Meyer Memorial Trust and Resilia Join Forces to Expand Nonprofit Capacity Building in Oregon

Resilia, a revolutionary platform dedicated to enhancing nonprofit capacity, has joined forces with Meyer Memorial Trust to establish a dynamic partnership to build the capacity of nonprofits dedicated to serving marginalized communities across Oregon. Aligned in their missions to advance equity, the organizations will leverage Resilia’s innovative capacity-building platform to strengthen Oregon nonprofits on the frontlines of justice work.

Through this collaboration, 26 Meyer grantee organizations focused on racial, social, and economic justice will receive access to Resilia’s customized modules, templates, and coaching. By working through Resilia’s capacity-building curriculum and taking advantage of tools and templates within the platform, cohort members can enhance organizational practices around fundraising, financial management, Board governance, and events.

“The grantees chosen to participate in this inaugural cohort share a good deal of common ground. They serve communities of color that have been historically excluded and have made impressive progress despite having few or no paid staff. While Meyer provides individual capacity-building grants, we feel there’s a unique benefit to a cohort approach,” said Helen Wong, director of learning and grant operations at Meyer Memorial Trust.

“We believe that working in partnership with one another and Resilia will help them strengthen their internal stability and reach their goals to serve their communities more effectively.” 

Meyer grantee Love is Stronger notes that Resilia’s connections to community-based organizations nationwide and their shared learning approach have been particularly helpful. The organization, founded in 2021, has eleven paid staff and works to help those impacted by gang violence to reclaim and reimagine their lives.

“I’m extremely appreciative of the group coaching and opportunities to speak to different community-based organizations nationwide. Gathering and generating ideas on everything from development strategy to onboarding and recruiting volunteers helps us to do the work that we are so passionate about,” said Alexander Clay, Program Manager and Coordinator.

“We commend Meyer Memorial Trust for blazing an innovative path that at once lifts their grantees and Oregon’s marginalized communities,” said Barbara Dirks, CEO of Resilia. “Together, we look forward to strengthening these groups from the inside out.”

For Meyer Memorial Trust, partnering with Resilia represents a significant opportunity to move beyond traditional grantmaking and provide the multifaceted capacity-building support their partners need to serve communities statewide. Likewise, facilitating this initiative advances Resilia’s purpose-driven mission to strengthen and sustain nonprofit changemakers.

Together, the two organizations look ahead to enhancing opportunities for all Oregonians to thrive by ensuring historically marginalized groups have well-resourced justice advocates in their communities. More information on the impacts of this innovative partnership will be released in the coming year.

About Meyer Memorial Trust
Meyer Memorial Trust, established in 1982, is among the largest private foundations in Oregon. Over its lifetime, Meyer has awarded grants and program related investments in excess of $930 million to more than 3,650 organizations. In 2021, Meyer adopted a new mission to accelerate racial, social and economic justice for the collective well-being of Oregon’s lands and peoples. Learn more about Meyer Memorial Trust at mmt.org.  

About Resilia
Resilia is a Series B tech-for-good company powering the people changing the world. With Resilia, grantmakers support nonprofits with funding and the ability to reach their full potential. Through integrated technology, skill building, and coaching, Resilia empowers organizations to overcome obstacles and achieve equitable outcomes benefitting diverse populations. Trusted by top grantmaking institutions and nonprofits nationwide, Resilia builds clear pathways for nonprofit success — making every dollar invested more impactful by optimizing organizations to harness the full promise of capacity building for their mission. Learn more about how Resilia helps grantmakers maximize their impact on communities, strengthen nonprofits, and contribute to a resilient philanthropic ecosystem at www.resilia.com.