Oregon Education Grants

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

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects that improve tourism facilities and enhance visitor experiences in Tillamook County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to municipalities, public agencies, and nonprofit organizations in Lincoln County for projects that promote community and economic development, particularly those that create jobs and have measurable local impact.

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

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Oregon and Washington that provide innovative housing solutions and research initiatives to improve the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Clackamas County Public Health Division (CCPHD) Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) is offering a grant opportunity to independently owned convenience stores in Clackamas County, Oregon. The program's core mission is to mitigate the adverse public health effects of tobacco by incentivizing retailers to cease tobacco sales and transition to a business model that actively supports community health. This initiative aligns with broader public health goals of reducing tobacco use and promoting healthier environments, reflecting a strategic priority to leverage economic incentives for positive health outcomes within the community. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are independently operated convenience stores located in Clackamas County that are not part of a corporate franchise. These stores must hold a valid Oregon Tobacco Retail License and actively sell tobacco products as of the application deadline. The impact goal is to transform these retailers into pillars of community health by fostering environments that offer healthier product choices and reduce access to tobacco. This change is expected to lead to improved public health indicators within Clackamas County, particularly concerning tobacco-related illnesses and youth access. The program prioritizes supporting the transitioning retailers through various mechanisms. In addition to grant funding of up to $20,000, TPEP offers ongoing technical assistance from LivelihoodNW for business plan development, assistance with becoming authorized to accept SNAP and WIC benefits, connections to local producers for new product categories, professionally designed promotional materials, and earned media/community outreach. These comprehensive support services are designed to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of the new, healthy business models. Expected outcomes include retailers experiencing increased profits from higher mark-up products, an expanded customer base, savings on tobacco licenses, and enhanced public perception. Measurable results will likely involve a reduction in tobacco sales outlets in Clackamas County, an increase in the availability of healthy food options in participating stores, and heightened community awareness of the benefits of healthy retail. The theory of change posits that by empowering individual retailers with financial incentives and robust support, a ripple effect will occur, positively influencing community health and inspiring other businesses to consider similar transitions.

Community Grant of up to $5,000, thanks to a partnership between Pioneer Connect and The Foundation for Rural Service. ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES Business and Economic Development Community Development Education Telecommunications applications GRANT VALUE We are accepting grant requests from $250 to $5,000. Ten percent of the total grant award comes from Pioneer Connect, which will be your sponsor when applying. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS Grant proposals must be submitted using the format provided. Do not submit application in the form of a dissertation. Follow the outline as questions are asked. Not following the guidelines or incomplete proposals will not be considered. APPLICATION DEADLINE IS AUGUST 31, 2024 Awards are made at the end of the year, normally around Thanksgiving. To apply, submit your application materials below or email to [email protected].

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in Oregon that provide workforce development initiatives to help residents gain skills and employment, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The FY2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community Grant, offered by the Executive Office of Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Mayor’s Office of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA), seeks grant applications from qualified Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) serving the District of Columbia’s AAPI community. This grant program is aligned with the broader mission of empowering District residents, fostering public safety, and enhancing education. MOAPIA's strategic priorities are evident in the funding areas, which aim to improve the quality of life for all residents and build stronger communities. The grant targets members of the AAPI community of all ages residing in the District of Columbia. The impact goals are to create a vibrant downtown where residents, workers, and visitors can live, work, and play, fight to protect the middle class, reduce all forms of violence including gun violence, and ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. These goals reflect a comprehensive theory of change that by investing in key areas, the District can foster a more equitable, safe, and prosperous environment for its AAPI residents. The program prioritizes initiatives within three key funding areas: Downtown Comeback, Public Safety, and Education. The Downtown Comeback focus seeks to reimagine a downtown with vibrant centers of activity and ensure job opportunities for Washingtonians across all eight wards, enabling them to build better lives. The Public Safety focus aims to create significant, lasting change by reducing and ultimately ending all types of violence, including gun violence. The Education focus emphasizes supporting schools as community heartbeats, ensuring every child has access to quality education, including reading, math, sports, arts, civic engagement, and youth engagement. Expected outcomes include a more vibrant and economically secure downtown, a reduction in violence and improved public safety across the District, and enhanced educational opportunities and well-being for students and residents. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the funding areas and target populations, the grant's emphasis on progress reports reflecting substantial progress towards grant agreement goals suggests a commitment to accountability and impact. Eligible organizations can be awarded up to $40,000 for a project period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, further indicating a structured approach to achieving these outcomes.

This grant provides funding for organizations to establish and manage temporary severe weather shelters in Grants Pass, Oregon, ensuring safety and support for unhoused residents during extreme weather conditions.

