Nike has announced the newest round of grant recipients for the Nike Community Impact Fund (NCIF) of The Oregon Community Foundation. With the goal of building stronger communities and giving kids positive experiences with sport, play and physical activity, 21 nonprofits and schools in Portland and southwest Washington have been awarded grants totaling $250,000.

NCIF is an innovative approach to grant-making that engages a committee of Nike employees to advise where grants are awarded to support the work of local organizations in the communities where they live and work. Since its launch in 2010, NCIF has awarded more than $4.97 million in grants to 502 nonprofit organizations in the U.S. This includes 401 grants in Oregon and southwest Washington where NCIF began; nine grants in Memphis, where the Nike North America Logistics Campus is located; as well as 92 grants in communities where Nike has Community Stores: downtown Detroit; South Chicago; New Orleans and the Ivy City neighborhood of Washington, D.C., Brooklyn and East Los Angeles.

“NCIF gives us an opportunity to engage our Nike employees in supporting our local community organizations. It’s inspiring to learn about all of the grassroots efforts happening all around the world, and right here in our greater Portland backyard,” said Kathy Webb, global community impact manager at Nike. “We know that community is a team sport and believe in the power of grassroots organizations to ignite positive change. These organizations exemplify our commitment to the health and vitality of our communities, and it’s an honor to acknowledge their hard work and dedication.”

Exposing a New Generation to the Joy of Play

At Adelante Mujeres in western Washington County, the grant will help support its Chicas Soccer Academy, an innovative youth development program empowering Latina girls to develop their leadership potential and cultural identity, adopt healthy lifestyles and achieve academic success. The Soccer Academy also offers girls the opportunity to practice sport while caring for the environment and learning about communication and teamwork.

Former Chicas Soccer Academy participant Brenda Chavez graduated from Hillsboro High School in 2017 and received a four-year scholarship to Portland State University. She participated in the program for several years, and was a varsity player and team captain of her soccer team at Hillsboro High School. She also became the head assistant coach for the Chicas Soccer Academy during her final year with the program.

According to Chavez, “The Soccer Academy impacted my life in so many ways and I’m forever grateful. It provided a solid foundation of positive experiences with the community and educated girls on the many opportunities for us out in the world.”

“The Nike Community Impact Fund grant allows us to educate Latina girls on the benefits of sports and a healthy lifestyle as a part of a balanced life,” said Evelyn Cantoral, director of development at Adelante Mujeres. “The excitement on the girls’ faces as they enter the field is evidence of just how much the soccer academy means to them. Thank you, Nike, for exposing a new generation of Latina girls to the joy of play.”

Next Funding Cycle Now Open for Oregon and SW Washington Grants

Applications for the next round of Nike Community Impact Fund grants are due June 1, 2018, with a total of $300,000 being offered to nonprofits and schools in the greater Portland area (Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Yamhill and Columbia Counties in Oregon and Clark County in southwest Washington).

Grants are one-year awards of $5,000 to $20,000. Eighty percent of grant awards support projects that deliver impact through the lens of sport and physical activity, while the remaining 20 percent support organizations and projects that address community challenges through innovative solutions.

The online grant application, along with the required information, can be accessed at: https://communityimpact.nike.com/ncif#/portland-metro

Nike Community Impact Fund Awardees

The following 21 organizations received grants from the 2018/2019 funding cycle:

 

Organization Project Description
Medical Teams International Providing free dental care for low-income children and adults in the Portland Metropolitan area.

 
Northwest Association For Blind Athletes Expanding Sports Outreach Program for the blind or visually impaired.
p:ear Providing low-cost bicycle service and repair to impoverished families.

 
Adelante Mujeres Offering Chicas Youth Development Soccer Academy and Healthy Lifestyle Camp to local Latina girls.

 
Janus Youth Programs, Inc. Growing diverse teens to be leaders in their community, schools and family.

 
Street Soccer USA, Inc. Leveraging the power of soccer to build community for refugee youth.

 
Northwest Outward Bound School Empowering youth to see their full potential through challenge and discovery.

 
Daybreak Youth Services Promoting alternatives to chemical dependence for youth through fitness.

 
Parrott Creek Child and Family Services Supporting pro-social skills and health through soccer for high-risk boys.

 
The Oregon Sports Authority Foundation Providing free track and field programming to economically-disadvantaged youth.

 
Community Cycling Center Offering week-long scholarship bike summer camps to East Portland youth.

 
Oregon Foster Parent Association Providing meaningful, active visitation for separated brothers and sisters.

 
Bustin Barriers Empowering youth with disabilities to be physically active and have fun.
Therapy Works NW Helping low-income children with disabilities realize their full potential.

 
Grow Portland Supporting Portland Garden School, which teaches 3,000 students about healthy eating.

 
Police Activities League of Vancouver Promoting youth sports and leadership with law-enforcement agency support.

 
Girls on the Run of Portland Metro Enhancing girls’ social, psychological and physical skills, and behaviors, through running.

 
AYCO Providing East African refugee and immigrant youth with a free soccer camp.

 
Elders in Action Fostering inter-generational engagement through Ping Pong.
Martin Luther King Jr. School Supporting physical activity through creative and safe play environments.

 
Food By Design Empowering the Kenton Women’s Village.