New partnership with OnPoint Community Credit Union Foundation expands investments in Latino education, entrepreneurship and wealth building
SALEM, Ore. — Seven organizations serving Latino students, families, entrepreneurs and community leaders in Salem, Woodburn and Monmouth have received a combined $97,500 through the Oregon Community Foundation’s Latino Partnership Program.
The Mid-Willamette Valley grants are part of $897,000 awarded to 70 Latino-led and Latino-serving organizations across Oregon. The funding supports educational achievement, leadership development, entrepreneurship, financial stability and long-term wealth building in Latino communities.
Salem Organizations Receive $45,000
Three Salem organizations each received $15,000:
Prosperidad Oregon received $15,000 in general operating support. The organization helps Latino entrepreneurs and families build financial stability by providing bilingual business coaching, financial education, assistance accessing capital and flexible microloans.
Prosperidad Oregon is also one of four organizations receiving support through a new three-year partnership between the Latino Partnership Program and the OnPoint Community Credit Union Foundation. The partnership is intended to expand access to business development, workforce training, entrepreneurship programs and capital.
Willamette University received $15,000 for Willamette Academy and its work supporting Latino students. Willamette Academy helps students prepare for higher education by providing academic support, mentoring, leadership development and college preparation.
Latino Business Alliance received $15,000 in general operating support. The organization works to strengthen Latino-owned businesses and connect entrepreneurs with education, resources and opportunities for economic advancement.
Three Woodburn Organizations Receive $45,000
Three organizations based in Woodburn also received grants of $15,000 each.
Accion Politica PCUNista received $15,000 in general operating support. The organization works to increase civic participation, leadership and representation within Latino and farmworker communities.
Centro de Servicios Para Campesinos received $15,000 in general operating support for its work serving farmworkers and Latino families.
CAPACES Leadership Institute received $15,000 in general operating support. The institute develops leadership within Oregon’s Latino and farmworker communities through education, civic engagement and community-based training.
Western Oregon University Foundation Receives $7,500
The Western Oregon University Development Foundation in Monmouth received $7,500 to support Latino students at Western Oregon University.
The grant is intended to strengthen educational opportunities and student support for Latino students as they pursue college degrees and prepare for future careers.
Grants Respond to Educational and Economic Needs
The Latino Partnership Program received applications from every region of Oregon. Education generated the greatest number of applications and funding recommendations, followed by wealth-building programs.
Organizations applying for wealth-building grants emphasized the need for culturally responsive and bilingual services involving financial literacy, entrepreneurship, homeownership, workforce development and access to capital.
Several organizations also reported that Latino-owned small businesses are facing declining sales and growing financial pressure.
Leadership-development applicants focused on mentorship, civic participation and career pathways for young people and adults. Education applicants highlighted bilingual instruction, family engagement, college preparation and assistance overcoming barriers associated with immigration, language access and mental health.
Mirna Loreli Cibrian, senior program officer for the Latino Partnership Program, said flexible operating support helps community organizations remain stable while responding to immediate community concerns and uncertain funding conditions.
The grants recognize that Latino-serving organizations often must balance urgent community needs with longer-term efforts to improve educational achievement and economic mobility.
OnPoint Partnership Expands Wealth-Building Support
A new three-year commitment from the OnPoint Community Credit Union Foundation is allowing the Latino Partnership Program to provide additional support for organizations concentrating on wealth building.
The partnership supports Prosperidad Oregon, Latino Founders, Latino Community Association and Malheur Education Service District.
Together, those organizations provide services that include bilingual business coaching, entrepreneurship education, workforce development, early-learning career pathways, financial education and access to capital.
Prosperidad Oregon’s business-coaching and lending initiative combines financial education and business guidance with microloans and Individual Development Accounts for business owners who may have difficulty obtaining financing through traditional institutions.
Latino Founders operates a 10-week accelerator program that helps early-stage Latino entrepreneurs develop market-ready businesses and connect with mentors and potential sources of capital.
Latino Community Association provides employment and workforce-development assistance in Central Oregon, while the Malheur Education Service District operates a Spanish-language child-care business accelerator in Eastern Oregon.
Funding Reaches Communities Across Oregon
The local recipients are among organizations receiving grants throughout the state.
Other $15,000 awards went to organizations including the Mexican American Citizens League in Ontario, Better Together Central Oregon in Redmond, La Clinica in Medford and Hacienda Community Development Corporation in Portland.
Additional recipients provide services involving youth education, bilingual teacher training, child care, workforce development, financial coaching, scholarships, business assistance and community leadership.
Established in 2002, the Oregon Community Foundation’s Latino Partnership Program works with Latino leaders and organizations throughout Oregon. Its primary focus areas are educational success, leadership development and wealth building.
Oregon Community Foundation has operated since 1973 and provides grants, scholarships, research and philanthropic support in communities throughout the state.
