Scott Loves the Company Match Donation Benefit

“We really like that we can support an organization that is hyper-local to Portland and is directly involved with lifting young people up...”

Scott Whitley and his wife began donating to Faithful Friends sometime after they began mentoring with the program. “Faithful Friends gives us a unique opportunity to financially partner with an organization that we've been close to for a while,” he reflects. “Additionally, we really like that we can support an organization that is hyper-local to Portland and is directly involved with lifting young people up and working to bring redemption on an individual level in hard situations.”

Not only have they been able to give to Faithful Friends, but they have also been able to donate extra through Scott’s company match program. His company (and a good number of others) will match charitable giving for all of their employees up to $1,500 per year as one of their benefits. “They have it set up where you just submit your giving statement into a software platform and the rest is pretty seamless. It's great,” Scott says. “I'm fortunate to work for a company that truly encourages giving back financially and through volunteering. It's just been a part of the company's culture from the early days.” 

Scott and his mentee were matched towards the end of 2018. After being matched for about three years, his mentee moved to Southern Oregon. Though their match officially closed, they still keep up communication, especially around the holidays and his mentee’s birthday. He is now a freshman in high school. “We hope to continue that and potentially meet up in the coming years in his new hometown to catch up,” Scott says.

As Giving Tuesday (November 28 in 2023) has become more prominent, some companies have elected to give even more on that particular day. Scott is just one of several donors who smartly use their company benefits to support a cause they love: mentoring kids!