Best Grants for Mentoring Programs in Oregon

Eligible Oregon school districts and community partners running after-school or summer learning programs can apply for Oregon Department of Education’s Nita M. Lowey 21st CCLC grants; awards US $250,000 - US $2,350,000 support academic enrichment. Funding backs tutoring, mentoring, youth development, mental health, literacy, CTE, and family engagement in high-poverty schools.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Oregon offering tutoring, mentoring, or other education and youth-support programs can apply for Foster Foundation grants to strengthen services. Funding also supports basic human needs, social services, and community engagement within the Pacific Northwest, so Oregon mentoring programs that address these priorities may be competitive.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Oregon running long-term, transformative mentoring and youth development programs for underserved ages 5–18 can seek US $15,000 - US $50,000. Silver Family Foundation supports structured mentoring, academic intervention, and college and career preparation, including general operating and potential multi-year support; organizations must first complete an LOI.

The TruStage Foundation focuses on fostering economic mobility through education and housing initiatives. By supporting K-12 literacy, mentoring, and affordable housing projects, the foundation aims to uplift marginalized communities. With a commitment to addressing racial and socioeconomic disparities, TruStage seeks to empower individuals and families to build a brighter future. Their funding is directed towards impactful programs that align with their mission, while avoiding causes that do not meet their criteria for economic mobility.

Faculty at U.S. colleges and universities, including those in Oregon, can apply for Institute for Humane Studies Free Society Grants to develop or expand undergraduate programming in the liberal tradition. Funding supports mentorship programs, reading groups, discussion series, workshops, and symposia that foster sustained intellectual engagement and can include structured mentoring components for students.

The Indigo Oak Fund's Education Grant Program supports educational initiatives in Colorado and the Bay Area, focusing on both traditional schools and alternative learning experiences. This program aims to empower individuals through education, fostering personal growth and lifelong learning. By funding resources for teachers and career advancement for adults, the Fund seeks to create equal opportunities, enhance community engagement, and contribute to a more equitable society.

State education affiliates in Oregon and across the U.S. can apply for the National Education Association Staff Organization’s ARP Implementation Network Grant, awarding up to US $100,000 to fund a coordinator for American Rescue Plan implementation. Programs that include K–12 mentoring, tutoring, and educational equity initiatives may benefit from this support.

Early-career production managers in live entertainment who are U.S. citizens or studying at a U.S. college can apply for United Institute for Theatre Technology’s Carolyn A. Satter mentorship award; it provides US $2,000 for conference-related expenses and intensive one-on-one mentoring. Oregon-based USITT members may be especially interested in this national opportunity.

Nonprofit organizations, school districts, public agencies, and higher education institutions in Oregon expanding K–12 tutoring or mentoring supports can apply for the Community Collaboration Challenge, awarding US $5,000 - US $10,000 for evidence-based student support pilots. Funded by the National Partnership for Student Success, strong community conveners with robust local networks are prioritized.

Oregon mentoring and tutoring leaders interested in professionalizing youth mentoring can access funding through the Bergel Institute to complete a year-long, part-time fellowship. This virtual U.S.-based fellowship supports individuals designing training, certification, and licensing frameworks to build mentoring into a credentialed profession, creating full-time career pathways and improved outcomes for children in high-poverty communities. Award is US $30,000.

Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and Oregon Tribes seeking support for arts, education, environment, health, historic preservation, or public safety projects can apply for Spirit Mountain Foundation’s small grants, with awards up to US $7,500. With a mission to strengthen communities, Spirit Mountain Foundation provides Oregon tutoring and mentoring programs with competitive, two-step LOI and full application funding opportunities.

Nonprofit organizations and eligible public agencies in Oregon seeking support for programmatic work or capital projects in areas like education, health, environmental preservation, arts and culture, or public safety can apply; awards up to US $100,000. Focused on education, environmental preservation, and health, Spirit Mountain Foundation invites tutoring and mentoring programs to submit a competitive Letter of Inquiry.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and government programs in Oregon that provide ongoing academic or life-skills mentoring for low-income youth can receive Ross gift cards to buy school or professional clothing. Grants from Ross Stores Foundation help tutoring and mentoring programs serving socioeconomically disadvantaged youth ages 3–24 within 25 miles of a Ross or dd’s DISCOUNTS store, with awards of US $300 - US $500.

