What the Foundation Does
Travel Portland, the official destination marketing organization (DMO) for the City of Portland, works to generate travel demand, which drives economic impact by attracting visitors to Portland. The Travel Portland Education and Training Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established in 1992, generates diversified funding through philanthropic contributions, grants and donations not typically available to a DMO, allowing us to support a wider range of tourism initiatives.
In recent years, the Travel Portland Foundation has refined its approach based on research and data-driven insights, now strategically focusing our giving through the Jeff Miller Excellence in Leadership and Hospitality Fund in two key areas:
- Scholarships — Supporting individuals committed to pursuing careers, continuing education, or specialized training in the dynamic and growing field of hospitality and tourism.
- Business Development Grants — Empowering small, visitor-facing businesses in the hospitality and tourism sector. In partnership with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), we cover the tuition for qualified businesses to enroll in the Advanced Small Business Management course, equipping them with the skills to grow and thrive. As these local businesses succeed, our entire community benefits.
Your donation supports the Travel Portland Foundation’s efforts to promote a vibrant and evolving tourism scene, helping to attract new visitors and sustain the city’s charm.
How Your Donation Helps
The Travel Portland Foundation addresses critical needs that impact Portland, Oregon. The hospitality and tourism industry is experiencing a significant labor shortage, with many jobs remaining open. As of recent reports, 7% of tourism jobs in the U.S. are likely to go unfilled, reflecting a chronic and widespread labor shortage exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Your donation supports the Travel Portland Foundation’s efforts to address these needs by promoting a vibrant and evolving tourism scene, helping to attract new visitors and sustain the city’s charm. By investing in scholarships, you help us advance the education and professional development of industry leaders while building a pipeline of talent to address the current gap in the tourism workforce. Business development grants help local businesses grow sustainably, improving their financial stability and contributing to the local economy.
The Foundation’s Impact
For over 30 years, the Travel Portland Foundation has played an important role in shaping Portland into the thriving tourist destination it is today. Our efforts have helped establish the city as a place where visitors from around the world can enjoy a diverse range of experiences. Portland is now recognized for its unique blend of urban culture and natural beauty, attracting millions of visitors annually. The Foundation’s work contributes to this robust tourism infrastructure, making Portland a city that continues to grow in appeal.
In partnership with community-based workforce development programs and educational institutions, the foundation advances awareness of career pathways and the value of diversity in the hospitality and tourism industry. In recent years, Travel Portland has awarded educational scholarships to the Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Washington State University Vancouver, Destinations International HBCU Scholarship Initiative and community-based hospitality program partners such as Portland Opportunities Industrialization Center + Rosemary Anderson High School – (CHEF) Academy and Stone Soup PDX Culinary programs.
Your contribution will have a lasting impact. With your support, we can expand our scholarship programs to reach more individuals from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals reflects the rich diversity of Portland. You will also help local businesses build their capacity and deliver exceptional experiences to visitors.
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