Oregon Community Recovery Grant Program
UPDATE: OCF plans to launch a new statewide application in winter 2021 (date TBA). Our goal will be to provide flexible types of support, with an emphasis on communities most disproportionately impacted by the multiple crises that have devastated Oregon. More information about the application will be released by mid-November 2020. Please check our website and social media channels for details.
The Oregon Community Recovery Fund has been established to rapidly deploy resources to nonprofits that support Oregon residents and families who are most affected by the emerging health, economic, and social impacts of COVID-19.
Given the health, economic and racial crises our nation is grappling with, we have a focused response to address gaps in opportunity among communities facing the greatest risk and the most disproportionate impacts. These include quality education, good jobs, stable housing, access to health care, a web of community connections.
Please note: The Oregon Community Recovery Fund is not accepting new applications for the current phase of grantmaking. Please continue to check this page for updates. Current applicants should continue to check their emails for funding status notification.
OCF is working on developing a new solution for nonprofits to share information about their programs with OCF and OCF’s donors. More information will be posted on our website in the coming months.
We will continue to make grants to organizations working to address disproportionate impacts on Black, Indigenous, and people of color in Oregon through Summer 2020. We are actively working on a strategy to address anticipated needs of nonprofits and the communities they serve in the Fall and beyond.
In addition to responsive grantmaking, OCF continues to bring people together to solve problems, build trust and enhance our strategic initiatives. We will work in close collaboration with an active and diverse network of volunteers, business leaders, advocates and nonprofits throughout the state to recover and rebuild equitable communities where all Oregonians will thrive.
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Questions about applying to the Oregon Community Recovery Grant Program:
OCF is prioritizing funding to support organizations that are responding to the immediate needs of Oregon communities facing the most disproportionate health, social and economic impacts of this pandemic. Specifically, applications intentionally serving Black, Latinx, Native American, and Asian/Pacific Islander communities are considered the most competitive.
We strongly encourage applications from across Oregon, and continue to prioritize applications from organizations that serve marginalized communities in rural and frontier regions of the state.
The virus and its associated cancellations and closures are exacerbating the impacts of social and economic inequities faced by underserved and marginalized communities. Risk is also heightened in certain individuals due to age and health status as well as a person’s ability to practice social distancing. Due to this, we will also prioritize applications that address needs specific to vulnerable populations that are disproportionately impacted by this pandemic. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Frontline essential workers
- Immigrants, refugees and undocumented persons
- Individuals that are homeless
- Individuals with underlying health conditions
- LGBTQ+
- Low-income
- Persons with disabilities
- Seniors
- Unemployed/Loss of income
- Veterans
- Women
- Children
In addition to those communities most vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19, OCF will prioritize applications that address the following needs:
- Basic needs: Services and immediate assistance that keeps people housed, fed, healthy and safe. Including, but not limited to, rental assistance, emergency shelter, hygiene services and food assistance.
- Jobs and economy: Organizations that offer services that help connect people to jobs and sustain small, local businesses.
- Childcare: Strategies for creating early childhood and school-aged childcare for young children and families including, but not limited to, retaining and increasing childcare, parenting supports, and child abuse prevention and alleviation.
- Social and emotional needs: Services for mental health, child abuse, domestic violence, substance abuse and other social/emotional issues exacerbated by the crisis.
- School closures: Strategies for addressing learning loss (distance learning, instructional supports, etc.), ancillary services provided by schools (health, mental health, nutrition), and post-secondary issues.
- Health/care: Culturally specific outreach, education and information for vulnerable populations; community-based adaptations to meet demand for health care services (mobile care, telehealth, etc.)
Flexible resources for relief were available through the Oregon Arts & Culture Recovery Program, however the application deadline was June 15, 2020 and the program is no longer accepting applications. Please stay tuned for future opportunities. Arts & Culture applications will not be considered through the broader Oregon Community Recovery Program unless they meet one of the immediate priorities listed above.
The Oregon Small Business Stabilization Fund was developed to support nonprofits in Oregon that provide loans or grants to small businesses particularly affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. This program has distributed all available funding and is no longer accepting applications.
