Is it more excellent to lift a huge boulder off one leg of a pauper, than to remove sawdust from one eye of a king?
About Us
Butterflies & Feathers
Butterflies & Feathers is an outreach initiative designed to identify those who were in bondage to drugs, alcohol and other forms of addiction…
those who have been delivered from bondage and have renounced their caterpillar living, for a butterfly testimony.
Butterflies & Feathers believes that all caterpillars can be butterflies in process. Our goal is to help that process along. In fact, our theme is clear: “We’ve never seen a bellyridden caterpillar who couldn’t become a butterfly with feathers.”
The Historical Perspective
Beginning in the 17th century, the American culture became particularly skilled at successfully assimilating nationalities into American society, for America to have become America. We are indeed a nation built upon that success. However, we are not so skilled at assisting that one person who became alienated from society, after falling prey to certain societal ills. Including, but not limited to drugs, alcohol, gambling, and other forms of addiction.
Why We Do This
The Motivation Behind Butterflies
The rebounding journey of assimilating after addiction is less likely for some, while more likely for others. Bruce W. Feathers, founder and Executive Director of Butterflies & Feathers, discovered at least one reason why. Mr. Feathers benefitted from a higher education, and developed life skills as a graduate assistant of the Dale Carnegie system. He came into addiction concurrent with 20 years employed in corporate America, and over 19 years as an entrepreneur. He was founder, Chairman & CEO of a nationally certified minority business.
During his rebounding experience, he noticed that people with social capital received a disproportionate amount of societal grace or assistance, than those without. While Mr. Feathers was blessed to “come in on broken pieces” (Acts 27:44), others were cut by them, and bled an assimilation death. They were impeded by the lack of basic needs being met.
Needs such as childcare expenses, cost for an expungement, or a white shirt and tie for a job interview. This could be considerable and substantial relief for some. Like the removal of a “huge boulder.”
“Social Entrepreneurialism” is called by Newsweek, the new American hero: People who create organizations to solve America’s problems.
Butterflies & Feathers includes a combination of “for profit” and “non-profit” entities created by owner, Bruce Feathers, as his personal interpretation of what social entrepreneurialism means to him.
“In my mind, business success is tantamount for social entrepreneurs. I believe we should create and undergird non-profits, mentor young people, provide internships, serve on community boards, help the ‘least of these’, and tell ‘your story’: Both the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ for the benefit of others.”
— Bruce Feathers, Founder, Chairman & CEO
About the Grant
Basic Needs Grant
Butterflies & Feathers, seeks to fund one’s simple needs such as expenses for car repair necessary for transportation, an infant car seat, fuel, job interviewing apparel, literacy classes, key document replacement expenses, and much more. Grants can range from $100 to $500 per person or “family” depending on the discretion of the Butterflies Grant Committee.
The Grantee
The gold star candidate will be grounded in a Faith where their spiritual journey can be evidenced by their faith leader who can bear witness to their growth and connection to their higher power.
Grant Requirements and Other Standards of Measurement
The gold star grant recipient will be a strong candidate by providing verifiable information, and has achieved based on the following requirements and general guidelines:
REQUIREMENTS
- A minimum of two (2) years of being clean and sober.
- A minimum of six (6) months of substance abuse treatment, the combination of residential and outpatient.
- Have been gainfully employed for a minimum of nine (9) months.
- A minimum of nine (9) months of independent living and incurring and paying one’s own living expenses.
OTHER STANDARDS OF MEASUREMENT
- A minimum of six (6) months of regularly attending recovery support meetings.
- Currently involved in a (one on one) 12 -step (AA type) sponsor driven recovery program.
- A minimum of three (3) months of regularly attending a gender-specific small accountability group.
- Experiencing a faith-based journey that can be substantiated by an individual or organizational leader.
These requirements and other standards of measurement will be considered when determining whether a grant will be awarded, and the amount of that award.
NOTE: Butterflies believe a higher power is important to one’s sobriety and recovery because it helps one remain motivated and feel individually supported throughout their healing journey. As substance use was once a guiding force in one’s life, it is essential to put faith and trust in a power greater than oneself.
The Willing Donor
Donations
Butterflies & Feathers is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax exempt charitable organization, making your contributions tax deductible. Our EIN number is 20-8263616. Our goal is to award a minimum of 12 grants per year. We give between $100-$500 per Grantee, with the average grant being $375 to date. Butterflies has been fully underwritten and self-funded by Mr. Feathers since its inception.
Would you consider sowing your seed by DONATING any amount you so desire? We are driven by smaller contributions from a multitude, rather than the tens of thousands of dollars sought by larger non- profits. Your gift will have a cumulative effect helping to broaden and sustain grants for those in need for years to come.
Clicking the MAKE A DONATION button will open a new window with our secure PayPal donation form. You do not need to have a PayPal account to make a donation. Thank you!
Butterflies & Feathers
Basic Needs Grant Application Online Form
Apply Online Using the Secure Form Below or Click the Button to Download the Application
All fields are required, except Reference Title.
All fields are required, except Reference Title.
What We Do In:
Addiction Edcuation, Counseling & Seminars
Butterflies and Feathers features introspective teachings, counseling, seminars, and workshops, through charitable donations that help underwrite Butterflies grant-giving fund. Butterflies’ most popular seminar is entitled: “Understanding Trauma, Addictions, Spiritual Strongholds, and Mental Health”. In short, these chronological teaching episodes highlight the “addictive pathway” that likely led to one’s addiction and/or mental health condition. Participants will learn evidence-based interventions used in clinical settings, therefore they will have a more complete picture of their addictive journey and better understand and manage emotional pain, hurts, habits, and hangups.
Butterflies contends; “we cannot conqueror what we don’t confront, and we can’t confront, what we don’t identify.” The seminar is also useful for those free of addiction yet grapple with negative thoughts (fiery darts) anxiety, depression, impulsivity, bi-polar, ADHD, OCD and more. Many of us experienced various degrees of trauma and/or adverse childhood experiences. Forces exasperated these experiences, and now works to disrupt our intimacy, faith, trust, and our relationship with our higher power. Learn interventions and practices that will give you, or those whom you may teach, victory and wholeness.
Butterflies & Feathers
Board of Directors
Ethan Dunham
Founder
The Dunham Group
Dr. Gina Guillaume
Empowering Health
and Well-Being
Deanna Dammer Kimbrough
Northwestern State Bank
Secretary to Vice President
Tomie Nelson
Volunteer
Trusted Advisor
Robb Pickens, Jr.
President & CEO
Corinthian Textiles
Get in Touch
Contact Us
Questions?
Please feel free to contact us by email or using our secure online form. Thank you!
EMAIL:
grants@butterfliesfeathers.org
MAILING ADDRESS:
PO Box 20955
Portland, OR 97294
Our EIN number is 20-8263616.