Your Next Step

Specialties

We provide small, one-​time grants to hard working, low-​income Oregonians who have incurred unexpected financial crises and are at risk for falling into the cycle of poverty. We are a Portland-​based non-​profit (registered 501c3) agency.

History

Established in 2009.

Our non-​profit organization was founded by Sonia Bhagwan to address the needs of an underrepresented group of Oregonians: the working poor. Bhagwan noticed that there were severely limited resources available for working Oregon residents on the brink of crisis. For some, that crisis might be an unexpectedly large bill after a layoff. For others, the uphill battle of re-​integrating into daily life after treatment for addiction.

Bhagwan formed a Board of Directors in Sep 09. Together they worked hard to raise funds & simultaneously help families in need. By Feb 10, they obtained the IRS 501c3 status.

We are passionate about our mission and all of our work is carried out by the Board of Directors-​who serve as volunteers and receive no compensation. All donations made to YNS go directly to funding grant applicants. To date, YNS has funded 31 low-​income Oregon families and prevented them from entering the cycle of poverty.