On May 6, 2009, OCF President Greg Chaillé gave a report on the foundation to the attendees at The Oregon Community Foundation’s 35th Annual Luncheon.
2008: CHALLENGING TIMES, RESPONSIVE ACTION
Community foundations exist to bring donors together to support the needs of their communities. Here at The Oregon Community Foundation, we work with hundreds of donors who are connecting private giving to public good across the state.
The mission of The Oregon Community Foundation is to improve life in Oregon and promote effective philanthropy. We translate that mission into action by:
• Helping Oregonians create charitable funds;
• Wisely investing those funds; and
• Providing grants and scholarships to address needs.
2008 Stewardship Report
Our endowment is strong with an $804 million balance. Although our investment returns last year were -28%, OCF is continuing its disciplined approach to investment management based on a long-term horizon and a broadly diversified portfolio. Our investment committee has re-balanced our portfolio, maintaining a high quality bias. Our asset allocation positions us well for the economic recovery.
In 2008, OCF added $50 million in new funds. These represent donors from around the state who want an opportunity to have a positive impact on our state.
2008 Grants and Scholarships
Despite the decline in endowment, OCF provided a stable level of funding for grants and scholarships last year and will continue to do so in 2009. This is a time when we must serve communities and provide sufficient funding to address needs.
Last year, we distributed $58.5 million in grants and $4.5 million in scholarships.
OCF has also temporarily modified its grant guidelines in response to the recession. We are placing more emphasis on grants for emergency services and mobilizing community and volunteer support for people in need.
Balanced Priorities
Our work is guided by a vision that Oregon communities must have both a strong safety net of emergency services for times of crisis and long-term goals that will result in economic and social health in the future. We are balancing our work between responding to immediate needs and continuing to focus on our long-term objectives, such as early childhood education and access to higher education.
Partnerships for change
We rely on our partnerships to strengthen our work. Here are some highlights from 2008.
• Volunteers: We have more than 1,500 volunteers around the state, serving on advisory and leadership councils, evaluating grants and sitting on scholarship committees. This broad level of community involvement creates opportunities for volunteer leaders to share knowledge, ideas and resources to make OCF a powerful resource for good. Thanks volunteers!
• Recession Response Gatherings: The Oregon Community Foundation has teamed up with other statewide organizations to host a series of meetings for community leaders about making the best use of their resources and strengthening the safety net of services available to people being impacted by the recession. Sponsoring the events with OCF were the Oregon Department of Human Services, Oregon Food Bank, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon and Oregon Business Council.
• Regional Action Initiative: Last year, OCF announced the launch of the Regional Action Initiative, a three-year initiative to get citizens more involved in their communities and in philanthropy. $7 million was awarded to OCF’s eight service regions to identify and address an issue that impacts the entire region. One year into the project, led by OCF’s volunteer leadership councils, the committees are focusing – in differing ways – on addressing the needs of children and families through education, literacy, or access to health care.
• Youth Philanthropy: OCF is partnering with the PGE Foundation to bring Community 101 into schools across the state. This program offers high school students service and leadership opportunities as part of their curriculum. Participating schools receive $5,000 in funds for grantmaking. Students work together to identify community needs, research nonprofits, volunteer at sites, review grant applications and make funding decisions. In the 2008-2009 school year, 1, 700 students from 51 Oregon schools awarded $265,000 to nonprofits in their communities.
The strength in these partnerships – donors, volunteers, and nonprofits working together – is the cornerstone of The Oregon Community Foundation. Together, we are improving the quality of life for Oregonians, today and for generations to come. Thank you.