2024 Outdoor School Grant Program

The Gray Family Foundation's Outdoor School Grant Program is designed to bolster the capacity of schools and outdoor education providers in Oregon, ensuring that all 5th and 6th-grade students across the state have access to high-quality outdoor school experiences. This initiative directly aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering environmental education and connection to nature, which are integral to the holistic development of young people and the long-term stewardship of Oregon's natural and built environments. The foundation acts strategically to address existing barriers, particularly for communities and schools not yet prepared to access programmatic funding directly from OSU Extension Outdoor School. The primary beneficiaries of this program are all Oregon 5th and 6th-grade students, with a specific focus on increasing access for those in geographic regions or communities with limited or no outdoor school opportunities, as well as students from private, charter, and home schools who may be ineligible for OSU Extension Service funding. The overarching impact goals are to improve access to outdoor school programs, systematically integrate environmental education into the K-12 system, and ensure outdoor school providers are better equipped to engage and support Oregon's diverse populations with culturally responsive programming. In 2024, the Gray Family Foundation is accepting three types of funding requests. These include planning grants for schools or districts to launch or revise outdoor school programs, and planning grants for outdoor school program providers to enhance their capacity to serve all 5th and 6th-grade Oregon students. A crucial priority is also given to program grants for schools or student groups currently ineligible for OSU Extension Service Outdoor School funding, acknowledging the limitations of how these funds can be distributed. While the foundation encourages exploring alternative Measure 99 funds, they remain committed to ensuring participation for all students. The anticipated outcomes and measurable results of the program include an increased number of districts and ESDs applying for OSU Extension programmatic funding in future years, improved access to outdoor school programs for all eligible students, and a greater integration of environmental education within the K-12 system. Furthermore, the foundation expects outdoor school providers to be more prepared to effectively engage diverse populations, leading to an outdoor school experience that truly reflects the varied perspectives, knowledge, and relationships of all Oregonians as stewards of their environment. The Gray Family Foundation's strategic priorities are evident in its investment to build capacity, address funding gaps, and foster a more inclusive and equitable outdoor education landscape, with a recognition that 2024 may be the final year for direct outdoor school program funding.