Latino/x Serving Oregon Nonprofits Strengthened by $1.2M Investment

Record infusion by a statewide community foundation.

A network of organizations that serve Latino/x Oregonians received a boost this year from the state’s largest statewide funder. The Latino Partnership Program of Oregon Community Foundation works with nonprofits that offer culturally specific initiatives on housing, education, economic development, child care and other services. This year, the program distributed $1.26 million through 86 grants to support their work, a record amount and, for the first time, statewide.

The new grants prioritize programs and projects that make advances in three focus areas: education, leadership development and wealth building. In addition, nine organizations received ongoing support for programs that focus on Latino student success.

 “As 2024 comes to an end, I can’t help thinking about the stresses and challenges our communities face,” said Senior Program Officer Mirna Loreli Cibrian. “Yet, I am deeply inspired by the ‘heart work’ and commitment of our nonprofit leaders to ensure our Latino/x communities throughout Oregon are served and protected. For me, our work goes beyond grants. It’s about the impact we can make together.”

Andares

The nonprofits receiving the funding span every corner of Oregon. For example, one will support a group of nine Latino/x entrepreneurs to establish a food truck pod in South Corvallis. The project is being managed by the nonprofit Andares. Ricardo B. Contreras is Executive Director.

“Our approach starts by recognizing and celebrating all of the best that immigrants from Latin America bring with them as they start new lives in Oregon,” says Contreras. “Our programs develop leadership capacity, connect people to resources and services, and eliminate barriers for community-based economic development. We are grateful to the Oregon Community Foundation for supporting our work and in that way contributes to the well-being of our community.”

Another nonprofit that received funding from the Latino Partnership Program is Bienestar, which builds housing in Washington County. The new funding supports a program that helps youth living in Bienestar properties to grow as community leaders.

Bienstar

Itzel Hernandez Spehar is the organization’s Director of Community Services and Advocacy. “At Bienestar, a stable home is just the beginning of a successful life,” she says. “We're helping the youth we serve build important skills that will support them in reaching their goals: strength in their cultural identity, building bonds across generations, and envisioning ways they can improve their community."

Read a full list of Latino Partnership Program grants here.

About

The Latino Partnership Program is a statewide initiative of Oregon Community Foundation that addresses the challenges facing Oregon’s Latino/x community. Since 2002, the program has worked with nonprofits and volunteers to center the voices and experiences of the Latinos/x in our comunidades (communities) across Oregon.