OUR COMMUNITY
We’re more than a foundation--we’re a community.
If you're reading this, then you're part of a story, which goes like this:
In keeping with its name, the Give a Little Foundation had a modest—and simple—beginning. In 2008, when the country was entering a period of economic difficulty, long-time friends Tricia Crawford and Ellen Summerfield (and Ellen's husband Phil Pirages) raised the question of who might help ease the burdens of the local population, and they answered it with their own question: "Why not us?"
More specifically,
With only a small amount of money and no paid staff, the three began to spread the word. They were soon joined by Board Members Patti Webb, Bonnie Mann, Cecilia Katz, Lynne Barbatsis, and Rob Stephenson, who understood that this would be a "working board" with responsibility for building the entire foundation, so to speak, of a new foundation.
The initial period saw very good fortune. A few examples:
The year 2013, however, was one of deep sadness for the Foundation and greater community when co-founder Tricia Crawford died of a brain tumor. But her memory remained very much alive as board members continued to guide the foundation with the wisdom, vision, and indomitable work ethic she inspired.
The following year was marked by the launch of a Business and Professional Partner Program--which quickly became a cornerstone of the foundation's yearly funding--as well as the receipt of a major corporate award from Cascade Steel.
This is, of course, only part of the story, much more of which is contained in the pages of this website. Perhaps the happiest results have do with the fact that the number of individual requests for funding grew dramatically from 20 in 2008 to nearly one a day by 2015. And that, in addition to crisis assistance, the mission has expanded to encompass three additional areas, thereby reaching large numbers of school children, senior citizens, and job seekers. In so many cases, the foundation provides not only urgent practical assistance, but also, as the recipients say again and again, the gift of hope.
So what has happened is that, in the space of a relatively short time, Give a Little has evolved from a handful of optimistic people to become a large, caring, committed community of donors and supporters. The story being written here by each one of us, and by all of us together is a very important one, and we look forward to its continuation in the years ahead.
In keeping with its name, the Give a Little Foundation had a modest—and simple—beginning. In 2008, when the country was entering a period of economic difficulty, long-time friends Tricia Crawford and Ellen Summerfield (and Ellen's husband Phil Pirages) raised the question of who might help ease the burdens of the local population, and they answered it with their own question: "Why not us?"
More specifically,
- they wanted to lend a hand to people in their midst--friends, family, neighbors--who were in financial crisis and might fall through the cracks
- they believed that many people were feeling a need to do something, however small, to help others.
With only a small amount of money and no paid staff, the three began to spread the word. They were soon joined by Board Members Patti Webb, Bonnie Mann, Cecilia Katz, Lynne Barbatsis, and Rob Stephenson, who understood that this would be a "working board" with responsibility for building the entire foundation, so to speak, of a new foundation.
The initial period saw very good fortune. A few examples:
- Give a Little was generously welcomed to the nonprofit world in Yamhill County by experienced colleagues who offered support, advice, and collegiality. There was much to learn.
- From the outset, the Foundation also received invaluable encouragement and support from Jeb Bladine, publisher of the local News-Register. Bladine's abiding commitment to the vitality of the McMinnville area and the welfare of its citizens is exemplary and deserves special mention.
- The first public call for donations in 2009 was answered by more than 200 donors who took a chance on something new. A surprisingly large number of these donors actually still contributes to this day, and the foundation has seen a steady growth in a donor base that includes Sustaining Members, Business and Professional Partners, and many other valued contributors.
- Similarly, as early as 2010, when the Foundation were still largely unknown, the corporation Freelin-Wade named Give a Little as the recipient of their year-long substantial charitable donations.
The year 2013, however, was one of deep sadness for the Foundation and greater community when co-founder Tricia Crawford died of a brain tumor. But her memory remained very much alive as board members continued to guide the foundation with the wisdom, vision, and indomitable work ethic she inspired.
The following year was marked by the launch of a Business and Professional Partner Program--which quickly became a cornerstone of the foundation's yearly funding--as well as the receipt of a major corporate award from Cascade Steel.
This is, of course, only part of the story, much more of which is contained in the pages of this website. Perhaps the happiest results have do with the fact that the number of individual requests for funding grew dramatically from 20 in 2008 to nearly one a day by 2015. And that, in addition to crisis assistance, the mission has expanded to encompass three additional areas, thereby reaching large numbers of school children, senior citizens, and job seekers. In so many cases, the foundation provides not only urgent practical assistance, but also, as the recipients say again and again, the gift of hope.
