Oregon Education Grants

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, has launched the Façade Grant Program to revitalize its downtown area. This program aligns with the DDA's mission to serve as a resource to the City Council for downtown revitalization through strategic land use planning, land banking, business recruitment and retention, and the execution of the community's vision for a vibrant and inclusive urban center. The grant specifically targets businesses within the Downtown Entertainment District, aiming to encourage and support exterior renovations that enhance the aesthetic appeal and overall vitality of the area. The primary beneficiaries of this program are businesses located within the Downtown Entertainment District. The impact goals are centered on improving the physical appearance of downtown buildings, stimulating economic activity, and fostering a more attractive and inclusive urban environment. By offering reimbursement for façade renovations, the DDA seeks to reduce the financial burden on businesses, thereby encouraging investment in property improvements and contributing to a more appealing downtown. The program prioritizes projects that enhance or update the exterior of buildings, including activities such as painting, restoration, stabilization, awning additions, and improved signage. Eligibility criteria dictate that projects must be within the Downtown Entertainment District, and reimbursement is solely for expenses incurred during exterior façade renovations. Furthermore, all projects must comply with applicable building, development, and zoning regulations, and properties on the National Historic Register require a preservation review. Expected outcomes include a visibly improved and more attractive downtown area, increased business investment in property aesthetics, and a boost in overall community pride and engagement. Measurable results for the program include the number of businesses participating, the total amount of grant funds disbursed, the types of renovations undertaken, and the completion of approved work within the stipulated twelve-month timeframe. The reimbursement structure, covering half of the total project cost up to $2,500 per grant, provides a tangible incentive for businesses to participate.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educators in Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and Siskiyou counties for environmental and wildlife education programs aimed at children in grades K-6 and other youth under 18.

The Whipple Foundation Fund, established by Mildred Whipple in 2003, aims to improve and enhance lifelong learning for the residents of Douglas County. The fund supports the reopening of libraries that were previously part of the Douglas County Library System, with a particular emphasis on reopening the Mildred Whipple Library in Drain. The fund also intends to make an annual grant to the American Leadership Forum to support the participation of an emerging leader from Douglas County. Additionally, the fund prioritizes early childhood programs from prenatal to kindergarten readiness, focusing on initiatives that address school readiness and healthy families in collaboration with other funders. While these priorities receive high consideration, other projects supporting the education of Douglas County residents may also apply. The fund has two grant deadlines annually: January 15 for a spring OCF board decision and July 15 for a fall OCF board decision. Completed applications should be emailed to [email protected]. More information can be found on the grant application and past recipients can be viewed on the provided link. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Winter deadline: December 1st to January 15th

The Youth Opioid Prevention Grant Program (YOPGP) in Oregon City is dedicated to preventing opioid misuse and reducing overdose deaths among young people through evidence-based or evidence-informed strategies. The program aligns with a mission to improve the community's overall quality of life by investing directly in youth-focused initiatives. It seeks to create a healthier environment for young individuals by addressing the critical issue of opioid-related harms. The primary beneficiaries of this program are the youth within the Oregon City community. The impact goals are twofold: to discourage or prevent the misuse of opioids and to prevent or reduce overdose deaths and other opioid-related harms. This is achieved by focusing on comprehensive prevention efforts and harm reduction strategies specifically tailored for young people, aiming to foster a safer and more resilient youth population. The program prioritizes two main areas: preventing opioid misuse and preventing overdose deaths and other harms. Under misuse prevention, strategies include media campaigns, corrective advertising, drug take-back programs, and evidence-based prevention in schools and communities. It also emphasizes addressing mental health needs of young people at risk of misusing opioids, including emotional modulation, resilience skills, and increased access to mental health services through schools and behavioral health workers. For harm reduction, the focus is on increasing the availability and distribution of naloxone and other overdose-treating drugs, alongside training and education for various community members and organizations. The expected outcomes include a measurable decrease in youth opioid misuse and a reduction in overdose deaths and other opioid-related harms in Oregon City. The program anticipates improved community well-being and a more informed and resilient youth population capable of making healthier choices. The strategic approach is rooted in a theory of change that posits that by implementing evidence-based prevention and harm reduction programs, providing mental health support, and increasing access to life-saving resources, the incidence of opioid misuse and its associated negative consequences among youth will significantly decline. The funding for the YOPGP comes from the Oregon City Budget Committee, which earmarks $40,000 annually. The City plans to distribute up to $40,000 in awards each year, with individual grants capped at $20,000 for a one-year duration (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025). Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, schools or institutions of higher learning, and local government advisory committees, departments, or coalitions. Projects must not involve major capital improvements, promote or inhibit religion, discriminate, or replace existing funding sources.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for small-scale marketing projects that promote tourism in the Manzanita area during the off-season, helping local businesses attract visitors when traffic is typically lower.

