Best Grants for Preschools in Oregon

The Franz Bakery Foundation Grant supports local charitable organizations focused on family support, youth development, and hunger reduction in areas served by Franz Bakery. With an average grant amount of $3,000, the Foundation aims to foster respect, equity, and inclusion within communities. Eligible applicants must be 501c3 tax-exempt nonprofits located in specific states and align with the Foundation's mission. Organizations can reapply annually, although applications do not roll over to the next year.

The Bonnie Plants 3rd Grade Cabbage Grant Program inspires young students to cultivate a love for gardening by providing free oversized cabbage plants to 3rd grade classrooms across the continental U.S. Initiated in 1996, the program encourages hands-on learning about where food comes from. Each year, students compete for a $1,000 prize awarded to the best cabbage grown, fostering excitement and education about agriculture. This initiative not only promotes environmental awareness but also engages students in practical science.

The Gus and Lola Rosenblatt Memorial Scholarship, provided by the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, offers financial assistance to Jewish male-identifying students from Oregon attending accredited colleges within the state. Established through Lola Rosenblatt's estate, this scholarship supports students pursuing higher education while emphasizing the values of philanthropy and community support. Eligible recipients can renew the scholarship for up to three additional years, ensuring continued educational opportunities for those who maintain a 3.0 GPA and meet residency criteria.

Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) Grants help local jurisdictions plan for transportation systems and land use patterns that create livable, sustainable, and economically vital communities. The resulting plans increase opportunities for transit, walking and bicycling. TGM awards grants in two categories:

• Category 1: Transportation System Planning. Grants for Transportation System Plan work, that meet the requirements of the Oregon Transportation Planning Rules, including complete or updated TSPs; TSP refinement plans; individual TSP elements (like bike and pedestrian or transit plans); and Safe Routes to School-related infrastructure plans. 
• Category 2: Integrated land use and transportation planning. This includes area plans, downtown plans, and concept plans for areas being brought into an urban growth boundary. 

The Mazama Conservation Grant Program offers essential funding to safeguard the Pacific Northwest's mountain ecosystems and landscapes. Grants between $500 and $2,500 support initiatives like trail maintenance, wilderness protection, and environmental education. Focusing on the Mt. Hood area, the program collaborates with environmental organizations and community groups to promote conservation efforts. By funding research, trail upkeep, and educational activities, the program ensures the health of the region's ecosystems, fostering a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship.

Oregon Department of Transportation

The Oregon Department of Transportation began in 1913 when the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Highway Commission to "get Oregon out of the mud."

Today, we develop programs related to Oregon’s system of highways, roads, and bridges; railways; public transportation services; transportation safety programs; driver and vehicle licensing; and motor carrier regulation.

Mission statement: ​We provide a safe and reliable multimodal transportation system that connects people and helps Oregon's communities and economy thrive.

Safe Routes to School Programs

“Safe Routes to School” refers to efforts that improve, educate, or encourage children safely walking (by foot or mobility device) or biking to school. The Oregon Department of Transportation has two main types of Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs: Construction and Education and technical assistance. Construction programs focus on making sure safe walking and biking routes exist through investments in crossings, sidewalks and bike lanes, flashing beacons, and the like. Education programs focus on education and outreach to assure awareness and safe use of walking and biking routes.

Safe Routes to School Construction Program

The Safe Routes to School Construction Program provides grant funding for cities, counties, tribes, transit districts, and the state through a reimbursement process for investments that address barriers to students walking and biking to school.

Program Description

The Safe Routes to School Construction Program is housed in the Public Transportation Division and divided into three types of grants: Competitive Construction Grants; Rapid Response Constructions Grants; and Project Identification Program (Planning Assistance).

Grant cycles will be every two years starting in 2019. All subsequent funding cycles will be determined by the Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee and the Safe Routes to School Construction Program Manager.

Project Identification Program (Planning Assistance)

Up to 2.5 percent of Safe Routes to School funds will be used by the Oregon Department of Transportation to help communities identify projects that reduce barriers and hazards for children walking or bicycling to and from school and that will lead to eventual construction.

Consultant services will be provided for up to 30 school communities each cycle depending on funding availability.

Consultant services will assist the community (school representatives, school community, and local road authority representative) to identify construction needs near one school, a cluster of schools feeding into the same middle or high school, or all schools in a community of 10,000 or less, focusing on all streets within a quarter-mile of the school, as well as critical issues within a mile of the school.

