February 2014 Grant Awards

At the Foundation’s first meeting of 2014, the trustees awarded nearly $1.6 million to 37 nonprofit agencies.


More than one-third of the grants will benefit arts and humanities organizations planning to serve diverse communities that include students and families, and low-income, rural, and culturally-specific populations across the state.

American Red Cross, Oregon Trail Chapter -- $25,000 to develop disaster resiliency action plans in underserved, vulnerable communities

Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) -- $15,000 to establish a community garden in a low-income, ethnically diverse Southeast Portland neighborhood

Columbia River Maritime Museum -- $60,000 to renovate two buildings to create a new conservation/collections storage facility

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon -- $147,500 to engage faith communities in service for the common good, and present the 2014 Collins Lecture

FISH Food Bank -- $75,000 to construct a new facility to increase storage capacity and distribution of food to low-income residents in the Gorge.

Friends of Trees -- $80,000 over two years to hire a volunteer coordinator to expand the agency’s environmental restoration programs to underserved areas in Marion and Lane counties

Gilbert House Children’s Museum -- $10,000 to produce and install a new hands-on learning exhibit for children

High Desert Chamber Music -- $7,500 to expand educational outreach and support operations

J Bar J Youth Services -- $15,000 to provide community-based mentoring for at-risk youth in Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson counties

Jesuit Volunteer Corps Northwest -- $17,000 to hire an associate director to expand the impact of volunteers serving low-income individuals and communities across Oregon

Jewish Theatre Collaborative -- $10,000 over two years to support a half-time administrative assistant position to strengthen organizational infrastructure

Lettuce Grow Garden Foundation -- $18,000 over two years to develop a curriculum to teach incarcerated individuals advanced gardening and greenhouse management skills

Lotus Rising Project -- $7,500 to support programs and operations serving LGBTQ youth and adults in Southern Oregon

Metropolitan Youth Symphony -- $10,000 to provide education and outreach programs in the agency’s 40th Anniversary season

Miracle Theatre Group -- $75,000 over three years to support performances, programs, and operations celebrating Latino culture, diversity, and history

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery -- $20,000 to provide family-focused child abuse prevention/intervention programs for at-risk children and families at the agency’s Juniper Junction Relief Nursery

Museum of Contemporary Craft – $25,000 to support exhibitions, programs, and operations

Northwest Children’s Theater and School -- $15,000 to support mainstage productions

Oregon Historical Society -- $100,000 to support programs and operations

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry -- $400,000 over three years to construct a marine science education center in Newport

Oregon Shores Conservation Coalition -- $15,000 to engage citizens to monitor and protect five Oregon marine reserves

PassinArt: A Theatre Company -- $10,000 to produce “Two Old Black Guys Just Sitting Around Talking,” and provide related outreach to senior citizens and advocate groups

Planned Parenthood of the Columbia Willamette -- $80,000 to implement an electronic health records system at eight clinics in Oregon

Portland Festival Symphony -- $10,000 to present free outdoor classical music concerts in Portland neighborhood parks

Portland Youth Philharmonic Association -- $12,000 to provide education and outreach programs for young musicians and school audiences

Rebuilding Together*Washington County -- $5,000 to repair mobile homes for low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities

Regional Arts and Culture Council -- $150,000 over three years to integrate the arts into all areas of K-8 education in approximately 30 additional schools serving low-income populations within the tri-county area

Ross Ragland Theater -- $10,000 to provide outreach/education programs for underserved rural children and youth in the Klamath Basin region

Saint Alphonsus Foundation, Baker City -- $26,680 to create a breast health center at St. Alphonsus Medical Center to expand breast cancer screening and outreach programs for women in rural Baker County

The Shadow Project -- $36,000 over two years to transform the agency’s education model to improve educational outcomes for more students with learning differences

Siuslaw Outreach Services-- $20,000 to renovate a resource facility serving rural domestic violence survivors and low-income individuals and families

Tears of Joy Theatre -- $10,000 to produce “Raven Stories,” adapted from the Native American tradition of storytelling

Third Rail Repertory Theatre -- $12,000 to support programs and operations

Urban League of Portland -- $30,000 to produce and publish the “2014 State of Black Oregon Report

Veterans in Recovery -- $5,000 to provide training to expand peer-delivered outreach and mentoring to low-income veterans, women, and families impacted by addiction and/or trauma

Willamette Riverkeeper -- $15,000 to engage Oregonians in stewardship of the Willamette Water Trail Project

Wisdom of the Elders -- $15,000 to implement a culturally-tailored conservation/environmental education initiative to engage Native American youth