Best Community Health Grants in Oregon

The Ben B. Cheney Foundation Grant supports community improvement projects in areas where Mr. Cheney's lumber company operated. Focused on one-time project grants, the foundation emphasizes sustainability and local support. Eligible applicants include public charities and government units primarily in Washington, Oregon, and California. The foundation prioritizes projects that invest in long-lasting community needs and demonstrate innovative solutions. Since 1975, it has supported over 1,200 organizations, making a significant impact in local communities.

The Beneficial State Foundation offers sponsorships to 501(c)(3) organizations in California, Oregon, and Washington, focusing on social justice and environmental work. With a unique business model, Beneficial State Bank reinvests profits back into communities, emphasizing support for existing clients. Organizations must submit requests at least 60 days in advance and cannot use funds for political activities. The foundation prioritizes partnerships, making funding competitive due to high demand.

The Summer Lea Hillman Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable children, animals, and communities in the Portland metro area. The foundation prioritizes animal health and safety, child and youth development, homeless services, and environmental sustainability. Eligible organizations must be recognized as tax-exempt public charities. The foundation does not fund individuals, ensuring support is directed towards impactful community initiatives.

The Ford Family Foundation offers Technical Assistance Grants aimed at bolstering the capacity of organizations serving rural communities in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. These grants, which can reach up to $5,000, support activities such as staff training, strategic planning, and consulting services. By enhancing internal capabilities, the foundation seeks to improve the effectiveness of nonprofits and agencies that focus on family, education, and community development, ultimately benefiting children and their families.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

The Rose Grant is a competitive funding opportunity aimed at supporting Oregon-based nonprofits with operating budgets over $250,000. Grants typically range from $25,000 to $35,000 annually, with possible awards between $10,000 and $75,000. Organizations are encouraged to demonstrate a commitment to diversity and financial readiness. The grant application is shared with the Daffodil Grant program, and funding decisions are expected within 3-4 months after the application period closes.

The Collins Foundation GO Grants support organizations in Oregon focused on advancing equity and justice. These responsive grants prioritize arts, education, health equity, and environmental protection, while emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their operations. Eligible organizations must have been operating for at least one year, with a budget of $20,000 and an independent board. Notably, the foundation does not fund religious activities or certain educational institutions.

The Walters Family Foundation Grant focuses on supporting nonprofit organizations that address the needs of at-risk youth, families, and the elderly. The Foundation aims to effect positive change through strategic partnerships, site visits, and grant awards, primarily in Oregon, especially metropolitan Portland. They emphasize energizing nonprofit partners to achieve excellence, ultimately improving the lives of those less fortunate. Eligibility is limited to tax-exempt public charities in good financial standing, with certain exclusions for individuals and non-U.S. entities.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers the Strategic Projects: Program & Staff Grants to support nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building for mission-driven projects and infrastructure investments. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to community flourishing, with funding available for new programs or expansion of existing ones. The Trust prioritizes initiatives that align with its strategic goals, fostering sustainable nonprofit growth and impact in the region.

The Strategic Projects: Capital Grants by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust offer vital funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Northwest. These grants support transformative projects that enhance community well-being through construction, renovation, and infrastructure investments. Eligible entities include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government entities. The Trust emphasizes projects that demonstrate strong community impact and funding diversification, ensuring sustainable growth and lasting benefits for the communities served.

The M J Murdock Charitable Trust offers Strategic Projects: Equipment & Technology Grants to nonprofits in the Pacific Northwest. These grants focus on capacity-building projects and essential equipment, requiring recipients to cover at least 50% of costs. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and tribal entities. Priority is given to projects enhancing community services, education, and environmental stewardship, supporting initiatives that foster human flourishing and demonstrate diversified funding.

The PacificSource Foundation for Health Improvement, a private foundation, is dedicated to promoting health equity since 1992. With a focus on underserved populations in Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and parts of Washington, the foundation supports initiatives that enhance access to healthcare and address health disparities. They provide both one-year and multi-year funding, typically ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, to organizations committed to advancing health equity through diverse community-driven solutions.

The Reser Family Foundation offers Fast-Track Grants to established 501(c)(3) organizations in Oregon, focusing on Education, Health, Arts, and Environment. The grants aim to support innovative and inclusive projects that enhance community welfare. Eligible organizations must have a history of operations in Oregon, with funding requests capped at $12,499. The foundation seeks to empower nonprofits addressing local needs through streamlined application processes, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to vital community initiatives.

The Reser Family Foundation's Midsize Grant Program supports organizations in Oregon with annual budgets over $1.2 million. Grants range from $12,500 to $50,000 and prioritize innovative projects in Education, Health, Arts, and Environment. Eligible applicants must be established 501(c)(3) organizations for over three years and demonstrate community impact. Applications require a letter of support and collaboration with funding partners. The foundation does not fund organizations involved in active litigation or one-time events.

The Roundhouse Foundation invites proposals for its Open Call for Proposals, focusing on enhancing rural communities in Oregon. Grants, typically ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, support projects in arts, education, environmental stewardship, and social services. Eligible organizations must demonstrate community impact and innovative approaches. Applications are reviewed by external panels, with funding decisions announced within 6-8 weeks. Organizations are encouraged to connect with the Foundation for guidance prior to submission.

Grants Overview

The Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation supports local, national, and international initiatives in the following categories: climate, health equity, and sustainable communities. We also support Oregon-based arts and cultural* organizations. There is clear overlap between our funding priorities: we embrace that intersectionality and understand that organizations often work across multiple priorities.

We offer unrestricted grants, mostly ranging from $10,000-$40,000. We occasionally fund smaller and larger requests, and we are moving toward more multi-year grants. We try to keep a balance between organizations providing frontline services and organizations working to create and advocate for systemic solutions.

