Giving Back to Portland

For more than 135 years, the Multnomah Athletic Club has been part of the fabric of Portland. As an anchor in the community, MAC believes being part of this city comes with a responsibility to give back, strengthen connections, and help Portland thrive.

As MAC celebrated its 100th year, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation was established to carry the Club’s values of community, service, and opportunity beyond its walls. For more than 35 years, MAC and MAF have worked together as community partners, combining the energy and generosity of MAC members with the Foundation’s philanthropic focus and expertise.

Today, MAC and MAF each play an important role in giving back. The Foundation invests in young people, expands access to athletics and education, and supports organizations creating opportunities across Portland. Club members and committees give their time, talent, and resources through volunteer service, community drives, professional connections, and in-kind support.

Together, MAC and MAF share a simple belief: being part of Portland means investing in its future and helping people thrive.

The Impact of a 35 year Partnership

1991

Partnership, by Design

As the Multnomah Athletic Club marked its 100th year, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation was established to extend the Club’s values beyond its walls and committing, from the very start, to shared leadership and greater access.

1992

The First Community Investment

With its first community grant to Peninsula Wrestling Club, the Foundation turned belief into action by showing how partnership could open doors for young athletes and the organizations that support them.

1997

Fay Sasser MAC Employee Scholarship Launched

The Fay Sasser MAC Employee Scholarship was established in partnership with the Club, and expanded to include part- and full-time employees and their dependents, opening doors to education and opportunity.

2001

First Loprinzi Scholarship Awarded

The first Loprinzi Scholarship awarded $6,000 to a Franklin High School senior, celebrating their achievements in athletics and academics, supporting those with financial need in their next educational steps.

2004

Scaling Opportunity Through Scholarships

By administering MAC Scholar Athlete scholarships, the Foundation expanded a long standing Club tradition by investing in students whose potential reached far beyond the playing field.

Governance with Intention

From day one, the partnership was built by design. Foundation bylaws require MAC members to hold at least half of board seats, with two Club trustees serving as Foundation directors—ensuring shared leadership and aligned governance.

2013

Impact Award Event Launched

The Foundation began hosting the Impact Award at MAC to honor community grant partners. In 2025, the event was expanded to actively engage MAC members in supporting nonprofit organizations through skill-based volunteering.

2013

Spin-A-Thon Created

Launched as an active, athletic fundraiser with two Sunday morning spin classes, the event grew through 2020—moving outdoors in masks during COVID—and has since evolved into its current format, now celebrated as MAF Week.

Volunteers Unite

People came together to serve on committees, create new committees, establish funding guidelines, and shift the business practices from paper to electronic.

2016

Building Sustainability Together

On its 25th anniversary, the Foundation introduced a $25 member contribution, an act of collective commitment that strengthened both community grants and scholarships, year after year.

2016

More Than Financial Aid

The inaugural Houser Scholarship awarded $20,000 to a Lincoln High School student, launching Greg and Pete Houser’s commitment to supporting this cohort through both financial investment and mentorship.

2017

Celebrating Athletic Spirit

The Bud Award was created to honor Leland “Bud” Lewis, a lifelong Multnomah Athletic Club member whose decades of service defined sportsmanship and enthusiasm for athletics. Bud’s legacy lives on through this award, presented to a community grant recipient who reflects those same values.

All about Access

Scholarship and grant opportunities were opened to all eligible applicants. By removing nomination barriers and clearly defining broad eligibility, we made transparency and access the standard, not the exception.

2019

Youth Grant Initiative Continues

In its second year, the Youth Grant Initiative empowered a cohort of 7th and 8th graders to dive into hands-on philanthropy, leadership, and grantmaking. By guiding students to make real decisions that impact their community, the program sparked curiosity, responsibility, and a passion for giving back and planting seeds for the next generation of changemakers.

2020

Sustaining Support Through COVID

Even through COVID, we maintained funding levels and continued supporting nonprofits and community-minded student athletes, ensuring that both organizations and young leaders could keep thriving despite unprecedented challenges.

2023

Leading with Trust and Shared Learning

The Foundation launched the Executive Director Roundtable, uniting members and nonprofit leaders in shared learning and ushering in trust-based partnerships and unrestricted funding.

2024

A Gift That Creates Possibility

The first $10,000 Swanson Family Scholarship was awarded to a Century High School student, reflecting Roger and Gale Swanson’s belief in the power of education and their commitment to expanding opportunity for students across the tri-county region.

2026

MAF Powered by MAC

A new logo for the future! The MAF Powered by
MAC logo highlights the partnership between the
Foundation and club members. The foundation was
purposely built as a 501c3 nonprofit organization,
and its mission is fueled by the volunteer time, leadership, and financial support of the MAC community.