This grant provides financial support to local visual artists, writers, performers, and musicians in Clatsop and Tillamook counties to create original work and engage the community through public presentations or educational activities.

The Oregon Arts Commission's Arts Learning Grants program aims to foster high-quality projects that enhance learning in and through the arts for K-12 students. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission by promoting artistic engagement and education, recognizing the vital role of arts in student development. The program seeks to bridge the gap between artists and educators, facilitating a knowledge exchange that enriches both teaching practices and student experiences. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are K-12 students who will gain responsive learning opportunities in the arts. The program also targets artists and educators, fostering collaboration and professional development. The overarching impact goals are to improve the achievement, skills, and attitudes of learners by providing access to high-quality arts education. This focuses on holistic development, recognizing that arts education contributes to academic success, critical thinking, and personal growth. Key priorities for this grant include the quality of learning opportunities, the responsiveness of the project to specific population needs, and the appropriateness of the selected teaching artists' skill sets. Artistic excellence and merit are also critical considerations. The program emphasizes strong project support, evaluating the readiness of staff, the viability of recruitment plans for target populations, and the commitment to supporting teaching artists throughout the project. The clarity and relevance of the project budget are also reviewed to ensure efficient and effective use of funds. Expected outcomes include enhanced artistic skills, improved attitudes towards learning, and increased achievement among K-12 students. Measurable results will be assessed based on the articulation of changes in learners as a result of the project and the viability of the process used to measure these changes. This structured evaluation approach ensures that projects are not only well-intentioned but also demonstrably effective in achieving their stated goals. The Oregon Arts Commission's strategic priority through this program is to strengthen arts education across the state. While a specific "theory of change" is not explicitly detailed, it can be inferred that the commission believes that by investing in high-quality arts learning opportunities and fostering collaboration between artists and educators, K-12 students will experience improved outcomes in their artistic abilities, academic achievement, and personal development, ultimately contributing to a more culturally enriched and educated populace.

The City of Wilsonville is offering Community Opportunity Grants to fund projects and services that promote education, diversity, arts, or community involvement, aiming to provide entertainment and strengthen the community within Wilsonville. This grant program aligns with a mission to foster community engagement and cultural enrichment. The total funding for this program is $25,000, distributed in two grant cycles of $12,500 each per fiscal year. The target beneficiaries for these grants are Wilsonville community organizations, projects, or charitable/non-profit organizations that have been in operation for at least twelve months, or have demonstrated commensurate experience. The grants specifically aim to impact residents of Wilsonville by offering educational, artistic, and entertaining opportunities, promoting diversity, and encouraging civic engagement. The grant prioritizes projects, events, or services that further educational or artistic opportunities, encourage and foster diversity, provide entertainment and personal growth, advance civic engagement or community leadership, and involve Wilsonville's youth or elderly population in community activities. Expenses related to staff, paid volunteers, and general operating expenses (with the exception of space rental) are not eligible for funding. Expected outcomes include enhanced educational and artistic opportunities, increased diversity, strengthened community bonds, greater civic engagement, and improved community leadership within Wilsonville. Measurable results would be tied to the specific projects funded, such as participation rates in events, increased access to educational programs, or the number of community members engaged in leadership initiatives. Organizations must use funds for a specific project within the City of Wilsonville and are only eligible for one grant per fiscal year. Compliance with grant procedures, including filing a final financial statement and project evaluation, is also required for future eligibility.

This scholarship provides financial assistance to LGBTQ+ students from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, or Washington who demonstrate leadership and face systemic barriers to education, prioritizing those in marginalized communities.

