Oregon Community Development Grants

The Greater Hermiston Community Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of its 2024 grant cycle. Local organizations serving Hermiston, Umatilla, Stanfield, Echo, and Irrigon are invited to apply for funding to support projects with a lasting and positive impact on the community. Mission and Focus: The Foundation is dedicated to promoting the well-being and prosperity of the Greater Hermiston area. Eligible projects must demonstrate clear and measurable benefits to the community, emphasizing long-term value and sustainability. Grant Amounts: Grants of up to $10,000 will be awarded to selected organizations aligning with the Foundation's mission and priorities. Funding can support a variety of activities, including community development, education, health, wellness, arts, and cultural enrichment. Statement from Greg Harris, Chair: "We are thrilled to offer local organizations the opportunity to receive support for their vital work through community donations. These grants empower organizations to make a meaningful impact and contribute to our communities' long-term vitality." Application Process: Organizations can access grant applications online. The submission deadline is May 31, 2024. Please carefully review the grant guidelines and application instructions before applying.

The OSU Extension Service Outdoor School provides funding for outdoor educational programs in Oregon that last between three to six days during the school year. Eligible programs must be educational experiences occurring during school hours and cater to Oregon students, typically in 5th or 6th grade. The funding supports programs aiming to enhance outdoor learning, and may include additional support such as indirect cost reimbursements if reports are submitted by certain deadlines. The program stresses the importance of including all students and provides alternatives for those who opt-out, ensuring inclusive access to outdoor education.

This grant provides financial support for projects in human services, education, the arts, and public interest issues that benefit residents of Jackson and Josephine Counties in Oregon.

This program provides financial assistance to arts organizations in Oregon to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities, helping them cover costs related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation offers grant opportunities for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governmental bodies within Douglas County, Oregon. Focusing on Basic Needs, Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Education, Health and Wellness, and Community Support, the Foundation aims to fund projects that have a significant impact within the communities of Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane Counties. With a maximum grant amount of $15,000. The Foundation emphasizes support for small grants that contribute meaningfully to the project or program, limiting organizations to one proposal per year unless specified otherwise. A final report is required from all grantees before reapplying. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/closing deadlines: March 2nd to September 1st

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation offers grant opportunities for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governmental bodies within Douglas County, Oregon. Focusing on Basic Needs, Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Education, Health and Wellness, and Community Support, the Foundation aims to fund projects that have a significant impact within the communities of Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane Counties. With a maximum grant amount of $15,000. The Foundation emphasizes support for small grants that contribute meaningfully to the project or program, limiting organizations to one proposal per year unless specified otherwise. A final report is required from all grantees before reapplying. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/closing deadlines: March 2nd to September 1st

The Cow Creek Umpqua Indian Foundation offers grant opportunities for nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and local governmental bodies within Douglas County, Oregon. Focusing on Basic Needs, Abuse Prevention and Intervention, Education, Health and Wellness, and Community Support, the Foundation aims to fund projects that have a significant impact within the communities of Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, and Lane Counties. With a maximum grant amount of $15,000. The Foundation emphasizes support for small grants that contribute meaningfully to the project or program, limiting organizations to one proposal per year unless specified otherwise. A final report is required from all grantees before reapplying. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Fall opening/closing deadlines: March 2nd to September 1st

The Carpenter Foundation accepts grant applications exclusively from tax-exempt agencies and does not fund individuals. Grants are generally awarded for a single year, with considerations made primarily within Jackson and Josephine Counties, Oregon, although some statewide public interest initiatives may also be supported. The Foundation rarely supports multi-year projects, historical projects, hospital constructions, or religious activities. It focuses its funding on four primary areas: Human Services, Education, Arts, and Public Interest. Applicants must apply through the online portal and ensure all proposal documents and attachments meet specific requirements before submission. Additionally, interviews with the Program Review Committee are a critical part of the application process to discuss and clarify proposal details. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual deadlines: the last Friday of January, April, July, and October each year.

