Lift UPdate:
Profits With Principles
Brian Fleener, Vice President and Director of Architecture at Otak, as well as President of the Board at Lift UP, has been combining profits with principles in Portland for more than 15 years. In 2005, when the volunteer coordinator at his church, Zion Lutheran Church (one of Lift UP’s founding congregations) asked for volunteers, Brian, and his two daughters went to the Lift UP warehouse to pack and deliver food boxes to low-income residents in Northwest and Downtown Portland.
Three years ago, Brian joined the Lift UP board and immediately recruited his workplace, Otak, an integrated design firm, to get involved by being an Adopt A Building sponsor. “In the beginning, it was a way to get our employees to rally around something positive for the community.” In addition to the sponsorship that provides Delivered Food Boxes and stocks an Emergency Food Closet for residents, Otak employees pack food boxes at the warehouse and then deliver the food boxes at Morrison Park Apartments. “Over time, our team has built relationships with the residents in the building. We fight over who gets to deliver which food box to whom.”
Most employee events include raising awareness and funds for the community. “Our recycling proceeds, Valentine’s Day sweets exchange, and annual putt-putt event all include a philanthropic purpose. I mean, it’s Portland! If you’re running a business that’s only in it for the profit, you’re not going to last very long. Portland is about working hard, making a profit and lifting the communities where you operate. It’s an important part of our culture.”
Otak employees support a number of causes, but if Brian is involved, it’s likely to be benefiting Lift UP. “I love Lift UP: the mission, the people, the programs, and the clients. I believe in it SO much and I love telling our story.” As President of Lift UP’s board, Brian is committed to expanding the Adopt A Building program and driving its mission.
Even through a pandemic, recession, and racial inequity, Brian believes “Portland companies that can afford to give, must give. And Black lives DO matter, and we have a lot of work to do to make sure things are just for everyone.”
What’s giving him hope these days? “The smiles on the clients faces when we knock on their door and bring food into their home. First, they are so happy to see someone at their door. Then we’re bringing healthy, fresh and nutritionally specific food that they actually want to eat. It’s the smiles that give me hope.”
Three years ago, Brian joined the Lift UP board and immediately recruited his workplace, Otak, an integrated design firm, to get involved by being an Adopt A Building sponsor. “In the beginning, it was a way to get our employees to rally around something positive for the community.” In addition to the sponsorship that provides Delivered Food Boxes and stocks an Emergency Food Closet for residents, Otak employees pack food boxes at the warehouse and then deliver the food boxes at Morrison Park Apartments. “Over time, our team has built relationships with the residents in the building. We fight over who gets to deliver which food box to whom.”
Most employee events include raising awareness and funds for the community. “Our recycling proceeds, Valentine’s Day sweets exchange, and annual putt-putt event all include a philanthropic purpose. I mean, it’s Portland! If you’re running a business that’s only in it for the profit, you’re not going to last very long. Portland is about working hard, making a profit and lifting the communities where you operate. It’s an important part of our culture.”
Otak employees support a number of causes, but if Brian is involved, it’s likely to be benefiting Lift UP. “I love Lift UP: the mission, the people, the programs, and the clients. I believe in it SO much and I love telling our story.” As President of Lift UP’s board, Brian is committed to expanding the Adopt A Building program and driving its mission.
Even through a pandemic, recession, and racial inequity, Brian believes “Portland companies that can afford to give, must give. And Black lives DO matter, and we have a lot of work to do to make sure things are just for everyone.”
What’s giving him hope these days? “The smiles on the clients faces when we knock on their door and bring food into their home. First, they are so happy to see someone at their door. Then we’re bringing healthy, fresh and nutritionally specific food that they actually want to eat. It’s the smiles that give me hope.”