Oregon Community Foundation United States (US)

About: Oregon Community Foundation

Oregon Community Foundation is a statewide community foundation that helps donors, nonprofits and local leaders fund long-term solutions across Oregon through grantmaking, scholarships, research and community partnerships.

Charity / registration number

23-7315673

Abbreviation / Acronym

OCF

Founded

1973

Headquarters

Portland

Assets

$4.1 billion (2024)

Annual Giving

$211 million (2024)

Staff

~131

Mission and History

Mission

To enhance the well-being of people across Oregon by harnessing the impact of charitable giving.

History

Founded in 1973, Oregon Community Foundation was established as a statewide community foundation serving Oregon. Over time, it has built a network of donors, volunteers, nonprofits and community partners to connect private giving with public benefit. Its published materials describe OCF as long-term, statewide and relationship-based, using grantmaking, scholarships, research, advocacy and financial stewardship to respond to changing community needs across every county in Oregon.

Type of Foundation

Community Foundation

Focus Areas

Health, Education, Arts & Culture, Economic Development, • Community Vitality • Homelessness and Housing • Land and Nature

Approach and Operating Style

OCF combines donor services with community grantmaking. Its materials describe a model that includes donor-advised, discretionary, designated, scholarship, community-advised, corporate-advised and endowment partner funds. Open grants vary by fund and region, while some giving vehicles, such as donor-advised funds, are not open application programs. OCF also states that Community Grants provide flexible support and may fund operating support, capacity building, capital projects, and new or expanding programs. The organization emphasizes community input, partnerships, research and long-term stewardship of charitable assets.

Funding & Grant Information

Funding Restrictions

Does not fund individuals, Only funds registered nonprofits

Grant Application Deadlines

Other (Please Explain)
Varies by program/fund. OCF directs applicants to review individual fund pages for eligibility and deadlines; Community Grants typically has two annual cycles.

Major Programs and Initiatives

  • Community Grants Program: Flexible funding for organizations addressing pressing needs across Oregon; typically operates in spring and fall cycles.
  • Scholarship Funds: OCF administers scholarship support to expand postsecondary access for Oregon students. In 2024, 3,205 scholarships were awarded.
  • Oregon Impact Fund: Investment vehicle supporting catalytic growth capital for nonprofits, funds, intermediaries and certain for-profit ventures; 2024 capital committed totaled $30 million.
  • Creative Heights: Arts initiative supporting new artistic work, experimentation and cultural capacity-building statewide.
  • Fields Artist Fellowship: Fellowship program supporting artists and culture bearers whose work engages community issues.
  • Endowment Partners Program: Allows charitable organizations to place and steward endowment assets through OCF for long-term support.

Geographic Reach

Oregon, United States

Impact and Legacy

OCF reports more than $2.2 billion granted since 1973. In 2024 alone, it reported $211 million in grants and scholarships, support reaching 660 communities, and funding for 3,953 organizations. Its annual report also highlights a $52 million arts and culture investment created with Oregon lawmakers and the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, including $21 million in flexible support for 315 arts and culture nonprofits. These figures position OCF as a major statewide philanthropic intermediary and grantmaker in Oregon.

Partnerships, Leadership, and Other Details

Partnerships

OCF’s published materials emphasize collaboration with donors, nonprofits, community leaders, volunteers and public-sector partners. Named partnerships include the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation and Oregon lawmakers on a major arts and culture recovery investment. Its materials also reference work with other community foundations and sector partners on regional land and conservation efforts, including the Seattle Foundation, Idaho Community Foundation and Land Trust Alliance.

Leaderships

  • Lisa Mensah | President & CEO)

Other Details

OCF describes itself as a statewide nonprofit with offices in Portland, Bend, Eugene, Medford and Salem. Its strategic framing emphasizes three operating pillars: inspire giving, engage communities and advance opportunity. Published values include collaborative action, wise stewardship, equity, diversity and inclusion, and a spirit of community. The organization also manages long-term charitable assets through pooled investment options and notes a current 2026 payout rate of 4.05% for endowed funds. On the grantmaking side, its website makes clear that funding opportunities vary widely by geography, issue area and fund structure, so there is no single universal application route or deadline. The website also indicates that advised funds are donor-directed and not open for direct grant applications, while open grant opportunities are listed separately by fund.

Contact and Official Links

Official Website :

Address :

Portland, US

General Contact :

15032276846
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