The Douglas Community Fund offers competitive grants specifically aimed at supporting medical and other various needs within Douglas County. With its origins in funding a regional medical facility, the fund places a high priority on the medical needs of the community. Grants range from $2,000 to $10,000, with some reaching $15,000-$20,000. Applicants are notified of their status in late March to early April. This grant program does not support multiyear funding requests. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual opening/ closing deadline: December 1st to January 16th

The State Library of Oregon works to improve library service for all Oregonians through their local public libraries. As state-funded non-competitive grants, Ready to Read funds are an essential part of this mission. Grants are distributed annually to all legally established public libraries who apply for and report on their yearly grant spending. In the late 1970’s, state funding was initially allocated to support libraries serving preschool aged children. This has changed over time to include an expanded focus on summer reading projects. The Oregon Revised Statutes governing the Ready to Read grant program can be found in 357.740-357.780. Grant renewed every year. Ready to Read grants help communities support our youngest Oregonians using the below early literacy and summer reading outcomes to direct their work. Outcomes are broad enough to allow all libraries, regardless of size and location, to address a meaningful early literacy and/or summer reading community need. Libraries choose annually which outcomes they will work towards in their communities. Early Literacy Outcome #1: Young children develop the 6 early literacy skills by the time they start kindergarten. Early Literacy Outcome #2: Adults enjoy reading, singing, talking, writing, and playing with their young children regularly to help them develop early literacy skills. Summer Reading Outcome #1: Youth maintain or improve their literacy skills over the summer. Summer Reading Outcome #2: Youth demonstrate their love of reading and learning by choosing to engage in these activities during their free time over the summer. Summer Reading Outcome #3: Adults enjoy spending time engaging in early literacy activities with youth over the summer to help them develop literacy skills. Each biennium, the Legislature allocates a total amount of Ready to Read funding, half of which is distributed each year of the biennium. Grant amounts are calculated each fiscal year with a formula assigning 80% of the grant based on the number of children ages 0-14 being served, and 20% based on the library's geographic area service boundaries. Libraries receive a minimum grant amount of $1000 and apply for the exact amount they are allocated each year. For 2024, the State Library plans to distribute $818,461 to 143 public libraries in December 2023 to use in their Ready to Read projects. For 2024, some allocated grant amounts may look slightly different than in previous years.Mostly this is due to a decrease or increase in the population of children in a particular service district. You can view the 2024 preliminary grant amounts posted here. If you have questions about your library's amount, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Please also remember that this is not a final amount - if any libraries decide not to apply for their allocated amount, their allocation is redistributed among all applying libraries.

The Lilja Family Fund, managed by the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), provides grants and scholarships specifically targeting communities in South Douglas County, including Canyonville, Riddle, Tri-City, Camas Valley, Myrtle Creek, Days Creek, Milo, Azalea, and Glendale. Established through the estates of Don Lilja and his sister Helen, the fund annually allocates approximately $40,000 for grants to support projects within K-12 education, early childhood education, youth development, literacy, culture, and community enhancement, excluding requests for teacher salaries, basic equipment and supplies, or replacing government funding. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $10,000. Applications are accepted annually from June 1 to July 15 through the MyOCF portal. Scholarship eligibility extends to graduates from specified public and private high schools in South Douglas County, with applications due to the Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) by March 1 each year. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/ closing deadline: June 1st to July 15th

The D.E. & Jane Clark Fund, established by the Oregon Community Foundation in 2013, is dedicated to supporting the general operations of nonprofits within Baker County and the town of North Powder. This fund focuses on charitable purposes, targeting organizations that contribute positively to these areas. The grant program offers financial support with an average grant size of $2,500, and considers applications from nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, churches, and schools. Eligible proposals undergo a committee review process, with grants awarded during the fall season. The application window is open annually from June 1 to July 15, strictly disallowing multiyear funding requests. Applicants must use the MyOCF portal for submission, with required attachments including IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status letters and organizational financial documents. Grant sizes typically range between $2,000 and $10,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual opening/closing deadline: June 1st to July 15th

