Website: www.charlottemartin.org

Location: Seattle, Washington

Geographic Focus: State of Oregon, Pacific Northwest

Fields of Interest: Environment, Youth, Rural BIPOC Organizations, 

Relevant Purpose: Youth: To ensure opportunities for youth, particularly youth of color and the economically disadvantaged, to develop their skills in education, creative and cultural expression and athletics in ways that ultimately promote their habits of lifelong learning and their ability to make strong and lasting contributions to their respective communities.

Maximum Award: up to $25,000

Grant Initiatives: 

Youth Athletics

Athletics include a wide range of individual and team sports, with an emphasis on the value of sports for lifelong participation. School-sponsored intramural and after school sports programs have been greatly reduced, and middle-school aged youth have been most affected. After school athletics can be the incentive that gets kids involved in programs that also have educational and cultural components. Demand is increasing for athletics programs and facilities in rural areas and inner cities. More girls are getting involved in sports, requiring additional programs and space. Coaches are key to a positive experience for young people, and good coaching requires training.

Will not fund:

• Large capital investment projects (e.g. track renovation, swimming pools, tennis courts, lockers, gymnasium renovation, bleachers)

• Transportation to tournaments

• Fitness equipment and activities (e.g. treadmills, weight rooms)

• Playgrounds or playground equipment

Youth Culture

Culture includes art, music, dance, literature, theater, ethnic and regional heritage. Positive experiences in culture are essential in educating the whole person and should be an integral part of the lives of youth. Young people can use cultural experiences as creative resources to build self-esteem, promote personal growth, and preserve traditions. Arts and culture programs in the schools are being reduced or eliminated, and many communities, both urban and rural, have limited access to cultural resources.

Will not fund:

• Trips to conferences

• International exchange programs

• Passive participation by youth

• Artists in residence programs

• Admission subsidies or purchase of tickets for events

Youth Education

All young people should have the opportunity to fulfill their potential. Education, in and out of school, happens best when youth direct their learning and engage in compelling problem-solving and critical thinking. Educators need support to play a vital role in assisting youth to investigate their passions and explore new interests. Rural schools often have less access to resources and curricula than urban schools. Both public and private schools need support.

Will not fund:

• Children’s testing or test preparation

• Purchase of computers or textbooks

• Passive participation by youth

• Programs whose goals are primarily social services

• Pre-Kindergarten programs

• Curriculum development

• Programs for college students

Website: https://www.tfff.org/how-we-fund/grants

Location: Roseburg

Geographic Focus: Rural Oregon and Siskyou County, California

Fields of Interest: Arts & Culture, Children, Community Development, Economic Development, Education, Leadership

Large Good Neighbor Grants

Webpage: https://www.tfff.org/how-we-fund/grants/large-good-neighbor-grants

Range of Awards: $25,000 to $150,000*

*Large Good Neighbor grants will fund up to one-third of a project or program’s total budget. Competitive applications show local or regional dollars, and 50% of the budget should be raised prior to apply.

Timeline: Typical requests will take 3-6 months to be processed and funded.

Grant Initiatives:

Family

Family grants strengthen the interactions between a parent or other primary caregiver and a child and ensure that children have stable attachments. Program examples might include:

• Children’s mental health supports

• Parenting support programs

• Domestic violence programs and shelters for families

• Child abuse prevention and intervention programs

• Supports for children in foster care

• Maternal-child health programs

• Two-generation family literacy programs

• Family financial education and access

Programming/projects not eligible: Adult-only mental health or substance abuse treatment; Housing, food, transportation or other basic needs; Domestic violence programs targeting individuals

Education

Education grants ensure that children of all ages from early childhood through postsecondary have the supports and opportunities they need to succeed in their education. Program examples might include:

• Child care centers

• Early literacy programs

• Programs to engage families in their child’s education

• Youth development programs, including FBLA and FFA

• Summer learning programs

• Mentorship and tutoring programs

• College and/or career preparation programs

• Summer bridge programs that prepare underserved students transitioning to college

• Supports to prepare rural workforce in child care and other key child-serving fields

• Rural community perceptions of education after high school

• Programs supporting underserved rural students in college

Programming/projects not eligible: Routine K-12 school curriculum development; General K-12 workforce and professional development

Community

Community grants support conditions that help rural communities thrive, including their local economic base, social capital and community connections, community planning capacity, and public gathering spaces. While these grants are not limited to a focus on children and families, they cannot be used to support efforts that exclude them. Many types of programs and projects can fit with this category, including:

• Community centers and gathering spaces

• Social services centers

• Libraries

• Children’s museums or children’s exhibitions

• Community economic development planning

• Small business incubators

• Community mobilization efforts

• Fire halls

• Rural health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers)

• Art centers

• Community emergency resilience planning

Programming/projects not eligible: Senior centers; Housing, food banks, transportation or other basic needs; Medical facilities when connected to a larger profit-based system; Basic community infrastructure like water treatment, sewage or lighting; Museums without a focus on children or strong outreach programs

Small Good Neighbor Grants

Webpage: https://www.tfff.org/how-we-fund/grants/small-good-neighbor-grants

Range of Awards: up to $25,000

Timeline: Typical requests will take 8-12 weeks to be processed.

