The Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is inviting applications for its 2021 Community Grants Program to support communities with a sharpened focus on the most pressing challenges Oregon is facing today: the impact of COVID-19, systemic racism and racial injustice, wildfires and the underinvestment and lack of infrastructure in under-resourced rural and marginalized communities across the state.

The purpose is to provide an open, responsive grantmaking program that offers organizations flexible types of support, with prioritized support for those communities most disproportionately impacted by the multiple crises in Oregon.

Funding Priorities

The Foundation knows that funding needs will far exceed limited grant dollars. While a broad range of organizations are eligible to apply, Foundation will prioritize funding in support of the following populations disproportionately impacted by inequities exacerbated by racial and social injustice, COVID-19 and/or wildfires:

• Black, Indigenous, Latinx and people of color
• Immigrants and/or refugees
• People experiencing disabilities
• People living on low incomes
• People living in under-resourced communities and/or communities lacking critical infrastructure
• People who are homeless/unsheltered
• People who identify as LGBTQIA+
• Survivors of domestic violence and/or child abuse

Funding Information

• General operating support – unrestricted funding to support an organization in carrying out its mission
  • culturally specific organizations located anywhere in Oregon and of any budget size
  • rural-based nonprofits with annual operating budgets of $100,000 or less and whose work aligns with OCF’s priorities for this funding opportunity
  • Up to $20,000
• Capacity building – to help strengthen and stabilize an organization’s governance or operations
  • Open to all types of organizations
  • Up to $40,000
  • $20,000 average grant size
• Project/program grants – to adapt or expand existing projects/programs or develop new projects/programs to respond to current community challenges
  • Open to all types of organizations
  • Up to $40,000
  • $20,000 average grant size

Eligibility Criteria

• 501(c)(3) organizations, Tribal entities and government entities are eligible to apply.
• Additionally, organizations may work with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor to submit an application.
• Applicants must submit formal paperwork confirming the fiscal sponsor relationship.

For more information, visit Community Grants Program.