501(c)(3) organizations and government entities are eligible to apply. Additionally, 501(c)(4) and 501(c)(6) organizations may work with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to submit an application. Applicants must submit formal paperwork confirming the fiscal sponsor relationship.
OCF staff are working diligently to create responsive strategies in collaboration with stakeholders across Oregon. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to respond to all questions about funding or accept requests for individual meetings at this time. Please submit an application that best describes your current needs and OCF staff will reach out for more information as needed.
All organizations based in or doing work in Oregon are eligible to apply. In addition, we will currently review applications from organizations in Clark County, WA.
Given the overwhelming number of requests, we do not anticipate granting awards of more than $100,000 out of this fund, and most grant awards likely will be under $50,000.
Yes! We are engaging a network of community advisors who provide culturally and regionally-specific input on a community’s unique needs and guidance on which organizations are best positioned to address those needs. Advisors include external community leaders and partners, many of whom are members of our extensive volunteer network. In addition to engaging advisors, OCF community engagement staff conduct outreach to nonprofits across the state to increase widespread knowledge of and participation in this fund.
Applying does not guarantee that your organization will receive a distribution from the Oregon Community Recovery Fund.
We are reviewing applications on an ongoing basis and make decisions and distributions based on availability of funds and the critical needs we identify. Due to the high number of applications under review, funding notifications are taking a bit more time. If you haven’t received a status update, your application is still under consideration. With the available resources we have right now, we expect all funds to be distributed by late summer/early fall. That may change if we are able to secure additional resources.
Apply for what makes the most sense to you and consolidate requests where possible.
We anticipate a significant number of applications for this program. Please submit only one application for your organization.
We will close the fund as the resources are depleted. At this time, we have not set a closing date, though it is likely that grantmaking from this fund will wrap up over the summer 2020.
Having received a different grant from OCF does not preclude an organization from applying for, and receiving, a grant from the OCRF.
OCF is working to define future strategy and identify emerging needs and priorities emerging from the pandemic and civil unrest. Stay connected to OCF via Instagram and Facebook for current updates.
Thank you for your patience. Due to the high volume of applications received and the rapidly changing conditions on the ground, we have not been able to respond to all requests as quickly as we would like. For applications submitted prior to June 1, you should receive a decision by mid-July.
We are working on a mechanism for sharing your organization’s needs or projects. OCF will make this mechanism public on the website once available. Please check back for more information.
Yes, if you are an organization that is led by or serving Black, Indigenous, Latino, Asian or other community of color, we are eager to learn about your work. Please reach out to grants@oregoncf.org.
Email us at grants@oregoncf.org and we’ll get back to you as soon as we are able.
Email us at grants@oregoncf.org and we will get back to you as soon as we are able.
We see you, we hear you and we know the generosity of Oregonians can make an impact.
Application Details
Applicants should expect to provide basic organization information (organization name, contact information, EIN, mission/general description of services, etc), as well as provide responses to the following questions:
- What is the unanticipated need that your organization is facing as a result of the COVID-19 crisis? (max 1,500 characters)
- What type of funding are you seeking to address through this grant? Examples may include programmatic support due to an uptick in demand for your organization’s services or general operating emergency funds due to cancellation of major events/sources of revenue. (max 500 characters)
- How much are you requesting? How will this amount assist your organization in meeting the need you outlined above? (max 500 characters)
- Does your organization primarily serve disproportionately impacted communities (including communities of color, low-income, rural/geographically isolated, LGBTQ+, individuals with disabilities, refugees, immigrants, or other vulnerable or historically underserved populations)? If YES, please explain and include how your staff and leadership represent and involve those populations in your decision-making processes. If NO, please state that you serve the general population.
- What is your financial outlook for the next 30-90 days and what additional resources, if any, do you have to support your needs (cash reserves, endowment, loans, federal/state relief funds, etc.)?
- What is the impact to your clients and/or community if this financial need is not met?
- What is your organization’s total operating budget for the current year (prior to any COVID-19 impacts)?
*Please note that OCF staff may reach out to you for more information about your responses to the above questions.
Nondiscrimination Policy
The foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ability/disability, age, status as a veteran, national origin or any other protected class. Applicants for COVID-19 Response Grants must hold similar standards in the provision of services.
Questions? Contact us at grants@oregoncf.org