Oregon Community Foundation Explained

Oregon Community Foundation
Location:Portland, Oregon
Area Served:Oregon
Key People:Lane Shetterly, Board Chair
Lisa Mensah, President and CEO[1]
Endowment:US$3.4 billion (2022)[2]
Method:Donations and Grants
Homepage:www.oregoncf.org

Oregon Community Foundation (OCF) is a non-profit organization with a mission to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy.[3]

It is the sixth largest community foundation in the United States as ranked by asset size in U.S. dollars as of 2022.[4] It is the largest grant maker in the metropolitan area of Portland, Oregon.[5] OCF serves the entire state of Oregon through its offices located in Portland, Bend, Eugene, Medford and Salem.

In 2024, Oregon Community Foundation announced what it called a $52 million “love letter” to arts and culture, organizations in partnership with the James F. And Marion L. Miller Foundation and the State of Oregon.

Programs and Initiatives

OCF is known for its major statewide initiatives, which include:

Project Turnkey

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Oregon's housing crisis, OCF launched Project Turnkey in 2020. This initiative converts motels and hotels into emergency housing for individuals experiencing homelessness and those displaced by natural disasters, including wildfires.[6] Funded with $65 million from the Oregon Legislature, Project Turnkey created over 800 units of housing in the state.[7]

COVID-19 Response and Relief

During the COVID-19 pandemic, OCF established the Oregon Community Recovery Fund, which provided immediate relief to nonprofits and community organizations. The fund distributed over $70 million in grants, supporting organizations that provide critical services such as healthcare, housing, and food security.[8]

Wildfire Relief

In the wake of Oregon’s catastrophic 2020 wildfires, OCF launched the Community Rebuilding Fund, raising over $20 million to assist communities in recovery and rebuilding efforts. OCF partnered with organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Meyer Memorial Trust to support long-term recovery, particularly in rural areas.[9]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lisa Mensah takes on leadership role at Oregon Community Foundation . Rogers. Jules. June 30, 2022. Portland Tribune. March 21, 2023.
  2. Web site: Candid CF Insights: Survey Results. March 21, 2023.
  3. Web site: Home » Oregon Community Foundation . 2022-05-05 . Oregon Community Foundation . en-US.
  4. Web site: Candid CF Insights: Survey Results. March 21, 2023.
  5. https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/subscriber-only/2023/11/17/largest-grant-making-foundations-in-the-portland-metro-area.html
  6. News: Bentley . Kurt . Project Turnkey opens its doors in Medford . KOBI News . April 6, 2021.
  7. Web site: Project Turnkey Progress Report . Oregon Community Foundation . December 2021 . August 1, 2023.
  8. News: Griffin . Anna . Oregon Community Foundation helps small nonprofits survive pandemic's hardships . OPB . July 10, 2021.
  9. News: Boone . Jerry . Foundation aims to raise $20M for wildfire relief in Oregon . The Oregonian . September 15, 2020.