Oregon Nonprofits Receive $5.8 Million Funding Boost

Oregon Community Foundation Distributes Record Investments in 2024, Announces New Grant Opportunities for 2025 

Healthy meals for kids in Grants Pass. A refurbished community center in Antelope. Therapy for kids in Sisters. Peer mentorship for unhoused adults in Washington County. These are just a few of the projects and programs in every region of Oregon receiving a nearly $5.8 million boost from the 2024 Fall Cycle of Community Grants from Oregon Community Foundation.

The new round of funding includes 248 grants that bring the total awarded in Community Grants by OCF to a record $11.1 million for the year, including funding previously announced in the spring. 

Other newly funded projects include accessibility upgrades to the library in Joseph, expanded legal advice for immigrants in Woodburn, and culinary training for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities in Portland. The Eastern Oregon town of Elgin will get a new bicycle repair kiosk. The list of grants demonstrates the breadth of impact the funding has on nearly every aspect of life for Oregonians. 

Just as the new funding reaches Oregon nonprofits, OCF has opened the next round of Community Grants to be distributed in spring 2025. The goal is to provide equitable access to flexible funding for organizations serving communities’ most pressing needs throughout Oregon. The deadline is Jan. 14, 2025. Find details here. 

 Find the full list of fall 2024 grantees here.  

The grants are possible because of the generosity of Oregon Community Foundation donors. 

Total for Fall 2024: 248 grants of $5,789,074 

• Southern Oregon: $545,000  

• Central Oregon: $394,562 

• Southern Willamette Valley: $965,200 

• South Coast: $206,000 

• Eastern Oregon: $322,617 

• Portland Metro: $2,349,889 

• North Coast $265,806 

• Northern Willamette Valley: $700,000 

• Out of State: $40,000 

REACH | Klamath Falls | $25,000  

To purchase a vehicle for the Recycling and Landscaping Programs. 

“REACH provides paid job training to adults who experience intellectual and or developmental disabilities. Our goal is to empower people with transferable job skills to gain meaningful paid community integrated employment. Our landscaping crews provide commercial and residential lawn care services to Klamath County many to veterans, elderly or others who experience a disability and cannot care for their own yards/property.” 

 ~Jessie Oates, Executive Director 

 Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley | Grants Pass | $25,000 

To renovate the kitchen at the Grants Pass location. 

"Since 1970, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley has been a constant in the lives of children and teens, remaining committed to doing whatever it takes to support the youth in our communities. Our mission is to empower young people by providing safe spaces where they can thrive. A key part of this effort is serving nutritious meals, which is crucial for the well-being of our Club members. With over 76% of the youth we serve coming from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, many face food insecurity. By providing healthy meals, we help reduce this burden, lower stress, and give kids the chance to simply be kids!" 

 ~Alison Cavaner, Director of Resource Development & Marketing 

 Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative | Jacksonville | $20,000 

 To expand wildfire resilience education and outreach programming. 

“Most of my students reside in underserved, fire-prone areas, such as Gold Hill and the wildland urban interface of Central Point, Oregon. Not only has the FireBright program provided my students with career mentoring and field work experience, it has also prepared them to be more adapted and prepared for wildfire and smoke.” 

 ~Caroline Burdick, Science Teacher, Crater High School, Central Point 

 City of Antelope | Antelope | $30,000 

To support the restoration of the Antelope School Community Center. 

 "The restoration of the Antelope School Community Center is more than just preserving a building; it’s about safeguarding a vital piece of our town’s history and heritage. This project not only honors the past but also creates a welcoming space for the community to gather and connect. Already filled with cherished memories, this building will now have the opportunity to inspire and host even more meaningful moments for the community in the years to come." 

 ~Sarah Hartenstein, Community Center Director 

Oregon Adaptive Sports | Bend | $25,000 

To support the expansion of adaptive snowsports, cycling, and mountain biking programs. 

