Community Grants Program - Fall Cycle

Community Grants Program - Fall Cycle

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: The Oregon Community Foundation
Amount: Up to US $40,000
Last Updated: June 08, 2025

Summary

The Oregon Community Foundation's Community Grants Program provides vital funding to nonprofits addressing pressing community needs across Oregon. With a commitment to equitable access, the program supports innovative solutions that foster connection and belonging among diverse populations. The initiative prioritizes funding for new and expanding projects, capacity-building, and small capital improvements, empowering organizations to create lasting impact. This responsive approach has been shaped by local voices and aims to enhance community resilience and address systemic inequities.

Overview

NOTE: This is the page for the Fall Cycle. Please visit here for the Spring Cycle. Background For 28 years, OCF’s Community Grants program has taken a responsive approach to grantmaking, supporting community-led solutions by listening to and investing in the people working closest to the issues. As our state has evolved and grown, so too has the complexity of issues facing us as Oregonians. Compounding these challenges is a history of systems that have not benefited everyone equitably, a reality made more visible by shifting landscapes and a shortage of resources. At OCF, we recognize this reality, and our 2024 Community Grants program will continue to provide flexible funding for nonprofits addressing the pressing needs of communities across Oregon, informed by the voices of people who know these communities best. The relationships we’re building across the state will only help our grantmaking improve. At OCF, we recognize this reality, and the 2025 Community Grants program will continue to provide flexible funding for nonprofits addressing the pressing needs of communities across Oregon, informed by the voices of people who know their communities best. Oregon’s nonprofits exemplify the hope, strength and opportunity that can make our state better, from music and art programs for Native youth to STEM education for rural children, and from entrepreneurial internships for low-income high school students to culturally responsive mentoring for Black youth. Program Goal To provide equitable access to flexible funding for organizations serving the most pressing needs in communities throughout Oregon. Guidling Principles We seek to build bridges of connection, eradicate the practice of “othering” and actively promote a sense of belonging for all Oregonians through our funding.We are committed to funding across Oregon with grant dollars reaching rural and urban communities in every region.We value our state’s diverse regions and populations and affirm that every Oregonian is an integral part of our community.We believe creative, impactful and sustainable solutions come from people closest to the issues being addressed and should be implemented by organizations the community trusts.We prioritize efforts that demonstrate strong community support, solid planning and wise stewardship. Funding Priorities Funding will support applications focused on one of these three grant types: New or expanding program or project: Costs associated with developing a new program or service or expanding a current one. New activities: These are initiatives that did not exist before and are planned or developed to address a gap or need for the organization or the community served.Expanding activities: These build on previous success to significantly increase impact on more or different people or communities. This can include reaching a new or different population, county, or community, or significantly more of the same population in the same community. Requests to support ongoing, incremental growth are not competitive and will not be considered. We have no single definition of “significant expansion” for all contexts and needs. Please explain why your request is a significant expansion in terms of community needs. Capacity-building: Costs relating to new or expanded activities that develop the organization. Typical examples include strategic or business planning, board development, volunteer coordination, program planning, and marketing and communications. Small capital: Costs associated with new or expanded building construction, renovation, or equipment. Total small capital costs may not exceed $500,000. (Please see “Budget Guidance” below for more information.)

Eligibility

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