By D.K. Row
The Oregonian
June 8, 2011
Today, the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy announced that more than 60 foundations around the country, including four in Portland, have signed a new commitment to serve society's poor and marginalized.
The Portland foundations who signed the pledge include the McKenzie River Gathering Foundation, Northwest Health Foundation, Western States Center and the Meyer Memorial Trust.
The pledge is not a binding legal agreement, just a promise that the foundations will try to devote at least 50 percent of their giving to society's most needy. Each will also disburse 25 percent of total funds spent to advocacy programs that address the causes of poverty and other problems.
Since last year, the National Committee, a Washington D.C.-based watchdog group for nonprofits, has been pushing this initiative, called "Philanthropy's Promise."
