Thank you! The MAC and the Foundation share the belief that increasing access to participation fuels possibilities! Combining Foundation funding and volunteer energy, powered by MAC member support, thousands of youth in the Portland metro area are able to take part in athletics and education.

Each year, the Multnomah Athletic Foundation’s Annual Fund Drive harnesses the power of individual contributions to make a collective impact on the lives of Portland-area youth.  Together we raised more than $181,000 to enable youth participation in athletics and education! To learn about how that money will be invested and to print a tax receipt, click below.  Thank you for your $25 contribution as a MAC member directly supports those with the greatest need.

Click here for a printable one page tax receipt.

In 2026, your support allowed us to award $104,000 in community grants, creating meaningful opportunities for youth to feel inspired and connected through athletics. Additionally, you helped provide $163,000 in scholarships to student-athletes, ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to those who need them most.

Beyond these numbers, your contribution to the Annual Fund Drive has become a powerful multiplier in the community. It extends the influence of MAC members well beyond the walls of the Club, strengthening nonprofits, uplifting students, and creating ripples of opportunity that last far into the future.

Thank you for your support and commitment.

At the heart of Cada Casa’s work is the belief that opportunity should be accessible to every young person. Through multicultural soccer teams across the Beaverton School District, Cada Casa challenges the pay-to-play model by creating accessible, community-based athletic opportunities, particularly for students of color and immigrant families.

Complementing its athletic programming, Cada Casa partners with public middle and high schools to offer credit-bearing classes and engaging educational experiences that connect with students’ cultures, interests and communities. Its programs foster skill building, creative thinking, civic engagement and empowerment, with a commitment to equity and intercultural education.

Congratulations to Cada Casa, a shining example of what it looks like when sport becomes a pathway, not a privilege.

Check out the full spread on that was published in the November 2026 issue of the MAC’s Winged M

This year we are proud to recognize Big Yard Foundation, an organization that champions equity and opportunity for youth. The Big Yard Foundation is building an ecosystem of support for Portland’s systemically underserved communities, creating lasting change by leveling the playing field through education, creativity, and physical wellness.

Through its empowerment programs including the Big Yard Academy and community engagement initiatives, Big Yard provides the tools, resources, experiences, and opportunities that help individuals push beyond perceived limits and realize their potential. Its work fosters environments where individuals feel supported, challenged, connected, and inspired to lead healthier, more fulfilling lives

The Big Yard Foundation challenges individuals and the broader community to dream bigger, envision new possibilities for themselves and one another, and help shape a stronger future for the places they call home. They reflect the spirit of the Bud Award through its commitment to helping foster youth beat the odds and reach their full potential.

Congratulations to our 2026 Bud Award Recipient, Big Yard Foundation!

Active Children Portland helps kids lead healthy, active lives through community-based programming that combines sports, academic enrichment, and mentorship. ACP creates equitable opportunities for youth to build confidence, connections, and skills through soccer, volleyball, and basketball.

Adaptive Sports Northwest creates opportunities for people with disabilities to experience the health, confidence, and connection that come through sport. Adaptive programming removes barriers to participation while building skills, independence, and a sense of belonging.

Grackles Rugby empowers girls through rugby by creating an inclusive environment where every athlete can participate, build confidence, and develop leadership skills. The program uses sport to foster resilience, community, and personal growth.

Friends of Explorer Post 58 provides young people with opportunities to learn, explore, and grow through outdoor experiences. Programming builds confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and a lasting connection to the outdoors.

Inclusion Empowers!(previously Bike First!) creates opportunities for people with disabilities to build confidence, independence, and healthy connections through cycling. Bike First! removes barriers to participation by teaching individuals the skills to ride a traditional bicycle and experience the freedom of movement.

Organizacion de Amigos provides free, school-based fitness and mentorship programs that help close opportunity gaps for youth in low-income communities. Through movement, play, and positive relationships, the organization supports healthy development, confidence, and community connection.

Portland Community Football Club creates equitable access to soccer for low-income and historically marginalized youth and families. Through the game, PCFC builds belonging, confidence, teamwork, and opportunity both on and off the field.

