The Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities is a public charity based in Tualatin, Oregon. It represents and serves Oregon’s regionally accredited, nonprofit independent colleges and universities through public advocacy, institutional cooperation, and strategic collaboration.
Key facts about Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
In short: Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities gave $584K across 10 grants in 2025 (avg $58K), mostly in Oregon. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 93-0452083
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $584,060
- Grants made (2025)
- 10
- Average grant
- $58,406
- Median grant
- $59,215
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 10, 2025; small sample)
- Total assets
- $1,944,445
- Primary geography
- Oregon (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$1.9M
+4.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$584K
+12.5% YoY
Grant Count
10
-9.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
+23.7% YoY
Is Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 10 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. How we count
- 100% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Alliance’s stated mission is to represent and serve Oregon’s regionally accredited, nonprofit independent colleges and universities through public advocacy, institutional cooperation, and strategic collaboration with the public sector, including business, philanthropic organizations, and government. The filing says it works to strengthen Oregon’s intellectual, creative, and economic resources.
Its website identifies public awareness, affordability and access, strategic partnerships, institutional collaboration, and coordinated services as areas of work. Its programs include Oregon Private College Week, the E3 need-based financial aid program, and the Oregon Scholars Program. The website also describes a research partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation, funded through a grant from the Katherine Bisbee II Fund, that has offered up to two $10,000 awards per year for conservation-related projects involving Alliance faculty, undergraduate students, and an industry partner.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Alliance reported 10 grants totaling $584,060. Grant amounts ranged from $21,215 to $116,215, with a median of $59,215. All reported grant dollars went to Oregon recipients. The grants were described as support and scholarships.
The largest awards went to Warner Pacific University ($116,215), Linfield University ($96,215), Bushnell University ($78,125), Corban University ($72,215), and the University of Portland ($67,215). Other recipients included Lewis & Clark College ($51,215), Willamette University ($36,215), George Fox University ($24,215), Pacific University ($21,215), and Reed College ($21,215).
The grantees’ own mission statements describe a range of independent higher education institutions. Warner Pacific describes itself as a Christ-centered urban liberal arts university serving students from diverse backgrounds; Linfield emphasizes intellectual challenge, creativity, and theoretical and practical knowledge; Bushnell describes a Christ-centered community focused on wisdom, faith, and service; and Corban emphasizes character and career competence. The University of Portland describes itself as an independently governed Catholic university, while Lewis & Clark describes an inclusive private institution focused on critical thinking, creativity, civic engagement, and leadership. Willamette connects liberal education with professional practice, and George Fox describes itself as a Christ-centered community preparing students spiritually, academically, and professionally.
The CIC/UPS Scholarship Program is administered by the Alliance for students at member institutions. It prioritizes first-generation, low-income, students of color or minority students, and New American students. The program description says its scholarships cannot replace aid already committed to recipients. The Alliance also administers E3, which matches eligible students’ savings for tuition or approved educational expenses; these participant payments are not grants to outside applicants.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
CIC/UPS Scholarship Program
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
Amount
Varies (distributed annually; $33,000 distributed in 2019, supporting 11 students)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Katherine Bisbee II Fund Conservation Research Grant
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
Amount
Up to $10,000 per grant (up to two grants per year)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Oregon Transfer Pathways to the Liberal Arts (OTP-LA) Implementation Grant
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
Amount
$321,200 (three-year grant)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Alliance represents member institutions in Oregon. Its reported 2025 grants all went to recipients in Oregon.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $519K (2024) to $803K (2021). In 2025 it made 10 grants totaling $584K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Warner Pacific University ($116K). Together the top 10 received $584K.
