Mission,
Impact
& Leadership
A home for artists, educators, audiences, and community organizations in Northeast Portland — amplifying Black and underrepresented voices since 2018.
Mission & History
The Alberta Abbey Foundation is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates the Abbey, created in 2018 to sustainably address the need for affordable arts space in the city of Portland. We utilize the building’s 23,000 sqft by offering below-market workspace to artists and arts organizations, affordable event rental spaces, and signature programming responsive to the desires of our neighbors and the city’s arts community.
The long-term goal is to build out the Alberta Abbey Foundation as a financially solvent and sustainable organization that in the future will be able to take over the ownership of the Abbey — ensuring this historic space remains in community hands for generations to come.
Mission
Alberta Abbey aims to nurture the creative, visual and performing arts in N/NE Portland by amplifying opportunities for Black and underrepresented communities. The Abbey serves this mission by providing affordable education, gallery, studio, and performance spaces, and showcasing events for local groups of all ages.
Vision
We envision a local arts ecosystem where community members of all demographics can thrive. We seek to cultivate these values among the building’s staff, tenants, neighbors, artists, and audiences.
Seek Diversity
We actively seek out underrepresented artists, perspectives, and ideas — embracing the broadest possible range of people who live, work, and converge in NE Portland.
Support Artists
We promote the arts not only by providing space, but by ensuring our hiring practices and collaborations support artists both financially and creatively.
Cultivate Trust & Generosity
As a home to tenants and short-term event renters alike, trust and generosity are the principles we cultivate among all who share this space.
Be a Good Neighbor
We are proud to be part of the King/Humboldt neighborhoods and the Alberta Arts District, and we work to be a valuable and responsive asset to the local community.
Stay Affordable
Finding the right space at the right price has become increasingly difficult for artists in NE Portland. We commit to keeping all pricing permanently below market rates and strive to make our spaces as affordable as possible for mission-aligned organizations and individuals.
Building History
Mallory Avenue Christian Church was founded in 1922 with the purpose “to serve its community without distinction of person or race.” In the 1970s, the church became home to the YWCA and the “People are Beautiful” program. In the 1990s, Portland Parks & Recreation operated after-school programs out of the building. By 2012 it had fallen vacant — until a pair of Portland developers gave it new life as a performance venue and arts workspace.
1922
Mallory Avenue Christian Church founded to serve the community without distinction of person or race.
1925
Basement construction completed; congregation begins meeting in the building.
1948
Two additional floors added, expanding capacity and community reach.
1970s
YWCA and “People are Beautiful” bring youth activities, workshops, and art classes.
1990s
Portland Parks & Recreation operates after-school programs from the building.
2012
Building falls vacant. Developers begin planning to restore and reimagine the space.
2018
Alberta Abbey Foundation established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Community Impact · Fiscal Year 2025
A Year of Roots & Growth.
From capital investments in our historic campus to record-breaking community giving, 2025 tested and strengthened every part of Alberta Abbey Foundation. Together we served over 31,000 people, presented artists from across Portland and around the world, and secured more than $316,000 in grant and foundation support.
31,295
People served across all 2025 programming
1,097
Artists supported
1,604
Events featuring BIPOC artists
$331,973
Ticket sales generated by programming
Year-over-Year Growth
Total Revenue
2024 — baseline
2025 — $1,499,533
Strong earned + contributed revenue year
People Served
2024 — baseline
2025 — 31,295 people
Record community reach
Give!Guide Campaign
Goal — $7,500
Raised — $8,001
↑ 107% of goal · 130+ individual donors
Artist & Community Testimonials
“Art is a community, and community is an art. The Abbey will continue to be a Portland institution for both.”
Bethany Byrd-Hill
Executive Director, Alberta Abbey Foundation
“Alberta Abbey gave me a space to create that I couldn't find anywhere else in Portland — affordable, welcoming, and deeply rooted in the community I want to serve.”
