Best Grants for Museums in Oregon

The Creative West Artist Fund supports artists and cultural practitioners across 16 states, providing essential funding and resources to enhance their emotional and financial well-being. Rooted in values of Democracy, Wellness, and Belonging, this initiative offers no-strings-attached funding alongside coaching and community care. It aims to empower artists as vital contributors to the creative economy, while promoting equitable and trust-based grantmaking practices. The fund serves to foster a rich creative community through collaboration and support.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) aims to enhance research capabilities in eligible states by increasing the number of university researchers and institutions conducting relevant science and engineering research. Sponsored by the Department of Defense, this program will fund multiyear awards to promote research aligned with national security needs. Applications require a multi-stage submission process, emphasizing early registration and timely proposal submissions.

The FY26 Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) Capacity Building opportunity aims to enhance the capabilities of university researchers in eligible states. Managed by the DoD, this initiative focuses on increasing the number of researchers capable of conducting relevant science and engineering research. The program also seeks to strengthen institutions of higher education and improve their competitiveness for federal research funding, ultimately fostering long-term growth in financial assistance for scientific research.

The Charlotte Martin Foundation prioritizes funding for rural BIPOC organizations focused on youth programs, emphasizing education, athletics, and cultural expression for ages 6-18. Grants support initiatives that enhance access to diverse experiences, educational opportunities, and sports programs. The foundation is committed to addressing inequities in funding distribution, ensuring resources reach non-dominant communities. Organizations must be based in the Western states and demonstrate a commitment to racial equity and diversity in their leadership and programming.

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 Society for Northwestern Vertebrate Biology (SNVB) offers scholarships of up to $1500 for two students conducting vertebrate research in Northwestern North America. Eligible applicants include undergraduate, masters, and PhD students who are enrolled in accredited institutions and members of SNVB. The scholarships cover research-related expenses such as travel and supplies. Preference is given to proposals from local institutions, and only one award is granted per applicant each year.

The Safe Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund's Emerging Contaminants Program in Oregon provides low-cost financing for public water systems to improve drinking water quality. Funded by the EPA, it focuses on addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS and prioritizes projects in disadvantaged communities. Applications are accepted year-round, with funding contingent on available grants and eligibility criteria. This initiative highlights a commitment to enhancing public health and ensuring safe drinking water access for all communities.

The Brave Heart Fellowship, initiated by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute, empowers Native youth aged 18-24 to lead in environmental justice and food sovereignty efforts. This 9-month program offers a culturally-competent curriculum and promotes advocacy for protecting traditional lands and sacred sites. By uplifting Indigenous voices, the fellowship addresses inequities and fosters community engagement, aiming for a sustainable future rooted in Native culture and leadership.

The Ford Family Foundation

The Ford Family Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation proudly headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, serving rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Our investments through grants, scholarships and community building create the conditions for children to have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life.

Visual Arts Program

Support for arts fellowships, residencies and grants

The Visual Arts Program seeks to support Oregon’s established visual artists who are at pivotal points in their practice of art. We offer several opportunities and experiences aimed at accelerating an enhanced quality of artistic endeavor and significant advancements in artists’ work.

Hallie Ford Fellowship in the Visual Arts

The Foundation awards up to three unrestricted Hallie Ford Fellowships in the Visual Arts per calendar year to Oregon visual artists who have demonstrated a depth of sophisticated practice and potential for significant future accomplishment. These fellowships honor the late Hallie E. Ford, co-founder of The Ford Family Foundation, who strongly believed that artists should have the opportunity to realize their talents.

Artists who apply but are not selected for a Hallie Ford Fellowship are encouraged to reapply annually.

The Individual Artist Fellowship Grants, offered by the Oregon Arts Commission, support professional artists in advancing their careers. This fellowship is available in various artistic disciplines, including Performing and Visual Arts, with applications open to individuals aged 18 and older who have been residents of Oregon for at least one year. Artists from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply, promoting diversity and inclusion within the arts.

