Fundraising & Community
Supporting free after school programs in Title 1, CEP and Rural schools throughout Oregon and SW Washington
Chess for Success is excited to be included in this years Willamette Week Give!Guide! With more than 400 applicants and only 125 available spots, we are honored to be part of this years campaign! We help students build critical thinking, problem solving and perseverance, skills needed for a successful life and your support can shift the board for our students!
School districts across our region are facing multimillion-dollar deficits, and after-school enrichment programs are often among the first things cut. With grants becoming more competitive and school funding shrinking, individual donors are more important than ever. Your generosity can be the safety net that keeps programs running in more than 75 schools across Oregon and Southwest Washington!
We especially want to thank Melanie Nelson and Phil Margolin, who have generously provided a matching dollar for dollar grant of $10,000! That means YOUR IMPACT CAN BE DOUBLED if you donate between November 1st - Dec 31st!
Donate today by visiting our Give!Guide page
Fundraising & Community
Tournaments
Learn More and Register for 2027 Vangie Shaw Memorial GIRLS PLAY CHESS Tournament
Thanks to the generosity of Phil Margolin and Melanie Nelson, the first $10,000 donated as part of the Give!Guide campaign will be matched dollar for dollar, DOUBLING YOUR IMPACT! Donate on our Give!Guide page
Success Stories
"Chess has been one of the best ways to bond with my siblings, we have played together and it has helped us grow closer."
"Both my son and daughter participate in the Chess for Success after-school program. It has taught them so much more than how to play chess—it’s helped them develop discipline, learn how to be good teammates, and understand how to conduct themselves with grace whether they win or lose. Chess for Success has made a powerful impact on both of them and has helped them become more confident, thoughtful, and well-rounded young people.”
"Our son has really enjoyed learning and improving at chess over the last three years. He looks forward to going after school and started entering tournaments, even making it to the state tournament this year. He’s grown in self-esteem and confidence as a result of his participation."
"Chess has had an incredible impact on my son, both academically and personally. Through chess, he has learned the importance of responsibility, teamwork, focus, and patience. He has also developed resilience—learning how to handle losses, learn from mistakes, and come back stronger. Most importantly, chess has challenged and stimulated his mind while teaching him to think critically and make thoughtful decisions. I cannot say enough about the positive impact chess has had on his success in school and, even more importantly, on the person he is becoming."
"Chess has helped me get closer to my parents and grandparents. It will continue to help us bond as my younger siblings learn to play."
Updates
Read our 2024-2025 annual report to learn about our impact. July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025