catalyst Fund G S Humane Corp
Borealis Philanthropy REACH Fund
Max F. & Allison G. Roberts Fund, National Philanthropic Trust *
Hochberg Family Foundation *
Collins Foundation
Meyer Memorial Trust
C.R. May Fund *
Howard & Geraldine Polinger Family Foundation
Morrill Family Charitable Fund *
DBEK Fund of the Common Counsel Foundation
Joseph & Debra Weinberg Family Foundation *
Edith G. and Walter A. Socolow Philanthropic Fund of the Jewish Communal Fund *
Joyce & Irving Goldman Foundation *
Evans Guidry Foundation *
Kano Family Fund at East Bay Community Foundation *
Faegan Fund at Social Justice Fund NW
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Julie Sissman and Phil Richter Fund at FJC
Fight Back Collaborative Fund at Tides Foundation *
Klarman Family Foundation
Flower Hill Fund at the Boston Foundation
Lynne Gerber Fund *
Ford Foundation
Libra Foundation Marjory Hamann and Ben Lischner Fund at MRG Foundation *
Maurice S. Surlow Memorial Fund at the Jewish Community Foundation at the Milwaukee Jewish Federation
Neggaz Charitable Fund * Next Fund at the San Francisco Foundation *
~ Wendy Feliz, Center for Inclusion and Belonging, American Immigration Council
Reich Meyer Family Fund of the Jewish Community Federation *
Stephen and Lusia Hornstein Family Fund #2 of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation *
Righteous Persons Foundation
Sobelstein Fund at Amalgamated Charitable
Natan Fund
Riley Charitable Fund
Nathan & Lillian Weinberg Family Foundation
Robbie Kunreuther & Anita Hampton Fund
Neighborhood Funders Group
Sugahara Foundation * The Trust Web * Tow Foundation *
Oneatta Fund of Oregon Community Foundation *
Pop Culture Collaborative, a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropic Advisors *
One8 Foundation
Rosenzweig-Coopersmith Foundation
Overbrook Foundation
Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
Schubiner-Leigh Family 2011 Fund
* New in 2020
Proteus Fund
UJA Federation of NY
Values-Aligned Business Partnerships Committed to expressing our values administratively as well as programmatically, we were pleased to forge new relationships in 2020 with B Corporation business partners like Amalgamated Bank, Blackbird Benefits Collective, and Jitasa Group.
We’re grateful for our 2020 Give!Guide sponsors: Snell & Wilmer, LLC and Convergence Networks. To those who made an anonymous gift and everyone who contributed through social media fundraisers hosted by WSC supporters: THANK YOU!
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
BIG THANKS FOR BIG SUPPORT!
I am in awe of what you are building. The potential of your cohort to change hearts and minds outweighs the power of fact sheets, economic reports and policy analysis by a factor of 1 million. We believe in you all and your power to change America for the better and will do anything we can to help.
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Our work is supported at the grassroots level by these generous donors giving on a monthly or annual basis:
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Abby F Acasia B & Monte J Adam C Adam D & Hana L Adjoa S T Akosua A-A Alan & Patti H Alex S Alexandra K Alexis B Alfred G Alicia P Alicia P- H Alisa R R Alison A-H Alissa & Neal K-G Allison B Allison H Allison J Allison R Allison V Altaf H. R Jr. Alysha G J Amanda Y Amie & Jon W Amy & Shannon H-C Amy J Amy R Amy S
Ana E Andrea & Richard I Andrew R Andrew T & Lola B Andryce & Tyler A Andy R Aneisa L Angela J Angela P Angela U Angeli B Anita R Ann & Pierre d V Ann C F & David F Ann D Anna D Anne & John S Anne P Anonymous Anthony D Anthony J A Asa W Ashley R August F Barbara H Barbara I Barron P Barry G Bel-Ami M & Mark M
Benjamin & Mackenzie W Benjamin C Bennett G Bentley W Beth L Beth R M Bethany B Betsy D & Chip C Betsy T Bettina M Bev B Bob L & Elaine F Bonnie R Bonnie S Bookda G Brad M Brad R Britta H & Lucila C Brooke Z Bruce P Burke S Caitlin R Capri H & Christopher J Carisa W Carla D Carol & Ed E Carol C
