Environmental Federation of Oregon

Even on Earth Day, Assaults on Environment Abound
Brian Back, Business Journal, April 21, 1999 (Excerpted from a full-page story)

In addition, more companies are contributing to the Environmental Federation of Oregon. After partnering with some 70 individual workplaces, EFO's earnings jumped 17 percent in 1999, making it the second largest environmental federation in the United States.

EFO's earnings, which amounted to 4,000 contributions totaling $618,000 in 1999, are distributed among 32 environmental groups working throughout the state. The organization was launched as a one-person operation in 1989. its goal then was to raise $20,000.

Kudos to executive director Sarah Sameh and campaign director Sandi Scheinberg.

Open Spaces
Views From the Northwest Magazine Vol. 2, Issue 4, 1999-2000

The Environmental Federation of Oregon (EFO) is celebrating its tenth year collaborating with the business community to provide a stable source of funding for 29 of Oregon's leading conservation organizations. EFO, which raises all of its money through fund drives in cooperation with businesses and the public sector, works right along side United Way in workplaces across the state. The program allows employees to support their favorite conservation cause--whether it be preserving ancient forests and wildlands, promoting recycling, or cleaning up rivers--through the convenience of payroll deduction. Some of the organizations that benefit from funds raised by EFO are The Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Audubon Society of Portland, and Hells Canyon Preservation Council. Additionally, EFO provides an educational service to the business community through its "Brown Bag Lunch" presentations. Businesses can order up presentations on the Columbia Gorge, gardening with native plants, or tips on sustainable office practices, to name just a few. John Emrick, Chairman of the Board of Hillsboro-based Norm Thompson, sees EFO's role as key in helping businesses do their part to maintain a clean and healthy environment. "Norm Thompson, just like many other businesses, benefits from the fact that Oregon is an attractive place to live," says Emrick. "We also feel we have a responsibility to future generations to keep this natural treasure intact. Including the Environmental Federation of Oregon in our employee fund drive is a simple yet powerful way for us to make a difference for the health and long-term prosperity of our community..."

United we stand, divided we fall short. That's the theory behind the Portland-based Environmental Federation of Oregon, a collaborative fundraising organization.

"Strategic alliances aren't just for businesses," says EFO Campaign Director Sandi Scheinberg. Ten years ago, 14 environmental groups each contributed $1,000 to launch the joint workplace funding campaign organization, which functions along the line of a United Way. The EFO program received an IPO-like hot response.

"The money just kept coming in," says EFO executive Director Sarah Sameh. EFO's 1989 fundraising goal: $20,000. Dollars raised that year: $120,000.

The EFO is a true Oregon success story. "EFO is the second largest environmental federation in the country in terms of revenue," says Deb Furry, director of the National Alliance for Choice in Giving. Total revenues have increased every year. The 70 public and private employers (including Nike, J&H Marsh & McLennan, Portland General Electric, and Wells Fargo) that participated in the 1998 campaign drive helped raise more than a half million dollars. Virtually all of that money (more than 90%) will be distributed among the EFO's 28 organizations, including the Nature Conservancy of Oregon, Friends of Opal Creek, and the Oregon Natural Desert Association, with some reinvested in EFO educational programs.