Oregon Community Foundation

Oregon Community Foundation OCF puts donated money to work in Oregon.
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Since 1973, OCF grantmaking, research, advocacy and community-advised solutions have helped individuals, families, businesses and organizations create charitable funds to improve lives for all Oregonians.

What if we gave artists the resources to take big creative risks? This year’s Creative Heights grants support 12 project...
08/25/2026

What if we gave artists the resources to take big creative risks?

This year’s Creative Heights grants support 12 projects exploring ideas that invite us to see Oregon — and one another — in new ways.

- Fifteen artists making baskets and woven works for the East Oregonian Gallery at the Pendleton Center for the arts

- An Iraqi-American filmmaker bringing veterans together over home-cooked Iraqi meals

- A new bilingual play inspired by Southern Oregon wildfire stories

- An Afro-Fantasy film created with Portland students and Black community members

- And much more

Since 2014, Oregon Community Foundation’s Creative Heights initiative has invested roughly $1 million a year in bold arts and culture projects, supporting 165 projects across Oregon.

We’re excited to see where these artists take us next. 🎨

Photo: Sahar al-Sawaf, "One Bite for the Godless"

Explore all 12 Creative Heights grantees at the link in comments.

08/13/2026

Oregon Community Foundation's new regional office in Baker City is operational!

"We opened an office in Baker City because we wanted to be here in Eastern Oregon to serve rural communities," said Kenny Parsons, philanthropic advisor and regional director for Central and Eastern Oregon. "The community has welcomed us with open arms."

OCF staff connected with the community recently at the annual Miners Jubilee at Geiser Pullman Park and marking the opening of our new regional office on Main Street.

Program Officer Steve Genovese is now in place, meeting with local leaders and nonprofits to learn about the challenges and opportunities facing the region.

OCF serves all of Oregon, and we're still looking to fill a Philanthropic Advisor role in the area. Learn more and apply on our careers page: oregoncf.org/careers

08/13/2026

Oregon's water rights system is more than a century old. By 1913, every drop of the Deschutes River was allocated, with no consideration for tribal rights, fish or the health of the river itself.

A lot has changed since then. But community leaders, experts and stakeholders in the Deschutes River Basin say the system remains outdated and inadequate for today's challenges — even as the river's flow has dropped 30% in the last 80 years.

OCF's Board of Directors traveled to Central Oregon to listen, learn and consider a shared future for a shared river.

Thanks to:
Bobby Brunoe, Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Oregon
Phil Fine, Phil Fine Farms
Kate Fitzpatrick, Deschutes River Conservancy
Zach Freed, The Nature Conservancy in Oregon
Jeremy Giffin, Deschutes Basin Watermaster
Sarahlee Lawrence, Rainshadow Organics
Owen McMurtrey, GSI Water Solutions, Inc.
Kelley O'Rourke Moore, Central Oregon Irrigation District
Representative Mark Owens, Oregon State Representative, Southeast Oregon

Housing is the foundation of strong communities. When people can’t afford to live where they work, families, employers a...
08/11/2026

Housing is the foundation of strong communities. When people can’t afford to live where they work, families, employers and local economies all feel the impact.

That was President and CEO Lisa Mensah's message during our community reception in Central Oregon — and it's the reason Oregon Community Foundation launched the Building Hope Fund.

Through the Building Hope Fund, OCF is committing $100 million to help finance middle-income housing across Oregon. But lasting progress will require more than one investment. It will take donors, foundations, financial institutions, developers, nonprofits and communities working together.

Our board also learned from housing, economic development and land use leaders about the opportunities and tradeoffs shaping Central Oregon's future. Those conversations reinforced that Oregon's biggest challenges are best solved in partnership.

We invite everyone who wants to think big with us to join the work of the Building Hope Fund.

“We can't solve this with compassion alone,” Lisa says. “We need more capital, and we need it from many hands.”

Every Oregon community depends on water, but managing it has never been more complex. Our Board spent a day on the Desch...
08/11/2026

Every Oregon community depends on water, but managing it has never been more complex.

Our Board spent a day on the Deschutes River to hear from Tribal leaders, scientists, water managers and conservation partners.

The conversations reminded us that Oregon's biggest challenges are also shared opportunities.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this day of learning possible.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, Deschutes River Conservancy, Oregon Water Caucus, Oregon Water Resources Department, The Nature Conservancy, Central Oregon Irrigation District, GSI Water Solutions, Inc.

Wildfire season is entering its most dangerous months, and communities across Oregon are already feeling the impact. Mor...
07/30/2026

Wildfire season is entering its most dangerous months, and communities across Oregon are already feeling the impact.

