It started with a conversation.
Deborah Nelson has been investing in small businesses for decades, including ours. She has been my business partner, an angel investor and a steady supporter of the social-purpose work that has always been important to me.
The fund began during a weekend when my own hope was being tested. I reached out to Deborah and Jessica Metta with a question: could we create something together that would put meaningful financial support directly into the hands of local small-business owners?
The answer was yes.
With Deborah’s founding contribution, we established the Deborah Ann Angel Fund through Four Rivers Community Corporation in March 2025.
What began as a response to a difficult moment became something we intend to carry forward as part of NovaStella’s commitment to social purpose.
Briea O’Duinn
Founder, NovaStella
Community partners
The Deborah Ann Angel Fund was established through Four Rivers Community Corporation. Mid-Columbia Economic Development District has also supported the grant program.
A community-led review process
Applications are reviewed by a volunteer Fund Management Committee.
Applicants first complete an eligibility review. Applications that meet the requirements advance to judging, where committee members independently review the application using a common framework before the committee deliberates.
Committee members are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves from reviewing or deliberating on an application when a conflict exists.