Capital Grants for Building Maintenance or New Construction

The Roundhouse Foundation's Capital Grants program offers funding for building maintenance and new construction projects aimed at enhancing rural Oregon communities. Grants of up to $25,000 are available for essential repairs, while new construction projects can receive up to $100,000. Emphasizing sustainability and community impact, the foundation seeks innovative proposals that foster economic resilience, improve safety, and expand organizational capacity in arts, culture, and social services.

NOTE: Letters of Inquiry (LOIs) can be submitted January – November 30. They are reviewed on a rolling basis.
About The Roundhouse Foundation
What started in 2002 as a collaboration between Founder and Trustee, Kathy Deggendorfer, and her mother, Gert Boyle, has grown into a dynamic and unique private family foundation. The Roundhouse Foundation is dedicated to supporting programs that inspire creativity, connect people with each other and their sense of place, and ensure sustainability for the long-term economic success of Oregon’s rural communities.We focus our work in and across four areas that are fundamental to thriving rural communities – Arts & Culture, Environmental Stewardship, Social Services and Education. We understand the interconnections of these focus areas and value opportunities that work at their intersections.
The Roundhouse Foundation: Capital Grants for Building Maintenance or New Construction
To support essential repairs and maintenance to existing facilitiesGrants of up to $25,000 will be considered to fund projects that improve the safety, functionality, and longevity of buildings. Aligned projects include a wide range of maintenance needs, such as:HVAC systemsElectrical repairsPlumbing issuesRoofing and exterior repairsGeneral facility upgrades
To support the construction, expansion or significant renovation (e.g. new wing or structure) of new facilitiesGrants of up to $100,000 will be considered to fund the costs associated with building or significantly renovating new structures that meet the needs of the community and enhance organizational capacity. Aligned projects may include but are not limited to:Community centersEducational facilitiesHealth or wellness centers
We know brick & mortar improvements may be aligned with strategic objectives and typically are achieved with funding outside of an annual operating budget. Roundhouse will consider one Capital Program grant per year per organization, as long as the organization has no other active grants with the Foundation. If your organization has another open grant with Roundhouse (i.e. reports that have not been submitted) or has received a grant in the last 12 months, please contact us before applying.

Eligibility

All proposals must fit within the Foundation’s mission and vision, eligibility guidelines, and focus areas.All proposals, regardless of an applicant’s location, must have a clear and compelling benefit to rural Oregon.We seek partners who:are IRS-designated 501(c)3 non-profits, a government entity (including special districts) or a Tribal government.share our passion for and commitment to rural Oregon.demonstrate a broad network of community support.advance one or more of our focus areas and understand how these areas are interconnected.approach opportunities and challenges with innovation, creativity and collaborative spirit.have clear goals and clear outcomes that advance work toward solutions.demonstrate thoughtful planning.demonstrate they are doing the work to develop and apply racial equity and DEI lenses to their work.value community and believe strengthening community connections is foundational to their work.demonstrate solid organizational stewardship.want to engage with Roundhouse and those within our network as partners.

Ineligibility

While The Roundhouse Foundation’s grantmaking is focused in rural Oregon communities, individual staff and Trustees can designate funding to maintain responsiveness and flexibility, which may not reflect the Foundation’s grant eligibility areas. We rarely consider requests for/from:organizations that have received a grant in the past 12 months, or have open reports that have not been submitted.faith-based organizations.This includes regional YMCA and Habitat for Humanity branches.endowments, or for multi-year commitments exceeding four (4) years.scholarships.private, independent, tuition-based or charter elementary or secondary schools.We are unable to consider requests for/from:propagandizing or for influencing legislation and elections.organizations outside of the United States.institutions, who — in policy or practice — unlawfully discriminate against persons for their race, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, age, or other individual identities.organizations with a history of (or currently experiencing) intense public scrutiny, public litigation, or other activity that would jeopardize/conflict with the Mission or Values of the Roundhouse Foundation.individuals unauthorized to act on behalf of a qualified tax-exempt organizations.individuals for their personal benefit.loan, debt, or operational deficits of any kind.organizations that are not IRS-recognized public charities or qualifying government or Tribal government entities. Fiscally-sponsored nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply for funding, but must be actively in pursuit of 501(c)(3) status.