Grant Initiatives: Flexible, Rural-Focused

These grants can be flexible to meet your rural community’s energy and needs, including unforeseen emergencies that interrupt programming or services. Many types of organizations and projects are needed to help rural communities thrive.

Community buy-in is the most important component of a successful Small Good Neighbor application. We look for a clear plan for success, partnerships and a strong indication of need.

Some ways your application can demonstrate community support may include:

• Various community partners are at the table with you

• You have letters of support

• You secure other funding sources

• Other creative ideas that resonate with your community or organization

While no match is required, the Foundation will not fund 100% of the program or project’s budget. We also look for a clear plan in place for the program or project’s sustainability.

Examples of recently funded projects include:

• Community parks and playgrounds

• Child care and early learning programs

• Unexpected building repair

Website: https://usprogram.gatesfoundation.org/

Location: Seattle

Fields of Interest: Early Learning Solutions, K-12 Education, Pathways

Grant Initiatives: 

Early Learning Solutions

• To ensure that every child in the United States has access to high-quality, affordable, personalized early learning opportunities.

K-12 Education

• To support schools in improving K-12 teaching and learning, with a focus on math as the cornerstone skill for academic success and greater opportunities in the workforce.

Pathways Education Program

• To support students in their transition from high school to college, career, and beyond. and ensure that Black and Latino students and students experiencing poverty can access at every stage the skills development, support, and relationships necessary to thrive in education and the workforce.

Website: https://thehealyfoundation.org/our-community/current-grant-partners/

Location: Portland

Geographic Focus: Oregon and Hawaii

Fields of Interest: Climate Change Mitigation, Protecting Ecosystems, Youth Advocacy, Youth Education, Reducing Childhood Poverty

Requirements: Must be a 501(c)(3)

Amount: maximum grant award is $50,000.

Grant Process: 2 Steps

1. LOI: Create a record in our online portal and complete the LOI. We try to review LOIs within seven days of receiving them but sometimes it takes us a bit longer.

2. Application: If your LOI is approved, you will have access to our application. Please submit your application no later than one month before the next board meeting if you would like it reviewed at that meeting. For example, our Fall 2023 board meeting is on 10/10/23. In order to have your grant request reviewed at that meeting, we need to have your application submitted by 9/10/23.

• Adelante Mujeres
• REAP, INC.

Website: www.mmt.org 

Location: Portland

Geographic Focus: State of Oregon

Fields of Interest: Equity and Inclusion, BIPOC, Justice, Anti-Racist Feminist Lens

Grant Initiatives: 

Justice for Oregon Black Lives

Education

1. Increase representation of Black educators, administrators across Oregon.

Intended outcomes:

• Increase recruitment and retainment of Black teachers and administrators to 400 total by 2025 across Oregon in K-12

2. Improve Black student academic, social and emotional outcomes throughout Oregon.

Intended outcomes:

• Increase Black student academic performance, namely mathematics, writing and reading skills

• Increase Black student access to programs that improve their social and emotional well-being

Website: https://murdocktrust.org/

Location: Vancouver, Washington

Fields of Interest: Arts & Culture, Education, Health & Human Services, Scientific Research

Average Award: Approx. $200,000; Does not accept requests less than $50,000

Grant Process: 2 Steps

• LOI

• Application

Grant Initiatives:

Strategic Projects Funding Guidelines

• Capital Project Grants support construction, renovation, land purchase and other capital projects. In most cases, we prefer to receive requests for these types of projects once your organization has raised a portion of the needed funds.

• Equipment & Technology Grants support maintaining healthy equipment and growing technology infrastructure. Please note that with these grants, recipient organizations are responsible for 50% or greater of the purchase cost.

• Program & Staff Grants help fund both new programs and the expansion of existing programs and may be used to cover start-up costs and/or related staff member additions. Typically, we fund program and staff grants on a declining basis over three years (100/67/33%). Staff hires or programs initiated before Trustee action will not be eligible for funding.

