Oregon Community Foundation announces nearly $1 million in arts, culture recovery grants

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Community Foundation, a significant Oregon arts and culture funder, announced Wednesday $982,500 in Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Fund grants to support historically under-funded artists and communities throughout Oregon, via:

• 76 nonprofit arts organizations, $577,500
• All 36 county cultural coalitions, $180,000
• All 9 federally recognized Tribes, $225,000

The Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Fund (of Oregon Community Foundation) helps arts and culture organizations and individual artists impacted by Covid-19, with an emphasis on supporting communities of color, people with disabilities, immigrants and refugees, and LGBTQ+, rural, and low-income populations.

“We’re thrilled to have received a generous and unexpected donation from MacKenzie Scott to offer additional relief funding to the arts and culture sector across Oregon,” said Jerry Tischleder, Program Officer for Arts and Culture, Oregon Community Foundation. “The need is great and these groups’ contributions are vital to the vibrancy and resilience of their communities through these challenging times.”

In addition to these grants, OCF has awarded $1 million in funding to the Oregon Arts Commission to support individual artists across the state through the Artist Resilience Program. Additional funding from the Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Fund will be announced as new awards are made.

Following is a snapshot of just a few of the 76 community-based organizations that OCF is supporting through this round of Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Funding, made possible, in large part, through a generous gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott:

Columbia River Institute for Indigenous Development (CRÍID) Foundation, Warm Springs, Oregon

 $15,000 for general operating support in response to the impact of COVID-19

The primary focus of CRÍID is preserving, sharing, and advancing Columbia River Customs and Language through community collaboration and engagement. CRÍID documents language, trains teachers, produces curriculum, teaches students, supports health, healing and resilience.

“Tribal communities place great value on preserving and sharing our heritage and culture,” said Jefferson Greene, Chair, Board of Directors, Columbia River Institute for Indigenous Development Foundation. “Arts and Culture Recovery grant funding from Oregon Community Foundation allows CRÍID Foundation to continue recovery from the negative impact of the pandemic while maintaining our essential work to preserve Indigenous customs of the Columbia River through important and healing programming including language, arts, sports, health, and spirit.”

CymaSpace, Portland, Oregon

$14,000 for general operating support in response to the impact of COVID-19

CymaSpace makes arts, media and culture accessible and inclusive to deaf and hard of hearing community members through technology, education and outreach. Through strategic partnerships and community support, CymaSpace advocates for access, inclusion and equity. 

“Because of the pandemic, Oregon nonprofits have had to shift to online events but are not equipped or knowledgeable in how to provide accessibility for deaf and hard of hearing participants,” said Myles de Bastion, Board President, CymaSpace. “OCF’s Arts and Culture Recovery grant to CymaSpace helps deliver greater access, benefitting both our deaf as well as our broader communities during these challenging times.”

Oregon Black Pioneers, Salem, Oregon 

$5,000 for general operating support in response to the COVID-19 outbreak

Oregon Black Pioneers is Oregon’s only historical society dedicated to preserving and presenting the experiences of African Americans statewide. Since 1993, Oregon Black Pioneers has illuminated the seldom-told history of people of African descent in Oregon.

“African Americans have played a vital role in building the social, cultural, and economic base of our state,” said Ms. Willie Richardson, Board President, Oregon Black Pioneers. “Support from OCF’s Arts and Culture Recovery Fund recognizes the importance of advancing our work to create understanding, bridge divides and work towards a more inclusive Oregon.”

Please see complete list of grantees attached.

About MacKenzie Scott’s Support of the Oregon Arts and Culture Recovery Fund

Learn more About MacKenzie Scott’s arts funding gift online at: Oregon Arts Benefit Big from Major Gift from MacKenzie Scott » Oregon Community Foundation (oregoncf.org)

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 $227 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.