Oregon Immigrant & Refugee Funders Collaborative
The Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative is a coordinated and collaborative funding approach created to support the local nonprofits across our state that respond to the needs of immigrants and refugees. The partners include Oregon Community Foundation, The Collins Foundation and Meyer Memorial Trust.
The Impact of This Work
Immigrants and refugees make significant contributions to this state. According to an Oregon Center for Public Policy report, undocumented Oregonians paid roughly $81 million in taxes to help fund schools and other public services that strengthen Oregon’s economy. Economic mobility and social inclusion for newcomers and their children create more prosperous and inclusive communities.
OIRFC Application Process - “No Wrong Door”
The grant process for this collaborative is open and ongoing. There is “no wrong door” for you to enter. We encourage nonprofit and community groups to reach out to any of the representatives from the participating funders by email. We communicate and share information and documents with each other. We will also coordinate our efforts when we communicate or request information from community groups to lessen the burden of answering similar questions for multiple people.
The funders in this collaborative share a common application form. The application form can be filled out via Word Doc or Fillable PDF.
Most funding from this program is made on a rolling basis, the OIRFC does not have an established grants cycle. The intent is to offer a nimble and responsive way that reduces the wait time for grantees. Once an application is received, you can generally expect to hear back from us within two months. If we have additional clarifying questions someone from the collaborative will contact you.
Program Eligibility and Criteria
The Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative will consider applications from organizations that are 501(c)(3) public charities or have a qualified fiscal sponsor. We will consider and give priority to proposals for projects and programs that fall under the following three areas:
Legal services
Movement building and advocacy
Basic and wraparound services
We anticipate that funding will be distributed in the following way: legal services (45%), movement building and advocacy (40%) and basic and wraparound services (15%). Organizations most successful in receiving a grant award should demonstrate that:
● Their work addresses barriers to equitable outcomes for immigrants and refugees
● Their work is designed by centering the voices and experiences of immigrants and refugees
An organization may submit only one application to the OIRFC within a 12-month period. A proposal of $100,000 or more to this collaborative is considered a large request. Any of the participating foundations may choose to fund an application individually or outside the process of this collaborative.
In general, you are also welcome to apply to open opportunities from individual funder members of the collaborative. However we encourage you to contact the funder directly to confirm prior to applying.
Payment and Reporting
If funding comes from a single funder, the grantee will receive one grant check or grant award letter. If multiple funders support a project, you will receive separate checks and grant award letters. Awardees will submit only one report as directed by The Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative.
OIRFC FAQs
If my grant application is funded by one or more of the collaborative’s members, can I still apply to funder members through their regular funding programs?
Yes, a grant from the Oregon Immigrant and Refugee Funders Collaborative does not make you ineligible for funding from any member of the funder collaborative. However we encourage you to contact the grant program contacts before applying to discuss.
What types of funding are available?
a. General operating support is available but only for organizations whose primary purpose is to serve immigrants and refugees in Oregon. General operating support is not available to fiscally sponsored organizations.
b. Project support and capacity building support are available to all eligible applicants.
c. Capital support is not available at this time.
Can I talk with someone before submitting an application?
Yes, please reach out to anyone on the contact list below.
Are there specific countries or populations of immigrants and refugees that this program focuses on?
No, we don’t focus on specific countries or populations of immigrants and refugees.
I’m part of a collaborative of organizations serving immigrants and refugees. Can a collaborative apply for funding?
Yes. One 501c3 public charity must be the lead applicant, and memoranda of understanding must be in place between the collaborative applicants. Information about each collaborating organization and separate project budgets for each group must be included in the application.
What do you mean by “movement building”?
We define movement building as justice work aimed at facilitating the development of shared strategy and joint action among people and organizations working together to build power and achieve lasting reforms for immigrant and refugee communities in Oregon.
Participating Funders & Contacts
The Collins Foundation
Carol Cheney at ccheney@collinsfoundation.org
Meyer Memorial Trust
Sally Yee at sally@mmt.org
Molly Gray at molly@mmt.org
Oregon Community Foundation
Michael McIntosh at mmcintosh@oregoncf.org
Becca Perry at bperry@oregoncf.org
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