Consultant will coordinate and implement the Project Identification Program process in each community for each school. The outcome of each Project Identification Program process will be a Safe Routes to School Plan for each school, cluster of schools, or small community that outlines construction and educational needs to address barriers to students walking and biking to school and provides some information needed to apply for the ODOT Safe Routes to School Grants. 

The intent of the Project Identification Program is to assist communities in planning for Safe Routes to School who are unable to due to lack of funding, capacity, or expertise.

The Pacific Branch John Henry Comstock Award honors an exemplary graduate student in entomology within the Pacific Branch. This award aims to foster enthusiasm for entomology at the graduate level and encourage participation in the Pacific Branch and ESA Annual Meetings. The winner will present at the Pacific Branch Meeting and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the ESA Annual Meeting, a $100 cash prize, and a certificate, covering airfare, hotel, registration, and per diem.

Every Kindness is a Gift

Dollar Tree Gift Card Program 2026

Every Kindness is a Gift is a gift card grant program made possible through the generosity of Dollar Tree and managed by the team here at Gift Card Bank. We are a nonprofit organization that specializes in the distribution of gift cards and our mission is to improve well-being and build financial stability by supporting people through their time of need.

Through Every Kindness is a Gift, nonprofit organizations and Title I schools located in the 48 contiguous states may apply to receive a grant of Dollar Tree gift cards.

Gift cards received through these grants are meant to be distributed directly to individuals and families in need. A primary goal of the program is to give gift card recipients the dignity of choice by empowering them to shop for what they need themselves. By putting gift cards directly in the hands of our neighbors in need, we are able to increase access to essentials like food, school supplies, paper products, cleaning products, and hygiene items.

In 2026, there will be two rounds of grant distributions. In each round, we will award a number of grants between $2,500 and $10,000.

Round One is a summer distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round One will arrive in late June, while kids are on break and back-to-school is around the corner. Round Two is a holiday distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round Two will arrive in early November, as the end-of-year holidays approach.

We know that these are times of year when budgets are tight. Through these gift card grants, we hope to connect individuals and families directly to the essential resources they need during difficult months.

The Scholarship for Academic Excellence offers fourteen $2,500 awards for graduating high school seniors in Idaho Power’s service area. Eligible students must have a minimum 3.75 GPA and plan to enroll full-time in accredited STEM or business programs in Idaho or Oregon. Applications open on January 1, 2025, and awards are one-time grants for the following school year. This scholarship aims to support aspiring students in pursuing higher education.

Oregon Health Authority

The Oregon Health Authority is at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of people in Oregon.

Mission: Ensuring all people and communities can achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA will transform the health care system in Oregon by: improving the lifelong health of people in Oregon, increasing the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all people in Oregon and lowering or containing the cost of care so it's affordable to everyone.

Traditional Drinking Water Source Protection Grant

The Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (DWSPF) is designed for the protection of drinking water sources. Drinking water sources include watersheds above a public water supply surface water intake and/or the delineated portion of the aquifer supplying water to public water supply wells or springs. 

Traditional Drinking Water Source Protection grants are for projects that promote reducing risks associated within a drinking water source area or the refinement of a drinking water source area. Projects can involve one or more eligible public water systems that are equal partners in the project. 

Oregon Health Authority

The Oregon Health Authority is at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of people in Oregon.

Mission: Ensuring all people and communities can achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA will transform the health care system in Oregon by: improving the lifelong health of people in Oregon, increasing the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all people in Oregon and lowering or containing the cost of care so it's affordable to everyone.

Regional Source Water Collaborative Project Grant

The Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (DWSPF) is designed for the protection of drinking water sources. Drinking water sources include watersheds above a public water supply surface water intake and/or the delineated portion of the aquifer supplying water to public water supply wells or springs. 

Regional Source Water Collaborative Project grants are being piloted by the agencies to strengthen public water system regional ties and cooperation on source water protection and therefore improve source water resiliency across Oregon. The grants are intended to support projects that reduce risks and foster coordination among public water systems using groundwater and surface water sources. Each grant must dedicate funds to projects within source areas serving smaller water systems (serving fewer than 3,300) that are located inside a larger water system’s (or collaborative’s) drinking water source area(s). Eligible projects must involve at least three smaller water system partners and provide protection benefits to multiple water systems involved in the project. The expectation is that roughly half of the project expenses will be directed at the smaller water systems’ drinking water source areas that are Official Partners to the project. This initiative aims to foster regional coordination and improve source water protection for underserved communities. 