Please note that the following kinds of requests are NOT considered:

• For funds that will ultimately be passed through to other organizations

• For sectarian or religious organizations whose principal activity is for the primary benefit of their own members or adherents

• For long-term loans, debt retirement or operational deficits

• For institutions that, in policy or practice, unfairly discriminate against race, ethnic origin, sex, creed or religion

• Nonprofits whose work is primarily political or legislative advocacy or for influencing elections

• From an individual for their personal benefit

• From individuals unauthorized to act on behalf of a qualified tax-exempt organization

• Event sponsorships and performance underwriting

And these kinds of requests are RARELY considered:

• For normal ongoing operations, including existing staff, or for the continuation of existing projects

• For the continuation of programs previously financed from other external sources

• For organizations organized and operating outside any U.S. state or territory

• For urgent needs, emergency funding or gap funding

• For endowments or revolving funds that act as such

• For funds to be distributed to beneficiaries of the organization’s choosing

• Nonprofits who receive the majority of funding from government sources

Website: www.oregoncf.org

Location: Portland

Geographic Focus: State of Oregon (Community Grants), Washington and Columbia Counties (Nike Community Impact Fund Program)

Fields of Interest: Children & Families, Civic Engagement, Arts and Culture, Economic Vitality, and Education

Major Grant Initiatives:

Community Grants Program

Funding Priorities: BIPOC, disability, low income, and LGBTQIA+, and survivor-focused and run organizations and/or rural communities.

Average Number of Awards: 200

Maximum Award: $40,000

Average Award: $5,000-$20,000

Grant Cycles for 2023:

• Spring: Operational Enhancement

• Fall: Organizational Enhancement

Grant Process: 2 Steps

• Letter of Interest

• Application by invitation

Nike Community Impact Fund Program

Relevant Purpose: Furthers Nike’s goal to collaborate with local organizations to create strong communities where physical activity, play and sports are a highly valued part of everyday life

Geographic Focus: Awarded in six counties, including Columbia and Washington Counties

Number of Awards: 50

Relevant Priorities: Eighty percent of grant awards support projects that deliver impact through the lens of sport and physical activity

Award Range: $5,000 to $25,000 

Website: https://www.pacificpower.net/community/foundation.html

Location: Portland

Geographic Focus: State of Oregon

Fields of Interest: Arts & Culture, Civic & Community Betterment, Education, Health & Human Services, 

Range of Awards: Grants generally are less than $10,000 with most between $2,000 and $5,000.

Grant cycles and Timing:

• March 15 – Education/STEM

  • Electrical safety, energy efficiency education, higher education institutions, K-12, literacy and reading programs, STEM education initiatives, teacher/professional educator development, workforce development/careers and employability, and youth development.

• June 15 – Community Enhancement

  • Affordable housing, community resilience, community and recreation centers, economic development, libraries, monuments, memorials and science centers.

• June 15 – Environmental Respect

  • Animal and wildlife biodiversity; carbon and methane emissions; conservation of natural resources; environmental management systems; parks, trails and gardens; resource stewardship; waste management reduction, and water usage management.

• September 15 – Arts/Culture

  • Arts festivals, cultural heritage, museums, music, theater/drama and visual arts.

• December 15 – Safety/Wellness

  • Addiction, disability resources, disaster relief, domestic violence, first responders, food insecurity, healthcare accessibility, homeless support, mental health, public safety initiatives, veteran organizations, wellness and preventative care.

As a general rule, the Foundation also will not support:

• Establishment or support of endowments;

• Coverage of operating deficits;

• Capital campaigns; 

• Computers, software or related items;

• Marketing and advertising;

• Maintenance of existing facilities;

• Conferences, conventions and events; and

• Projects that do not have a bearing on Pacific Power or Rocky Mountain Power's geographic service area.

Website: http://www.pgefoundation.org/

Location: Portland

Geographic Focus: Select Oregon counties, including Columbia and Washington Counties

Fields of Interest: Education, Creative Expression, Safe and Stable Families

Relevant Purpose: 

Education

• Hands-on applied learning experience, specifically initiatives that connect students to the world of work

• Curriculum that engages students with goals and aspirations, provides opportunities for adult mentorship and measures age-appropriate development of essential skills (e.g., socio-emotional skills)

• Collective impact models that support system-wide transformation

Creative Expression

• Curriculum that offers access to sequential arts learning

• Programs that promote youth development using creative expression to foster social emotional skills crucial to becoming active contributors to our community

• Arts and cultural programs integrated into classroom curriculum that promotes innovation and creativity, while also enhancing literacy and math aptitude

Safe and Stable Families

• Preventive approaches that help families create stable environments where children can grow and thrive, with emphasis on addressing food insecurity, housing/homelessness, mental wellness and parent engagement

• Programs that help parents, grandparents and guardians caring for children (up to age26) develop stable family relationships, economic security and a safe and consistent home environment

Priority Funding:

• Programs that are culturally specific and BIPOC led as well as organizations who use input from the community they’re serving and intentionally focus on communities that have faced historic or systemic barriers in reaching equal outcomes.