More than 60 fires are burning statewide, with more than 1.2 million acres burned so far this year.

That's why Oregon Community Foundation and partners in the Oregon Disaster Funders Network are moving resources as quickly as possible. Together, we've already approved more than $550,000 in grants to support wildfire preparedness and response. OCF has deployed 18 grants totaling $250,000, helping local fire agencies and nonprofits purchase emergency radios, thermal cameras, smoke safety supplies, firefighting equipment and more.

Donors make all of this possible. Read how this coordinated effort is helping Oregon prepare, respond and recover — and learn how you can support the Disaster Readiness and Response Fund at the link in comments.

Photos: 1. Fire near Warm Springs via Jefferson County Sheriff's Department; 2. and 3. Akawa Butte firefighters courtesy of Facebook; 4. Wildland firefighters on the Shingle Fire in Wheeler County via Oregon State Fire Marshall and 5. Little Buck Fire near Clarno by Erin McGreer.

One Southern Oregon family's decision to help a stranger sparked something extraordinary.When Stephanie Mendenhall opene...
07/28/2026

One Southern Oregon family's decision to help a stranger sparked something extraordinary.

When Stephanie Mendenhall opened her home to a young woman struggling with addiction, she had no idea her act of generosity would grow into the nonprofit Reclaiming Lives-Recovery Cafe Medford.

Today, Reclaiming Lives operates Recovery Café Medford, offering connection, encouragement and purpose through peer support. More than 350 members share meals, learn new skills and build healthier futures together.

Lasting change often begins with a simple act of compassion — and grows with investment.
We're honored to support organizations like Reclaiming Lives that are helping Oregonians reclaim hope, one relationship at a time.

Every day, Oregonians prove that our future is stronger when we build it together.Across our state, artists are creating...
07/07/2026

Every day, Oregonians prove that our future is stronger when we build it together.

Across our state, artists are creating vibrant communities. Students are finding new pathways to opportunity. Rural leaders are developing solutions that strengthen entire regions. Neighbors, donors and nonprofit partners are coming together to respond to urgent needs and invest in what's possible.

That's the story of Oregon Community Foundation's 2025 Annual Report.

Inside, you'll meet people who are turning generosity into action and see how local ideas become statewide impact. These stories show what's possible when we choose collaboration over division and invest in Oregon's future together.

Over the coming weeks, we'll share more of these stories — from arts, culture and education to rural innovation and collective giving. This year’s impact shows what’s possible when more people are part of the solution.

As Oregon heads into the July 4 weekend, a group of foundation and business partners is stepping up to help rural fire d...
07/01/2026

As Oregon heads into the July 4 weekend, a group of foundation and business partners is stepping up to help rural fire departments get ready for what is expected to be a tough wildfire season. Oregon Community Foundation, The Ford Family Foundation, the Marie Lamfrom Charitable Foundation and Les Schwab Tire Centers have announced at least $1 million in grants for rural fire agencies, nonprofits and communities, plus a statewide tire donation program from Les Schwab for volunteer fire departments.

As Lisa Mensah, OCF's President and CEO, put it: “We know the scale of this challenge is bigger than any one organization can solve. That's why philanthropy, business, fire services and community nonprofits are working together to help communities prepare before disaster strikes, and we must be ready to stay with them for the long recovery that follows."

You can help too. Donations to OCF's Disaster Readiness and Response Fund start at just $25 and go toward helping communities prepare, respond and recover from wildfires and other disasters.

1. Bill Tester, Sandy store manager, Les Schwab Tire Centers
2. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Traeger, Gresham Fire Department, with Lisa Mensah, OCF President and CEO
3. Assistant Fire Chief Mike Traeger
4. Lisa Mensah with John Bailey, College of Forestry at Oregon State University

This Pride Month, we want to shine a light on HIV Alliance and the extraordinary work they do across Oregon. HIV Allianc...
06/25/2026

This Pride Month, we want to shine a light on HIV Alliance and the extraordinary work they do across Oregon.

HIV Alliance serves people across 32 Oregon counties — many of them rural and historically underserved — offering HIV and hepatitis C testing, harm reduction, syringe services, case management, housing support, and more. They meet people where they are, and they don't let anyone fall through the cracks.

And then there's the Lavender Network: Oregon's first LGBTQ+ resource center, now in their own building in Eugene. It grew from a tiny chiropractor's office into a full community hub offering gender-affirming care, mental health services, and space for the community events that Eugene's LGBTQ+ community has long deserved.

Happy Pride Month.

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1221 SW Yamhill Street, Ste 100
Portland, OR
97205

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+15032276846

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