Grants Resources & FAQs
Resources for Nonprofit Organizations
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.
Search for Funding Opportunities: Seeking grant funding? Get started by searching funds accepting grant applications. Go to the Grants page.
Other Nonprofit Resources
- Nonprofit Management and Fundraising Resources
- Oregon Foundation DataBook
- Nonprofit Association of Oregon
Resources for OCF Grantee Organizations
- Grantee reporting
- Grant payment by direct deposit/ACH
- Information for Advised Fund grantees
- Information for Designated Fund grantees
- Share the news about your funding: See grantee media resources
50th Anniversary - Celebrate Your Organization's Partnership with OCF
Join us in a year-long celebration of Oregonians helping Oregonians! As part of this celebration, we’d like to work together to raise visibility for your organization's good works. Here are a few ways to participate:
Share this Proud to be an OCF Partner graphic via your social feeds- Share a photo or a video via your social channels with a reflection about your partnership with OCF
- Please include the #OCF50 hashtag so we spot your post and share via our social feeds
- Questions about #OCF50 and how your organization can share in the celebration? Contact us at info@oregoncf.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
We recommend all grant seekers start by downloading and reading this document. It contains all of the key information you'll need.
Start by searching the list of funds open to grant applications here. Read details of each fund to learn eligibility and the application deadline.
Nonprofits receive many operating support grants from our donor-advised funds or our designated funds, but this is not through an open application process. Our fund advisors simply recommend nonprofits they like. Other kinds of funds at OCF may have an open application process, but few award grants for general operations. An exception is our Small Arts & Culture Grants Program.
Yes, but only if your project is currently 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. A grant cannot simply be passed through the fiscal sponsor.
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.
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.
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.
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. For more information, please review Capacity-Building Projects and the Community Grant Program.
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.
Private operating foundations are eligible for Community Grants. Private nonoperating foundations are not eligible for Community Grants.
