Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (May 1, 2020)
7 sNok signflz MAY 1, 2020 Community Fund still going strong during pandemic By Danielle Frost Community Fund second- quarter grant awardees Smoke Signals staff writer Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, has given away more than $83.5 million in nonprofit grants since it was formed in 1997. Community Fund Director Mi- chael Cherry is confident that giving will continue during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, with the process slightly modified. “We are all working from home and continuing to meet our dead- lines so that we can meet the needs of our nonprofit partners during this uncertain time,” she says. “We are responding to the COVID crisis similar to many other funders in the region by being responsive and flexible with timelines, project requirements and also extending deadlines for letters of inquiries and final reports, just as examples.” The number of grants awarded during the last 23 years was 2,839 as of the last quarterly check pre- sentation in March. Grants have been distributed to 1,195 nonprofit organizations in 11 northwest Ore- gon counties. “Fortunately, our funding for the Community Fund is 6 percent of casino revenue based on the prior year so the remainder of this year we will still be on par,” Cherry says. “It’s next year that will be impact- ed and with the board’s direction, we are having those conversations now in order to continue to meet the needs of our nonprofit partners going into next year.” Grants awarded in the past in- cluded projects in arts and culture, education, social justice, environ- mental preservation, salmon resto- ration and health. The Community Fund also provides annual grant opportunities of up to $100,000 for all nine Oregon Tribes. “We have extended final reporting requirements to the nine Tribes for our annual Tribal Grants Program and also opened those applications online early for 2020 funding with notification to all Tribes of a con- densed application for simplicity,” she said. During the stay-at-home execu- tive order, the Community Fund is holding daily virtual meetings with philanthropic partners and grantees, as well as offering grant workshops online for existing and new beneficiaries. Additionally, the Community Fund provided second-quarter Photo by Timothy J. Gonzalez Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Michael Cherry helps presents a blanket to Mid-Valley Healthcare Education Coordinator Nancy Leon during the first quarter Spirit Mountain Community Fund check presentation held in the Tribal Council Chambers in the Governance Center on Wednesday, March 13. grant award recipients notification of funding on Friday, April 17. As of now, Cherry says the June check presentation is still scheduled, but organizations are not required to attend. The amount to be awarded for the second quarter of 2020 is $663,918. Of this, nine awardees will be small grants totaling $50,000 and 16 will be large grants totaling $613,918. This will bring overall giving to $84.2 million. To help the nonprofits hit hard- est by COVID-19, the Community Fund is also in the process of implementing a rapid response fund to provide additional monies to mental health, social and emo- tional service groups, food banks and those who serve populations in rural communities, among others. It will be in a pilot phase the first quarter, and Cherry is in the process of reviewing active applica- tions through a collaborative proj- ect with Grantmakers of Oregon and SW Washington, and Nonprofit Association of Oregon. “They have already received 100 applications for emergency funding in response to COVID-19 impacts since the resource connector portal opened on April 16,” Cherry says. “All registered 501c3s who meet our criteria will be considered.” As of now, the Community Fund itself has not seen an uptick in applications. “But once nonprofits are back to Large grant recipients: • Self Enhancement Inc. of Port- land, $50,000, for its “Whole School” model. • Parrott Creek Child & Fam- ily Services of Oregon City, $41,928, for its “Cultural, Envi- ronmental Education and Trau- ma Healing” project. • ABC House of Albany, $50,000, for a newly expanded family support services program. • Open School Inc. of Portland, $32,500, for its “Summer Suc- cess and Connection” program. • Community Cycling Center of Portland, $24,000, for its hands- on physics in alternative schools through the “Earn-a-Bike” pro- gram. • National Wildlife Federation of Milwaukie, $27,536, for its “Fish Eggs to Fry” eco-schools USA salmon stewards program. • Beaverton Education Founda- tion, $36,180, for its “Beaverton Trades Exploration Education Program for Diverse Middle School Students.” • O r e g o n W i l d o f P o r t l a n d , $39,000, for its “Historic Op- portunity to Protect Oregon’s Rivers” program. • Center for Community Coun- seling of Eugene, $14,000, for its mental health counseling “Strengthening Our Community” program. • ARC of Lane County in Spring- field, $96,400, for engaging children with disabilities in ac- cessible and inclusive play op- portunities. • Incight of Portland, $49,000, for its “Unlocking Student Potential” program. • CASA of Polk County, $49,000, for a “Court Appointed Special Advocate for every Polk County Foster Child” program. • Tillamook Volunteer Firefighters, work full-time and can fully assess their short-term and long-term needs, I’m sure applications will in- crease,” Cherry says. “The biggest need we are seeing from that sector $36,500, for an exhaust removal system installation program. • World of Speed of Wilsonville, $24,000, for its “Expanding and Enhancing Automotive Career and Technical Education” pro- gram. • Sheridan Fire District, $23,874, for a portable ventilator stan- dardization and update. Small grant recipients are: • Bridgeworks Oregon, $4,125, for its “Voices From the Inside” program. • Greater Yamhill Watershed Council of McMinnville, $4,125, for Yamhill River watershed assessment for Pacific lamprey and salmonid populations, • Little Hands Can of Springfield, $6,000, for its “Little Hands Can” program. • McMinnville Montessori School, $7,500, for supporting environ- mental education through fluid learning spaces. • Open Hearts Open Minds of Portland, $4,125, for its “CRCI Music Program.” • Oregon Society of Artists of Port- land, $4,125, for its veterans’ art program. • Our Forests of Eugene, $5,000, for the “Vets in Our Forest” program. • Trauma Healing Project of Eu- gene, $7,500, for bridge funding for a healing arts program. • Young Audiences of Portland, $7,500, for its “Arts Integration for Enhanced Learning” program. “We are thankful and grateful to our nonprofit partners who work tirelessly to provide pivotal services for children and families during this very challenging time,” says Spirit Mountain Community Fund Director Michael Cherry. “Now, more than ever, it’s critical that we continue to work together to support our most vulnerable communities.” n right now is flexibility and support to be able to continue the work they’ve already been funded for while trying to still meet the needs of the community remotely.” n • Experienced elected official • Committed to Yamhill County • Innovative thinker “Smoke Signals readers — Join me in making a difference by voting on May 19!” — Barbara Boyer www.ForwardWithBarbara.com Boyer@ForwardWithBarbara.com • FB & IG: @forwardwithbarbara Paid for by Forward with Barbara Paid political ad