 "Oregon Adaptive Sports envisions a day when every person with a disability has access to the benefits of outdoor recreation. In 2025, OAS will greatly increase the availability of adaptive skiing, mountain biking and cycling opportunities for over 500 athletes with disabilities through strategic programmatic expansion. These programs provide an abundance of the macronutrients of happiness to the athletes we serve and the greater community that engages with our organization."  

 ~Pat Addabbo, Executive Director 

Treehouse Therapies | Sisters | $20,000 

To renovate a pediatric physical, occupational and behavioral health therapy clinic in Sisters. 

"We are very grateful to the Oregon Community Foundation for your support of our new clinic in Sisters, Oregon. Your commitment to our community is making it possible for us to expand access to pediatric physical, occupational and behavioral health therapy services for children with special needs in Central Oregon. Thank you for helping us make a meaningful difference.” 

~Christen Eby, Executive Director

Stepping Stones Alliance | Hermiston | $30,000 

For a shelter to complete the new outdoor kitchen and common space. 

 “Without the ongoing support, like that of Oregon Community Foundation’s Community Grants, we would not be able to serve and help those needing our overnight shelter at the Sleep Center, resources at the Navigation Center, and Individual Shelter Units. The mission of Stepping Stones Alliance is to provide stepping stones – shelter, basic needs and supports that can lead to stability – to people experiencing houselessness. Thanks to OCF, we will be able to add a permanent cover over the patio and picnic tables in our members’ community outdoor space, allowing better protection from the elements throughout the day. We are grateful!” 

~Jesalyn C. Cole, Executive Director 

Elgin Stampeders Association | Elgin | $15,000 

To install a digital emergency reader board and a bicycle repair kiosk. 

 "As a 77-year-old staple in our rural community, a new digital sign and bicycle kiosk on the Elgin Stampede grounds would further serve not only our locals, but the thousands of visitors who travel through our small town each year. Publicity and marketing for local events will be even more visible with the new digital sign, catching the eyes of daily travelers. The bicycle kiosk will further support our cyclists who see their way through our town who depend on bicycle safety and continued maintenance, as cycling serves as their main mode of transportation and for leisurely purposes too. As a host to Cycle Oregon for more than four summers now, our organization wants to offer more accommodations to our bicyclists beyond the Cycle Oregon event." 

 ~Kyle Evans, President 

Yamhill Community Action Partnership | McMinnville | $25,000 

To hire additional part-time staff and expand the hours of operation for the youth drop-in center. 

“YCAP is grateful for the opportunity to expand resources to at-risk youth in Yamhill County. Unfortunately, we have seen a recent increase in mental health disorders and suicide among local teens. This funding will provide a safe, supportive environment for youth to access resources and find a place of belonging.” 

~ Amber Hansen-Moore, Deputy Director 

Centro de Servicios Para Campesinos | Woodburn | $35,000 

For Centro de Servicios Para Campesinos, to support an in-house attorney position to provide legal services and educational outreach programs. 

"During these challenging times that we are heading into, it has been amazing being able to work with colleagues that have the same values and are here to give back to our communities. Centering each other and giving each other the space to heal, grief, and be in community is what we are in need at this moment."

~Debbie D. Cabrales, Executive Director 

Germaine’s Culinary | Portland | $20,000 

To support culinary training program for people experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities. 

"Germaine's Culinary Inc. provides hands-on training to people experiencing intellectual or developmental disabilities. Students work alongside professional chefs to gain skills that prepare them for community-based employment, which in turn translates to empowerment and independence. Our mission is to ensure that people with disabilities not only live and work in their communities but thrive. Germaine's Culinary has a critical secondary mission: to relieve food insecurity in Portland. While students learn marketable skills, they prepare hot meals for those in need." 

~Lori Irish Bauman, Founder and Board Chair 

United Way of Columbia County | Rainier | $20,690 

To increase capacity to recruit and train additional volunteers for the Senior Volunteer Program.  

