Western Lane Community Foundation

01/21/2026

The Western Lane Community Foundation 2026 Grant Cycle opens February 1, 2026.

Founded in 1974 by leaders of the Florence Rotary Club, Western Lane Community Foundation is a community trust and private nonprofit dedicated to strengthening Western Lane County. The Foundation attracts, administers, and distributes charitable resources to support the long-term well-being of our community. Grants are awarded annually from income generated by invested assets, ensuring sustainable support for future generations.
Today, WLCF manages more than $17 million in assets across 104 managed funds, operating under the auspices of the Oregon Community Foundation.

Local nonprofits, schools, and community organizations serving Western Lane County are encouraged to apply for funding that supports meaningful and impactful programs. During the 2025–2026 grant cycle, WLCF awarded over $186,000 to 33 nonprofit organizations, helping advance vital work across the region.

From education and health to arts, housing, and basic needs, Western Lane Community Foundation is proud to invest in projects that improve lives and strengthen our community.

To learn more about eligibility, deadlines, and how to apply, visit wlcfonline.org.

Together, we’re building a stronger Western Lane County—one grant at a time.

06/18/2025

Applications for Continuing Education Scholarships are now open. Submit your application by July 15th.

Apply online at www.wlcfonline.org/Scholarships.html

04/26/2025

WLCF was proud to support Siuslaw Vision and Susy Lacer, GPC today. Thank you for putting on this wonderful training on mastering grants!

02/01/2025

Western Lane Community Foundation (WLCF) is now accepting proposals for 2025 Community Grant Projects. All grants are awarded in the areas of arts and culture, health and wellness, social and community services, education, and environment. Grant requests and awards vary greatly in amount, with no minimum or maximum, but generally range from $500 to $5,000 depending on the nature of the grant project and funds available for distribution.

In the 2024 grant cycle, 27 non-profit organizations received over $117,000 in funds that represent WLCF’s ongoing mission of supporting projects or programs that provide needed services or facilities for which public funds may not be available or are insufficient.

Non-profit organizations serving Western Lane County are invited to apply using the Foundant online application system and WLCF’s tutorials and guidelines, all found on the WLCF website at www.wlcfonline.org. If any local organizations need help navigating the online system, please email WLCF at [email protected] or call (541) 997-1274.

Applications are due Tuesday, April 1st, 2025 by 11:59 PM (Pacific Time)

10/08/2024

Last Friday, we celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the Western Lane Community Foundation.

"Our journey has been filled with countless stories of hope, resilience, and community spirit. We have supported local schools, healthcare facilities, environmental initiatives, and countless other projects that have made a lasting difference in the lives of our residents. Each grant and scholarship awarded is a testament to the power of community and the belief that together, we can achieve great things." Jim Waterman, Board President

Thank you to all who have contributed to the legacy of giving and community service.

To learn more please visit www.wlcfonline.org

06/26/2024

WLCF to Award up to 14 Continuing Education Scholarships
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 15, 2024

WLCF is pleased to announce its 10TH annual Continuing Education Scholarships program for 2024 offering scholarships totaling $18,100. These scholarships are awarded annually and are designed for students who use permanent home addresses within the Florence or Mapleton school district geographical areas and have already graduated from High School (2023 or earlier), have their diploma, GED, or were homeschooled and are eligible to enter higher education or a trade school or a graduate program. This includes non-traditional students starting or returning to a program after a career or family change or job loss. Criteria include; academic achievement, financial need, outside activities, work history, and volunteerism to name a few.

Scholarships are available as outlined below:
• $3,000 Arlis Ulman Health Careers Scholarship to a Lane Community College student. The Ulman Scholarship is designed to assist students enrolled at LCC in their nursing or pre-nursing curriculum either in Florence or the Eugene campus. Students must have a permanent residence in the Florence/Mapleton school district area, have graduated in 2023 or earlier, major in the Nursing Program, including students completing prerequisites prior to admission to the nursing program, and have demonstrated a commitment to academic achievement and financial need.
• $2,500 Roger and Sherri McCorkle Scholarship to a student accepted into educational programs.
• $1,500 Don Tiegen Scholarship to a student who is re-entering upper education after a significant interruption such as military service, injury, or a career change. Students may be working on obtaining GED.
• $1,000 Peace Health Medical Staff Scholarship to an entry-level medical student, tech, paramedic/EMT, nurse practitioner or graduate student. May be renewed until the program is finished.

The following scholarships are awarded to students who are in their sophomore or higher year, re-entry students, and other career-changing adults attending graduate programs, traditional four-year colleges as well as community colleges and accredited trade schools, and special arts programs. Homeschooled students are eligible if they are attending a qualified school in the fall and have earned their GED.
• $8,000 for up to (8) Western Lane Community Foundation Scholarships
• $1250 Barnum/Ramirez Scholarship
• $1,000 Fresh Start Scholarship
• $1,000 Glenn Butler Scholarship

Applications are available online at www.wlcfonline.org
Deadline for post-mark or receipt is July 15, 2024

03/27/2024

The deadline is just around the corner.

Western Lane Community Foundation (WLCF) has announced that they are accepting proposals for 2024 Community Grant Projects. All grants are awarded in the areas of arts and culture, health and wellness, social and community services, education, and environment. Grant requests and awards vary greatly in amount, with no minimum or maximum, but generally range from $500 to $5,000 depending on the nature of the grant project and funds available for distribution.

In the 2023 grant cycle, 22 non-profit organizations received over $100,000 in funds that represent WLCF’s ongoing mission of supporting projects or programs that provide needed services or facilities for which public funds may not be available, or are insufficient.