The Garden Club of America Award in Coastal Wetlands Studies supports graduate students engaged in coastal wetlands research. Established through the Rockefeller Environmental Education Fund, this scholarship promotes conservation by funding field work in tidal and nontidal wetlands across coastal states, including the Great Lakes. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. graduate program and can propose their own wetlands study. The award aims to foster environmental education and scientific inquiry in this vital ecosystem.

The Cook Inlet Beluga Whale (CIBW) Prey and Salmon Productivity Monitoring project at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) aims to assess prey species composition critical for the endangered CIBW. This initiative will inform environmental management decisions, support compliance with the Endangered Species Act, and contribute to understanding factors affecting CIBW population recovery. The project spans 18 months, with potential follow-on periods, focusing on the ecological dynamics of salmon and other prey species in JBER waters.

The Water/Wastewater Financing Program Grant in Oregon supports public infrastructure projects ensuring compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act. Grants up to $750,000 are available for eligible public entities, with a focus on municipalities under 15,000 in population. Funding is determined by financial capacity, and technical assistance grants of up to $50,000 are also offered. Certain costs, such as those for privately owned facilities, are ineligible.

About

The Costume Society of America (CSA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on March 23, 1973, and incorporated in the state of New York on September 12, 1973. CSA serves it members, and promotes its goals with national symposia and publications including the journal Dress and its monthly electronic newsletter CSA e-News.

The organization began forming regional groups in 1978. There are six regional groups in the United States and Canada, and one international group. Individual regions hold annual meetings, sponsor programs and publish newsletters.

Our Mission

The Costume Society of America fosters an understanding of appearance and dress practices of people across the globe through research, education, preservation, and design. Our network of members studies the past, examines the present, and anticipates the future of clothing and fashion.

Jack Handford Summer Internship

The Western Region actively supports student members who show promise as new professionals and encourages institutions and students to apply for the Jack Handford Summer Internship offered every other year, i.e. 2026 and 2028. The internship is appropriate for students with majors such as costume studies, material culture, museum studies, fashion history, or similar. The internship is intended to average duration of six weeks or a total of 120 hours. The grant may change depending on the budget; the 2024 winner received $3,000.

Student applicants must be current CSA Western Region members to apply. Check the forms: Institution Application and Student Application. All forms and other materials stated in the form should be submitted to Naomi Arnst, CSA-Western Region, Student Awards and Summer Internship Chair.

The Ford Family Foundation

The Ford Family Foundation is a nonprofit, private foundation proudly headquartered in Roseburg, Oregon, serving rural Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. Our investments through grants, scholarships and community building create the conditions for children to have the family, educational and community supports they need to succeed in life.

Visual Arts Program

Support for arts fellowships, residencies and grants

The Visual Arts Program seeks to support Oregon’s established visual artists who are at pivotal points in their practice of art. We offer several opportunities and experiences aimed at accelerating an enhanced quality of artistic endeavor and significant advancements in artists’ work.

1905 Legacy Award

The 1905 Legacy Award honors outstanding Oregon artists whose life-long career and sustained excellence has significantly impacted the artistic community of Oregon. The Foundation grants one unrestricted award every five years.

About the Award

Named in honor of Hallie E. Ford’s birth year, the 1905 Legacy Award in Visual Arts is a new and valuable component of the Foundation’s Visual Arts program, which is designed to accelerate an enhanced quality of work by established Oregon visual artists and to enrich Oregon’s visual arts ecology. It is bestowed by nomination and reviewed by an anonymous panel of arts professionals.

Artists will be considered by nomination.

Use of funds

Fellowship funds are unrestricted and intended to assist with work and life expenses. This includes, among other things, purchase of materials, production costs of artwork and to supplement living or travel costs during the year of exploration, conceptualization and creation of new work.

The NIOSH Miner Safety and Health Training Program aims to enhance health and safety training for miners in the Western United States. With mining fatalities significantly higher than the national average, this initiative seeks to address critical training needs by developing effective programs, increasing qualified instructors, and ensuring compliance with existing safety guidelines. By focusing on culturally appropriate training methods and collaborative efforts with other agencies, the program aims to reduce injuries and fatalities in the mining sector.

