Collins Foundation GO Grants (formerly Responsive Grantmaking)

The Collins Foundation GO Grants support organizations in Oregon focused on advancing equity and justice. These responsive grants prioritize arts, education, health equity, and environmental protection, while emphasizing diversity, equity, and inclusion in their operations. Eligible organizations must have been operating for at least one year, with a budget of $20,000 and an independent board. Notably, the foundation does not fund religious activities or certain educational institutions.

NOTE:
Applying for a grant from The Collins Foundation begins with our Partnership Alignment Screener by the LOI deadline listed above. This process helps us understand how organizations across Oregon are advancing equity and justice through their unique approaches. Please note that this is not a funding application but rather the first step in identifying which partners will proceed to the proposal stage.
Collins is a responsive grantmaker. We award and fund arts and culture, child welfare and development, education, environmental protection, health equity, and a broad range of efforts to enhance the quality of life in Oregon’s communities.
A central priority for the Foundation is to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion through our grantmaking. We support organizations at various stages in their pursuit of equity. Many successful applicants will have made efforts to learn about the root causes of social inequities, are actively thinking about how racial equity informs their work and operations, or have implemented policies and practices to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We provide general operations grants.

Eligibility

Organizations operating for at least one year AND have a budget of at least $20,000. Organizations with staff and leadership in Oregon and a proposed project or scope of work that directly benefits the residents of Oregon.Collins recognizes that Tribal boundaries exist beyond state borders. We accept proposals from Tribal organizations whose work directly benefits Oregon residents. We will partner with organizations with documented non-discrimination policies that guarantee equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, age, disability, or any other legally protected status.Organizations recognized by the IRS as a public charity described in Section 501(c)(3), or state, local or Tribal governmental units described in Section 170(c)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code are eligible for Collins Foundation grants.  A fiscally-sponsored project may be eligible for funding if it has a fiscal sponsorship agreement with a qualifying public charity.Organizations with at least four independent board members. An “independent board member” is a board member who does not serve as staff for the organization.

Ineligibility

We do not fund religious activities advocating for or promoting religious beliefs. Organizations that require commitment or participation in religious/faith beliefs as a condition of service delivery or employment are not eligible for grants from The Collins Foundation.Collins does not fund school day activities for public schools (K-12 through higher education) and charter schools. Private K-12 schools that charge tuition are generally not eligible for funding. Collins does not fund higher education institutions directly. An exception is made when the higher education institution serves as a fiscal sponsor for a community driven program or project.Hospitals in urban areas within large healthcare systems. Programs supporting animal welfare and research, organizations or programs addressing chronic diseases for the general public, programs primarily focused on sports, or individual scholarships.