Oregon Community Foundation makes $41.2 million in state-funded summer learning, enrichment grants

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Oregon Community Foundation announced Thursday the foundation has successfully deployed $41.2 million in state-funded summer education and early childhood learning grants throughout all 36 Oregon counties. 

OCF’s grant-making prioritized organizations responding to specific needs of children and families from Black, Indigenous, Latina/o/x, and other communities of color, immigrant/refugee communities, children from low-income families, children with disabilities, and children living in under-resourced rural communities. Find a detailed list of all grantees in the OCF Press Room. 

“The rapid and thoughtful deployment of these resources is possible thanks to the ongoing collaboration and counsel from numerous local leaders and community members who shared their experience in education, racial equity and connections to under-resourced communities - to engage nonprofit organizations that provide culturally and regionally specific support services,” says Sonia Worcel, Chief Community Impact Officer, OCF.

In mid-March, the State of Oregon announced a plan to allocate $250 million to support summer learning and enrichment for children birth through grade 12. OCF was asked to take on the role of awarding $40 million for K-12 summer programs and $1.2 million for parent-child programs serving children birth to age 5 and their parents.

“Given the crises over the last year, this summer has been a critical time to nurture and mentor children in our state,” said Max Williams, President and CEO, Oregon Community Foundation. “OCF is proud to have delivered much-needed support to disproportionately impacted families and communities across Oregon.”

K-12 Summer Programs Supported

OCF awarded grants to 513 organizations for K-12 summer programs totaling approximately $40 million across all 36 counties. Following are the communities reached and populations served by these grants:

• 97% of grantees serve low-income communities
• 56% of grantees serve rural communities
• 47% of grantees primarily serve communities of color

Parent-Child Programs Supported

OCF awarded 47 grants totaling approximately $1.2 million to support birth to 5, parent-child play and learning programs offered through public and nonprofit organizations across the state during summer 2021. Following are the communities reached and populations served by these grants:

• All grantees serve low-income populations
• 64% of grantees serve rural communities
• 34% of grantees primarily serve communities of color

About Oregon Community Foundation

Oregon Community Foundation puts donated money to work in Oregon – more than $100 million in grants and scholarships annually. Since 1973, 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. Throughout 2020, OCF responded quickly and urgently - distributing a record-setting $220 million in charitable dollars to more than 3,000 nonprofits throughout Oregon working to address urgent needs, stabilize communities and prepare for long-term recovery in Oregon. OCF donors responded to the magnitude of need, as reflected in a 44% increase in donor advised fund grantmaking from the previous year. For more information, please visit: oregoncf.org.