Best Quality of Life Grants in Oregon

The Cultural Trust envisions an Oregon that champions and invests in creative expression and cultural exchange, driving innovation and opportunity for all. The mission of the Cultural Trust is to lead Oregon in cultivating, growing and valuing culture as an integral part of communities. We do this by inspiring Oregonians to invest in a permanent fund that provides annual grants to cultural organizations.

The OWEB Water Acquisition Grant Program aims to enhance instream flows by facilitating the acquisition of water rights from willing sellers. This program addresses critical conservation needs for habitats and species while improving water quality in Oregon's water-limited areas. Eligible applicants include tribes, non-profits, and local governments, with a focus on projects that implement strategic planning and monitoring for sustainable water use. Priority is given to partnerships that align with ecological priorities.

The OWEB Land Acquisition Grant Program, administered by the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, supports projects aimed at acquiring land for conservation and restoration efforts. Applicants must consult with OWEB staff prior to submission, ensuring a comprehensive and competitive application process. This program aims to enhance Oregon's natural resources and promote sustainable land use practices. With a focus on collaboration, it encourages applicants to align with OWEB's statutes and guidance for successful project outcomes.

The Oregon Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, funded by the USDA through the Oregon Department of Agriculture, aims to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops such as fruits, vegetables, and nursery crops. Eligible applicants include non-profits, government entities, and producer groups. Projects must demonstrate potential benefits to U.S. specialty crops, and funds cannot be used for research proposals or to benefit a single entity. This initiative supports diverse agricultural advancements in Oregon.

About Samaritan Health Services

We’re a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and health services caring for more than 290,000 residents in the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon Coast and portions of Marion and Polk counties. We work together to provide highly reliable and innovative medicine with world-class quality in a way that supports the values of the communities we serve. That includes caring for all people, regardless of their ability to pay.

Health Education Scholarships

One of the many keys to maintaining a healthy, prosperous community is ensuring a sustainable supply of excellent health care providers. To achieve this, Samaritan Health Services offers numerous scholarships to local students pursuing careers as doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well continuing education or specialty training for current medical providers.

Each year, Samaritan awards more than $25,000 in scholarships for health care education to ensure the communities we serve receive the best care possible well into the future.

John & Carol Dinges Medical Scholarship

The John and Carol Dinges Medical Scholarship is intended to provide financial support for the education of an individual who desires to enter a medical field for the first time. The funds will be sent directly to the college for the student’s tuition. 

The scholarship is to be used for one of the following programs of study, which are listed in order of preference:

1. Nursing

2. Nursing Assistant

3. Diagnostic Imaging

4. Pharmacy Tech

5. EMT

6. Medical Assistant

7. Medical Office Specialist

8. Other LBCC medical field classes

Out of School Time

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) has identified out-of-school time as an opportunity to combat socioeconomic, geographic, and racial inequities in student success. Research has shown that quality out-of-school time programs that have a robust SEL focus can support positive youth development and increase engagement with school, thus improving attendance, boosting academic performance, and increasing the likelihood of high school graduation and post-secondary attainment. 

OCF seeks proposals from out-of-school time programs in Oregon that wish to participate in a three-year, highly structured SEL program quality improvement Learning Community. Interested organizations should already be familiar with continuous program quality processes and wish to deepen their SEL program quality.   Programs must serve youth from low-income families, youth of color and/or youth from under-resourced rural communities. 

The Partners in Science Grant Program, funded by the M J Murdock Charitable Trust, connects secondary school science teachers with research mentors to enhance their teaching and research skills. This innovative initiative offers renewable three-year grants to universities, supporting partnerships that foster professional growth through hands-on research experiences. Teachers engage in two annual conferences, allowing them to share findings and best practices, ultimately enriching the educational landscape and improving student engagement in scientific inquiry.

The Community Services Grant Program, offered by the City of Hillsboro, Oregon, supports local nonprofit agencies aimed at enhancing the mental and physical well-being of community members. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) social service agencies that address diverse needs such as aging, child care, and mental health. Agencies receiving $3,000 or more must submit a Six-Month Progress Report to qualify for future funding, ensuring accountability and effective use of resources.