Snowdays Foundation makes outdoor and board-sport experiences accessible to youth who may otherwise face barriers to participation. Through snowboarding and mountain-based experiences, Snowdays helps young people build confidence, connection, and a sense of possibility in the outdoors.

Starting Line Youth Sports Alliance helps ensure every child has access to meaningful athletic experiences by collecting and redistributing sports equipment to schools and youth organizations. By removing equipment barriers, Starting Line helps more young people participate, play, and thrive through sport.

Todos Juntos empowers children, youth, and families through programs that build connections, confidence, and opportunities for success. Its work uses positive relationships, physical activity, and community engagement to help young people thrive at school, at home, and in their communities.

To learn more about Grant Funding at the foundation please visit our grant page.

Jacob Irving is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Oregon State University and continues to exemplify hard work, leadership, and perseverance. A returning Fay Sasser Scholarship recipient, Jacob has balanced a demanding engineering program, campus involvement, and part-time work while staying committed to graduating debt-free.

As a Head Lifeguard and swim instructor at MAC, Jacob leads with professionalism, accountability, and care. He mentors fellow staff members, creates a safe environment for members, and demonstrates the confidence and leadership that define the spirit of this scholarship.

Ayla Martin recently graduated magna cum laude from Portland State University with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. This fall, she will begin her Master of Social Work at Columbia University.

Ayla’s academic excellence is matched by her passion for serving others. While balancing full-time studies with her work as a server and hostess at MAC, she launched a sustainable fundraising initiative supporting Brain Injury Connections Northwest, building partnerships with local businesses to expand critical services for individuals living with brain injuries. Her compassion, initiative, and commitment to community embody the legacy of Fay Sasser.

Lyla Perry is a 2026 graduate of Beaverton High School Beaverton High School, Lyla Perry will continue her academic and athletic career at Lane Community College while competing in collegiate soccer and taking classes through the University of Oregon.

An outstanding student-athlete, Lyla earned recognition as the state’s top goalkeeper with All-State and All-Metro honors while serving as captain of her soccer team. At MAC, she works in Child Care, where she has built meaningful relationships with children through patience, empathy, and encouragement. Inspired by these experiences, Lyla plans to become a child therapist, helping young people build emotional resilience and confidence.

Nat Ross graduated from Portland State University in 2026 and will continue their education by pursuing a Master of Urban and Regional Planning.

Throughout college, Nat balanced a rigorous academic schedule with nearly full-time work in MAC’s Aquatics department while dedicating time to community service through organizations such as Blanchet House. Their professional growth has included roles as a lifeguard, swim instructor, aquatics coordinator, and most recently, Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor. By teaching lifesaving CPR and first aid skills, Nat has strengthened their own leadership while empowering others to serve their communities with confidence and care.

Investing in the Future

The Fay Sasser Scholarship recognizes more than academic achievement. It celebrates employees who lead by example, invest in their communities, and demonstrate the values that make the Multnomah Athletic Club such a special place.

Congratulations to Jacob, Ayla, Lyla, and Nat. We are honored to support your educational journeys and look forward to seeing the lasting impact each of you will make.

Filmon Abrham of McDaniel High School exemplifies determination, leadership, and a strong commitment to learning. A dedicated student-athlete, Filmon will attend Portland State University to pursue a degree in Engineering, where he hopes to build on his strengths in mathematics, problem-solving, and systems thinking. As a high school soccer player competing as both a winger and midfielder, he has developed discipline, perseverance, and teamwork. Beyond the classroom and the field, Filmon demonstrates leadership at home by supporting his family and balancing significant responsibilities while remaining focused on his academic and athletic goals.

Patrick Duque, a graduate of Cleveland High School, has distinguished himself through leadership, service, and a deep commitment to helping others. Patrick will attend Western Oregon University to study Nursing, building toward a career centered on care and community impact. As a varsity basketball captain and point guard, he earned recognition as an All-League Honorable Mention and Most Improved Player while developing strong communication and leadership skills. Off the court, Patrick has dedicated himself to service through Key Club, the Red Cross, and AVID, volunteering at community events, tutoring younger students, and supporting blood drives. His participation in a nursing internship further strengthened his passion for healthcare and confirmed his future path.