So what has happened is that, in the space of a relatively short time, Give a Little has evolved from a handful of optimistic people to become a large, caring, committed community of donors and supporters. The story being written here by each one of us, and by all of us together is a very important one, and we look forward to its continuation in the years ahead.
They arranged with various front-line agencies to work behind the scenes to assist Yamhill County residents who were facing a financial crisis, who needed just a little money to achieve or maintain their self-sufficiency, or who could use a small investment to cover a work-related expense in order to find employment. Tricia died in 2013, but Ellen and Phil and board members Patti Webb, Bonnie Mann, Rob Stephenson, Ginny Upton, and others carried on. They had no idea of how many good people would join them in forming what has become the Give a Little community.
Drawing at first from a series of fundraisers and then from a program of business partnerships, the foundation has experienced support from concerned citizens that has grown wider and stronger as the years have passed. Today, Give a Little focuses on three particularly vulnerable local populations—school children, the elderly, and job seekers. Work is still done behind the scenes in many instances, but the foundation has also developed programs. For example, in the schools Give a Little has implemented a far-reaching plan to insure, as much as possible, that students have proper clothing and other assistance to provide a productive and comfortable educational experience. Also, Give a Little is working hard to furnish necessities, conveniences, and activities to relieve the hardships, discomforts, and isolation that so many senior citizens face. After a decade and a half, Give a Little has grown larger, but its focus continues to be on how a little money, imagination, and effort can end up giving a lot. The motto remains: Small Amounts, Big Results. Every Day. If you’re just finding out about us, or if you wish to help in some way for the first time, please know that we welcome your participation. See Other ways to help</ways-to-help.html> on this website, or contact us<https://www.givealittlefoundation.org/contact.html> and join our Give a Little community today.
The foundation and greater community were deeply saddened by the loss of co-founder Tricia, who died of a brain tumor in in 2013. But her memory remains very much alive, and to the present board members have continued to guide the foundation with the wisdom, vision, and cheerful daily work.
If you’re just finding out about us, or if you wish to help in some way for the first time, please know that we welcome your participation. See Other ways to help on this website, or contact us and join our Give a Little community today.
They arranged with various front-line agencies to work behind the scenes to assist Yamhill County residents who were facing a financial crisis, who needed just a little money to achieve or maintain their self-sufficiency, or who could use a small investment to cover a work-related expense in order to find employment. Tricia died in 2013, but Ellen and Phil and board members Patti Webb, Bonnie Mann, Rob Stephenson, Ginny Upton, and others carried on. They had no idea of how many good people would join them in forming what has become the Give a Little community.
Drawing at first from a series of fundraisers and then from a program of business partnerships, the foundation has experienced support from concerned citizens that has grown wider and stronger as the years have passed. Today, Give a Little focuses on three particularly vulnerable local populations—school children, the elderly, and job seekers. Work is still done behind the scenes in many instances, but the foundation has also developed programs. For example, in the schools Give a Little has implemented a far-reaching plan to insure, as much as possible, that students have proper clothing and other assistance to provide a productive and comfortable educational experience. Also, Give a Little is working hard to furnish necessities, conveniences, and activities to relieve the hardships, discomforts, and isolation that so many senior citizens face. After a decade and a half, Give a Little has grown larger, but its focus continues to be on how a little money, imagination, and effort can end up giving a lot. The motto remains: Small Amounts, Big Results. Every Day. If you’re just finding out about us, or if you wish to help in some way for the first time, please know that we welcome your participation. See Other ways to help</ways-to-help.html> on this website, or contact us<https://www.givealittlefoundation.org/contact.html> and join our Give a Little community today.
The foundation and greater community were deeply saddened by the loss of co-founder Tricia, who died of a brain tumor in in 2013. But her memory remains very much alive, and to the present board members have continued to guide the foundation with the wisdom, vision, and cheerful daily work.
- have named us as recipients of grants and corporate annual giving campaigns (Freelin-Wade, Cascade Steel, Yamhill County Association of Realtors, Hillside Foundation, McMinnville Area
If you’re just finding out about us, or if you wish to help in some way for the first time, please know that we welcome your participation. See Other ways to help on this website, or contact us and join our Give a Little community today.
They arranged with various front-line agencies to work behind the scenes to assist Yamhill County residents who were facing a financial crisis, who needed just a little money to achieve or maintain their self-sufficiency, or who could use a small investment to cover a work-related expense in order to find employment. Tricia died in 2013, but Ellen and Phil and board members Patti Webb, Bonnie Mann, Rob Stephenson, Ginny Upton, and others carried on. They had no idea of how many good people would join them in forming what has become the Give a Little community.