A strong start can mean all the difference.
Children who experience quality early childhood care and education enter public schools more prepared and more likely to succeed.
Young people who receive consistent support throughout their school years, especially in high school, will be more likely to pursue higher education. And research continually shows that college graduates earn more, pay more taxes, vote and volunteer more often.
OCF addresses opportunities across the entire educational spectrum, from preschool to college, for toddlers to mature students. Here are some of our programs that connect Oregonians with learning opportunities:
Ready to Learn: OCF's early childhood program
We have an extensive range of programs that promote action and learning across a variety of touch points. OCF helps parents become better first teachers to their children, child care workers learn valuable techniques and young children attain the skills to succeed in school.
Chalkboard Project
This is a partnership of foundations working to improve Oregon's K-12 public schools. Chalkboard is helping create a more informed and engaged public who understands and addresses the tough choices and trade-offs required to build strong schools. For more information, visit www.chalkboard.org.
Access to Higher Education
OCF has an ongoing commitment to Oregon students’ access to higher learning. In 1998, we helped initiate ASPIRE, a one-on-one mentoring program fostering education and training after high school. The program is administered by the Oregon Student Assistance Commission. We also have a growing, donor-supported scholarship program that directs millions of dollars each year to help Oregonians pursue advanced education.
Environmental Education Program of the Gray Family Fund
The Environmental Education Program seeks to encourage a strong local land ethic, sustainable communities and stewardship of the natural environment by citizens throughout Oregon. The Fund is committed to institutionalizing a series of age-appropriate experiences that build a sense of place and responsibility towards Oregon and the region.
Land Use Planning Project of the Gray Family Fund
The Gray Family Fund, through OCF, has funded several projects that seek to contribute to the public debate about land use planning in Oregon.
Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund
ONREF makes grants to support forestry-related natural resources education in Oregon high schools.