Grant Size Distribution
54 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 31 grants of 54 (57%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Warner Pacific University Portland, OR | Support and Scholarships | $116,215 |
| Linfield University McMinnville, OR | Support and Scholarships | $96,215 |
| Bushnell University Eugene, OR | Support and Scholarships | $78,125 |
| Corban University Salem, OR | Support and Scholarships | $72,215 |
| University of Portland Portland, OR | Support and Scholarships | $67,215 |
| Lewis & Clark College Portland, OR | Support and Scholarships | $51,215 |
| Willamette University Salem, OR | Support and Scholarships | $36,215 |
| George Fox University Newberg, OR | Support and Scholarships | $24,215 |
| Pacific University Forest Grove, OR | Support and Scholarships | $21,215 |
| Reed College Portland, OR | Support and Scholarships | $21,215 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,944,445 | $1,091,541 | $1,100,255 | $584,060 |
| 2024 | $1,868,784 | $993,970 | $1,164,201 | $519,329 |
| 2023 | $1,970,274 | $953,870 | $1,393,849 | $552,885 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,944,445 | $1,868,784 | $1,970,274 |
| Revenue | $1,091,541 | $993,970 | $953,870 |
| Expenses | $1,100,255 | $1,164,201 | $1,393,849 |
| Net Investment Income | $31,756 | $22,156 | $16,124 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 18, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 6, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Robert Kelly as board chair, Joseph Womack as board vice chair, Jennifer Coyle as board treasurer, and Robin Holmes-Sullivan as board secretary. Other listed board members are Robin E Baker, Audrey Bilger, Charles Conniry, Becky Johnson, Brian Johnson, and Stephen Thorsett.
The Alliance website identifies Brent Wilder as president. The filing states that each member institution has equal opportunity for voting representation on the board of trustees and that the board consists of each member institution’s president or chief executive officer, as designated by that institution’s governing board.
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities is led by Brent Wilder, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Brent Wilder
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$119K (2020) → $151K (2025)
Robert Kelly
Board Chair
Member → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Audrey Bilger
Board Member
Secretary → Board Secretary, 2024
Board Secretary → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Womack
Board Vice Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Board Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin E. Baker
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Treasurer, 2024
Board Treasurer → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Thorsett
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Johnson
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Conniry
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Coyle
Board Treasurer
Member → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Board Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Mark Yeats
Board Member
Member → Board Member, 2024
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robin Holmes-Sullivan
Board Secretary
Member → Board Member, 2024
Board Member → Board Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Becky Johnson
Board Member
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Wade
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Miles Davis (2020–2024) — Board Chair
- Former: Jessica Taylor (2023–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Joseph Brimhall (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Lesley M. Hallick (2020–2023) — Vice Chair
- Former: Wim Wiewel (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Herbert Medina (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Thomas Cornman (2022–2023) — Member
- Former: Eric Anthony Joseph (2023) — Member
- Former: Mark L. Poorman (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Randy Roberts (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Sheldon C. Nord (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Craig Willford (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Melanie Henricksen (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: David K. Lyon (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Kristin Stathis (2020–2021) — Member
- Former: Mark Swenson (2020–2021) — Chair
- Former: Andrea P. Cook (2020) — Member
- Former: Frank Burkhartsmeyer (2020) — Member
- Former: James Bauer (2020) — President
- Former: Johnnie Driessner (2020) — Member
- Former: Jonathan Carder (2020) — Member
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $151K, to Brent Wilder (President).
Contact
Mailing address: 8215 Sw Tualatin Sherwood Rd 20, Tualatin, OR 97062
Phone: (503) 342-0004
Website: https://oaicu.org
Frequently asked questions about Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities
How much does Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities give each year?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities gave $584K across 10 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $519K across 11 grants.
What is Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's typical grant size?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's median grant in 2025 was $59,215, and its average grant was $58,406, across 10 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities give grants?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities gives mostly in Oregon: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Portland, OR (4 grants) and Salem, OR (2 grants).
Does Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support and Scholarships" (10 grants).
Who are Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's largest grantees?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's largest 2025 grantees include Warner Pacific University ($116,215), Linfield University ($96,215) and Bushnell University ($78,125), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.1M.
What does Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities fund?
The Alliance’s stated mission is to represent and serve Oregon’s regionally accredited, nonprofit independent colleges and universities through public advocacy, institutional cooperation, and strategic collaboration with the public sector, including business, philanthropic organizations, and government. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check oaicu.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's EIN?
Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-0452083. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Oregon Alliance of Independent Colleges & Universities by hand.
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