At Salem Leadership Foundation (SLF) we believe that Salem/Keizer will become the healthiest community in all of Oregon, truly the city of Shalom (peace, well-being, wholeness). Because we believe this we engage with people of faith and people of goodwill to transform the community. We build connections in neighborhoods and capacity in nonprofits. While we primarily work with churches, schools and nonprofits, we work with anyone seeking the common good of our community.
Aligned with these beliefs, we are launching a new initiative in September – SLF’s Development Cohort – which is designed to build capacity and deepen connections amongst local fundraising professionals. The cohort’s goals are to:
- Equip local fundraising professionals to increase their nonprofit’s financial sustainability, and to
- Invest in the success of local fundraising professionals—building a stronger, more resilient nonprofit sector in Salem/Keizer.
Over 30 local nonprofits will be represented in the Development Cohort. For nine months, the cohort will meet in several locations around town to learn, to connect, and grow as leaders who both invite generosity, and extend care to the giving community.
Twelve years ago, I participated in the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Salem. This experience gave me a more complete picture of our community, and I formed friendships with people who still encourage and inspire me as leaders. Leadership Salem was the seed for the idea of the SLF Development Cohort, and I pray we can build a learning experience that is just as impactful.
Starting the Development Cohort in September feels right as students of all ages go back to school. Personally, my daughter and my son are starting their senior and freshman years of high school. I can’t wait to watch them both learn, grow, and build meaningful connections. I have a similar feeling about the professionals who will participate in the Development Cohort. I can’t wait to see them grow professionally and help their nonprofit organization fund their vital programs and services which will help Salem/Keizer become the healthiest community in all of Oregon, truly the city of Shalom.
For the Shalom of the City,
Kyle Dickinson
Executive Director, SLF
From SLF Partner, Andrea Castañeda, Superintendent of Salem-Keizer Public Schools
Greetings from Salem-Keizer Public Schools! On September 3, 38,000 students and another 5,800 staff kicked off the 2025-2026 school year. We are starting the school year with a 3-2-1 request for all families.
Three ideas:
- Try to check in with the young people in your life. Ask specific questions. “Tell me about football practice” is a better opening than “How was your day?”
- Try putting cell phones away during meals. It will build your child’s capacity to engage in conversation and reinforce/extend the value of cell phone restrictions in school.
- Message your child’s teacher(s) and introduce yourself at the start of the year. It only takes 2-3 sentences and opens up the line of communication if you need it later.
Two requests:
- Daily school attendance is your student’s most important job. We cannot teach students who are not in school. Students need to come to school on time, every day.
- Reinforce cell phone expectations in school. We need parents’ active support to keep our school focused on learning and free of distractions.
One story:
A kindergarten student was bursting with excitement because her godmother was coming to read to her class. She talked about it all week, and when the day finally came, she was so happy and proud. The moral of the story: your attendance really matters, regardless of whether they are 5 or 15.
Pictured Below: Freshman students being greeted at North Salem High School