Undergraduate and recent graduate students interested in health careers can access a full-time, 10‑week summer mentoring internship that builds tutoring and mentoring skills, offered nationally and open to applicants from Oregon. Focused on diverse, underrepresented, and low-income students, John Muir Health’s Health Career Connection Internship provides real-world experience, mentoring, and networking in public and community health fields.

High school, undergraduate, and medical students interested in healthcare careers can access a year-long near-peer mentorship program supporting tutoring and mentoring, including for those in Oregon. John Muir Health provides this CLIMB program to develop community-engaged family medicine providers through virtual weekly meetings and opportunities to mentor high school students.

Focused on film music, New Music USA invites developing composers in Oregon and nationwide to seek support for feature-length narrative or documentary scores in production or post-production. Eligible composers on independently financed films under $20m may receive approximately US $20,000 for score-related costs and high-impact mentorship, which can benefit mentoring-focused arts programs.

Oregon students interested in legal mentoring and professional development can access funding through the Josh Dubin Fellowship, a seven-week paid experience for current Shawn Carter Foundation scholars. Hosted with Dubin Research and Consulting and The Perlmutter Center for Legal Justice, it combines legal research, case analysis, site visits, mentorship, and added scholarship support for educational expenses.

Individuals pursuing or planning PhDs in fields like computer science, data science, or AI who are interested in mentoring-related research can apply for the Ai2 Predoctoral Young Investigators Program, which is open beyond Oregon. Grants from Allen Institute For Artificial Intelligence help participants gain intensive research experience, co-author publications, and receive mentoring toward top graduate programs.

High school seniors planning to study business, engineering, or related fields with an interest in tutoring and mentoring can access renewable scholarship support and one-on-one mentorship; eligibility is limited to U.S. citizens graduating from Conroe Independent School District. Bradley Family Foundation provides ongoing financial aid and mentor matching to support students through four years of college.

Undergraduate, master’s, and medical students interested in pediatric oncology research can receive up to US $5,000 for a mentored summer research internship, including applicants in Oregon. With a mission to change the lives of children with cancer, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation provides hands-on training and mentoring in pediatric cancer research across the U.S. and Canada.

City of Milwaukee high school seniors seeking undergraduate education and mentoring support can receive US $3,000 - US $5,000 scholarships through the Rotary Club of Milwaukee Community Tr. With a mission to support higher education, this program provides financial aid plus ongoing mentorship and guidance, which may interest Oregon mentoring professionals seeking model programs.

The Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award (KR1) offers crucial support for researchers aiming for independence. Funded by the US Dept. of Health & Human Services through the NIH, this award allows candidates to engage in intensive research training under a mentor's guidance for up to five years. It is designed for those with research doctoral degrees, facilitating their transition into independent research roles and enhancing their contributions to the scientific community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) and similar organizations offering tutoring and mentoring, education, or human services can receive US $2,000 - US $10,000 for general operations, specific projects, or occasional capital needs. McGraw Foundation provides support primarily to groups in the greater Chicago area, which may include Oregon-based programs partnering or operating there.

The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust Grant supports educational programs and initiatives that assist individuals demonstrating financial need. Founded in 1975, it prioritizes funding for organizations that enhance educational opportunities, arts, culture, and community initiatives, particularly for youth and disadvantaged populations. The Trust encourages proposals from 501(c)(3) organizations, with grants typically ranging from $10,000 to $20,000. It also considers limited proposals in disabilities, environmental protection, and historic preservation, focusing on educational impact.

The BCF Community Grant offers funding opportunities for organizations that support the growth of children, youth, and families in Benton County. With a cap of $10,000, grants can be requested for programs in arts, human services, education, and community betterment. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations and others serving the county. However, funding is not available for discriminatory practices or private individuals. This initiative aims to enhance community welfare and development.

The Mentored Clinician Research Scientist Career Development Award (KC1) from the NIH supports clinician research scientists for up to five years, providing dedicated time for intensive research career development. This award aims to guide candidates with clinical doctoral degrees towards achieving research independence by pairing them with experienced mentors who can help navigate their career paths.

The Mentored Career Transition Award (KT1/R00) offers a biphasic funding opportunity for up to 5 years, supporting the transition of postdoctoral researchers to independent faculty positions. The first phase provides 1-2 years of mentored career development, while the second phase grants up to 3 years of independent research support, contingent upon satisfactory progress and faculty appointment. This grant aims to enhance the capacity of early-career researchers in achieving research-intensive roles.