Carol H & Steven M Carol P Carolyn & Seth S Carrie K Carrie T-J Carter M Cassandra S Cassie F Catherine P & David K Cathleen W Cathy M Celsea W Chandra L & Eric A Charlene W Charles M Charles P Chelsea E Cherie W Chris M Chris W Christina B Christina C Christine C-W Christine D Christine R Cicely J Claudine K-M Clifford D
Colby P Colette L Colleen M Collin B Constance P & Kevin M Cori B Corinne L J Craig H & Megan H Cynthia S L Dagan R B Dahnesh M Dan G Dan R Dan Y Dana & Carolyn B Daniel & Lisa Z Daniel B Daniel E & Kathryn D-D Daniel H Darryl M Daryl M & Jim H David & Rebecca S David D David G & Jennifer J David K & Lee K David O David S & Sarah S David S & Janet B
David W Dean C & Melanie M Deb P Deb R & Brandt Debbie D Deborah P Debra K Dennis & Barbara J Dennis L Desiraju K R Diana R & Jim C Diane W Diane W Dominick M Donna M Donna R Donna T Dorian B Dorothy P Doug B Edith C Edward F Eileen L H Elaine N Elena V & Anthony B Eleyna F & Nathaniel H Elinor L
Elizabeth G Elizabeth M Elizabeth S Elizabeth W Ellen F Ellen F Ellen H Ellen S Ellen S Ellie H Emily & Robert K Emily K Emily W Emmy J C Eric & Kathleen O Eric L Eric W & Jessica A Erin T Erin Y Faith G & John D Florence E J Francine R Frann M Fred & Diane O Fred N Gabriel & Barbara A Gabriella R Gabrielle H Gay Y
~ Rabbi Menachem Creditor, Pearl & Ira Meyer Scholar in Residence, UJA Federation of New York
Geoffrey G Gillian B Gregory T Hanni H Harold M Harriet F Harry H Hassein K Hayley A Heather P Heather W Helen K Helene B Holly P Holly P & Amber W Howard & Alice S Howard S & Valerie O Ilisia K Ira H Isla J D Israa D JC&JS
JH O Jack H & Phoenix G Jack P Jackie C Jacqueline Y Jain E Jake A James M W James M James W Jan & Ric M Jan R & Bill B Jan S Jan S Janice D & Frank C Janice S Jeannie L Jeff J & Sandy M Jeffry G Jennifer E Jennifer H Jennifer H Jennifer M
Jenny D Jessica G Jessica J Jeyn L Jill A Jill F Jill G & Dan W Joan B Jocelyn F Jodie N & David I Jody M John A John M Jon H & Ryan L Jonathan P & Rachel W Jonelle A & Nick B Joseph G Joseph M Joshua G Joshua R Joyce W Judith A
Judith C Judith M Judith M Judith W Judy H Judy J & Paul L Judy M & Steve W Julia R B Julie N Julie S Justine H Kaitlin H Karen & Bob W Karen & Paul H Karen B Karen E Karen S & Barry L Karen T Kari A Kari G Kassandra T Kate B Katharine & Alan C
Katharine & Colin H Katharine B Katherine C S Katherine J Katherine Q Kathleen & Robert J Kathleen B Kathleen S Kathy B & Barbara W Kathy C G & John G Katie B & Ryan G Katje W & Benn K Katrina & Ian G Kayla G Kaylyn B & Evan M Kelda C Kelli & Chad K Kelli B Kellyann M L Ken & Ann E Ken B Ken L & Katherine M Kenneth & Paula K
Kenneth S & Marjorie S Kevin C Kim A Kim B Kim B & Ari R Kim F Kim F Kimberly B Kimberly P Kitty K Kjell M Kristan K & Janna A Kristen C Kristen E & Evan B Kristie D Kristin B Kristina M-A Laoni & Bob D Larry Dean V N Laura A Laura Evelyn L Laura H Laura H Laura M Laura S Laura T Lauria C Lawrence B & Stephanie H Leah H Lecia B Lee C Lee M Len N Leslie & Daniel H Leslie A Leslie F & Larry K
Leslie S Leslie W & Tom D Levi R Libby M Lillian T Linda B K & Louis A Linda H Linda L Linda M Linda N Lindsay R Lisa F Lisa S Lisa S Liz L Liz S Liz V Loren G Lori B Lori M Lori V & Lorelei V Luke N Lynn B & Eve L Lynn M & Greg S MM M. Cris L & Terrie Q Madelyn E Maggie S Mara Z Margaret E Margaret H Margaret M Margery D Margo M Marguerite S Maria C Marilyn B
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
THANK YOU, DONORS
The impact of Western States Center’s work is impossible to measure, given its ideas have been internalized and adopted by networks and communities in numbers beyond the reach of most small organizations. WSC is a key leader in preparing a wide coalition of willing hearts to respond to this uncertain American moment with grounded and passionate hearts.