About Samaritan Health Services

We’re a nonprofit network of hospitals, clinics and health services caring for more than 290,000 residents in the mid-Willamette Valley and central Oregon Coast and portions of Marion and Polk counties. We work together to provide highly reliable and innovative medicine with world-class quality in a way that supports the values of the communities we serve. That includes caring for all people, regardless of their ability to pay.

Health Education Scholarships

One of the many keys to maintaining a healthy, prosperous community is ensuring a sustainable supply of excellent health care providers. To achieve this, Samaritan Health Services offers numerous scholarships to local students pursuing careers as doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, as well continuing education or specialty training for current medical providers.

Each year, Samaritan awards more than $25,000 in scholarships for health care education to ensure the communities we serve receive the best care possible well into the future.

Julietta A. Pape Scholarship

The Julietta A. Pape Scholarship Fund was designed to help residents of Brownsville, Cascadia, Crabtree, Crawfordsville, Foster, Halsey, Lacomb, Lebanon, Scio, Shedd, Sweet Home, Tangent and Waterloo who are attending medical school. Applicants must be attending College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific-Northwest in Lebanon or Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.  

The Honda USA Foundation's Mobility Pillar Award aims to empower individuals with disabilities by funding programs that enhance access and mobility. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide therapeutic, adaptive, and comprehensive care programs, as well as mobility modifications and assistive technology. Applications are accepted from U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsors, ensuring that the joy of mobility is accessible to all.

The Fields Artist Fellowship, established in partnership with Oregon Humanities, supports artists and culture bearers in Oregon by providing $150,000 each to four fellows over two years. This initiative aims to empower individuals at pivotal career moments, enabling them to create meaningful community change through their artistic practice. With an emphasis on professional development and networking opportunities, the fellowship seeks to enhance the visibility and impact of Oregon's artistic community.

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 Saint-Gobain Corporation Foundation Direct Grants program provides support to non-profit organizations in focus areas including STEM education, sustainable construction, and workforce development. The foundation aims to foster community development and environmental stewardship. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited educational institutions in the U.S. The Foundation prioritizes partnerships that allow employee involvement and volunteer support, aiming to build meaningful relationships with grantees.

About Oregon Humanities

Oregon Humanities is committed to bringing people together across differences of background, experience, and belief. Each year, we offer hundreds of public conversations and programs across the state, train and support dozens of discussion facilitators, and award grants and fellowships that help people connect, reflect, and cultivate a stronger sense of agency in their communities. In our magazine and on our website, we publish stories that explore the thoughts, perspectives, and experiences of Oregonians. Our long-term hope is that the work of Oregon Humanities will make broad and significant contributions to a more cohesive, inclusive, and imaginative democratic culture.

Mini Grants for Libraries

A grant for Oregon libraries to create and host events in their communities.

Purpose of this grant

Our Mini Grants for Libraries enable Oregon libraries to create and host events in their own communities around an annual theme that corresponds to our Consider This Conversations.

In 2026, Oregon Humanities will award $25,000 in funding to enable Oregon libraries to create and host events in their own communities.

Events should reflect our 2026 theme: Beyond 250, which marks the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. Applicants are welcome to interpret this theme and develop topics that are relevant to their communities. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, explorations of:

• How do we think about and experience equality, freedom, independence, tyranny, justice, union, and other ideas central to the Declaration and to our nation’s understanding of itself?
• How has the Declaration shaped the country we live in today, and how might we shape its future?
• What characterized the period of time before the previous 250 years, and how can reflecting on a community's history inform the future?

Some activities that are commonly funded by this grant include:

• Community dialogues
• Speaker events that include audience engagement
• Interactive author presentations
• Storytelling
• Programming that connects exhibits to current experiences
• Community-engaged interpretation of history, art history and theory, cultural history, or philosophy

Notes about grant funded activities

• Programs can be in multiple languages or be in a language other than English. Grant reporting must be in English.
• Programs can be hosted online or in-person.

