The State of Black Oregon was published today by the Urban League of Portland for the first time in 17 years. The report contains a stark inventory of statistics that show a persistent gap in living standards between black and white Oregonians – a gap that is growing wider as a result of the current economic downturn.

"During the last eight years, the poverty gap in America and in this state has continued to grow," says Marcus C. Mundy, president and CEO of the Urban League of Portland. "If there's a poverty gap for Americans generally, the African-American poverty gap widens to chasm proportions. This flies in the face of the ideals our country stands for, and simply should not be acceptable here in Oregon or anywhere else."

This report was funded by: Oregon Community Foundation (Northwest Area Oregon Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation), Northwest Health Foundation (Kaiser Permanente Fund at the Northwest Health Foundation), Oregon Community Foundation, (Janette G. Drew Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation), and the City of Portland, Office of Neighborhood Involvement, Diversity and Civic Leadership Program.

The Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, which helps fund dozens of nonprofit agencies and programs throughout the area, has created a different organization designed to appeal to young Central Virginia donors.

The fund targets Central Virginians in their 20s, 30s and 40s and gives them a different way to invest in their community at the same time they network with peers.

The whole concept is that [members] get to meet each other, network, learn about different organizations in the community and leverage their contributions by pooling together and giving back, explained Holly Hatcher, of the community foundation.

The community foundation already gave the future fund its first run at a kickoff membership event and fundraiser on June 16 at The Local.

Administered by the community foundation, the fund would return 99 percent of contributions back to the community with only 1 percent used to cover administrative costs.

A $50,000 grant was awarded to Florida Tech from the Community Foundation of Brevard’s Kenneth R. Finken and Dorothy Hallam Finken Endowment Fund for research into the cause and cure of Alzheimer’s disease.

The lead Florida Tech researcher is Dr. Shaohua Xu, associate professor of biological sciences, who is already studying the origin of Alzheimer’s disease, using atomic force microscopy to test his unique theory.

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County seeks nominations for its Philanthropist of the Year Award. Foundation also seeks nominations for its Volunteer of the Year and Youth Philanthropist of the Year awards.

Participants in this year's annual Ferndale Pub Crawl can eat and drink for a good cause.

Organizers expect at least 1,600 people to turn out for the event, which starts at 7 p.m. Friday at Boogie Fever nightclub on Woodward just north of Nine Mile Road.

"We believe the event is going to grow again this year and we should be able to raise about $22,000 for city charitable and service groups," said Mayor Craig Covey, co-founder of the event.

The pub crawl, now in its 13th year, will benefit the Ferndale Police Auxiliary, FernCare, Ferndale Community Foundation and the Michigan AIDS Coalition.

The Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation announced that 29 scholarships totaling $25,000 were given to 23 students from Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan and Hampshire counties. Recipients attended a recent reception, joined by many of the donors who have created the many scholarship funds held in the foundation. The reception was underwritten by Bowles Rice, Centra Bank, First United Bank & Trust, BCT, CNB Bank Inc. and BB&T Wealth Management.

Many of the scholarship funds created within the Community Foundation have poignant and special stories behind them.

Although Grand Haven philanthropists Ed and Nancy Hanenburg like to support the community, they like to do it in a quiet way. Their charity, however, has recently earned them public recognition.

On July 14, the Ottawa County Board Commissioners awarded the Hanenburgs an official expression of gratitude for their good deeds. North Ottawa WeeklyEd and Nancy Hanenburg have earned recognition and gratitude for their service and generosity to a variety of causes in Ottawa County.

Earlier in the month, they were given the prestigious 2009 Michigan Community Foundation Philanthropy Award at a ceremony in Lansing that was also attended by Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

According to the Michigan Council of Foundations, the Hanenburgs are a dynamic couple who have together, and as individuals, given their time, talent and treasure toward building community philanthropy in West Michigan

Nancy served as a trustee of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation and held the offices of Grants Committee chair, secretary, vice chair and chair of the board.

Ed was a founding board member of the Coopersville Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, where he helped raise money and recognition for the new community philanthropy.

They also created donor advised funds at both the Grand Haven and Coopersville Community Foundations and a designated fund for the Children's Advocacy Center for sexually abused children.

Home with Hope, the halfway home for women recovering from substance abuse, cut the ribbon on new siding and a porch today.

A $12,000 grant from the Greater Lafayette Community Foundation paid for new siding and insulation.

The home hopes it will help cut utility bills.

Boy Scout Ross Reeder also built the concrete porch to give residents an outdoor sitting area.

With the integration of the United Way of New Canaan into New Canaan Community Foundation (NCCF) on July 1, a new grant-making program initiative, Neighbors United, has been created.

Continuing the mission of New Canaans United Way, the new program will identify current and emerging health and human services needed throughout the community and work with local organizations to meet these needs through grants.

Drawing on the 50-year history of United Way of New Canaan, Neighbors United will identify, evaluate and respond to needs in the New Canaan area through grants.

Rollstone Bank & Trust recently donated $5,000 to the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts, which helps 33 cities and towns in the area.

The Foundation was born out of a small group of individuals looking at ways to further build overall charitable giving. As a local non-profit organization, the Foundation is an ideal vehicle for people to give back to the community. It provides donors with a great deal of flexibility while maximizing tax advantages.