Anna Lindaman made a lasting impact in the Clackamas High School community through her leadership, perseverance, and passion for education. She will attend Boise State University to study Education, with the goal of becoming a high school English teacher. A standout student-athlete in Cross Country and Track & Field, Anna served as team captain, competed at the state level, and earned recognition for her consistency and leadership. She also contributed to school culture through the National English Honor Society and Student Athletic Leadership Team, helping foster connection and school spirit. Through her work at HomeGoods and Killer Burger, Anna has further developed adaptability, patience, and leadership in fast-paced environments.

We are honored to support Filmon, Patrick, and Anna as they pursue their goals. Their leadership, resilience, and commitment to their communities embody the spirit of the Loprinzi Scholarship, and we look forward to all they will accomplish.

When we faced an unexpected, last-minute venue change, your flexibility, positivity, and willingness to jump in without hesitation made all the difference. You showed up ready to help, solve problems, and ensure every detail came together seamlessly. What could have felt stressful instead felt supported because of this incredible volunteer team.

Your efforts mattered deeply. You helped create an experience where our students felt celebrated, seen, and surrounded by a community that believes in them.

We often talk about the power of showing up for young people. On Wednesday night, you embodied that mission in action!

Thank you for giving your time, energy, flexibility, and heart to make this event such a success. We are deeply grateful to have you as part of the Foundation community.

With sincere appreciation,

Lisa & Marianthe

On its own, it might not seem like much. But together with hundreds, even thousands of others, it becomes something powerful.

• It’s a kid stepping onto the field for the first time, finally able to play a sport with their friends.
• It’s a student becoming the first in their family to go to college and knowing someone believed in them along the way.
• It’s a person living with a disability joining a team not on the sidelines, but fully in the game.
• It’s a parent watching their child find confidence, connection, and friendship.
• It’s a neighborhood nonprofit opening its doors all summer long, offering a safe, joyful place for kids to grow and belong.

Small gifts, given together, create access, belonging and opportunity. They show every young person and family we serve that a community stands behind them.

So no, $25 doesn’t change the world on its own.

But together, it changes everything.

This is what collective impact looks like.

A $25 annual donation, on your June 25^th statement, helps fund scholarships and community grants. This support opens doors to education and provides kids with access to athletics, mentorship, and life skills—especially in underrepresented communities.

You’ll receive a gift acknowledgment for this tax-deductible donation in mid-September. To opt in or out of the annual gift, contact the Accounting Office. To make a monthly or donor-advised fund gift, visit MultnomahAthleticFoundation.com.

Thank you for being part of this impact. If you’d like to get more involved or share ideas, we’d love to hear from you. For questions about the Annual Fund Drive, contact Executive Director Lisa Bendt.

—Jenny Todenhagen and Ryan Harvey, Board Co-Chairs

The MAC Scholar Athlete Program accelerates the success of promising students by providing access to a community that enhances athletic performance, educational opportunities, and social connections.

In partnership with Utah State University and Louisiana Tech University, nearly 4,000 youth ages 10–17 were surveyed about their experiences with organized sports—whether they currently play, used to play, or have never participated.

The headline finding is both simple and powerful: kids play sports because it’s fun and because they want to be with their friends. These motivations stand in sharp contrast to a youth sports culture that often emphasizes competition, specialization, and the pursuit of college scholarships.

The study also sheds light on why some young people step away from sports—or never start at all—highlighting barriers and pressures that can diminish what should be a positive, inclusive experience.

The takeaway is clear: if we want more kids to play and stay in sports, we need to design systems that reflect what they actually value. Fun. Friendship. Belonging.

It’s a timely reminder that the future of youth sports should be built with young people, not just for them.

Read the report and all 15 key findings here – https://projectplay.org/news/aspen-institute-national-survey-of-youth-and-sports-15-key-findings