The Rural Population Health Incubator Program, administered by the Office of Rural Health (ORH), aims to enhance community health in rural Oregon by offering grants that support population health and health equity initiatives. This program consolidates previous grant offerings into a singular initiative that provides larger grants and comprehensive support throughout the grant cycle. Key features of the program include a $10,000 grant, participation in a cohort of fellow grantees, and specialized support from ORH. The Incubator focuses on innovative programs that address needs around population health, health equity, and social drivers of health, prioritizing high-needs service areas, marginalized populations, and projects that foster community partnerships.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government entities in Oregon that aim to improve public welfare through charitable and educational initiatives.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Oregon's Lane, Benton, and Deschutes counties that are working on impactful projects in the arts, education, health, and community development.

The Roundhouse Foundation's Open Call Grants aim to support organizations that contribute to the thriving of rural Oregon communities, including Tribal communities. These grants prioritize proposals that span 12-18 months, with funding amounts not exceeding $50,000; however, the median award is approximately $20,000. Preferred projects are innovative, collaborative, and align with the foundation's focus areas: Arts & Culture, Environmental Stewardship, Social Services, and Education. Proposals should demonstrate a commitment to rural Oregon, support sustainable practices, and foster economic resilience. Capital requests for facility development are not funded, but program-aligned infrastructure enhancements are considered. Grant renewed every year. 2 cycles per year

The Ben Serafin Fund, established under the Oregon Community Foundation in 2007, honors the legacy of Ben Serafin—a notable community leader and founder of the Fall Creek Ranch Foundation. Residing in Glide, Douglas County, this fund annually allocates approximately $50,000 for competitive grants specifically aimed at supporting local service districts and nonprofits within Douglas County, with a preferential focus on organizations based in and serving the Glide community. The fund facilitates grant sizes ranging from $2,000 to $15,000, with possibilities for larger awards. The annual application window spans from June 1 to July 15, emphasizing projects that do not request multiyear funding. Additionally, the fund offers scholarships prioritizing graduates from Glide High School, extending financial support over four years with annual application requirements. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual opening/closing deadline: June 1st to July 15th

The Lilja Family Fund was established by Don Lilja and his sister Helen through their estates to support communities in South Douglas County, Oregon, including Canyonville, Riddle, Tri-City, Camas Valley, Myrtle Creek, Days Creek, Milo, Azalea, and Glendale. The fund annually provides approximately $40,000 in grants to projects that address priorities in K-12 education, early childhood education, youth development, literacy, culture, and community. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with priority given to projects offering direct student services and not covering basic operational costs. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual opening/closing deadline: 06/01 to 07/15

The Lilja Family Fund was established by Don Lilja and his sister Helen through their estates to support communities in South Douglas County, Oregon, including Canyonville, Riddle, Tri-City, Camas Valley, Myrtle Creek, Days Creek, Milo, Azalea, and Glendale. The fund annually provides approximately $40,000 in grants to projects that address priorities in K-12 education, early childhood education, youth development, literacy, culture, and community. Grants typically range from $2,000 to $10,000, with priority given to projects offering direct student services and not covering basic operational costs. Grant renewed every year. Grant annual opening/closing deadline: 06/01 to 07/15

The LIFE Center Fund, administered by the Oregon Community Foundation, provides two-year grants to organizations in North, Northeast, and Southeast Portland that assist individuals in critical need. The grants, ranging from $7,500 to $10,000 per year, support the provision of food, clothing, household items, prescription and hygiene assistance, and school supplies. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3), and proposals from organizations outside Portland city limits are accepted if they allocate grant funds for residents in the specified areas. Priority is given to applications that align with the mission of the LIFE Center Fund, demonstrate a clear impact, and have not received funding in the previous grant year. The use of fiscal sponsors is permitted, subject to certain conditions. The application process requires the completion of forms and the submission of various attachments, including project budgets, board member information, financial statements, and supporting letters. Grantees will be required to submit reports on their activities. For more information, contact Michael Oreste, Program Officer, at [email protected].