Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards Grant

The Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards celebrate remarkable contributions to heritage preservation by individuals and organizations. Nominations for the 2026 awards will open in fall 2025, honoring outstanding efforts that inspire future work. This initiative, supported by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, emphasizes the importance of volunteers in maintaining Oregon's rich heritage, promoting inclusivity, and creating sustainable partnerships for the next century.

NOTE: Nominations are closed for 2024. The 2026 Heritage Excellence Awards will be open for nominations in fall of 2025.
To take the long view to protect Oregon's special places and provide the greatest experience while creating stable future funding.
Priorities
Welcoming - Building on the work of the Inclusion committee, we will strive toward parks that are ready to welcome all visitors and that staff and visitors feel safe and respected.Service Delivery - As we move toward our centennial, OPRD must evaluate how and what facilities and services we manage, maintain and deliver while exploring partnerships to develop new opportunities.Succession Planning - With the knowledge that 36% of our staff are eligible to retire, it is critical OPRD plan for change and develop leaders within our agency to be ready for the next hundred yearsCelebrating Heritage - OPRD has a unique role in helping to develop and share the stories of Oregon's past, including those lesser known stories that may give a more full picture of a place or time.
Oregon Heritage Excellence Awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations for outstanding heritage efforts. The nomination process is an opportunity to honor work that goes above and beyond expectations, serves as a model for future work, and inspires others. Nominations are encouraged for organizations and projects of all sizes and heritage purposes and for volunteers and professionals from all heritage sectors. We recognize that volunteers are the backbone of heritage preservation work in Oregon and want to celebrate those standout volunteers that have contributed their time and skills to help your organization persist and thrive.