Non-profit organizations serving Western Lane County are invited to apply using the Foundant online application system and WLCF’s tutorials and guidelines, all found on the WLCF website at www.wlcfonline.org. If any local organizations need help navigating the online system, please email WLCF at [email protected] or call (541) 997-1274.

Applications are due Monday, April 1st, 2024 by 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

02/02/2024

Western Lane Community Foundation (WLCF) has announced that they are accepting proposals for 2024 Community Grant Projects. All grants are awarded in the areas of arts and culture, health and wellness, social and community services, education, and environment. Grant requests and awards vary greatly in amount, with no minimum or maximum, but generally range from $500 to $5,000 depending on the nature of the grant project and funds available for distribution.

In the 2023 grant cycle, 22 non-profit organizations received over $100,000 in funds that represent WLCF’s ongoing mission of supporting projects or programs that provide needed services or facilities for which public funds may not be available, or are insufficient.

Non-profit organizations serving Western Lane County are invited to apply using the Foundant online application system and WLCF’s tutorials and guidelines, all found on the WLCF website at www.wlcfonline.org. If any local organizations need help navigating the online system, please email WLCF at [email protected] or call (541) 997-1274.

Applications are due Monday, April 1st, 2024 by 11:59 PM (Pacific Time).

01/15/2024

Thank you to Shorewood Senior Living and its wonderful residents. They raised over $400 for the Western Lane Community Foundation during their annual Holiday Bazaar.

11/07/2023

Western Lane Community Foundation (WLCF) is excited to unveil a new logo in anticipation of its 50th anniversary in 2024.

The new design embodies the essence of WLCF - community, growth, and progress - and draws inspiration from the natural beauty of Western Lane County. The circle at the center of the logo represents the organization's unwavering commitment to community cohesion.

Our refreshed logo is a reflection of our readiness to embrace the future while our core values remain steadfast.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey, and here's to the next 50 years of making a difference together.

07/19/2023

Yesterday Sandy Kuhlman, WLCF President, presented over 20 non-profit organizations with over $100,000 for the WLCF 2023/2024 grant cycle at the Rotary Club of Florence meeting.

These funds represent WLCF’s ongoing mission of supporting projects or programs providing needed services or facilities for which public funds are not available, or insufficient, and to contribute to the cultural, economic, educational, or social betterment of our community. Their intent is to award large enough sums to make a significant and visible impact on a demonstrated need in our Western Lane community.

Western Lane Community Foundation (WLCF) was founded in 1974 by leaders of the Florence Rotary Club and is a community trust, private non-profit organization attracting, administering, and distributing private charitable resources for the benefit of residents of Western Lane County. Only the income generated by invested Foundation assets is awarded as grants each year. Current assets are over $11 million representing ninety (90) Managed Funds and is under the auspices of Oregon Community Foundation.

Grants were awarded to the following organizations:

• Western Lane Fire & EMS Authority was awarded $9,313.00 to help fund Western Lane Crisis Response
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Lane County was awarded $7,500.00 to help fund the Healthy Habits Hunger Abatement and Nutrition Project
• Florence Food Share was awarded $7,500.00 to expand their Emergency Food Pantry
• Eugene Symphony was awarded $7,500.00 to help develop the Encouraging Young Musicians to Achieve Program at Siuslaw School District
• Food Backpack for Kids was awarded $7,500.00 to help expand their Upriver Project
• Lane Arts Council was awarded $5,000.00 to help build the Lane Arts Council Artist Residency Program at Siuslaw Elementary School
• Mapleton Elementary School Leadership was awarded $5,000.00 toward their Preschool Playground
• Mapleton Middle/High School Partnership to Promote Positive Youth Development was awarded $5,000.00 to help build Ophelia's Place
• Siuslaw Vision was awarded $5,000.00 to help build their Operations & Capacity
• Siuslaw School District was awarded $4,600.00 to help expand the Viking Voices & Visions Podcast Program.
• First Methodist Free Lunch Program was awarded $4,500.00 to help continue the Florence Free Lunch Program
• Deadwood Community Services was awarded $4,425.00 to help continue the Deadwood Oral History & Archives Project
• Chintimini was awarded $4,000.00 to help expand the Oregon Wildlife Science (OWLS) Field Trips for Lane County Second Graders
• Siuslaw Watershed Council was awarded $3,500.00 to help fund their Office Sanitation Improvements
• Cascadia Coastal Coalition was awarded $3,200.00 to help continue their 2023 Western Lane Disaster Education and Emergency Communications Project
• Siuslaw Family Connection was awarded $3,000.00 to begin funding their Project Connect & Play
• Oregon Coast Humane Society was awarded $2,500.00 to help continue their Veterinary Care for Community Animals Program
• Mapleton School District was awarded $2,400.00 to expand funding the Mapleton Youth Basketball Program
• Deadwood Community Services was awarded $2,400.00 to help continue funding the Deadwood Community Center Grounds Revitalization
• Mapleton Food Share was awarded $2,250.00 to help expand the Transportation Assistance Program.
• Rods N Rhodies Inc. was awarded $2,000.00 to help fund their Transportation Solutions Project
• Florence Regional Arts Alliance was awarded $2,000.00 to support the Data Sharing from the Americans for the Arts AEP6 Survey

Congratulations to all of these fine organizations! Should you have any questions or wish more information regarding how to leave a legacy or contribute to an existing fund, please email [email protected] or visit the WLCF website at https://www.wlcfonline.org/.