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 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is offering the 2024 Monarch Butterfly and Pollinators Conservation Fund (Pollinator Fund) to advance pollinator conservation. The core mission of this fund is to protect, conserve, and increase habitat for the monarch butterfly and other native insect pollinators. This aligns with NFWF’s broader Monarch Butterfly Business Plan, indicating a strategic, long-term commitment to these species. The fund aims to support both technical assistance for private working lands and direct habitat improvement projects. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include monarch butterflies and other at-risk native insect pollinator species, such as the rusty patched bumble bee, Franklin’s bumble bee, Karner blue butterfly, Dakota skipper, Poweshiek skipperling, and Mitchell’s satyr. The program also indirectly benefits private landowners, farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners, especially those in Historically Underserved and Special Emphasis categories, by providing resources and incentives for conservation practices on their lands. The overall impact goal is to significantly enhance the quality, quantity, and connectivity of pollinator habitat across eligible states. The Pollinator Fund has two main categories of focus. The first is Technical Assistance for Private Working Lands, which prioritizes increasing voluntary engagement of private landowners in conservation practices through staff resources and targeted outreach for Farm Bill programs like CSP and EQIP. The second category, Habitat Improvement, focuses on on-the-ground restoration and enhancement of pollinator habitat, emphasizing regionally appropriate milkweed and diverse native nectar plants, as well as increasing the supply of native seeds and seedlings. These priorities align with NFWF's strategic goal of fostering sustainable ecosystems through direct habitat restoration and incentivizing private land stewardship. Expected outcomes and measurable results are central to this program. All proposals must demonstrate how they will directly and measurably contribute to the Pollinator Fund's goals, specifically by providing the number of acres restored or enhanced. A minimum of 100 acres in California or 500 acres in all other eligible states must be restored or enhanced. Historically, successful projects have averaged 2,120 acres, indicating a substantial scale for expected impact. The program's theory of change posits that by providing financial assistance and technical support, and by focusing on key geographical areas and species, NFWF can effectively reverse declines in monarch and other native pollinator populations, thereby contributing to broader ecosystem health and biodiversity. The total funding of up to $5.1 million in 2024, contributed by a diverse group of partners, underscores the collaborative and impactful nature of this strategic initiative.

The Cultural Coalition of Washington County in Oregon is offering grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support arts, culture, and humanities projects that promote cultural diversity, community partnerships, and public engagement, with priority given to nonprofit organizations and educational institutions that serve the residents of Washington County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to schools, districts, and outdoor school providers in Oregon to create or improve outdoor school programs for fifth and sixth-grade students, ensuring all students have access to enriching outdoor experiences.

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

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations in Oregon and Washington to create and expand workforce programs for individuals referred from shelters, helping those who have experienced homelessness gain employment and essential skills.

This funding opportunity supports Oregon-based organizations in developing programs that help at-risk youth aged 6 to 19 achieve educational success, improve mental and physical wellness, and engage with their communities.

The Oregon Arts Commission's Arts Build Communities program offers a one-year grant of $5,000 to arts and community-based organizations in Oregon, aiming to address local issues through arts-based solutions, with a focus on underserved communities and projects that integrate arts with community goals.

The Social Justice Fund NorthWest (SJF) is offering the 2024 Base Building Grant, aimed at strengthening grassroots organizations in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. This grant directly aligns with SJF's mission to foster social justice by investing in community organizing as a primary strategy. The program focuses on "Base Building," defined as a tactic that expands the number and engagement of people who share a vision for social justice and actively work to achieve it through organized strategies. This approach underscores SJF's strategic priority of empowering communities to drive systemic change. The grant targets organizations committed to community organizing and led by those most directly affected by the issues they address. Specifically, SJF prioritizes organizations with at least 51% leadership from Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, or those working predominantly in reservation, rural, or small-town communities. The impact goals are to build collective power, widen the base of engaged individuals, develop strong leadership within communities, and implement effective long-term strategies. The expected outcomes include a critical mass of collective power capable of winning and defending policy, cultural, or institutional changes, as well as a diverse and actively engaged membership. SJF's community organizing framework emphasizes four key areas: Collective Power, Widening the Base, Leadership Development, and Strategy and Long-Term Planning. Under Collective Power, the focus is on building a diverse membership and achieving policy or cultural wins. Widening the Base involves fostering authentic relationships with those most affected, recruiting new people, and using varied, tailored communication methods, including face-to-face engagement. Leadership Development ensures clear entry points to leadership, accessible political education, and continuous engagement and agitation. Finally, Strategy and Long-Term Planning requires organizations to develop and adapt a comprehensive base-building plan with clear goals, timelines, infrastructure, and accountability structures. The grant, providing $100,000 over two years ($50,000 annually), is open to nonprofit organizations, tribal agencies, or fiscally sponsored groups with 501(c)3 or 501(c)4 status, or federally recognized American Indian tribal governments. This funding mechanism directly supports SJF's theory of change, which posits that sustained investment in community-led organizing, focused on these core elements, will lead to meaningful and lasting social justice outcomes in the specified regions.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote environmental conservation, such as improving soil health and water quality, particularly benefiting low-income communities and people of color in East Multnomah County.