PORTLAND, Ore. — The America 250 Oregon Commission, in partnership with Oregon Heritage and the Oregon Historical Society, has announced the launch of the Oregon 250 Grant Program — a statewide initiative supporting projects that commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The program will award grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofits, local governments, public schools, colleges and universities, and federally recognized tribes in Oregon. Funding can support events, exhibitions, educational programs, research, collections development, and interpretation — with an emphasis on projects that are inclusive, community-driven, and celebrate Oregon’s diverse histories, cultures, and traditions.
A total of $100,000 is available, with half of the funding reserved for rural communities. The Oregon State Legislature provided the funds to the Oregon Historical Society to support the work of the America 250 Oregon Commission.
Projects must align with the commission’s mission and one or more of its seven “guideposts,” which focus on civic participation, history education, honoring veterans, celebrating Oregon’s landscapes, and honestly examining collective history.
“We are grateful to the Oregon State Legislature for providing funds that will encourage Oregonians across the state to create opportunities to commemorate this once-in-a-generation moment in our nation’s history,” said Kerry Tymchuk, chair of the commission and executive director of the Oregon Historical Society.
Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis in two cycles:
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Cycle 1: September 15 – November 1, 2025
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Cycle 2: January 1 – March 1, 2026
The grant period runs through June 30, 2027, and applications are now open.
