2025 Community Small Grants Application

Diane Odeh

Diane is the Fiscal Sponsorship Program Manager for SE Uplift. She is passionate about public service work because she has experienced the positive impact community organizations can have first-hand.

Diane is currently working on a dissertation related to civic engagement at Portland State University. She has worked with various nonprofit organizations at the local, state, federal, and international level. As a volunteer, Diane serves as President of the Oregon Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration, a board member for College Housing Northwest, and as a member of the Multnomah County Auditor’s Community Advisory Committee. Diane enjoys using her knowledge and experience to help communities thrive in promotion of the public good.

In her free time, Diane enjoys co-hosting a movie podcast, attending comedy shows, and spending time with her cat.

Matchu Williams

Matchu feels fortunate to work with the community in advancing the SE Uplift mission of collaborating to build informed, inclusive, and participatory neighborhoods that support our social and ecological well-being. He looks forward to assisting neighborhood and partnering with the community in building capacity and equity.

Matchu holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a focus on Women, Gender, and Sexuality studies and Criminal Justice. You may know Matchu from the SE Uplift Board of Directors. He brings a wealth of community engagement to SE Uplift having previously served as Chair of Mt. Scott Arleta Neighborhood Association, BikeLoud Memorial Events Coordinator, Arleta Triangle Project Planning Committee, South East in Active Motion Co-Chair, and has volunteered with groups including Urban Gleaners, Sisters of the Road, SOLVE, Transition Projects, Food Not Bombs, Humane Society of SW Washington, and more.

On his days off he dreams of the next bikepacking (biking + camping) trip. When in town he enjoys cycling, seeing movies on the big screen at the historic Hollywood Theatre, and enjoying food at Portland Mercado with friends.

Matchu is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Brentwood-Darlington, Foster-Powell, Mt. Scott-Arleta, Reed, South Tabor, and Sunnyside.

Alex Cherin

Alez is the Partnerships and Grantmaking Programs Manager for SE Uplift. As an active listener, creative thinker and problem solver, Alex loves to brainstorm and collaborate with others in order to actualize visions of a more connected and active SE community. He is looking forward to fostering new relationships and nurturing established ones as well as supporting new developments within the neighborhoods of SE Portland.

Alex is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Brooklyn, Buckman, Creston-Kenilworth, Kerns, North Tabor, Woodstock.

Nanci Champlin

Nanci is the Executive Director for SE Uplift.

“It always seems impossible until it’s done.” -Nelson Mandela

Nanci Champlin has a passion for social justice, civic engagement and conservation with nearly thirty years’ experience in scaling up organizations at the local, regional and national level. She leaned early in her career as a grassroots organizer that a key to success comes from authenticity, trust and active listening. These values have guided her approach to work ever since.

In her professional roles, Nanci has led outreach at Oregon Wild; communications and operations at the Funders Committee for Civic Participation; and most recently was Director of Development at Western State Center, a movement building and leadership development organization helping to build a 21st century civil rights movement.

Nanci has lived in SE Portland for 32 years where she has devoted countess hours to volunteer-driven conservation initiatives through her past role on a neighborhood association board. She currently serves as the fundraising chair for Friends of Moreland Woods. When not working or volunteering she can be found creating pollinator habitat in her backyard or hiking with her family and dog in Portland’s parks.

Nanci is excited to help lead SE Uplift in building a vision and strategy that empowers everyone in our community to learn, connect and engage in civic opportunities to build a future where every person can thrive.

Nanci is the SE Uplift Liaison for the following neighborhoods: Eastmoreland, Hosford-Abernethy, Richmond.