The Roundhouse Foundation: Small Grants

The Roundhouse Foundation offers small grants to support innovative, grassroots projects that benefit rural Oregon communities. With a focus on creativity, sustainability, and community connection, this grant program encourages organizations to explore new approaches and collaborate effectively. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated non-profits or government entities dedicated to enhancing rural life. The foundation values partnerships that demonstrate community support and a commitment to equity, aiming to stimulate economic resilience and foster long-term growth in the region.

Note: Application cycle open January through November 30; new applications considered monthly. Decisions announced within first two weeks of the month following application submission.
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.
Small grants can support grassroots, innovative work and projects that may not have a need for a significant budget. Small grants also offer opportunities to explore and test new approaches and endeavors which can then be replicated for broader impact. For new partners, this is a great first-time grant program to consider as we get to know each other. We rarely consider requests for general operating or personnel expenses through the Small Grants process. If you’re not sure which of our grant programs will be the best fit for your proposal, please contact us.

Eligibility

Organizations may apply for one small grant per calendar year, as long as they have no other open grants with Roundhouse. 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.