The Foundation has four funding objectives, each with priority areas. Projects should fit within one of these areas to be competitive for a Community Grant.
1. To nurture children and strengthen families
- Intervene early to prevent problems for at-risk children and families, with an emphasis on proven parenting education programs and mentoring models
- Secure the health and safety of children and youth
- Implement mentoring and out-of-school programs that help children and youth overcome barriers and build character, judgment and life skills
- Care for vulnerable populations, including the elderly, through efficient community-based programs
2. To enhance educational opportunities
- Help young children enter school ready to learn
- Involve parents and communities in the educational process
- Link classroom to workplace learning in order to improve high school graduation rates and prepare students for successful transition to the workplace
- Improve access to education through proven models
3. To increase cultural opportunities
- Reach underserved audiences in Oregon, especially children and youth, through development of school programs and out-of-school arts and cultural programs
- Strengthen and stabilize Oregon arts and cultural organizations, especially small- to moderate-size organizations
- Broaden appreciation of Oregon’s diverse cultures and history through active outreach programs
4. To preserve and improve Oregon’s livability through citizen involvement
- Improve the ability of Oregonians of all ages to be fully engaged citizens through volunteerism, community service, leadership training and citizenship education
- Involve newcomers to Oregon in the civic and philanthropic life of their communities
- Help residents improve their local communities and the state through effective, well-managed nonprofit organizations
- Preserve or develop places that are essential to communities’ civic and historic identity