When you become a fund advisor, OCF provides several valuable resources to help you maximize the effectiveness of your donation. Here are some details about what to expect as a fund advisor:
Fund Information Packets
Twice a year, fund advisors receive an informational fund packet that coincides with OCF’s requests for grant recommendations in the spring and fall. The packet provides the latest information about fund balances, amount available for grants, recent grants from your fund, donor advised funds program updates and a grant recommendation form. As a fund advisor, you can also view your fund information anytime at our secured online portal, Fund Xpress.
In addition to the basic fund information, you can also request grant suggestions based on your charitable interests. Please contact us if you’d like us to include suggested grants with your fund packet. (Grant suggestions can also be viewed on Fund Xpress.)
Grant Review and Approval
All grant recommendations come before the Foundation’s board of directors for review and approval. Following approval, checks and grant award letters are mailed to recipient organizations. In the award letter are details of the grant purpose, and fund contact name and address information. This allows the recipient organization to personally thank you. Alternatively, fund advisors may remain anonymous. All fund advisors receive confirmation from OCF that grant recommendations were approved and paid.
Grantmaking Calendar
The OCF fiscal year begins January 1 and ends December 31. Key periods for donor advised fund grants include:
- March and September – Semiannual fund packet sent to advisor
- May – Review and approval of March and April grant applications by board
- November – Review and approval of September and October grant applications by board
In special circumstances, grants may be recommended each month. The Foundation does not contact advisors prior to those dates.
Your donations make our commitment to Oregon possible.
OCF is home to a dedicated group of professionals with fresh approaches to tough issues, people who use their lifetime of experience and caring to establish and support strategic initiatives with lasting impact. When we say that we are Here for Oregon, Here for Good, we act on that promise through an expansive range of programs and initiatives. We welcome your interest in how these programs are making a difference.
Click here for more information about Initiatives and Programs, or visit the Connect and News sections of this site. If you are seeking information on applying for an OCF program grant, visit the Receive section of our site.
Advised Fund Handbook
The Advised Fund Handbook summarizes OCF’s Advised Fund Program, including the grantmaking process and frequently asked questions. Please contact us to receive a printed copy of the handbook.
Research Reports
As part of our support to donors and charitable giving in Oregon, the Foundation commissions research and publications on issues that affect our communities. The goal of the research is to promote constructive dialogue and consensus. Past reports have included studies on children and families, education, and livability through civic engagement. While OCF supports these projects, it is not necessarily an endorsement of positions taken in the publications. As a donor, you might be interested in these publications, which are available here.
Fund Xpress
Fund Xpress is a secure online fund information site for the Donor Advised Funds Program. Through this site, fund advisors can submit grant recommendations, view fund financial information and search for nonprofit organizations in need of support. The service is password protected and maintains strict confidentiality.
A demo version of Fund Xpress is available here, using the following guest log in information:
user name = demo0126, password = ocfdemo
To request your own Fund Xpress login, please contact us.