uijustout FEBRUARY 6, 2009
northwest
Funding a Movement
Equity Foundation marks 20 years of social justice
by James Maxwell
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taken a hit like everyone else, but we are involved
in long-term investing so when rhe market does
rebound, so will we,” said Easton.
Equity is scaling back on sending glossy mail
ers and sponsoring events by individual commu
nity groups to tighten its organizational belt.
One year prior to Equity’s founding, Oregonians
passed Ballot Measure 8, which revoked a ban on
anti-gay workplace discrimination in the state ex
ecutive branch. “The passing of that measure was
really traumatic for both John and I, and we knew
we needed to showcase how many LGBT philan
thropists were in Oregon and how much they care
about their communities,” said Vegher.
With help from board members of
the Right to Privacy political action
committee, the couple ran the founda
tion in their guest bedrixim and held
Equity’s first benefit at an activist’s
40th birthday party. "For the first four
years, John and 1 did almost everything
with the help of a small, dedicated staff
of board members,” said Vegher.
Seed money came in the form of
several $10,000 donations by indi
vidual founders.
One influential member was
From left, Equity Foundation's 2008 major donor reception
Thomas Aschenbrener, who not only
attracted several sexual minority leaders, including
served on Equity’s board but also be
former state Rep. George Eighmey, D-Portland; then state
came the foundation’s volunteer exec
Sen. Kate Brown, D-Portland; and founding executive
director Thomas Aschenbrener.
utive director during the startup years.
“I came from California and saw a
“It has been amazing to see how stable and
real divide between lesbians and gay men in the
successful Equity Foundation has become over
workplace,” he said. “I wanted Equity to be an ex
these decades and how actively involved we are
ample that the entire LGBT community could re
with numerous communities in Oregon,” said Jim
ally come together and contribute to the broader
Vegher, who co-founded the foundation in 1989 community. It has been great to see such a modest
with his partner, John Grigsby.
foundation evolve into such a helpful facilitator.”
According to Easton, the organization’s long
In 1994 the founders, board members and staff
term investment strategy helps maintain stability
wanted to move Equity forward as a foundation.
in the economic recession. Although Equity’s en At the advice of consultants, it provided funding
dowment, currently at $110,000, has taken a hit in
to a broader spectrum of organizations beyond the
the downturn, a portfolio of stocks heavily invested
queer community.
in green technology has performed 5 percent to 10
“We really just wanted to help as many people
percent above the market for the past six months.
as we could to feel worthy, no matter their sexual
“We’re not immune from the market. We have orientation,” Vegher said. “At first some people
quity Foundation promotes philanthropy
throughout Oregon by funding organiza
tions and individuals that work to eradi
cate prejudice based on sexual orienta
tion or gender identity.
The Human Rights Campaign, Oregon
Food Bank, Cascade AIDS Project and Lane
Community College are examples of the nu
merous grantees Equity has helped. Each must
“promote social justice and advance the dignity
and worth of all people,” said Kevin Easton, the
foundation’s executive director.
This year marks Equity’s 20th anniversary of
social advocacy in Oregon.
E
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