Artist Name
Add real quote & attribution here
“As a community organizer, I've never found a venue so committed to accessibility and equity. They made it possible for our event to happen when no one else could.”
Partner Name
Add real quote & attribution here
“The Abbey isn't just a venue — it's a gathering place that holds the history of this neighborhood while actively building its future.”
Community Member
Add real quote & attribution here
Financial Transparency · FY 2025
Where our revenue comes from
Total revenue of $1,499,533 in fiscal year 2025 — our strongest year to date. Earned revenue covers operations; contributed revenue funds mission-critical programming and capital investment.
Earned Revenue
Events, ticket sales, food & beverage, tenant subleases
77%
$1,151,880
Contributed Revenue
Grants & foundations $316,610 · In-kind $18,168 · Individual & fundraising $12,876
23%
$347,653
Total Revenue$1,499,533
Total Expenses$1,313,000
Net Income$186,000
Total Assets$421,700
2025 Funders & Foundations
City of PortlandOregon Arts CommissionOregon Community FoundationMaybelle Clark Macdonald FundKinsman FoundationBraemar FoundationMeyer Memorial TrustPacific Power Foundation
2025 Annual Report
Download the full report for complete financials, programming highlights, and donor acknowledgments.
Verified on Candid (GuideStar)
Alberta Abbey Foundation’s nonprofit profile, financials, and transparency ratings are publicly available on Candid. EIN: 47-3125530
Staff & Board
The team behind Alberta Abbey.
Bethany Byrd-Hill she/her/hers
Executive Director
Bethany joined Alberta Abbey as Executive Director in January 2025, bringing over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, arts administration, and strategic development. Her career spans theater operations at Marin Theatre Company and the Curran Theater in San Francisco, and development leadership at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and Literary Arts.
Linna Carter she/her/hers
Events & Programming Project Manager
A PMP-certified Project Manager, Linna has a career spanning public health, mental health, entertainment, and events. She’s also a SAG-AFTRA actor, singer, and voiceover artist with credits ranging from commercials and indie films to video games and audiobooks. Her inclusive approach means teams don’t just collaborate — they have a good time doing it.
Sean Flora he/him/his
Technical Director
Sean has led the technical side of Alberta Abbey since September 2022, bringing 30+ years of music production and sound engineering experience. A Portland musician and producer since 1993, he has done sound at Alberta Street Pub and Alberta Rose Theater, and was recording engineer for The Moth’s Portland events.
Beck Garcia she/her/hers
Digital Assets & Marketing Manager
Beck joined the Abbey as a freelance audio technician in late 2021 and now leads digital and marketing. A technology professional in live events for over a decade, she holds a B.A. in Theater and a B.S. in Cybersecurity and Data Assurance, and is a lifelong supporter of independent venues.
Ben Kreusser he/him/his
Facilities Manager
After a long career in video production, Ben turned his talents toward fixing things and solving problems — which is exactly what keeping a 100-year-old building running requires. His other passions include restoring Hammond organs and spending time with his family.
Olivia Stonner she/her/hers
Bar Manager
Olivia graduated from the School of Visual Arts with a BFA in photography. She spent five years bartending at a cabaret-style nightclub in NYC before finding her way to the Abbey. She’s passionate about the Abbey’s mission to bring more opportunities to underrepresented communities in Portland.
Alberta Abbey also has an amazing pool of part-time event staff and volunteers. Special thanks to our Volunteer Coordinator, Ilene Stark.
Board of Directors
Brian Gillis
—
Chair, Executive Committee · Professor of Art, University of Oregon
Jerry Peterson
—
Board Member · Chef / Owner, Southern Grill Catering
Jeana Woolley
—
Board Member · Community Developer & Activist, NE Portland
Dorianna Phillips
—
Treasurer · Director of Attorney Recruiting, Fisher Phillips
Nova Moisa
—
Board Member · Product Leader & Community Advocate, NE Portland
Join our team
We’re always looking for passionate people who believe in affordable arts, community, and the power of this building.