Oregon Health Authority

The Oregon Health Authority is at the forefront of lowering and containing costs, improving quality and increasing access to health care in order to improve the lifelong health of people in Oregon.

Mission: Ensuring all people and communities can achieve optimum physical, mental, and social well-being through partnerships, prevention, and access to quality, affordable health care. OHA will transform the health care system in Oregon by: improving the lifelong health of people in Oregon, increasing the quality, reliability, and availability of care for all people in Oregon and lowering or containing the cost of care so it's affordable to everyone.

Land Acquisition (Conservation) Planning Grant

The Drinking Water Source Protection Fund (DWSPF) is designed for the protection of drinking water sources. Drinking water sources include watersheds above a public water supply surface water intake and/or the delineated portion of the aquifer supplying water to public water supply wells or springs. 

Land Acquisition (Conservation) Planning grants are for conservation purposes directed at the preservation of land to protect, restore, or enhance sources of drinking water serving eligible public water systems. Eligible conservation planning projects can include any studies or activities that involve or are related to assessing legal and/or financial feasibility of purchasing land, easements, or similar projects within an identified drinking water source area. 

The Jonathan O. Davis Fellowship, offered by the Desert Research Institute, supports exceptional Masters and PhD students conducting research in Quaternary geology, geomorphology, and geoarchaeology within the Great Basin. Awards of up to $2500 for Masters students and $5000 for PhD students are available. This fellowship honors Jonathan O. Davis, a dedicated Quaternary scientist, and aims to foster significant research contributions to understanding this critical geological period.

The RWN Foundation: Oregon Arts & Culture Grant supports innovative arts and cultural organizations that enhance community well-being. Focused on historically marginalized groups, it promotes access to arts education and cultural programming. The foundation seeks to fund initiatives that celebrate diverse traditions and foster social equity, particularly in Oregon. Grants are typically smaller, averaging $10,000, and are unrestricted, allowing organizations to allocate funds as needed to maximize impact.

The Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to enhance big game habitats and migration routes on federal, private, and Tribal lands. With an anticipated funding of $3 million, projects will focus on improving habitats for species like elk and mule deer, fostering biodiversity and climate resilience. This initiative supports sustainable wildlife populations and prioritizes collaborations with key partners such as the U.S. Department of Interior.

The California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grant aims to support public middle and high school sports programs facing funding challenges due to budget cuts. Established by California Casualty, this grant provides financial assistance for purchasing equipment and covering travel costs for competitions. Eligible applicants must be active employees of public schools and members of affiliated education associations. Awards cannot be used for individual student recognition or fundraising projects.

The Patterson Foundation offers Assistance Dog Program Grants to support organizations providing service animals to veterans and individuals with disabilities. Funding is available for projects that expand capacity, personnel costs related to puppy training, and program support aimed at improving client experiences. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) non-profits and can request grants up to $35,000 for capital projects or $10,000 for program support. Applications are accepted through a two-step process.

The Pride Foundation Community Grants Program supports LGBTQ+ organizations in the Northwest by providing consistent funding to advance equity and justice. Since 1987, over $12 million has been awarded, with a focus on innovative and grassroots organizations. The 2024 cycle includes both proactive grants and open applications, ensuring accessibility for all eligible groups. This initiative centers on racial justice and aims to empower BIPOC and TGNC communities, fostering health, education, and community-building efforts.

About Us

The Oregon Cultural Trust is Oregon’s unique engine for fueling culture. We do that by inspiring Oregonians to participate in the cultural tax credit.

Organizational & Professional Development Grant Program

The Organizational & Professional Development Grant Program is an opportunity available to cultural nonprofits in Oregon as well as Cultural Trust County and Tribal Cultural Coalitions and their members. Applying organizations must have an annual operating budget of under $1.5 million.

The Organizational & Professional Development Grant is a program developed by the Cultural Trust Partners. The purpose of the program is to strengthen cultural non-profit leadership and organizational effectiveness to better serve Oregon’s cultural community. This program is focused on cultural organizations and coalitions with operating budgets under $1.5 million to provide access to development opportunities not otherwise available. 

