Chambers Family Foundation Grants

The Chambers Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization founded by Carolyn Silva Chambers in 1999. Based in Eugene, Oregon, the Foundation was established with a commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of communities in Lane and Benton counties. Carolyn Chambers, a pioneer in the communications industry and a devoted supporter of community development, envisioned the Foundation as a vehicle to support diverse initiatives across arts, education, health, medical, and human services. Since its inception, the Foundation has awarded over $21 million in grants to more than 500 organizations, showcasing a sustained impact on community development within its designated region. The Foundation’s grantmaking prioritizes projects aligned with its core values and those identified by its trustees as having significant community benefit. While broad in its areas of support—including arts, education, medical, health, and human needs—it strictly confines eligibility to organizations and projects that directly serve Lane and Benton counties in Oregon. Recent changes have further narrowed its geographic focus by ceasing funding to Deschutes County, underscoring the Foundation's strategic decision to concentrate impact locally. Applicants are required to submit a complete grant application, which includes a detailed proposal outlining the project’s objectives, intended use of funds, a comprehensive budget, and a narrative demonstrating organizational capacity and community benefit. Required supporting documents include a copy of the IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter, a list of the organization’s board of directors, current financial statements or the most recent IRS Form 990, and a breakdown of funding if the request spans both eligible counties. These documents should be consolidated into as few attachments as possible and submitted either by mail or electronically to [email protected]. The application process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. The Foundation does not use an online portal; rather, applicants must download the application form, complete it manually, and attach all required documentation. This form requests detailed organizational and financial data, including current and historical fiscal information, major funding sources, and the number of clients served. The applicant must clearly define how the funds will be used and specify the amount requested. Grants may be requested for partial or full funding of eligible projects, but the Foundation requires transparency about other funding sources and pledges. Proposals are reviewed biannually, with deadlines on March 31 for the spring cycle and September 30 for the fall cycle. Decisions are rendered in June and December, respectively. Applications can be submitted at any time, but must be complete and received by the relevant deadline to be considered. If an application is declined but recommended for future review, it may be resubmitted in a subsequent cycle. There are no rolling deadlines or invitations; applications are considered only during these two set review periods. Contact for the Foundation is available through the administrative email address, and applicants may seek clarification or assistance via email communication. There is no designated pre-application or LOI process. The Foundation encourages concise, complete, and well-organized submissions to facilitate efficient review. This grant opportunity is ideal for 501(c)(3) organizations that operate in Lane or Benton County and work in the foundation's priority areas. The next upcoming application deadline is September 30, 2026, with decisions expected in December 2026.

Consolidate all supporting documents into as few attachments as possible to streamline review.