Portland, Ore., (May 7, 2010) - The Oregon Community Foundation announces eight grants totaling $786,000 from the Northwest Area Fund to nonprofit organizations in Oregon that are working to reduce poverty through asset- and wealth-building strategies among people with low incomes. The awards come as nonprofits and funders welcome Grassroots & Groundwork: Seizing Opportunities to Reduce Poverty and Build Community Prosperity, a national conference sponsored by Northwest Area Foundation that will be held in Portland on May 13 and 14. Grassroots & Groundwork highlights proven and innovative strategies and tools for reducing poverty and fostering community prosperity, offering nationally-known speakers, break-out sessions and site visits to poverty reduction programs in Portland.
Made possible by an initial Northwest Area Foundation grant to the Northwest Area Fund at The Oregon Community Foundation, the eight grants will fund minority business development, individual development account savings programs, increased access to credit and small business loans and green jobs training opportunities.
“These grants could not have come at a more fitting time. Grassroots & Groundwork will share knowledge of successful models of poverty reduction, and the Northwest Area Foundation-directed grants will provide the support to put that knowledge into action. That means the potential for an even greater impact on Oregon’s quality of life,” said Gregory Chaillé, president of The Oregon Community Foundation.
The funding has been directed to the following nonprofit organizations:
Oregon Microenterprise Network of Portland received $85,000 to help disadvantaged small business owners in Oregon build assets and wealth by increasing access to capital, market research, microloans and new business markets.
ShoreBank Enterprise Cascadia of Portland received $130,000 to support capital lending that will give low income, women, and minority businesses access to jobs and contracts generated through a partnership with the Clean Energy Works Portland energy retrofitting program.
Portland Development Commission of Portland received $60,000 for the Metropolitan Contractor Improvement Project. Funding will support collaboration with the Metropolitan Contractor Improvement Partnership to maximize the number of fledgling, and women- and minority- owned businesses that are utilized in partnership with the Clean Energy Works Portland energy efficiency program.
Community and Shelter Assistance Corporation of Oregon (CASA) of Newburg received $135,000 to support the Strengthening Oregon’s Rural Community initiative. The funding will build and expand CASA’s programs that provide family stability and asset- and wealth-building opportunities for rural residents and farm workers in Oregon.
Umpqua Community Development Corporation of Roseburg received $95,000 to support the Starting Right and Starting Over initiative. Grant dollars will be used to develop and expand the Youth Individual Development Account program, intended to motivate youth to stay in school and aim for higher education. The award will also fund a green jobs training program for hard-to-employ and formerly incarcerated adults.
Native American Youth and Family Center of Portland received $106,000 to support the Steps to the Future: Urban Indian Family and Community Stability Initiative. The award will fund training for green jobs, support for new home buyers, and the creation of a community development financial institution.
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. of Portland received $100,000 to develop home ownership opportunities for underserved and minority populations. Grant dollars will be used to leverage money from other funders to provide affordable housing opportunities for up to 17 families.
Portland Community Reinvestment Initiatives, Inc. of Portland received $100,000 to develop home ownership opportunities for underserved and minority populations. Grant dollars will be used to leverage money from other funders to provide affordable housing opportunities for up to 17 families.
Entrepreneurial Development Services (eDev) of Eugene received $75,000 for the Emerging Business Development System project. This grant will fund business development services for microenterprises in growth and emerging industries.
“These grants reflect Northwest Area Foundation’s commitment to helping low income and disadvantaged people in Oregon move toward a more prosperous future. The projects respond to some of the most pressing challenges facing low-income Oregonians in areas such as housing, enterprise development, and access to green jobs. We’re grateful to our partners at the Oregon Community Foundation for helping us reach out to these remarkable organizations,” said Kevin F. Walker, president and CEO of Northwest Area Foundation.
The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. OCF works with individuals, families, businesses and organizations to create charitable funds to support the community causes they care about. Through these funds OCF awards more than $60 million annually in grants and scholarships.
The Northwest Area Foundation is dedicated to supporting efforts by the people, organizations and communities in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Oregon and Washington to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity. These states were served by the Great Northern Railway, founded by James J. Hill. In 1934, Hill’s son, Louis W. Hill, established the Foundation.
For more information on the Northwest Area Foundation, contact Susan Buckles, APR, Northwest Area Foundation, 651.225.3865, sbuckles@nwaf.org.