Grants Resources & FAQs
Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
OCF Funding Opportunities: Seeking grant funding? Get started by searching funds accepting grant applications. Go to the Grants page.
Grants Portal Application Instructions: Get started with the step-by-step guide.
Organization Profile Tool: The bulk of funding from OCF is awarded by donors through Donor Advised Funds. Complete a profile using the Organizational Profile Tool and update it regularly so that OCF can share this information with donors. Enter information about the populations you serve, your projects and funding needs. Get started with the Organizational Profile Tool.
Grantwriting Tips: A solid, strategic plan increases the likelihood of receiving funding. Learn about some practical steps to follow as you design your project. Read our Grantwriting Tips.
Get Updates on Funding Opportunities by Email: Receive quarterly In Community e-newsletters with funding opportunities and other OCF updates. Sign up.
Other Nonprofit Resources: A list of helpful outside resources for nonprofit fundraising and management, as well as Oregon nonprofit networks. See the Nonprofit Management and Fundraising Resources.
Resources for OCF Grantee Organizations
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by searching the list of funds open to grant applications here. Read details of each fund to learn eligibility and the application deadline.
The Community Grants Program offers general operating support grants during one of the two annual cycles. The Small Arts & Culture Grants Program also offers general operating support funds. Nonprofits often receive general operating support grants from our donor-advised funds or our designated funds, but this is not through an open application process. Other kinds of funds at OCF may have an open application process, but few award grants for general operations.
Through our Community Grant Program, OCF awards grants for specific capital projects. However, it does not make general grants that constitute only a small percentage of large capital campaigns. For more information, please review Capital Projects and the Community Grant Program.
Yes, through our Community Grants program. For more information, please review Capacity-Building Projects and the Community Grant Program.
Yes, but only if your project is currently fiscally sponsored by a qualified 501(c)(3) organization. This organization should have a mission consistent with yours, as well as the administrative capacity to accept the legal responsibility for the grant and administer it accordingly. OCF will require a copy of your fiscal sponsorship agreement signed by an authorized individual from both organizations.
Yes, but it must provide a letter indicating its tax status and its federal tax ID number. Please bear in mind that community-based nonprofits (i.e., those that are not heavily reliant on public support) tend to be more competitive as applicants.
Once per year for each grant program, unless the program specifies otherwise. We occasionally make exceptions when a nonprofit in a rural community is the umbrella for multiple programs, allowing them to share administrative costs.
You may apply to more than one grant program at a time. For example, you may submit a Community Grant request at the same time that you submit a Douglas Community Fund request. However, you may not submit more than one Community Grant application at a time.
No. Our staffing levels do not allow for this. Also, reviewing some proposal drafts and not others would create an uneven playing field for applicants.
No. However, if you have received an advised fund grant award letter with a name and address for the fund contact, you should send a thank-you letter to that person and perhaps periodic program updates (though not too frequent!).
No. Information about the annual budget for your department is sufficient.
Not unless you were asked to apply for another year of support.
It is not advisable to submit the same project unless new circumstances — such as additional funding partners, or strengthened leadership — have made the project more competitive. It's always best to learn why the proposal was rejected before investing time in resubmitting it.