The Juliet Ashby Hillman Foundation Grant supports organizations that help young people in the Portland, Oregon area thrive. With a focus on cultural vibrancy and sustainability, the Foundation aims to mitigate risk factors affecting youth potential. Applications are accepted year-round, with a deadline of October 1, 2025, for this year. The Foundation prioritizes partnerships that foster a healthier, more stable future for the community.

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 NCDDG program supports innovative research aiming to discover and develop new treatments for mental disorders, including substance use and alcohol use disorders. This initiative encourages collaborations between academic and industry partners to advance neurostimulation techniques and drug/device development. Applicants are invited to submit proposals that focus on specific projects utilizing the U01 mechanism, with a clear emphasis on rationally designed candidate agents and cutting-edge technologies. Letters of Intent are encouraged 30 days prior to the submission deadline.

The National Cooperative Drug/Device Discovery/Development Groups (NCDDG) program invites applications to foster innovative research in treating mental disorders and substance use issues. This initiative promotes collaboration between academia and industry, supporting diverse, multidisciplinary projects aimed at developing rational therapies and neurostimulation techniques. Applicants are encouraged to submit Letters of Intent 30 days before the proposal deadline to enhance project alignment with funding goals.

The Klamath River Fund: Community Impact Grant, initiated by the Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation, aims to enhance community-led climate resilience and restorative justice in the Klamath River Basin. This grant supports initiatives that prioritize racial equity, youth development, and environmental health. With funding requests starting at $10,000 and an average grant size of $50,000, it encourages partnerships and innovative projects that foster sustainable growth and well-being for local communities.

The Pipeline Grants Competition by the Russell Sage Foundation aims to bolster early-career scholars and enhance diversity in the social sciences. It supports innovative research focusing on economic mobility and systemic inequalities in the U.S. Eligible applicants can receive up to $35,000 individually or $50,000 in teams. The foundation emphasizes methodological diversity and interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging novel data usage. Projects should align with RSF's mission to improve social conditions, prioritizing underrepresented scholars from under-resourced institutions.

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.

The Jackson Foundation, established by Maria C. Jackson, provides funding for charitable, educational, and welfare-related projects primarily within Oregon. Governed by trustees, it aims to enhance public welfare in Portland and statewide. The Foundation does not support individual grants or private businesses and typically limits funding to one grant per organization annually. It considers projects of broader appeal outside the Portland area, ensuring that its contributions effectively promote community welfare.

The Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Assistance Fund offers crucial financial support and counseling for individuals in the theatrical exhibition and distribution sectors facing health-related challenges. This fund assists with medical expenses, housing emergencies, and essential services like vocational rehabilitation and equipment aid. Eligible applicants must have a minimum of three years in exhibition or five years in distribution. The fund aims to provide a safety net for those impacted by illness, injury, or significant life changes.

The Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) in Oregon supports funding for the seismic upgrades of critical public buildings, focusing on public schools and emergency service facilities. Eligible applicants include public K-12 school districts and first responder buildings like fire and police stations. The grant can provide up to $2.5 million for eligible projects, ensuring buildings remain safe and functional in the event of a seismic event.

The Northwest Horticultural Society offers grants to support horticultural education in the Pacific Northwest. With a total budget of $15,000 for 2024, grants typically range from $1,000 to $6,000. Eligible projects must demonstrate clear outcomes within 12 months and benefit community engagement and environmental restoration. Priority is given to organizations west of the Cascades in Washington State. Applications are currently being accepted, encouraging local initiatives that promote horticultural beauty and biodiversity.

The Regional Arts & Culture Council (RACC) invites artists and artist teams to submit qualifications for a mural or low relief artwork at CityFleet's Swan Island facilities. Funded by the City of Portland’s Percent for Art Program, this opportunity includes a budget of $150,000 for two artworks: one for functional aluminum gates and a large-scale sculpture. RACC seeks to enhance cultural richness and support historically underrepresented artists.

The Social Justice Fund NW offers sponsorships to grassroots organizations in ID, MT, OR, WA, and WY, encouraging innovative projects often overlooked by traditional funders. Applicants must comply with specific requirements, including being within the designated region and ensuring events are accessible to the public. This initiative supports community-led efforts, particularly those led by Black, Indigenous, and people of color, fostering connections and amplifying collective action through diverse events.