The Forest Collaboratives Grant Program, established by the Oregon Legislature in 2013, aims to enhance restoration efforts on federal forests in Oregon. By providing funding through a competitive process, it supports collaborative groups in developing and implementing restoration projects that focus on vegetation management on USFS- and BLM-managed lands. The program seeks to increase the complexity and acreage of these projects while improving the capacity of local collaboratives to achieve their goals.

National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants

The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants Program annually provides grants of up to $1 million to coastal and Great Lakes states, as well as U.S. territories to protect, restore and enhance coastal wetland ecosystems and associated uplands. The Program is funded by revenues collected from excise taxes on sport fishing equipment, electric motors and sonar, import duties on fishing tackle, yachts and pleasure craft, a portion of the gasoline tax attributable to motorboats and small engines, and interest on the fund, under the authority of the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950.

Eligible projects include the acquisition of real property interest in coastal lands or waters and the restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

OWEB Coastal Wetlands Grants

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grant Program (NCWCGP) was established to acquire, restore, and enhance wetlands in coastal states through competitive matching grants to state agencies. The primary goal of the NCWCGP is the long‐term conservation of coastal wetland ecosystems. Only legislatively approved state agencies may submit applications to the NCWCGP. Since 2013, OWEB has been an approved agency. OWEB serves as the official grantee of the federal award and makes the federal funds available to local conservation and restoration partners through sub-grants. All sub-grants are subject to the Rules and guidelines of OWEB’s grant programs.

Eligible Projects

All projects must ensure long-term conservation.

Eligible projects under the NCWCGP include:

• Acquisition of a real property interest (permanent conservation easement or fee title) in coastal lands or coastal wetlands ecosystems from willing sellers, and/or
• Restoration, enhancement, or management of coastal wetlands ecosystems.

Restoration Grants

OWEB issues a solicitation for Coastal Wetlands Restoration Grant applications in the spring of each year.

The Organization Collaboration Grant Program, offered by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board (OWEB), aims to foster strategic collaborations that enhance local organizations' sustainability and ecological outcomes. Eligible applicants include groups that support these efforts, especially those with a watershed council, soil and water conservation district, or land trust. Grants can go up to $75,000, enabling organizations to evaluate structures or pursue mergers to improve service delivery and community engagement.

Engagement Grants aim to facilitate projects that foster communication and engagement with landowners and the community regarding restoration, acquisition, or resource assessment initiatives. These projects must demonstrate a clear connection to specific geographic areas and address ecosystem goals, ensuring measurable outcomes. Education projects are excluded, as eligibility focuses on activities directly linked to habitat protection and restoration, striving to enhance awareness and skills in watershed management.

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 Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Program (OR) provides crucial funding for public water suppliers to enhance, restore, or protect drinking water sources. Established by Oregon's HB 2010, this program allocates $5 million, with individual grants capped at $3 million, to support land acquisition and conservation efforts. It particularly focuses on serving rural and lower-income communities, ensuring access to clean water while promoting environmental stewardship and community health.

Restoration Grants

Restoration grants are for watershed projects that protect or restore watershed functions.

Eligible Restoration Projects by Habitat and Activity

The list of eligible project types below is not an exhaustive list.

• Instream Habitat
  • Improving fish passage
  • Enhancing channel complexity to improve habitat and function​
  • Reconnecting historic side channels and floodplain
  • Protecting or increasing flow
  • Improving water quality
  • ​Restoring proper functioning condition
• Riparian Habitat
  • Enhancing riparian vegetation communities
  • Treating invasive weed species
  • Reconnecting the floodplain
  • Moving roads out of riparian zones
  • Exclusion fencing
  • ​Improved livestock management
• Upland Habitat
  • Vegetation management
    • Prairie restoration, juniper removal, oak enhancement, aspen protection, mahogany enhancement, and forest health
    • Invasive plant and weed species control
  • ​Rangeland improvements that benefit native grassland habitat
  • Road closures or drainage improvements
• Wetland or Estuarine Habitat
  • Restoring tidal wetlands by channel creation or enhancement
  • Improving fish passage by removing or upgrading tide gates and culverts
  • Removing constrictive dikes, levees, and roads and improve hydrology
  • Enhancing or establishing wetland plant communities
  • Excluding livestock access for habitat protection
  • Treating invasive weeds