Homelessness: The Role of Donors

OCF Donors Are in A Unique Position to Address Homelessness in Oregon

Homelessness is caused by, and causes, a wide variety of linked social and economic problems, touching every community in which OCF works.

Since 2015, OCF donors have contributed $6 million to $8 million a year in grants toward organizations serving the homeless and supporting affordable housing.

This funding goes beyond traditional housing and shelter services to include senior and disability assistance, job training and workforce development programs, education and mentoring for high-risk communities, domestic violence prevention, and culturally-specific family services.

In addition, our Oregon Impact Fund provides growth capital for organizations that are preserving and developing affordable housing like REACH Development, NOAH, CASA and Portland Housing Center.

OCF is well positioned to promote thoughtful strategies for donors who want to make a difference through prevention, education, advocacy or direct services.

We encourage you to consider donating to OCF’s new Ending Homelessness in Oregon Fund. Your donor relations officer can direct you toward further opportunities to support nonprofits and agencies that serve homeless Oregonians. Some representative grants follow.

Prevention

• Albertina Kerr is constructing 120 units of housing for employees who are currently earning 60% or less of the median income for Metro Portland.
• Centro Cultural de Washington County has launched LatinoWorks, a comprehensive workforce development program that includes ESL classes, mock interviews, on-the-job training and job placement.
• Northeast Oregon Network is improving access to safe and affordable emergency, temporary and permanent housing in Union County.
• Habitat for Humanity of La Pine Sunriver is building its first-ever multifamily townhouse development in La Pine, which will consist of 19 affordable homes.
• Sponsors is developing a supportive housing project in Eugene, which will provide housing and wraparound services for men and women returning to their community after release from incarceration.
• United Community Action Network helps the unemployed, working poor, seniors and people with disabilities to remain housed by assisting with their housing expenses and bills.

Education

OCF gathers and shares comprehensive data about housing and homelessness to support policymaking, philanthropic giving and collaborative action, both by contracting with respected research firms like ECONorthwest and through its own Research Department.

Advocacy

• Leaven Community brings people and organizations together to work on civic and livability issues for marginalized communities. Leaven recently lobbied to legalize tiny homes for low-income Portland residents.
• Outside the Frame trains homeless and marginalized youth to create films about issues that matter to them.
• Welcome Home Coalition is increasing safe and stable housing opportunities in Metro Portland for communities of color and those in poverty.

Intervention and Direct Services

• CASA of Oregon supports underserved rural and farmworker communities with housing, facilities and programs that increase families’ financial well-being.
• Compassion First partners with Safety Compass to shelter and aid survivors of sex trafficking and exploitation in Marion and Clackamas counties.
• Coos Cares runs Harmony House, which offers transitional housing, case management and wraparound services to homeless families in Coos County.
• Portland Homeless Families Solutions has a new campus in Lents that will shelter 26 families in private rooms and offer 24-hour trauma-informed services.
• Rogue Retreat provides services across the spectrum of homelessness in Jackson County, from shelters to tiny homes and affordable apartments.

Your donor relations officer can direct you toward further opportunities to support nonprofits and agencies that serve homeless Oregonians. If you're new to OCF, enter your zip code below to connect with a philanthropic advisor in your region.