About Us
Courtesy of Alleyway Photography
The Banks Community Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization, and your contribution is tax deductible. Our tax ID # is 71-0956226.
The Banks Community Foundation was founded in December 2003. The genesis of the Foundation began in 2001 after Banks had been identified as one of two economically distressed cities in Washington County. Denise Dethlefs, a local business person and Foundation spokesperson, says, “Our appearance on this distressed list got us started on this project. We knew that if Banks was to thrive, our community needed to come together and develop a plan for economic growth.”
While recognizing the requirement for economic growth, community members wanted to safeguard the small-town feel of Banks by preserving the town’s history, character, and appearance. “We want off this list,” Dethlefs adds.
In September of 2002, the Banks Chamber of Commerce received two grants from the Multnomah-Washington Regional Investment Board to bring business training courses and an economic development coordinator to Banks. In November, four members of the Banks Community attended the Rural Futures Forum, a series of leadership conferences facilitated by the Rural Development Initiatives. By June 2003, the Banks community, assisted by RDI, completed the Banks Strategic Plan. In the fall of 2003, Banks was selected as one of the communities asked to participate in the Ford Institute Leadership Program. The formation of the Banks Community Foundation was the project of the first leadership class. Banks went on to participate in all Ford Family Foundation training including two additional cohorts of the leadership program, Effective Organizations and Community Collaborations concluding with the Rural Vitality program.
Congratulations to Margaret Holland
The 2022 Banks Citizenship Award Recipient
Margaret has been very active in the greater Banks Community. She is involved with the Banks Community Foundation, the City of Banks Economic Development Commission, and the Friends of the Banks Library, just to name a few.
Margaret is a fabulous supporter of our community. She donates countless hours volunteering for many different local organizations, she was one of the founding members of the Banks Community Foundation, has served in the roles of Secretary and Treasurer of the Friends of the Banks Library, and her background in transportation planning has made her a valuable asset to the City of Banks Economic Development Commission. Margaret and her husband Jack are also volunteers and members of the Friends of Stub Stewart State Park.
Congratulations Margaret, on this well-deserved honor.
Congratulations to Mel and Becky Clark
The 2017 Banks Citizenship Award Recipients
Mel and Becky have been members of the Banks community for over 40 years. When their children were in school they were active in the PTO, Baseball, and Softball programs. As well as several scouting organizations and the Venture Crew. All of which benefited from many hours when assisting with projects.
Many volunteer organizations in the Banks community have been their focus, including Banks Community Foundation, Sunset Park Association, and Banks Lions Club.
Congratulations Mel and Becky, thank you for being valuable members of this community.
Banks Community Foundation Timeline
Board members participated in Ford Family Foundation Community Ambassador Summit - 2016
Continued Science and Engineers Scholarship (Started through Banks Veterinary Service) - 2015
Established Dan Hilger Memorial Scholarship Fund - 2015
Joined National Night Out as a community sponsor - 2015
Began Annual donation to the City of Banks to support the 4th of July Fire Works display - 2015
Collaboration with Hillsboro Bab and Baggage - A Christmas Story Production at Banks Elementary - 2013
Community Vitality – April 2011 – Fall 2013 – NAO - Amy Carlson
Archived information:
Banks Downtown Plan - Jan 2002 Oregon Downtown Development Association
RARE student – Oct 02-Sept 03
Rural Futures Forum Training - Nov 2002/Feb 2003 Banks Business Team & RARE student
Banks Strategic Planning Process – March-June 2003 RDI and RARE
Support for Linear Trail completion – 2003-2005 Banks Business Team
Ford Community Leadership Program - Fall 2003/2004 - Mary Bosch and Craig Smith (Tom Gallagher did the MBTI training)
Community Trainer Training – April 2005 – Rural Development Initiatives
Effective Organizations – April/May 2005 TACS (now NAO) - Paul Lipscomb and Kay Sohl
Supplemental Training – July 2005 – TACS - Non-Profit accounting with Quickbooks –Kay Sohl
FILP II – Fall 2005-Winter 2006 – RDI - Kristin Dahl + CAT’s
Community Collaborations – January 2007 - TACS - Paul Lipscomb and Guadalupe Guajardo
Supplemental Training on use of Joomla for websites – TACS - Ash Shepherd
FILP III – Spring 2008 – RDI- Stuart Douglas + CAT’s
Banks Community Foundation 501[c](3) status granted - 2004