Big Futures Luncheon 2026 – Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest

Join us for our third annual Big Futures Luncheon! This isn’t the same old nonprofit luncheon— you’ll be up on your feet with unique, hands-on activities to get your creative ideas flowing as you brainstorm ways your company can support workforce development alongside Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

Network with a variety of companies and community leaders (meet new, creative people!)
Learn from successful matches (be inspired by Bigs and Littles making a BIG difference!)
Brainstorm together the ways you and your business can make a greater impact on the workforce of tomorrow (contribute creative ideas to build a better workforce!)

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

11:30 AM- 1:00 PM

AVENUE Portland

Tickets

New this year: Mentorship Silent Auction

We all know how important mentorship is, and that doesn’t end when you reach adulthood. In conjunction with this year’s Big Futures Luncheon, you’ll have the chance to win a one-hour mentorship session (either virtually or in-person) with one of the Portland/Vancouver metro area’s impactful leaders. These mentors come from a variety of industries, including government, the arts, communications, business, sports, and more!

Both attendees and those who are unable to attend can bid in this silent auction online. The auction will begin Tuesday, April 7th at 12:00 noon and end Tuesday, April 14th at 8:00 pm. The auction link will be posted here once it’s open.

Get your Big Futures Luncheon ticket now to support workforce development for youth! Proceeds from the event, including the silent auction, will support Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest.

Silent Auction Mentors

Join Cathey and Gary for a unique experience where fun meets strategy. First, we’ll hit the pickleball court, whether you’re a beginner learning the ropes or a seasoned player ready for a challenge, we’ve got you covered! Afterward, we’ll cool down with a creative brainstorm session, bring any idea, problem, or story, and we’ll help you elevate it. It’s a perfect mix of play, creativity, and inspiration!

Mentoring topics can include: taking action & making an impact, leading with confidence & authenticity, and building programs, partnerships, & pathways that serve youth and the community

Mentorship topics can include: how to be impactful in your community, how to navigate multigenerational workplaces and leadership structures, and how to define your personal success.

Mentorship topics can include: 48 hours of purpose, building & launching a podcast, what it takes to build & lead a high performing environment, leading with authenticity & purpose

Mentorship topics can include: networking and doing your own PR, building a service-based business, and turning your skills into impact.

Mentorship topics can include: leadership, transitioning to a new sector, fundraising, relationship building/networking, and discovering your calling

Mentorship topics can include: cooking, sobriety, leadership, work/life balance, and growth mindset.

Mentorship topics can include: finding your purpose, how to be impactful in your community, and how to become a nonprofit Board member.

Mentorship topics can include: building a successful business, finding your purpose, and how to be impactful in your community.

Mentoring topics can include: resilience when building a business, how to be impactful in your community, and building & leveraging business relationships

Speakers

John Middleton

John

Current Big Brother

John is a Portland-raised community member who works for Advanced Medical Administration. John was the 2024 Big Brother of the Year with his first Little, who has since graduated. He is currently mentoring his second Little and serves on the BBBS Board of Directors. John is excited to share the impact that mentorship can have.

Brandon Jones & Jordan Armstrong

Brandon & Jordan

Former Big & Little

Jordan was matched with his Big Brother, Brandon, when he was just nine years old. Every week, the moment the car door closed, Jordan would unload everything that had happened since they last saw each other. That ritual of showing up, talking, and being heard became the foundation of a fifteen-year friendship.

From the beginning, Brandon and Jordan were an excellent match. Similar backgrounds, similar family structures, similar ways of moving through the world — and similar challenges to navigate. What started with pickup basketball games, trips to the arcade, and afternoons at the park grew into one of the most meaningful relationships of Brandon’s life. He watched Jordan grow from a kid learning to trust into a young man full of confidence.

Jordan is now 23 years old, recently married to his wife Jorden, and building a life that reflects everything people who know him always knew he was capable of. A hard worker with natural talent across nearly everything he puts his mind to — sports, school, and life in general — Jordan has always moved through the world with big aspirations and the quiet confidence to back them up. He brings that same energy to his work at ProDrain, where he serves as a drain technician.

Brandon Jones has spent more than a decade at Pacific Energy Concepts, a commercial and industrial energy solutions company, where he now serves as VP of Sales, leading a team of dozens of professionals. His guiding belief — that real impact comes from investing in people over time — has defined everything he has built professionally.

Click here for photos from last year's luncheon

If you cannot make it to the Luncheon, but still want to contribute, you can make a donation to help meet the $30,000 goal to support college and career readiness for Littles!

Donate

The Big Futures Luncheon will be facilitated by On Your Feet!

On Your Feet designs and delivers groundbreaking interactive experiences for the world’s most innovative brands through trainings, events, retreats, team sessions, innovation workshops, and more! On Your Feet is committed to that same mission that we love to repeat: more joy, less fear, better results.

Sponsorship

Interested in sponsoring this event? Contact Katie MacDonald [email protected]

Download sponsorship packet