Oregon Historic Trails Fund Grant

The Oregon Historic Trails Fund Grant supports projects that interpret, preserve, and maintain Oregon's historic trails, aiming to protect the state's cultural and natural resources. With approximately $40,000 available each year, the fund prioritizes educational and economic initiatives and encourages collaboration with governmental agencies and tribes. Eligible applicants must meet specific interpretive standards and demonstrate community involvement. The advisory committee reviews applications, and funding decisions are announced in November.

Supporting interpretive, educational and economic projects that preserve and protect the cultural and natural resources of Oregon’s historic trails.
Each fall, the Oregon Historic Trails Fund awards grants to support projects that interpret, preserve or maintain Oregon's trail-related resources. Grants may also be awarded for marketing, education, advocacy and research relating to historic trails. An advisory committee made up of people who are knowledgeable about Oregon’s historic trails and cultural resources reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the OCF board. Approximately $40,000 may be available in one or more grants each year.
Purpose of the Fund
The Oregon Community Foundation is pleased to announce that funds are available for grant making through the Oregon Historic Trails Fund.
In 1998, the financial assets of the Oregon Trails Coordinating Council were transferred to OCF to establish the Oregon Historic Trails Fund, dedicated to projects related to Oregon historic trails as recognized by the state legislature in ORS 358.057. These trails included (please see map & detailed report here)
Lewis & Clark National Historic TrailApplegate National Historic TrailOregon National Historic TrailNez Perce National Historic TrailWhitman Mission RouteUpper Columbia River RouteMeek CutoffFree Emigrant RoadCutoff to the Barlow RoadKlamath TrailJedediah Smith RouteNathaniel Wyeth RouteBenjamin Bonneville RouteEwing Young RouteJohn Fremont RouteSantiam Wagon Road
The purpose of the fund is to develop interpretive, educational, and economic projects to preserve and protect the cultural and natural resources of Oregon’s historic trails. Proposals related to non-designated significant historic trails will be considered on a case by case basis. Although the fund derives much of its revenue from the sale of Oregon Trail license plates, a long-term goal is to build a large and stable resource to support local citizen efforts that promote public awareness of and enjoyment of the historic trails.
An advisory committee made up of persons who are knowledgeable about Oregon’s historic trails and cultural resources reviews grant applications and makes recommendations to the OCF board of directors. Approximately $40,000 may be available in one or more grants each year. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in November.
Proposals Sought
The OCF/Oregon Historic Trails Fund will make grants upon the recommendation of an advisory committee to support projects that interpret, preserve, or maintain trail-related  resources. Grants may be awarded also for marketing, education, advocacy, and research related to historic trails.

Eligibility

Application Requirements:
Applicants must be a governmental agency, a federally recognized tribe or be classified by the IRS with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and further classified as a public charity (as opposed to a private foundation).
Investment will be within the state of Oregon but out-of-state partnerships are encouraged.
Projects must meet interpretive standards equal to those of the National Association for Interpretation, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Forest Service, or the American Association of Museums. If projects are intended to engage with, serve, and/or highlight specific cultures and populations, staffing and leadership reflect the populations served and/or have actively involved them in the development of the work described. Applicants will be asked to share how their expertise, partnerships and community connections help them carry out this work. Grants require a 1:1 cash match, but the matching funds may be used for purposes other than the project described in the OHTF grant request.  Projects must be completed within one year of the grant payment, unless an extension is permitted by OCF.

Funds are distributed when projects are ready to proceed.

Grantees are required to submit reports, including the documentation of expenditures, within two months of completing the project.

Ineligibility

Funds cannot be used for administrative or general operating expenses.

Large capital construction projects will not be considered.