The Salem Foundation is a public charity and community foundation based in Salem, Oregon. Founded in May 1930 by the Board of Pioneer Trust Bank, the organization has served the greater Salem community for over 90 years. The Foundation operates as a flexible vehicle for donors seeking to direct their philanthropic giving toward local charities and causes.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.6M
-5.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$10.6M
+78.2% YoY
Grant Count
123
+98.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$86K
-10.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Salem Foundation exists for the purpose of receiving, safeguarding, and disbursing funds for charitable purposes in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon.
The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on a broad range of charitable areas including education, human services, and community development. Recent grant distributions have supported organizations addressing food security, family services, and community health needs. The Foundation also provides college scholarships to students in the Salem area and has provided fiscal sponsorship for community events such as the annual Make Music Day Salem event.
Grantmaking
The Salem Foundation distributes grants to tax-exempt organizations primarily in the Salem, Oregon vicinity. In its most recent fiscal year (2025), the Foundation made charitable distributions to 185 tax-exempt organizations, with total giving of approximately $10.77 million.
How to Apply
** Grant applications are available through the Foundation's website at salemfoundation.org.
Ready to take the next step with The Salem Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Salem Foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon, with a particular emphasis on the greater Salem community and surrounding areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2025:
- Total Assets: $37,574,532
- Total Revenues: $9,539,251
- Total Expenses: $11,381,995
- Total Giving: $10,771,238
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $39.6 million
- Total Revenues: $10.4 million
- Total Expenses: $6.61 million
- Total Liabilities: $786,000
The Foundation maintains a donor-advised fund through which donors can direct the distribution or investment of funds.
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,574,532 | $39,558,682 | $34,545,619 |
| Revenue | $9,539,251 | $10,372,711 | $3,345,668 |
| Expenses | $11,381,995 | $6,613,071 | $4,118,990 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $2,235,251 | $1,552,416 | $945,250 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
245 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The Salem Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Catholic Community Services ($1,601,579), Family Building Blocks Inc ($965,044), Abbey Foundation of Oregon ($390,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ABBEY FOUNDATION OF OREGON ST BENEDICT, OR | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $390,000 |
| ABIQUA SCHOOL FOUNDATION SALEM, OR | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $6,500 |
| AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED BROOKLYN, NY | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $12,196 |
| AMERICA NEEDS FATIMA SPRING GROVE, PA | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $12,060 |
| AMERICAN LIFE LEAGUE STAFFORD, VA | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $12,634 |
| ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SALEM SALEM, OR | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $80,000 |
| ASSOCIATION OF THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL PERRYVILLE, MO | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $12,480 |
| BENEDICTINE MISSION HOUSE SCHUYLER, NE | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $12,184 |
| BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF MT ANGEL MT ANGEL, OR | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $50,000 |
| BLANCHET CATHOLIC SCHOOL SALEM, OR | CHARITABLE DISTRIBUTION | $42,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBRA LUSH | COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN | 0.25 | — |
| LAURA TESLER | COMMITTEE MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| BRIAN CONDELLO | COMMITTEE MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| LOUIS-CLAUDE NGUEA-NJOH | COMMITTEE MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
| TERRY HANCOCK | COMMITTEE MEMBER | 0.25 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Foundation has continued active grantmaking to support community organizations addressing critical needs in the Salem area. Recent grant recipients have included organizations focused on HIV prevention and testing services, youth emotional wellness and social-emotional development, and other community health and social service initiatives.
Salem Academy wins grant to expand mental, behavioral health supportSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Salem Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Salem Foundation exists for the purpose of receiving, safeguarding, and disbursing funds for charitable purposes in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon. The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on a broad range of charitable areas including education, human services, and community development. Recent grant distributions have supported organizations addressing food security, family services, and community health needs. The Foundation also provides college scholarships to students in the S…
How do I apply for a grant from The Salem Foundation?
The Salem Foundation distributes grants to tax-exempt organizations primarily in the Salem, Oregon vicinity. In its most recent fiscal year (2025), the Foundation made charitable distributions to 185 tax-exempt organizations, with total giving of approximately $10.77 million. **Recent Grant Recipients (2025):** • Catholic Community Services of the Mid-Willamette Valley and Central Coast: $1,601,579 • Marion-Polk Food Share: $1,060,224 • Family Building Blocks: $965,044 The Foundation awarded co…
Where does The Salem Foundation make grants?
The Salem Foundation's grantmaking is concentrated in the vicinity of Salem, Oregon, with a particular emphasis on the greater Salem community and surrounding areas.
What size grants does The Salem Foundation award?
In 2025, The Salem Foundation awarded 123 grants totaling $10.6M — an average of about $86K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Salem Foundation's EIN?
The Salem Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-6018523. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Salem Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Oregon Community Foundation
PORTLAND, OR
Assets
$3.3B
Grants
2,149
Total Given
$171.4M
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Maps Community Foundation
SALEM, OR
Assets
—
Grants
179
Total Given
$382K
Natl Christian Charitable Fdn Inc
ALPHARETTA, GA
Assets
$6.1B
Grants
16,327
Total Given
$2.6B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation
WILSONVILLE, OR
Assets
$374.9M
Grants
663
Total Given
$20.5M
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
The Us Charitable Gift Trust
BOSTON, MA
Assets
$2.2B
Grants
6,518
Total Given
$231.4M
The Ford Family Foundation
ROSEBURG, OR
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,992
Total Given
$37.4M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
SAINT LOUIS, MO
Assets
—
Grants
9,499
Total Given
$73.1M
OCF Joseph E Weston Public Foundation
PORTLAND, OR
Assets
$637.5M
Grants
531
Total Given
$23.3M
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Salem Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Salem Foundation to a real strategy.