The Better Nursing Home Care Fund Grant, offered by The Oregon Community Foundation, aims to enhance the quality of care for nursing home residents in Oregon. This grant seeks applications from tax-exempt nonprofits and public agencies focused on innovative staffing solutions, training practices, and collaborative partnerships. It prioritizes projects that improve residents' quality of life and implement evidence-based best practices, while excluding funding for equipment or capital projects.

The Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund Grant supports high school organizations in enhancing natural resources education. This funding aims to provide essential tools, equipment, and technology for educational resources related to natural conservation. It is managed by the Oregon Community Foundation and includes specific subfunds for targeted regional support. The grant focuses on fostering forestry education and is contingent on available market funds and the number of proposals received.

Elda Washer Scholarship Fund

The Elda Washer Scholarship Fund is providing scholarships for deserving students. The Center for Scholarship Administration, Inc. (CSA), a non-profit, independent organization is the facilitator of the scholarship fund.

The institution must be an educational organization that normally maintains a regular faculty and curriculum and normally has a regularly enrolled body of pupils or students in attendance at the place where its educational activities are regularly conducted.

CommonSpirit Health offers the Community Health Improvement Grant to enhance health equity and service systems for underserved populations. Through collaborative efforts with 501(c)(3) organizations, this initiative provides financial support for essential health projects. Grant amounts range from $19,500 for small grants to $150,000 for standard grants, varying by hospital. Participating hospitals include those under Catholic Health Initiatives and Dignity Health, aimed at addressing significant community health needs.

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 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 Gray Family Foundation's Environmental Education Grant Program aims to enhance K-12 environmental education by funding initiatives that connect youth with nature. With a budget of $705,000 for 2025, the foundation seeks to support both formal and informal learning opportunities, including outdoor experiences during school hours, afterschool, and summer programs. This initiative fosters a deeper understanding of environmental issues and promotes active engagement in nature, ensuring that young people develop a strong connection to their surroundings.

The Camp Maintenance Fund Grant Program, supported by the Gray Family Foundation, aims to enhance outdoor school camp facilities across Oregon. Since 2014, the foundation has invested over $500,000 annually to improve existing camps, focusing on those hosting outdoor school programs. Priority is given to organizations demonstrating a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, while ensuring accessibility for all students, teachers, and parents. This initiative encourages collaboration and the sharing of best practices among grantees.

Higher Education Coordinating Commission

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is a State of Oregon agency and Commission working to improve equitable access to and success in higher education and workforce training for Oregonians statewide. We coordinate funding and policy, and convene partners across the public and private higher education and workforce landscape. 

Oregon Opportunity Grant

The Oregon Opportunity Grant (OOG) is Oregon's largest state-funded, need-based grant program for college students. The grant provides funding to more than 30,000 Oregon resident students each year.

OOG is a need-based grant awarded to Oregon residents of all ages who are pursuing their first associates degree or bachelor's degree at an eligible public or private institution. Award amounts vary based on student's financial need and type of institution the student attends. There is not a separate application for the OOG. To be considered for the grant, students must submit their FAFSA or ORSAA as soon as possible each academic year. Awards are first-come, first-served until funds are depleted. 

Conditions of the Award

Oregon Opportunity Grants are available to qualified students for up to four years (12 quarters or 8 semesters) of full-time enrollment, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress, continue to meet eligibility and award requirements, and file a new FAFSA or ORSAA each year.

The Sundt Foundation, established in 1999, supports local communities by offering grants and volunteer opportunities for 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Focused on youth development, hunger and nutrition, and veteran services, the Foundation prioritizes projects in regions such as the Southwest and Southeast United States. However, they do not fund requests exceeding $25,000 or support multi-year pledges, fundraising events, or political causes. Their mission continues to foster community connections and belonging.