Assistance League of Eugene
Programs Enhancing the Quality of Life in Our community
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Operation School Bell®
Provides school-appropriate clothing to students in grades K-8 with verified financial need in two Eugene, Or, school districts. About 2300 students are clothed annually.
Operation Bookshelf
Teams of Assistance League volunteers deliver and return books, CDs and DVDs from the public library to homebound patrons each month.
Operation Hug a Bear
Provides stuffed bears to the Eugene Police Department and other agencies for those in stressful situations.
Welcome Basket
Provides cleaning supplies and other sundries to low income families and veterans moving into transitional housing or endeavoring to remain in permanent housing. Works with St. Vincent de Paul Connections Program, Vet LIFT (Living Independently Following Treatment) and supportive Services for Veteran Families.
Oregon Heritage
Trained assistance League guides give presentations to area children about the Oregon trail and pioneer life at journey's end at the Lane county (Oregon) Historical Museum. Fourth and fifth grade tour content augments required curriculum on Oregon history. About 1000 children and adults participate annually.
Weekend Food Pantry Program
Through this program, Assistance League of Eugene provides food staples for the weekend to children, 87% of whom are on the reduced and free lunch program, and their families. Currently serving children and families in one school district and a children served by a local preschool.
Books For Kids
This program provides books and literacy materials to children in collaboration with the Department of Human Services, the Eugene Mission and other agencies.
Where we work
External reviews

Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Assistance League of Eugene puts caring and commitment into action through our community based philanthropic programs. We are 250+ local volunteers who reach out to our community, on a daily basis, with our Thrift Shop and nationally approved philanthropic programs. Our chapter provides ongoing education, administrative guidance and empowerment to our member volunteers and these key principles are employed to guide our chapter and connect us to the national organization. We design, fund and implement unique philanthropic programs to meet the needs of our community.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The Assistance League of Eugene has identified four strategic priorities: 1. Increase Membership Growth and Leadership Development - increase membership and the number of members in leadership positions by 2%. 2. Increase chapter visibility in our community - Develop and implement strategies to increase the effective use of social media across all platforms. Create and incorporate a customer service based marketing strategy that educates both our members and our community. 3. Fund Development - Determine and implement effective pricing and marketing techniques to increase our thrift shop exposure and sales annually. 4. Improve assessment, evaluation and impact of our current philanthropic programs - establish effective measurements and criteria for evaluating each of our philanthroic programs.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Assistance League of Eugene was established as a guild in 1973 and became chartered on April 27, 1978. Our first philanthropic project, Shopping ala Cart, was adopted in 1973. Our Gently Used Thrift Shop was opened at its present location in 1991. Our second philanthropic project was started in 1975 and originally was called "Science in a Suitcase" and it has evolved into "Oregon Heritage". We currently administer nine philanthropic programs that serve our community's needs on many levels. We have increased program emphasis in the area of children including clothing children and addressing childhood hunger. We have a committed volunteer base of 250+ members with varied personal backgrounds and skills. We have a dedicated Leadership Team who emphasize expanding the chapter's programs and promote effective volunteerism. We look to the future with confidence built upon community and member support.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
1. Increase Membership Growth and Leadership Development - Researching a flexible option/no requirements option, creation of a yearly chapter Job Fair, improved board training and development. 2. Increase chapter visibility in our community - Creation of a community newsletter, creation of a thrift shop marketing committee, creation of a Facebook page and increased use of Constant Contact and improved our Guidestar rating, 3. Fund Development - researching donor software programs, expand our thrift shop marketing stratgeries, maintain the chapter's 91% return to the community, establish a current endowment and investment policies, establish a current donor list, research additional chapter revenue streams. 4. Improve assessment, evaluation and impact of our current philanthropic programs - Conduct a yearly community needs assessment, meet yearly with program chairs and evaluate how the programs fit our strategic plan, develop criteria for measurement of all chapter programs.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Assistance League of Eugene
Board of directorsas of 08/29/2021
Ms. Lane Sawyer
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Not applicable -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data