"This program has made such a difference for Grandma June.  As a 92-year-old, she has made friendships and built support that she needs to stay healthy.  She loves her quilting team on Wednesday mornings and appreciates the ability to carpool with others.  Grandma felt especially special at the Fair Pageant.  She was treated like a true princess.  My grandmother taught me so much about community and helping others--she continues to do that through this program."   

~James, Adult Grandson of a Senior Volunteer 

Nehalem Bay Health Center| Wheeler | $40,000 

To open a new dental and pediatric dental service clinic

“Many of our patients face barriers to health care and having dental care available locally – particularly care focused on our pediatric population – will help set the stage for lifelong dental health and will improve the overall health of our community.”

~ Gail Nelson, Nehalem Bay Health Center & Pharmacy’s CEO 

LIFEBoat Services | Astoria | $35,000 

To expand current services by establishing a new Daytime Navigation Services Center to help community members address their housing and health needs. 

“LIFEBoat Services provides the only true low-barrier shelter and stand-alone peer-support program in Clatsop County.  Our trauma-informed, peer-to-peer approach gives us the unique opportunity to build relationships with some of the most vulnerable individuals in our communities.”  

~Erin Carlsen, Associate Director   

Waterfall Clinic, Inc | North Bend | $20,000  

To hire and support a Mobile Health Unit Coordinator to better serve members of under resourced communities.  

“Waterfall’s Mobile Health Unit hosts care team members to provide fully integrated healthcare services for our community. Patient education, primary care, health screenings, vaccines, and social health efforts are just a few of the uses for this amazing resource! The Mobile Health Unit allows for both in-person and remote access to complex medical analysis tools and providers in our clinics, or even across the state when needed. Waterfall is excited to hire a Mobile Health Unit Coordinator to strengthen community partnerships and increase utilization, so the community gets the most benefit out of Mobile Health Unit!”  

~Lance Nelson, CEO  

McKenzie Little Eagles Childcare Center | Vida | $25,000 

To provide childcare and parenting resources.  

“Everyday we strive to create, move, sing, discuss, observe, read, play! These are seven things I am thankful that we do in our classroom. It brings your children joy!”  

~Kelli Stockford, Little Eagles Preschool Instructor   

“Our family greatly appreciates the staff. They are amazing and it truly makes the program what it is. We love the skills the teachers possess and value the opportunity for newer teachers in the field to grow. The focus on social emotional learning is greatly appreciated as this is one of the most important developmental areas at this age, in my opinion. Your program excels in sharing our child’s growth through having parent teacher conferences.” - Megan Weiss, Little Eagles Parent   

~Lacey Joy, Special Programs Director    

Community Outreach through Radical Empowerment | Eugene | $15,500  

For organizational capacity building efforts.  

"At CORE, we are dedicated to the belief that young people are the experts in their own lives. If we operate from this understanding, our job as a community is to create spaces for young people's voices to be heard without shame, stigma or preconceptions."    

~Dylan Weil, Executive Director of Community Support  

Coquille Library | Coquille | $20,000  

To expand Junior programming for children grades 2nd - 6th  

“I am fortunate to be able to live and work in a community that is supportive of our library. The City just completed a $2.8M project that renovated an old bank into a new, modern public library. The new library has an upstairs perfect for library programing. We received a grant from Americorps for a service member to develop and implement an afterschool program. This is a new program is designed to catch kids at a vulnerable age from falling through the educational cracks. The elementary school has chosen 30 students who will benefit most from our program and will bus them to the library afterschool, giving parents the peace of mind that their latchkey child is safe and getting the extra homework help they need. Thank you so much for helping the children of Coquille!”  

~Teresa Lucas, Library Director   

About OCF’s Community Grants Program  

For 27 years, OCF’s Community Grants program has invested in community livability and vitality by listening and responding to people closest to innovating opportunities they want to advance. As Oregon has grown, so too has the complexity of issues facing so many Oregonians. Compounding these challenges is a history of systems that have not benefited everyone equitably. OCF recognizes this reality. The Community Grants program continues to provide funding for nonprofits addressing the pressing needs of communities across Oregon, informed by the voices of people who know their communities the best.