Best Grants for Community Service Projects 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.

Idaho Power Company is dedicated to enhancing community well-being through financial and in-kind contributions that support various local initiatives. Their approach emphasizes accountability while balancing the needs of their customers and shareholders. The organization focuses on health services, education, arts, civic engagement, environmental stewardship, and diverse community support. Idaho Power aims to foster inclusive practices and timely responses to contribution requests, ultimately enriching the quality of life in the regions they serve.

The Ford Family Foundation's Good Neighbor Grants aim to support rural communities by providing funding for essential programs and services. With a focus on family support, educational success, and community building, these grants help ensure that families have access to necessary resources. Grants can be used for emergencies, capital projects, and community events, with amounts up to $25,000 available. The Foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster collaboration and sustainability within the community.

The Ford Family Foundation offers larger funding requests over $25,000 for projects aligned with their funding priorities, including family support, education, and community development. Their grants aim to strengthen family connections, enhance educational opportunities for rural children, and foster thriving communities. Eligible organizations must primarily benefit rural residents in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. The Foundation emphasizes community support and prohibits funding for discriminatory practices or debt retirement.

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 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 Oregon Community Foundation's Community Grants Program provides vital funding to nonprofits addressing pressing community needs across Oregon. With a commitment to equitable access, the program supports innovative solutions that foster connection and belonging among diverse populations. The initiative prioritizes funding for new and expanding projects, capacity-building, and small capital improvements, empowering organizations to create lasting impact. This responsive approach has been shaped by local voices and aims to enhance community resilience and address systemic inequities.

The Clark Foundation Grant supports qualified non-profit organizations in Oregon, focusing on social services, education, and health. Established in 1968, the Foundation prioritizes projects over general operating requests. Applications are reviewed twice yearly, with deadlines of June 30th and December 31st. Organizations with existing philanthropic relationships or Board member involvement receive preferred funding. This grant aims to enhance community support and foster impactful initiatives.

The Wildhorse Foundation offers grants to support the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and surrounding areas in Oregon and Washington. With a commitment to community welfare, the foundation donates over $1 million annually to various projects, including arts, education, and environmental protection. Organizations must operate within the designated areas and adhere to specific eligibility criteria. The foundation emphasizes charitable giving and aims to enhance the quality of life for tribal members and their communities.

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 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 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 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 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 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 National Trust Preservation Funds provide grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to support local preservation projects and ongoing work. These funds aim to enhance community engagement in preservation, foster technical expertise, and stimulate financial participation from the private sector. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations focused on planning and education efforts related to preservation. The program is particularly interested in initiatives that reach new audiences and further the preservation movement.

The Herbert A. Templeton Foundation, established in 1955, supports tax-exempt organizations focused on education, social services, and cultural arts in Oregon. It prioritizes funding for direct services to youth under 18 and requires applying organizations to be 501(c)(3) entities in good standing. Grant requests are processed biannually, with deadlines in March and October. The Foundation emphasizes accountability, requiring grant reports that demonstrate measurable outcomes related to its funding.

The Roundhouse Foundation's Capital Grants program offers funding for building maintenance and new construction projects aimed at enhancing rural Oregon communities. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for essential repairs, while new construction projects can receive up to $100,000. Emphasizing sustainability and community impact, the foundation seeks innovative proposals that foster economic resilience, improve safety, and expand organizational capacity in arts, culture, and social services.

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.

The Schnitzer Foundation CommuniCare Grants aim to foster community-minded leaders among students in Oregon. This year-long program encourages student-directed groups to tackle community issues by raising funds, which are matched 10:1 by the Schnitzer CARE Foundation. Students engage in the grantmaking process, researching and evaluating local nonprofits to fund initiatives that align with their mission. By supporting educational community service, the program inspires the next generation to become active agents of change.

The Pacific Power Foundation provides Education/STEM Grants aimed at enhancing community vitality through charitable investments. With over $1 million awarded in 2021, eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and youth organizations. The foundation emphasizes initiatives in electrical safety, energy efficiency, and workforce development. Grants are available in four cycles to ensure thorough evaluation of requests. Exclusions apply to organizations that discriminate or operate outside the service areas of Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power.

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 In-N-Out Burger Foundation supports organizations that aid children and youth affected by abuse and neglect, offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) registered, operational for at least two years, and demonstrate a commitment to the foundation's mission. Applications are considered for traditional, capital, and program support, focusing on sustainable solutions and clear objectives. Organizations must operate in areas with In-N-Out Burger locations to qualify.

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.