Deadlines: Funds in 3 cycles a year: 1. Education (January deadline), 2. Creative Expression (April Deadline), 3. Safe and Stable Families (July Deadline)

Range of Awards: $5,000 to $25,000

Website: https://oregonearlylearning.com/preschool-promise

Location: Salem, Oregon

Fields of Interest: offers free, high-quality preschool to Oregon families who are living at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level in Oregon.

Deadlines: RFP cycle is using June-July

Grant Initiatives:

• Serving children ages three and four, PSP is a publicly funded program and complements other early learning programs such as Oregon Pre-Kindergarten.

• With a mixed delivery approach, PSP recognizes that high-quality care and education happens in a variety of settings. These settings include culturally specific programs, licensed center-based and home-based child care, school districts, Head Start programs, Relief Nurseries, education service districts and community-based organizations. Families may choose the PSP setting that best fits their needs.

• PSP expands access to culturally responsive early learning programs. “Culturally responsive” means the ability to respect and understand the social, cultural, and linguistic needs of children and families. By establishing an inclusive, welcoming environment for all families, PSP may engage parents as partners in their child’s learning and development.

Eligibility: 

Grantees must offer the Preschool Promise Program as follows:

•  For a minimum of 900 direct service hours per Program Year,

•  In a service delivery model that is no less than 6 hours per day,

•  No operation outside of the daily 7:00 am to 7:00 pm schedule,

•  And no less than 4 days per week.

Website: www.thereserfamilyfoundation.org

Location: Beaverton

Geographic Focus: State of Oregon

Fields of Interest: Art & Culture, Education, Environment, Health

Relevant Purpose: Encouraging Youth to Succeed in School, Engaging Students with Limited Economic Means to Complete High School and Pursue Post-Secondary Education, Supporting Education and Athletic Programs that Enhance Communities

Award Amounts: 

• The Fast Track Grant Program is for requests $12,499 and under. The Fast Track application process is designed to provide eligible organizations with streamlined access and support to organizations with operating budgets under $500,000. (Larger organizations are welcome to apply if they prefer this opportunity.)

• The Mid Size Grant Program serves requests from $12,500 to $50,000. The Mid Size grant process is open to eligible organizations whose operating budgets are $500,000+ and requires a site visit. Applications are reviewed then selected organizations are advanced. Selected organizations will have a site visit with Foundation representatives.

Deadlines: Two responsive grant deadlines each year, February 1st and August 1st. These deadlines are for the Fast Track and Mid Size programs.

Relevant Grant Initiatives: 

Education

 1. Supporting middle and high school, campus based or school-day academic and transitional programs that encourage student success, including career technical education

Examples:                                                                         

• community based organizations partnering with schools

• school-based student and family engagement & wrap around mentoring with measurable outcomes and tracking.

• opportunities for rural students

• career and technical education programs (CTE) and vocational education

Exclusions: 

• adult education, early childhood education, graduate and professional education

• STEM/STEAM extracurriculars, robotics teams

• after school childcare, after school activities, and sports

• requests from individual classrooms/schools for general operating costs or personnel expenses

 2. Supporting the basic needs & basic skills of K-12 students with limited economic means. Select + above for specific examples and exclusions.

Examples:

• school-centered programs focused on basic needs (food, clothing, shelter)

• social service programs with evidence-based measures of success

• proven reading programs with measurable outcomes and tracking

• proven academic skills gaps programs, including basic math and reading skills

• requests that have clear letters of support, signed by the school administrator (e.g., superintendent) if applicable.

Exclusions:

• Programs for participants aged 25 and older

• garden programs & summer camps

• adult education programs, nutrition training, parent training

• rental assistance programs

• education focused on specific health diagnosis

• programs where religious activities are required.

Website: https://www.schnitzercare.org/funding-2/

Geographic Focus: State of Oregon, with preference given to Portland Metro area

Fields of Interest: Arts & Culture, Education, Health & Human Services

Range of Awards: Small Grants (<$10,000)

• The CARE Foundation’s youth philanthropy program, CommuniCare, continues to fund more than $450,000 in community grants. For more information, please visit the CommuniCare website.

Grant Initiatives: 

CommuniCare

• The CommuniCare program provides an environment where young adults will learn about the needs of their community and develop leadership skills through grantmaking. By challenging students to engage in community service that is both rewarding and educational, the CARE Foundation hopes to encourage them to become active leaders in the future.

• CommuniCare takes place over the course of a school year and each group receives the dedicated support of a CommuniCare staff member and a Resource Binder to guide them through the year.