Chambers Family Foundation
The Chambers Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Eugene, Oregon, established in 1999 by Carolyn Silva Chambers. It awards grants to residents and organizations in Lane and Benton counties, supporting arts, education, medical, health, and community initiatives.
Chambers Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Chambers Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 125 grants in 2025 (avg $9K), mostly in Oregon. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,156,216
- +8.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 125
- +20.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $9,250
- -10.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $17,558,697
- -0.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Chambers Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
Submit the completed application and supporting materials by mail or email. The foundation’s website says applications may be submitted at any time and are reviewed normally in June and December.
- Review Cycle
- Complete applications must be received by March 31 or September 30 for consideration at the next funding meeting. The website’s listed September 30, 2026 deadline for the Spring 2026 cycle has passed.
- Deadline
- Complete applications must be received by March 31 or September 30 for consideration at the next funding meeting.
- Contact
Application contact: Chambers Family Foundation
Mailing address: 800 Willamete Street Suite 750, Eugene, OR 97401
Phone: (541) 484-2419
Website: https://chambersfamilyfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Chambers Family Foundation
Who Chambers Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YMCA Eugene Family ($301K). Together the top 10 received $550K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($8,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
332 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 324 grants of 332 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website identifies Lane and Benton counties as its grantmaking area and reports that Lane County receives 95% of grants issued and Benton County 5%. Its 2025 filing lists restrictions stating that Lane, Benton, or Deschutes counties are to benefit; however, the current website says it will no longer provide financial support to organizations within Deschutes County. The 2025 filing reports that all grant dollars went to recipients in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 125 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Chambers Family Foundation gives
- 49% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 95% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $969K (2020) to $1.2M (2022). In 2025 it made 125 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA Eugene Family Eugene, OR | New y capital campaign support-$300,000, general operating support $1,000 | $301,000 |
| Every Child Lane County Eugene, OR | Support of their two tangible needs programs, brighter side giving store and my neighbor. | $43,000 |
| Relief Nursery Inc Eugene, OR | Therapeutic Early Childhood Program Support | $31,000 |
| Eugene Symphony Association Inc Eugene, OR | Support for the free outdoor summer concert at the cuthbert amphitheater, july 27, 2025. | $30,000 |
| O'Hara Catholic School Eugene, OR | Funds towards replacing the siding on their primary wing and cafeteria | $30,000 |
| Volunteers in Medicine Clinic Springfield, OR | General Operating Support | $30,000 |
| Pleasant Hill School District Pleasant Hill, OR | Additional support of plesant hill school district's 2024 track & turf replacement project | $25,000 |
| Sacred Heart Peacehealth Medical Center Foundation Eugene, OR | Neuroscience Program Support | $25,000 |
| Circle of Friends School- Lane County Eugene, OR | 10,000 to support technology upgrades and 10,000 for general operations | $20,000 |
| Corvallis Lion's Club - Youth Activities Corvallis, OR | 2025 Youth Livestock Auction Purchases | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Chambers Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $17,558,697 | $1,327,683 | $1,440,300 | $1,156,216 | 125 | $1,169,055 | $1,073,689 | $1,234,246 |
| 2024 | $17,671,215 | $1,416,513 | $1,397,212 | $1,070,043 | 104 | $1,087,369 | $1,134,255 | $1,174,821 |
| 2023 | $17,652,544 | $1,837,572 | $1,376,529 | $1,116,660 | 101 | $1,129,948 | $1,607,040 | $1,081,947 |
| 2022 | $17,195,364 | $1,669,882 | $1,534,636 | $1,230,297 | 1 | $1,244,952 | $1,425,300 | $1,131,310 |
| 2021 | $17,055,482 | $2,079,706 | $1,280,918 | $1,053,007 | 1 | $1,064,649 | $1,848,412 | $1,250,586 |
| 2020 | $16,261,964 | $812,290 | $1,231,856 | $969,337 | 1 | — | $603,577 | $1,058,493 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Chambers Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its aim as building stronger communities through support for arts, education, medical, health, and community initiatives. Its website says it gives priority to projects and programs targeted by foundation members in arts, education, medical, health, and human needs.
