JE Dunn Awards $150,000 in Cornerstone Grants to Portland Nonprofits – Funds to Support Safe and Supportive Spaces for Kids in Need

JE Dunn awarded two grants totaling $150,000 to Portland-based nonprofits, Every Child PDX and Project 48. These grants are part of JE Dunn’s 2025 Cornerstone Campaign, a new community impact initiative, which focused on “Access to Safe and Supportive Spaces for Kids in Need.” This focus was selected by an employee vote earlier this year.

“What I love about this campaign is that it came from our people. It was our employee’s passion for creating safe, supportive spaces for kids, and that really drove its focus,” said Darin Stegemoller, Senior Vice President at JE Dunn. “Every Child PDX and Project 48 are doing incredible work to make sure kids in our local community are cared for and empowered. We’re proud to support their efforts and be a part of the impact they’re making.”

The awarded grants include:

• Project 48 – $100,000 Project 48 has been awarded a $100,000 Cornerstone Grant for their “Life Skills Program: Pathways to Stability, Confidence, and Community for Youths Transitioning Out of Foster Care.” This program addresses the significant needs of young people aging out of the foster care system who often lack stable housing, guidance, and access to opportunities. The grant will fund 12 trauma-informed Life Skills cohorts over two years, providing essential tools in employment readiness, financial literacy, and mentorship.
• Every Child PDX– $50,000 Every Child PDX, a transformative initiative of The Contingent, will receive a $50,000 Cornerstone Grant for their project, “Reimagining Foster Care Systems: Advancing Equitable Recruitment and Retention through Community Mobilization.” This initiative aims to address urgent disparities within Oregon’s child welfare system by establishing a culturally responsive, community-driven infrastructure. The grant will specifically support efforts to recruit and retain foster families, with a focus on historically underserved communities.

“JE Dunn is honored to have the opportunity to give back to the communities where we live and work,” said Mike Tilbury, Senior Vice President – Advanced Facilities Group at JE Dunn.  “We believe in serving others and this grant was an excellent opportunity for our Advanced Industries Group to help make an impact.”

The 2025 Cornerstone Campaign underscores JE Dunn’s dedication to making a tangible difference in the communities where its employees live and work.

For more information about the JE Dunn Cornerstone Campaign and future community involvement opportunities, please visit Cornerstone Campaign.