For our nonprofit partners, we try to keep our application and reporting forms straightforward: we don’t want you to be distracted from fulfilling your mission by complicated forms.

Within the capacity of our staff of one, we value partnership and contact: we welcome you to reach out to us with ideas, questions, suggestions, and opportunities. We hope to have the chance to meet with you and thank you for your work.

Current Funding Trends

Before you apply, please read about our funding trends and grant eligibility below, as well as our pages for relevant funding priorities:

ClimateHealth EquitySustainable CommunitiesOregon Arts & Culture

Funding Area: Health Equity

Our founder Dr. Ron Naito devoted his career to treating the whole patient. Accordingly, we embrace the World Health Organization’s definition of health: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

We see significant intersection between this funding priority and our other priorities – all connected by healing. For our health equity funding area, we seek applications from organizations or initiatives that work to improve health outcomes, decrease health inequities, and increase individual and social well-being.

This includes (but isn’t limited to) organizations that:

• Increase historically marginalized communities’ access to sustained health care either internationally or domestically, including both frontline service providers and initiatives that advocate for policy or market reforms.
• Focus on lasting health outcomes, such as eyesight restoration, disability supports, reproductive justice, and other health interventions that impact individuals’ long-term health and capacity to thrive.
• Increase equitable, sustainable access to healthy foods, including sustained nutritional interventions, nutritional policy, and food sovereignty and systems initiatives.
• Improve health outcomes through clean air, water, hygiene, and anti-toxin/-pollutant advocacy, policy, and frontlines interventions.
• Provide ongoing support and empowerment to people experiencing violence, displacement, poverty, and other traumas.
• Combat misinformation contributing to adverse health outcomes.
• Diversify participation in health research, policy, and medical care to advance more equitable health outcomes.

The Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation offers Sustainable Communities Grants aimed at fostering social equity and environmental sustainability. Since its inception in 2019, the foundation supports nonprofits globally to address climate change, health disparities, and community transformation. With a trust-based approach, grants are unrestricted, enabling organizations to allocate funds according to their unique needs. The foundation values initiatives that promote social justice, economic empowerment, and environmental justice, particularly those benefiting historically marginalized communities.

The Foster Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Pacific Northwest that align with priority funding issues such as social services, education, medical research, and community engagement. The foundation seeks to cultivate long-term partnerships and is committed to improving community life through various initiatives. Eligible organizations must hold a 501(c)(3) status and address one of the foundation's priority issues while ensuring that funds are used within the designated geographic reach.

The Pacific Power Foundation is dedicated to enhancing community vitality through charitable investments, with a focus on arts and culture. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, supporting projects in performing arts, visual arts, and cultural heritage. In 2021, over $1 million was awarded to local nonprofits, underscoring the foundation's commitment to community growth in service areas across Oregon, Washington, California, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho.

The Chambers Family Foundation, established in 1999, is a private non-profit based in Eugene, Oregon, committed to enhancing community welfare. It prioritizes funding projects in arts, education, medical, health, and human needs, specifically in Lane and Benton counties. The foundation supports initiatives that align with its values and have a significant community impact. Applications for operating funds are accepted, while capital project funding is considered under special circumstances.

The Pacific Power Foundation offers grants to support health, safety, and wellness organizations within its service areas across Oregon, Washington, California, Utah, Wyoming, and Idaho. Eligible candidates include nonprofit groups with 501(c)(3) status and government entities. The foundation focuses on initiatives addressing food insecurity, mental health, and public safety, aiming to enhance community well-being. Grants are awarded in four cycles, ensuring thorough review for maximum impact. Applications must demonstrate relevance to the served communities.

Ninety-nine Girlfriends offers annual Impact Awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 to nonprofits in the Portland Metro/SW Washington area. The grants focus on four key areas: educational equity for youth, environmental sustainability, housing stability, and women's economic empowerment. Emphasizing equity and trust-based philanthropy, they seek organizations that demonstrate a commitment to community impact and inclusivity. Applications are open to 501(c)(3) entities and fiscally sponsored groups, requiring a minimum annual revenue of $100,000.

The BECU Foundation's People Helping People Awards honor exceptional nonprofit work in communities served by BECU. Each year, BECU members can nominate organizations for grants up to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be active 501(c)(3) organizations with a direct impact in Idaho, Oregon, South Carolina, or Washington. This initiative highlights the importance of community service and encourages members to recognize local heroes making a difference.

The Stimson-Miller Foundation Grant supports civic, cultural, educational, and health-related initiatives in communities where Stimson Lumber Company operates. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities and located within 60 miles of a mill or corporate office. The Foundation prioritizes shareholder-driven projects and specific program support over general operational funding. Note that organizations previously funded are not eligible this year.

The Rosendin Foundation Annual Grant provides financial support to community-focused 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations across various states, aiding initiatives in emotional, occupational, and nutritional health. Grants can reach up to $50,000 and are geared towards organizations that positively impact their communities. However, the foundation does not fund discriminatory practices, political efforts, or religiously affiliated projects, ensuring that support is directed towards inclusive and impactful community services.

The Pacific Power Foundation offers Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect Grants to support nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power service areas. Since 2019, the foundation has contributed over $13 million to promote community resilience, affordable housing, and environmental conservation. Eligible candidates include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions. Grants aim to address local needs while ensuring responsible environmental stewardship, enhancing community vitality, and fostering sustainable development.

The Detwiler Family Foundation Grant aims to enhance the lives of children in local communities through support for educational and artistic programs. The foundation focuses on assisting children facing life challenges, including those experiencing food insecurity, mental health needs, and disabilities. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations in specific U.S. regions, prioritizing projects that foster community growth and empowerment. This initiative exemplifies a commitment to enriching children's well-being and ensuring access to vital resources.