First Story
First Story provides quality affordable housing through a 30-year, zero-interest and zero-down home loan to lower-income families (defined as below 80% of area median income). In addition, First Story provides financial support to low-income individuals, persons in need and at-risk youth and funding for housing/shelter services, hunger relief, emergency aid, and/or support to other organizations aligned with the corporations mission.
First Story at a glance
In short: First Story gave $215K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $36K), mostly in Oregon. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $214,500
- -27.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +500.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $35,750
- -87.9% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $24,294,127
- +11.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Oregon (88% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who First Story funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Public Charity ($172K). Together the top 6 received $215K.
Grant Size Distribution
10 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 10 (50%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How First Story gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−18%). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $193K (2020) to $295K (2023). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $215K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Public Charity Bend, OR | Low-Income Assistance | $171,500 |
| Friends of Disabled Veterans Prosser, WA | Low-Income Assistance | $10,000 |
| Helping Captives Spokane Valley, WA | Low-Income Assistance | $10,000 |
| St Vincent DePaul Lane County Eugene, OR | Low-Income Assistance | $10,000 |
| Clear Mourning Bend, OR | Low-Income Assistance | $7,000 |
| VA Local 598 Bikes for Tikes Pasco, WA | Low-Income Assistance | $6,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $24,294,127 | $4,843,342 | $2,468,601 | $214,500 | 6 | $233,495 |
| 2023 | $21,809,355 | $4,523,613 | $2,693,587 | $294,825 | 1 | $126,576 |
| 2022 | $19,966,948 | $4,453,023 | $2,465,872 | $281,150 | 1 | $70,021 |
| 2021 | $17,985,928 | $4,059,570 | $2,000,573 | $262,500 | 1 | $304,222 |
| 2020 | $15,907,914 | $3,476,729 | $2,016,154 | $192,500 | 1 | $104,063 |
About First Story
Based on IRS filings
First Story is a public charity focused on Housing & Shelter, based in Bend, OR. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $24.3M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 6 grants totaling $215K. Net investment income was $233K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
First Story is led by Claire Duncan, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 12 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Claire Duncan
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mathew Robinson
President
Trustee → President, 2023
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Murphy
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
George Slape
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hayden Watson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Scott Knox
Trustee
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Levi Means
Trustee
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Darrin Willard
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Klingman
Trustee
On filings since 2023
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Langer
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alicia Moore
Secretary
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alan Stewart
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: Caleb Anderson (2020–2022) — President
- Former: Stephanie Alvstad (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Tim Knopp (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Eric Taylor (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Davis (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Angela Price (2020) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 First Story
How much does First Story give each year?
First Story gave $215K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $295K across 1 grant.
What is First Story's typical grant size?
First Story's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $35,750, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does First Story give grants?
First Story gives mostly in Oregon: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Washington (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bend, OR (2 grants).
Does First Story give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on First Story's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Low-Income Assistance" (6 grants).
Who are First Story's largest grantees?
First Story's largest 2024 grantees include Public Charity ($171,500), Friends of Disabled Veterans ($10,000) and Helping Captives ($10,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is First Story?
First Story reported $24.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.8M.
What is First Story?
First Story is a public charity focused on Housing & Shelter, based in Bend, OR. It holds $24.3M in total assets as of 2024.
What is First Story's EIN?
First Story's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 91-1755886. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 2, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work First Story funds
Housing & Shelter Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in First Story's focus areas in our free grants database
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