18 Central Oregon nonprofits receives Community Foundation Award grant totaling over $300k

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Oregon Community Foundation awarded 258 grants totaling nearly $5.2 million to nonprofit organizations across all 36 Oregon counties. In Central Oregon, 18 nonprofits will receive grants ranging from $12,000 to $20,000.

The funding aims to strengthen community well-being, build arts infrastructure, expand economic opportunities and stabilize families throughout the state.

Most of the funding, $4.77 million, was distributed through the Community Grants program, benefiting 252 organizations.

This cycle, the Community Grants program prioritized organizations serving small, rural communities and those that are either culturally specific or culturally responsive, with nearly half of the grants allocated to economic vitality and livability initiatives.

The Community Grants Program provides flexible funding for nonprofits to address needs such as stabilizing staffing, strengthening essential programs and maintaining infrastructure. This support helps organizations meet rising demand and back community-led solutions in both rural and urban areas.

The Oregon Community Foundation, founded in 1973, works to improve the lives of all Oregonians through philanthropy. Each year, the organization distributes more than $200 million in grants and scholarships statewide in partnership with donors and volunteers.

Beyond the Community Grants, other programs received funding, including Arts and Culture Grants totaling $250,000 to build the arts sector. This includes support for the Oregon Arts Education Collective, which connects educators and advocates to cultivate an arts ecosystem across the state. An additional $50,000 in Arts and Culture Grants supports the Van Evera Baily Fellowship, designed and administered by the Architecture Foundation of Oregon in partnership with the foundation, to advance professional development for design and building professionals.

Economic Vitality Grants contributed $37,500 to nonprofits helping communities build and sustain strong local economies. These grants support efforts to expand entrepreneurship, strengthen small businesses and increase access to opportunity. An additional $30,000 was allocated for Housing Stability in Oregon grants, supporting research into best practices for organizations assisting Oregonians in maintaining housing and achieving stability.

Furnish Hope Founding Executive Director Megan Martin a Central Oregon nonprofit, explained that her organization started furnishing homes over seven years ago. "We believe that everybody needs a place to call home and that there are people all throughout our community that are working really hard to get back on their feet after something unexpected and oftentimes traumatic has happened," Martin said. Furnish Hope has furnished more than 3,000 homes in seven years, averaging 50 or more homes each month. "We say: 'We see you. You're not defined by your circumstances. Your life has meaning, purpose and value. You are worthy of every single one of these items,'" Martin added.

On the North Coast, the Yachats Youth & Family Activities Program received a grant to provide high-quality preschool, summer camp and after-school activities. Executive Director Kristina Anderson stated, "We try to keep tuition as low as possible so that we can ensure services to all families who walk through our doors." The program has operated for more than 30 years.

Henderson House, located in the Northern Willamette Valley, is the only confidential domestic and sexual violence service provider in Yamhill County. Henderson House Executive Director Fay Schuler said, "The mission of Henderson House is to provide culturally aware outreach, education and services for victims of domestic and sexual violence through leadership, hope and respect for thriving families." Schuler noted the organization was founded and is currently led by survivors and offers culturally relevant services to the Latinx population.

In Southern Oregon, Rogue Valley Mentoring connects youth ages 9-24 with trained, caring adult mentors. Rogue Valley Mentoring Executive Director Laura Pinney shared her organization's mission: "Rogue Valley Mentoring is a nonprofit based in Southern Oregon with a mission to transform entire communities through the mentoring of youth." Pinney added, "Our work makes a difference because it addresses a fundamental human need: connection." The organization has been operating for more than 20 years and serves youth across Jackson County facing challenges such as poverty and social isolation.

Row River Fire Response Executive Director Kathleen Istudor in the Southern Willamette Valley, discussed the organization's ongoing efforts. "We started this work in 2022 with a goal of fire protection in the valley and in 2024, the community came together to create a volunteer fire district," Istudor said. "Along the way, we have come to see how connected we are, not just to each other, but to the land, the watershed and the people beyond our valley."

Row River Fire Response is working to build a main fire station for its volunteers in 2026.

The full list of the 18 Central Oregon nonprofits are below: