Donor Spotlight: Bill Weismann

Oregon Tradeswomen depends on the generosity of our supporters to continue providing free pre-apprenticeship training and support to those who need it the most. Monthly donors like Bill Weismann make a huge impact because they provide a predictable, steady income that expands our ability to plan strategically for long-term sustainability. When asking Bill what first drew him to Oregon Tradeswomen, he recounted how he had met Connie Ashbrook, Oregon Tradeswomen’s founding Executive Director, before Oregon Tradeswomen was the organization we know today: way back when there was no Trades and Apprenticeship Career Class, nor Annual Career Fair. Connie and the initial Oregon Tradeswomen Board connected with Bill to get assistance with non-profit startup and grant writing support in order to raise funds, hire staff, and open an office. Bill shares that, “It was an honor to put my personal values into action as a straight white man who has self-defined as a feminist since the early 70s and the rise of the women’s liberation movement.” Once Oregon Tradeswomen started to take off as a successful venture, Bill transitioned to being an event participant and monthly donor because “I knew that community-based groups need sustainable funding and monthly donors are a means to achieve that.”

Considering his commitment as a donor and supporter for all these years, we asked Bill how his sustaining gift reflected his values. Bill explained how “Oregon Tradeswomen directly aligns with my core beliefs and commitment to social change at the intersection of economic, social, and racial justice.” He goes on to say that “I strongly believe in fairness, justice, and equal opportunity, and Oregon Tradeswomen breathes life into these values every day of the year.” The fact that Oregon Tradeswomen’s graduates set an important example for other girls and women to follow, proving that women can do any job a man can do, is a driving reason why Bill believes that Oregon Tradeswomen is a vital part of the community and economy.

Bill’s message to Oregon Tradeswomen’s supporters and potential donors is simple: “As Oregon Tradeswomen matures, I see the demand for services growing, more girls and women engaged, more training programs and outreach being held, and yet costs keep rising. As my own ability to give increased, I choose to ‘put my money where my mouth is.'” In a recent move, Bill has increased his monthly giving by 50% because “I know that Oregon Tradeswomen needs a growing source of stable funding and individual supporters need to be a reliable income stream.” After 20 years of being a monthly donor, Bill also created an estate plan with a personal will. He shares that “I decided to include Oregon Tradeswomen in my will with a sizable, planned gift. I like knowing that my support will leave a legacy and make a lasting impact to benefit future generations of Oregon girls and women.” We are endlessly grateful for Bill and all our supporters who invest in this mission that is meaningful and makes our community stronger.

You can join The Builders, a community of Oregon Tradeswomen’s monthly sustaining donors by signing up on our donate page. If you are already a monthly donor and would like to update your contribution, please reach out to Paul Morris, Development Director, at paul@oregontradeswomen.org for assistance.