Its 2025 grants illustrate support for varied organizations and purposes. For example, Every Child Lane County, which received $43,000, says it recruits and trains community members to support vulnerable children and families. Relief Nursery, which received $31,000, describes its work as preventing child abuse and neglect through early intervention and family support. Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, which received $30,000, says it provides medical services to low-income and uninsured Lane County residents. Eugene Symphony Association, also awarded $30,000, describes its work as presenting orchestral music and providing musical education.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 125 grants totaling $1,156,216. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $301,000, with a median of $5,000. The largest award was $301,000 to YMCA Eugene Family for a capital campaign and general operating support. Other large awards included $43,000 to Every Child Lane County, $31,000 to Relief Nursery, and $30,000 each to Eugene Symphony Association, O’Hara Catholic School, and Volunteers in Medicine Clinic.
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants are asked to submit its application form, a project narrative or letter specifying the request amount, a detailed project budget identifying other funding sources, and—if applying for work in multiple counties—a county-by-county request breakdown. The website also requests the organization’s IRS determination letter, board list, and current accountant-prepared financial statements or most recent Form 990. It says projects receive priority over operating funds and that capital projects are accepted only in special circumstances. The foundation intends to award an organization no more than once in any 12-month period.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Silva Chambers, Julia Stiltner, and Kendra Goldberg as trustees.
Chambers Family Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Julia Stiltner
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kendra Goldberg
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Silva Chambers
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Chambers Family Foundation
How much does Chambers Family Foundation give each year?
Chambers Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 125 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.1M across 104 grants.
What is Chambers Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Chambers Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $5,000, and its average grant was $9,250, across 125 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Chambers Family Foundation give grants?
Chambers Family Foundation gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Eugene, OR (62 grants), Springfield, OR (13 grants), Corvallis, OR (11 grants) and Pleasant Hill, OR (6 grants).
Does Chambers Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 21% of Chambers Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 125) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Chambers Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Chambers Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include YMCA Eugene Family ($301,000), Every Child Lane County ($43,000) and Relief Nursery Inc ($31,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($8,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chambers Family Foundation?
Chambers Family Foundation reported $17.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Chambers Family Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its aim as building stronger communities through support for arts, education, medical, health, and community initiatives. Its website says it gives priority to projects and programs targeted by foundation members in arts, education, medical, health, and human needs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chambers Family Foundation?
Submit the completed application and supporting materials by mail or email. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Chambers Family Foundation's EIN?
Chambers Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-1266648. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Chambers Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chambers Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of Lane County
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United Way of Lane County funds local organizations working on healthy communities, youth opportunity, basic needs, and community resiliency, including programs, capacity building, collaborations, and general operating support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,000 to $134,143, with a median of $17,750; applicants must serve Lane County, Oregon. It says it is not currently accepting funding requests.
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McKay Family Foundation
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The McKay Family Foundation funds education, health and mental health care, youth services, disability assistance, poverty outreach, and homelessness programs, with particular interest in vulnerable people in Lane County, Oregon. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts unsolicited requests through a letter of inquiry, and invited applicants may submit a full application.
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The Woodard Family Foundation
Eugene, OR
The Woodard Family Foundation funds arts, education, health, human services, environmental, and public-interest work, including projects, capital improvements, and operating support, with a longstanding focus on the greater Cottage Grove area and nearby North Douglas and South Lane Counties. In 2025, grants ranged from $500 to $50,000, with a median of $3,500. Its website says it accepts unsolicited requests within its service area, but its 2024 filing says it does not.
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The Autzen Foundation
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The Autzen Foundation funds small nonprofits working in social services, arts and culture, education, environmental initiatives, and youth programs that directly serve Oregon or Clark County, Washington residents. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $25,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts applications through its online system during open cycles, beginning with a letter of inquiry.
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The NB and Jacqueline Giustina
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Braemar Charitable Trust
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Braemar Charitable Trust supports Oregon tax-exempt organizations, with grants spanning health and community services, education, arts, and other areas; its stated healthcare mission also focuses on equity and access in Waikato, New Zealand. Recent grants ranged from $2,000 to $90,000, with a median of $14,000, though its 2023 filing says the general maximum is $15,000. It accepts written applications from eligible organizations; deadlines vary.
Assets
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Total Given
$1.5M
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chambers Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chambers-family-foundation-morg_1c0111820bd0487ebf3e52b6a79d2261
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_931266648_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chambers Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chambers-family-foundation-morg_1c0111820bd0487ebf3e52b6a79d2261},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Chambers Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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