Oregon Community Foundation Awards $545K to Support Southern Oregon Initiatives

Medford, Oregon- Nonprofits across Southern Oregon have received a significant boost from the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), which announced the allocation of $545,000 as part of its 2024 Fall Cycle of Community Grants. The funding, distributed to 26 projects in the region, supports a range of initiatives, including wildfire resilience education, expanded services for people with disabilities, and healthy meal programs for children.

The announcement coincided with #GivingTuesday, an international day dedicated to philanthropy. Statewide, OCF awarded 248 grants totaling nearly $5.8 million, bringing its 2024 Community Grants total to a record $11.1 million.

“Community Grants are OCF’s ‘open door’ for nonprofits working to improve the lives of people in Southern Oregon in so many ways,” said OCF Board Member and United Way of Jackson County CEO Dee Anne Everson.

Regional Impact

Highlighted projects in Southern Oregon include:

• Boys & Girls Clubs of the Rogue Valley (Grants Pass): A $25,000 grant will fund kitchen renovations to enhance meal services for youth. The organization serves a high proportion of children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, helping address food insecurity.

• REACH (Klamath Falls): A $25,000 grant will enable the purchase of a vehicle for its Recycling and Landscaping Programs, which provide paid job training to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative (Jacksonville): A $20,000 grant will expand wildfire resilience education and outreach programs, preparing underserved communities for wildfire risks.

Broader Statewide Initiatives

In addition to Southern Oregon, the grants target needs across the state, including investments in the Portland Metro area ($2.35 million), Southern Willamette Valley ($965,200), and Central Oregon ($394,562). Funding priorities focus on capacity building, small capital improvements, and the launch or expansion of nonprofit programs.

OCF’s Community Grants are designed to provide flexible funding to organizations addressing pressing community needs. This round of funding reflects the foundation’s commitment to equitable access and responsive philanthropy.

Looking Ahead

OCF has opened applications for its next cycle of Community Grants, set to be distributed in spring 2025. Nonprofits are encouraged to apply by the January 14, 2025, deadline.

Since its founding in 1973, OCF has supported communities across Oregon through grantmaking, scholarships, and research. In 2023, the foundation distributed $225 million in charitable funds, reinforcing its mission to enhance the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy.

For more details about the Community Grants program and to view the full list of 2024 grantees, visit oregoncf.org.