| SOLVE | |
| Formerly: | SOLV; Sustaining Oregon's Legacy by Volunteering; Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism |
| Type: | Nonprofit |
| Tax Id: | 93-0579286 |
| Status: | 501(c)(3) |
| Headquarters: | Portland, Oregon |
| Leader Title: | Board Chair |
| Leader Name: | Doug Morris |
| Leader Title2: | Chief Executive Officer |
| Leader Name2: | Kris Carico |
| Website: | https://www.solveoregon.org/ |
SOLVE (formerly SOLV, Sustaining Oregon's Legacy by Volunteering,[1] originally an acronym for Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) is an environmental non-profit organization working throughout the U.S. state of Oregon. The group is based in Portland.[2] [3]
SOLVE was founded in 1969 by Oregon Governor Tom McCall with the goal of reducing and cleaning up litter and vandalism throughout Oregon. [4] In 1976, SOLVE hired Blanche Schroeder, Portland Chamber of Commerce lobbyist, to act as Executive Director of SOLVE on a part-time basis.[5] The first statewide citizen volunteer Beach Cleanup in the nation was organized by SOLVE in 1984.[4] Since then, annual beach cleanups have spread to every state in the U.S.,[4] all U.S. territories, and more than 100 countries around the world.
Jack McGowan became the director of the group in 1990, and continued as its leader until 2008.[4] Over time, SOLVE has expanded its work to include education efforts, removal of invasive species, and planting of native species.[6] In April 2008, Dianna Smiley took over as director after McGowan retired,[7] and she was replaced in January 2010 by Melisa McDonald. The current Chief Executive Officer is Kris Carico. [8] [9] As of 2019, the organization had a $1.5 million budget.[10]