Oregon Community Foundation Announces Accelerate Northwest Fund

Accelerate Northwest Fund pledges $1 million to support Pacific Northwest communities

Today Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) announced a new fund, the Accelerate Northwest Fund created by Maria Pope, Peter Beatty and family.  The fund plans to award $1 million in grants to support communities and economies in the Pacific Northwest. Distribution will be managed by OCF and the Kitsap Community Foundation in Washington State. 

“Now, more than ever, it is important to recognize community needs and help make a difference,” said Maria Pope, president and CEO of Portland General Electric. “My family values are rooted in community support and service. I have the utmost respect for Oregon Community Foundation and the Kitsap Community Foundation and am inspired by the opportunity to help recipients of grants from the new Accelerate Northwest Fund shape and support the future of the region.”

Communities, small businesses and their employees are all facing unprecedented challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Public, private and philanthropic resources are coalescing to address these needs.

“We know many small businesses such as childcare centers, restaurants, and manufacturers will not be able to recover after this shut down without assistance,” said Max Williams, president and CEO of Oregon Community Foundation.  “Thanks to the generosity demonstrated by donors such as Maria Pope and the Accelerate Northwest Fund, we can deploy philanthropic dollars to help revitalize communities, strengthen and sustain businesses and jobs and spearhead economic development,” he added.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, OCF is mobilizing and deploying resources through discretionary dollars, donor-advised funds and pooled community funds that currently total more than $14.3M in donations, with grants of $13.3M to 508 nonprofits across the state.

About Oregon Community Foundation

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) puts donated money to work in Oregon – more than $100 million in grants and scholarships annually. For more than 45 years, OCF grantmaking, research, advocacy and community-advised solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds to improve lives for all Oregonians. Impactful giving–time, talent and resources from many generous Oregonians–creates measurable change. For more information about OCF, please visit: www.oregoncf.org.