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Mike A Mike B Mike R Mindy S-B Miriam A & Shelley G Miriam W Molly C Molly W Monique R Balbuena & Mathew Q Morgan C & Daniel M Murphy M Mustafa A Myla T & Mark B Nadia A Nadia T Nanci C Nancy & Frank W Nancy N Nancy T Nancy Y & Andrew S Naomi K B Nari B Nathalie O Niani D Nicole B-C Nicole F Niklas A Nitika R Nora & Matt F Nurit R F Oakley B
Obinna N Omar E Pamela O Patricia & Edward K Patricia B Patricia K Paul E C Paul G Paul K & Carol P Paul P & Joanne F Peter G P Peter K Phil G Philip W Phillip M. R Rachel B Rachel F Rachel H Rachel M Rachel M Rachel W Rachel Z Ravid R Raymond S Rebecca C Rebecca R Richard B Richard F Richard M & Ellen R Riley W Robert B Robert Charles C Robert S Robin C & Meredith S Roger S
Ronald T B Ronnie K Rose G Rose W Roxanne D Roxanne R Rut M-A Ruth K Ryan & Katy K Ryan D & Lorelei J Ryan G Ryland P SWC Sabena S Sally L & James D Sally R & Andrew F Samantha G & Zach B Samuel J Samuel T Sandi Sandra D Sandy G Sandy P Sandy T Sara Ryan Sarah & Duncan Y Sarah C & Amy D Sarah H Sarah H Sarah June R Sarah K & Marc J Sarah K Sarah W & Caleb C Sarah W Scot N & Jon P
Scott W Sean J & Jason H Sean P Sean P Shana C Shannon C Shar L Sharon G-S Sharon M Sharon S & Jody A Shava & Michael F Shawn F R Shelly T Sheryl H Shira H-H Shuli P Sogene M & Mel K Sophie B-J Soya J Spencer M Stacey T & Dwayne J Stan S Stephanie K Stephanie W Stephen B-N Stephen O Steve A Steven B Steven G Steven L K Sunday D S Susan B Susan D Susan G F
Susan H Susan L Susan P & Mark B Susanne G Suzanne S Sven B T Paul F Tabitha B Talma S Talya H-H Tamara H Tammy M Tania N Taryn W Ted S Teresa L Teresa M Thea C Theo B Thomas & Catherine B Thomas E R Thomas H Thomas N & Marisol F Thomas W & Kalpana K Tim B & Alejandra F Tim M & Anne E Timur E Tina A Tina K Tippi P Tom A Tom F Tom L Toni B
Toni S Tony & Davida J Tony D Tova S Tracy A Tracy C Tracy Z Travis T Trevor C Trina N Trish S Trudy C Tyler A & Laura K Ullas S Uma R Valery K Vanessa M & Teyo L Vernon & Rebecca J Virginia & Don C Virginia P Wayne A Wendy B & Dawn B Wendy Dawn F Wendy W William & Barbara H William B William B William D M William H William Van E Xia W Xuan-Trang T-T Yee Won C Yitzhak H-H
2020 BY THE NUMBERS
BUILDING MOVEMENT
DEVELOPING LEADERS
SHIFTING CULTURE
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
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9 cohorts and networks developing 281 leaders throughout the US
260 citations of WSC in the news
28 rapid response interventions including 1 federal lawsuit
national, regional & local partners
147 educational presentations and workshops reaching 30,000+
89 Schools Toolkit trainers in 26 states and 2 Canadian provinces
35 creatives graduating our cohorts ready to move inclusive narratives
66 local, state and regional electeds united against hate and political violence
2020 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY
WESTERN STATES CENTER 26
Marion M Mariotta G-S Mark H Mark H Mark L & Pamela S Marla M-L Marsha & John R Martha M Mary & Nathan W Mary C M Mary H Mary Lynn O’ Mary M & Lieselotte Z Mary M & Willa T Mathew D Matt D Matthew C Maureen L McKee A Melinda W Merri R Michael A P Michael A Michael B Michael D & Jaqueline B Michael E Michael H & Jimena M Michael L Michael W Michelle D & Nathan S Michelle H & Robert S
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Western States Center has played a catalytic role in building people-centered movements for social justice since 1987
PO BOX 40305 PORTLAND, OREGON 97240
BUILDING MOVEMENTS We strengthen the organizing capacity of often-marginalized communities, with a particular emphasis on gender justice, racial justice, and tribal sovereignty work.
DEVELOPING LEADERS We provide training, leadership development, and organizational capacity support to social movements and leaders committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
SHIFTING CULTURE We convene culture-makers to shift the narrative and use culture as a vehicle for base and power building in non-traditional social change spaces.
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY We assist communities and civil society to uphold the rule of law by effectively responding to social movements that exploit bigotry and intolerance.
Help build a world where everyone can live, love, worship, and work free from bigotry and fear. PLEASE GIVE TODAY WesternStatesCenter.org/donate