GRANTS FUEL COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS ACROSS REGION
Northern Willamette Valley Nonprofits Share $643,000 to Make Progress on Pressing Challenges
SALEM, Ore. – Nonprofits tackling the Northern Willamette Valley’s most pressing challenges are receiving a boost. Oregon Community Foundation has distributed new grants to organizations making progress on housing, child care, hunger, substance abuse, arts and culture, and those serving immigrants, refugees and others. In all, OCF’s Community Grants program is investing $643,000 in the work of 24 Northern Willamette Valley organizations.
Local Voices, Local Impact
One of those nonprofits is the Marshallese Women’s Education and Health Network, which provides bilingual help to immigrants from the 1,200 islands and islets of the Marshall Islands.
“We try to be a useful house where we help Marshallese women get the training and resources they need to succeed in the new world,” said Josephine Hunter, Executive Director. “We want to help them get out of the shadows and get out of the margins.”
Funding from OCF’s 2025 Spring Cycle of Community Grants is flexible, allowing organizations to invest the money where it is needed most. Statewide the program has awarded $5,629,398 to 241 nonprofits serving urban and rural communities.
“All over our state, Oregonians are working to make their communities better, and we rely on them to point the way to solutions and innovative ideas,” said Marcy Bradley, OCF’s Chief Community Engagement and Equity Officer.
“Flexible operating funds through our Community Grants show the trust and respect we have for our local communities,” Bradley said. “We’re grateful to our donors for making this possible and to our nonprofit partners for their deep knowledge and desire to improve the lives of all Oregonians.”
For 28 years, OCF’s Community Grants program has supported nonprofits, Tribal organizations and government agencies in all 36 counties of Oregon. The 2025 Spring Cycle prioritized nonprofits that are culturally specific, culturally responsive or small rural.
Breaking down the grants statewide:
- Nearly 3 in 4 of the nonprofits receiving grants serve low-income communities.
- Nearly half serve communities that are Black, Indigenous or people of color.
- Grants went to 26 nonprofits that support Oregonians who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless or in need of affordable housing. Another 30 of the nonprofits receiving grants support immigrant or refugee communities. Twelve more fight hunger.
- For 127 of the nonprofits receiving funding, this is their first Community Grant from OCF.
Community-Reviewed, Donor-Supported
The funding is possible because of donors to Oregon Community Foundation. Grant applications from nonprofits were reviewed by OCF volunteers in every region of Oregon. The list below of representative grants from each region of Oregon demonstrates the impact these grants have on nearly every aspect of life for Oregonians.
A full list of grantees can be found on the OCF website.
Next Opportunity: Fall 2025 Grants
The next cycle of Community Grants from OCF, in the fall of 2025, will focus on capacity building, small capital and new or expanding projects. Program applications will open June 12, 2025. Grants will be awarded in November.
Representative Grants for the Region
Capital Community Television
$15,000
Salem
Contact: Alan Bushong, Interim Executive Director, alan@ccmediasalem.org
https://www.capitalcommunitymedia.org/
Marshallese Women’s Education and Health Network
$40,000
Contact: Josephine Hunter, Executive Director/Board Chair
kannonjowwan@yahoo.com
https://www.mwehn.com/
Silverton Area Community Aid
$40,000
Contact: Sarah DeSantis, Executive Director, ah@silvertonareacommunityaid.org“>sarah@silvertonareacommunityaid.org
Silvertonareacommunityaid.org
Titus 3
Dallas
$40,000
Contact: Diana McGowan, President, titus3housedallas@gmail.com
https://titus3house.org/
Zero Waste McMinnville
McMinnville
$23,000
Contact: Ramsey McPhillips, President, owastemcminnville@gmail.com“>zerowastemcminnville@gmail.com
https://www.zerowastemcminnville.com/
Community Grants by Region
- Central Oregon: 24 grants totaling $382,360
- Eastern Oregon: 17 grants totaling $264,715
- Metro Portland: 90 grants totaling $2,480,978
- North Coast: 14 grants totaling $242,112
- Northern Willamette Valley: 24 grants totaling $643,000
- Southern Oregon: 26 grants totaling $516,000
- South Coast: 11 grants totaling $178,524
- Southern Willamette Valley: 35 grants totaling $921,700
About Oregon Community Foundation
Since 1973, Oregon Community Foundation has worked to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. In 2024, OCF distributed more than $211 million in grants and scholarships in every county in Oregon in partnership with donors and volunteers. Individuals, families, businesses and organizations can work with OCF to create charitable funds to support causes important to them. To learn more, visit oregoncf.org.
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