YOUTH SUPPORTED - In February
2008, the S TYL E. Basketball
Tournament (left) received $1,300 to
help with tournament costs, including
referees and sports equipment.
HOUSING HELP - Habitat for
Humanity of Lincoln County received
$8,000 in November 2007 to help
provide the foundation and plumbing
for a home for a Lincoln County
family. Several Tribal staff members
”1 have made many contacts over the
years with many different people work
ing on a wide variety of diverse projects,”
said Ellis. "I really enjoy working with
and helping people in many different
communities. It is exciting to see all the
different approaches to providing services
and activities.
”1 really appreciate that the Charitable
Fund was set-up to help the ‘little guy,’”
continued Ellis. “We do not require 501c3
non-profit status so we are able to help
organizations that many other charitable
organizations overlook. For example, we
contribute funds regularly to alcohol- and
drug-free grad night activities throughout
Oregon, we help local parent organiza
tions by providing assistance with athlet
ics and academics informally independent
of the school system. This process allows
us to assist many local organizations with
many activities without making them go
through the difficult process of gaining
formal non-profit recognition.”
Alcohol- and drug-free graduation
night funding has been shared with New
port High School, Toledo High School,
Philomath High School, Santiam High
School and Salem's Sprague High School
and McKay High School.
Although Ellis made it clear the
Tribal Charitable Fund and its board
members have no “official” priorities, she
said education is the strong favorite of the
fund’s giving.
“Over the years, if you look at the data
it appears that education is the dominant
category for donations,” said Ellis. “This
is no surprise since the Tribe has always
had a long-standing tradition of focusing
on education as well.”
Fund Reaches $7.75 Million
in Giving
At the last quarterly distribution in
November 2009, the STCCF wrote checks
to 56 organizations for $217,484.40 and
total sharing is now more than $7.75 mil
lion since the fund's inception in 2000.
Photo by Brent Merrill
also worked on the home (below).
The quarterly distribution event was
held as always at the Tribe's showcase,
Chinook Winds.
Several groups that distribute food
received nearly $20,000 to buy food. The
Taft High School Music Club received
$4,000 for music and instruments and the
Taft Elementary After-School Art Club
received $1,100 for art supplies.
Schools and their after-school pro
grams also benefited from the November
distribution. School districts like the one
in Keizer, Oregon, received help from the
Siletz Tribe.
"These are positive contributions
being made to the community,” said
Lance Masterson, managing editor of
the Keizer Times newspaper. “These are
cash-strapped school districts and the
contributions really do help people.”
Masterson pointed to the STCCF
"There are minimal requirements to
contribution to the North Keizer Junior
apply for charitable funds from the Siletz
Baseball League and the McNary High
Tribe, explained Ellis. “The organization
School Mat Club as positive examples of
or activity must occur within the 11 -coun
charitable contributions actually making
ty service area or be a Native American or
a difference in people’s lives. The fund
ganization located throughout the United
paid tor new wrestling singlets for the
States. After receiving funds, the rewardee
young grapplers and funded a new base
is required to use the funds as they were
ball stadium scoreboard at North Salem
allocated by the board within one year,
High School. North Salem High School
make reasonable efforts to publish the
received $14.000 for the new scoreboard
award and complete an evaluation within
at the November 2009 distribution.
one year of receiving the funds.”
“There is a certain amount of pride
that comes with those contributions,” said
For eligibility requirements or to find
Masterson. “You can see it in their faces
out more information about the Siletz
when they are wearing new uniforms.”
Tribe's Charitable Contribution Fund,
Chinook Winds Casino Resort has
go to www.ctsi.nsn.us/charitable-contri-
alone, given $1.75 million in cash and
bution-fund or contact the STCCF office
fundraising items since opening its doors
at 541-444-8227 or 800-922-1399, ext.
for business in 1995.
1227; or by email at stccf@ctsi.nsn.us.
January 2010
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Siletz News
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