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

This grant provides funding for organizations to conduct sea turtle nesting surveys and conservation efforts at Wake Island Airfield, specifically targeting members of the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units in the Pacific Northwest, Hawaii-Pacific Islands, or California.

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.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP) operates with a foundational mission deeply rooted in promoting civil rights and racial equity while fostering a strengthened justice system. The purpose of this specific solicitation is not for new projects but rather to invite organizations to apply for continuation funding to sustain specific, ongoing initiatives championed by the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA). This grant mechanism is designed to reinforce previously successful, funded projects, ensuring continuity and stability in efforts aligned with the OJP's core values. The OJP’s strategic priorities clearly define the target beneficiaries and core focus areas. The work is explicitly designed to increase access to justice, support crime victims, and assist individuals impacted by the justice system. Furthermore, significant attention is given to strengthening community safety and protecting the public from both existing and evolving threats. The overarching priorities that guide these initiatives include the advancement of civil rights, the realization of racial equity, and the critical objective of building trust and positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Consistent with the principles of effective investment, the solicitation itself represents a strategic priority of maintaining successful, data-driven interventions. The continuation funding model implies a Theory of Change centered on sustained impact, where initial investments that have demonstrated progress are prioritized for ongoing support to achieve long-term systemic change. This approach minimizes administrative churn and focuses resources on maturing initiatives that directly address the core mission. The exclusive nature of the application, limited only to those who received a direct letter from BJA, underscores this commitment to continuity and existing partnership performance. The expected outcomes and measurable results are inherently tied to the continuation of the original project’s goals, with the anticipation of sustained or improved performance in the targeted areas. By supporting the original project guidelines and funding rules, the OJP seeks tangible results such as demonstrably improved access to justice services, quantifiable increases in community-police trust, and measurable progress in advancing civil rights and racial equity within the justice sphere. Ultimately, the outcome is the continued progression toward a safer and more equitable society, driven by BJA initiatives that have already proven their value.

The Portland Office of Violence Prevention is currently accepting applications for the 2024-2025 Safer Portland Grant, a community-based initiative designed to reduce gun violence. This grant program directly aligns with the mission of fostering safer communities by empowering local organizations to implement preventative measures. The overall objective is to mitigate gun violence through a variety of community-led efforts, focusing on proactive intervention and support. The grant targets a broad range of community members within Portland, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable neighborhoods known for high rates of gun violence. Specific prioritized areas include Cully, Hazelwood, Eliot, and Powellhurst-Gilbert, although organizations city-wide are encouraged to apply. The beneficiaries are individuals and families who will benefit from increased safety, access to supportive services, and participation in programs designed to deter violence. The impact goals are to reduce incidents of gun violence, provide support for victims' families, and build capacity within smaller contractors to deliver essential services. The Safer Portland Grant prioritizes several key areas to achieve its objectives. These include preventative programs, workshops, camps, and events aimed at addressing root causes of violence. Flexible funds are also provided for direct community assistance and services, ensuring immediate support where needed. Youth and adult mediation and mentoring programs are a core focus, aiming to foster positive relationships and conflict resolution skills. Furthermore, the grant supports arts and culture or recreational violence prevention programs, recognizing the role of creative and recreational outlets in community well-being. Aftercare support funds for families of victims and capacity building for small contractors providing services are also crucial priorities. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in gun violence rates within targeted neighborhoods and across Portland. Success will also be measured by the increased participation in preventative programs, the number of individuals receiving direct community assistance, and the enhanced capacity of local organizations to deliver effective violence prevention services. The grant's strategic priorities are to invest in community-led solutions, foster collaboration, and provide flexible funding that can adapt to the unique needs of different communities. This approach operates on the theory of change that by empowering and resourcing local efforts, sustainable reductions in gun violence can be achieved, leading to safer and more resilient communities for all Portland residents. A total of $500,000 is available, with individual grant awards ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

The Lane County Cultural Coalition in Oregon is offering Cultural Opportunity Grants ranging from $1000 to $10,000 for a year, funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust, to support projects that protect and stabilize cultural resources, expand public awareness of arts, humanities, and heritage, and increase access to culture, with a focus on access, awareness, and education in Lane County.

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.

This funding opportunity supports local organizations in Benton County, Oregon, that implement long-term projects aimed at improving the lives of children, youth, and families through initiatives in arts, education, human services, and community betterment.

This funding opportunity supports educational programs, human services, and healthcare initiatives for underserved residents in Vale, Oregon, and nearby communities, focusing on enhancing their quality of life.