Work for Art launches sixth annual campaign

The Regional Arts & Culture Council kicks off its sixth annual Work for Art campaign this month, with a goal to raise $850,000 by June, 2012 – primarily through workplace giving. Carole Morse, president of the PGE Foundation, is this year’s Honorary Chair.

Morse has been with Portland General Electric since 1995 and was named president of the PGE Foundation in 2002. A vibrant advocate for the arts, she served on the boards of Business for Culture & the Arts from 2000-2009 including two years as chair; the Portland Opera from 2008-2011; and seven years on the RACC board including two years as chair (from 2008-2010). Carole is currently on the board of the Creative Advocacy Network and two educational organizations – E3 and the Portland Schools Foundation.

“This year’s goal is ambitious, but I am confident that we will succeed,” said Morse. “PGE, Northwest Natural, The Standard and several other companies have a competition brewing to increase participation this year, and we are always looking for more workplaces to join us in giving back to the arts and to support arts education.” Company leaders who would like to learn more about conducting an employee giving campaign for the arts are invited to contact Kathryn Jackson, Work for Art Manager at 503-823-5424 or kjackson@racc.org.

Work for Art raised $764,830 in 2010-11, including gifts from 1629 individuals at 64 different workplace giving sites. The Standard was the top donor last year, raising $116,714 from 153 employees including the company’s matching gifts. For the 2011-12 campaign, Work for Art has collected about $325,000 in pledges from the City of Portland and other public and private sources for a matching challenge fund that doubles all contributions from employees and individuals, up to $5,000. For information on the benefits of giving, the organizations that are funded with the proceeds, and brand new campaign videos, visit www.workforart.org.

Issued: 9/1/11.