Deschutes County Circuit Court Judge Wells Ashby sentenced Dawn Holland, of Bend, Oregon, to 42 months in prison for embezzling funds from the nonprofit she founded, DAWN’s House. Holland will also serve 36 months of post-prison supervision following her release.
DAWNS House was founded in 2014 as a residential placement for women battling addiction, providing an alternative to homelessness while participants attended outpatient treatment and worked toward sobriety. The nonprofit relied on donations and grants and received substantial community support due to the importance of its mission. Holland previously received public recognition for her role with the organization, including being named the Bend Chamber of Commerce’s Woman of the Year in 2019.
However, financial records revealed that, for years, Holland was embezzling funds from the nonprofit she started, spending the money for her own benefit. A forensic audit conducted by the Oregon Department of Justice identified approximately $418,000 that was diverted from DAWNS House between 2019 and 2023. The money was spent at casinos, on vacation travel, online gambling and auction websites, ATM withdrawals, and vehicle purchases.
“This case is incredibly tragic,” stated Deputy District Attorney Matthew Nelson. “The women at DAWNS House were themselves fighting for stability and sobriety. They deserved better than to have the limited resources available to them diverted to gambling websites, casinos, and personal purchases. Ms. Holland understood, intimately, the vulnerability of those she betrayed.”
Holland pleaded guilty to five counts of Aggravated Theft in the First Degree. As part of her sentence, she was ordered to pay $418,000 in restitution to DAWNS House and paid $100,000 at sentencing. She also signed an
Assurance of Voluntary Compliance with the Oregon Department of Justice Charitable Activities Section, agreeing that she will not form another nonprofit, work as an officer on another nonprofit board, or solicit grants or funds on behalf of another nonprofit.
The case was investigated by Detective Chad Owens of the Bend Police Department and Kris Kolanges of the Oregon Department of Justice. Prosecution was led by Deputy District Attorney Matthew Nelson, with the assistance of Kari Dethlefsen and Jennifer Snow.Page 2 of 2 Dawn Holland Press Release.
District Attorney Steve Gunnels stated: “While we recognize that addiction is a disease that devastates individuals and families, Ms. Holland’s conduct represents an extraordinary breach of trust. Her actions have damaged not only this specific nonprofit but have potentially undermined public confidence in charitable giving within our community. This sentence reflects the seriousness of exploiting a position of trust within a charitable organization dedicated to helping some of our community’s most vulnerable members.”
This press release was issued by Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels.
This story is based on submitted information and has not been verified by our news team.
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